The Nashville Predators' GM search is finally over, and it concluded as well as the team could have asked for it to. They hired Chris MacFarland -- the now former GM of the Colorado Avalanche -- who is bringing along former Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake to be Executive VP or Hockey Operations.
Such a major point of emphasis throughout this process was bringing new blood into the front office, as the same faces and ideas from over the years made the team go stale. Not only did the Predators accomplish that goal, but they brought in guys with legitimate pedigree and experience, which feels like a home run.
MacFarland has already touched on roster building strategy in his press conference, and made a few points that show awareness of where the Predators have struggled over the years. In particular, his words give the team and their fans hope that he will not repeat a mistake that was made by Barry Trotz during his GM tenure.
Chris MacFarland must not be afraid to sacrifice draft picks in order to improve Nashville Predators
MacFarland had two quotes that caught the attention of those following his press conference -- that going through some pain is necessary to acquire great players, and that a team does not always have to get worse before they can get better.
So many Predators fans have clamored for the team to make full scale changes for such a long time, and there is a good chance that some real turnover will occur this offseason. Even still, it may not necessarily be in the form of a true rebuild, because the team's full system as it stands has a lot of promise.
The Predators have a top five prospect pool according to Scott Wheeler, as well as a young promising breakout player in Luke Evangelista. They also still have veteran talents such as Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi being on the roster, as well as a solid goaltending tandem in Juuse Saros and Justus Annunen.
MacFarland ultimately might decide to embark on a full-scale rebuild, and you could not blame him if he decided to go that route. But it is true that he does not have to do that given the Predators current state, because the full system provides a possibility to, in his words, build good player upon good player.
All of this being said, the Predators are in a position where, without some drastic move or measure, they will likely be stuck in the middle as they have been for a long time. The area where they would be wise to take a swing they really have not taken is in the draft, and in particular, being aggressive.
The Predators currently have 16 picks in the top 100 evenly spread out over the next three years, as well as several prospects. If the Predators keep each prospect and use every pick straight up as it currently stands, multiple players will get pushed out because there is just not that much room on the roster to accommodate everyone.
They also are likely to add more top 100 picks in the coming weeks, as guys such as Ryan O'Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault are on the roster. At least one of them is likely to be dealt this offseason, and whatever return the Predators get should be used as ammo to move up in the draft.
As mentioned, there is just not enough room to give everyone a worthy NHL opportunity, and for as many good prospects as they have, very few if any individuals are truly franchise altering. Parting with a few of them in order to acquire someone who really is franchise altering could be the thing that takes this organization over the top.
Of course, MacFarland cannot just make a trade just because he wants to, as there will need to be willing partners to let the Predators move up. But his words and past track record indicate that he is at least willing to try, as well as give up the assets truly necessary to make such a drastic move.
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