Predators Make Significant Front Office Changes
Hall of Fame defenseman Rob Blake joins Chris MacFarland to spearhead a new era in Nashville, signaling a sweeping overhaul as longtime executive Brian Poile exits.
Video Transcript
Mike, what do you think of this hire for Nashville?
Because this was a name, I think, in McFarland that really hadn't come across anyone's radar until kind of the 11th hour here, presumably because no one thought he would be available.
but Nashville did request to talk to him, and they got the permission, and, and they made the hire.
So what do you think of the hire, and, and what do you think his top priority should be once he gets to Nashville?
I mean, as we've been saying the last month, it, it, it sort of was mysterious that they hadn't jumped at making a move, and obviously it was somebody who was involved in the playoffs.
and, you know, I mean, his record is, you know, close to impeccable with, with Colorado, but this is, you know, this is gonna be a tough mountain to climb.
I mean, we know what is going on with the Predators.
The core group of that team is over the age of 30, you know, Josi and Stamkos and Marchessault and, you know, and Ryan O'Reilly.
I mean, I think this is a rebuild.
I think this is But, I don't think the ownership wants to hear that, but I think that's the reality.
I think that, you know, you may have to trade a Roman Josi if he would allow himself to be traded.
You may have to trade a Steven Stamkos if he allows himself to be traded.
Some of these players don't wanna go anyplace else.
But as a new guy coming in, you have the freedom and you have the gravitas to be able to say, "Okay, I'm the new sheriff, and you're outta here."
So, I think that that's gonna be the first thing, you know, evaluating his own roster and deciding what direction to go.
They need to get younger.
They need to get faster, and I think that McFarland, is gonna be up to the task to do that job.
