- Predators hire Hall of Famer Rob Blake as EVP of hockey operations
- Blake spent eight seasons as Kings GM and won two Cups as a player
- Read below for what Blake adds to Chris MacFarland’s new-look front office
The Nashville Predators just added a Hall of Famer to the front office.
Nashville hired Rob Blake as executive vice president of hockey operations on Friday. The 56-year-old ran the Los Angeles Kings as general manager for the last eight seasons, and now he teams up with new GM Chris MacFarland in Smashville.
MacFarland did not hide how he felt about landing him.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Rob Blake to the Nashville Predators,” MacFarland said. “Rob is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and a legend of our game. He brings a wealth of knowledge in management, and I will rely on him in many areas as we look to build a winning team in Smashville.”
This wraps a busy stretch for Nashville’s front office. MacFarland took over as president of hockey operations and GM on Tuesday after 11 years with the Avalanche, where he won a Cup as assistant GM in 2022. He replaced Barry Trotz, who is staying on as an adviser through next season.
Blake ran the Kings from 2017 to 2025 and posted a 309-238-71 regular-season record. Los Angeles reached the playoffs five times under him but never won a series.
As a player, he was one of the best defensemen of his era. Blake piled up 777 points across 20 NHL seasons, won the Norris Trophy in 1998, and lifted the Cup with Colorado in 2001. The Hall of Fame came calling in 2014.
The Predators have missed the playoffs two years running and finished four points out this season. Now Blake helps MacFarland fix that, starting with 12 picks at the 2026 Draft.
