Naming Chris MacFarland president of hockey operations and general manager on June 2 begins a new era for the Nashville Predators.
After a lengthy search, majority owner Bill Haslam secured his top target in MacFarland, hiring him away from the Colorado Avalanche, where he served as general manager since 2022.
MacFarland didn't reveal much about his short term intentions for the Predators. Frequently referencing an upcoming "deep dive" into the roster, he anticipates meeting with the team's front office and scouting staff in the coming weeks before the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26.
MacFarland also talked about meeting the Predators' coaching staff, including Andrew Brunette. What he said could suggest his strategy in the coming months.
Though both MacFarland and Brunette have been involved in the NHL to some degree for over 26 years, somehow the two never connected professionally prior to now.

Ryanair trolled Italy with a brutal post on X ahead of the Azzurri’s friendly game against Luxembourg: ‘Where exactly?’
Ryanair trolled the Italian national team on Wednesday with a cheeky comment on X.
The Italian FA shared a photo of the players boarding for their away game in Luxembourg, captioned “en route.” Ryanair quickly responded with a highly sarcastic remark: “To where exactly?”
Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, making their last appearance in the competition in 2014.
The Azzurri, led by caretaker coach Silvio Baldini, beat Luxembourg 1-0 on Wednesday and will finish the season on Sunday in another away friendly in Greece.

Newcastle United’s transfer ambitions continue to grow, and according to reporting from Expressen, the club have now made a significant move for AIK winger Zadok Yohanna.
Photo IMAGO
The Swedish outlet reports that Newcastle have submitted an offer worth €24 million plus bonuses, a package valued at approximately 260 million Swedish kronor. It is a statement of intent from a club determined to strengthen its squad with emerging talent capable of making an impact in the years ahead.
The race, however, remains far from over.
Brighton & Hove Albion have long been ***** ociated with Yohanna and remain firmly in contention. Expressen recently reported that Brighton were preparing a bid worth between €22 million and €23 million, underlining just how highly the youngster is regarded across Europe.

It's not the first time Connor Basye has answered the call.
Back in 2015, after his senior season with the Bloomington North basketball team was done, former Cougar head coach Andy Hodson called Basye at 11:30 the night before the Hoosier Basketball Coaches ****** ociation All-Star game was to be held at the Cougar Den. Hodson wondered if he'd like to fill a spot on a roster after another player couldn't make it.
"It was awesome," Basye said at the time. "Even better since we got the win."
More: Bloomington area athletes to watch at IHSAA boys state track meet
Several days ago, Edgewood athletic director Jerry Bland called him up, only this time, the question was whether Basye would like to be the new head boys basketball coach for the Mustangs. Like before, his answer was yes. And yes, he expects to win this time as well.

Few players have earned more praise this spring than Keondre Jackson. Special teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr. said Jackson has continued to build on the momentum he created last season.
"Last year, Keondre Jackson had a really good year," Levine said. "He started playing for us, came in making plays and was a key contributor for us."
Now the challenge is proving he can do it again.
"My advice to him is to make sure that he's being consistent because you have to do it day-in and day-out, year after year," Levine said.
Levine believes Jackson has already embraced that challenge.

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme said on the popular YouTube podcast the Wild Project that he'd like the club's eternal rival FC Barcelona to "disappear".
Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme said on the popular YouTube podcast the Wild Project that he'd like the club's eternal rival FC Barcelona to “disappear”.
Riquelme will challenge long-time Los Blancos leader Florentino Perez in an election on June 7.
On the campaign trial, the Spanish businessman and founder of **** Energy has made several media appearances with his latest coming via the Wild Project.
Asked about Barca, Riquelme said: “I want to see Barcelona in the Second Division. I would love to. I wouldn’t have any problems with that and I’d be happy. And it is not being disrespectful. I would also like Barcelona to disappear. I wouldn’t have any problems with that.”