Avalanche promote MacFarland to GM, name Sakic president of hockey ops

The Stanley Cup champs are restructuring their front office.

The Colorado Avalanche promoted Chris MacFarland to general manager while naming Joe Sakic president of hockey operations, the team announced Monday.

Colorado opted to promote MacFarland rather than allow him to interview with other teams, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

MacFarland was hired by the Avalanche as assistant general manager in 2015. He previously spent 16 years in the Columbus Blue Jackets' hockey ops department.

Sakic was named general manager of the franchise he captained to two Stanley Cups in 2013. He successfully rebuilt Colorado into a powerhouse and won General Manager of the Year last week after a slew of trades helped the Avalanche to the title.

MacFarland and Sakic have a big offseason ahead. Key players Nazem Kadri, Darcy Kuemper, Valeri Nichushkin, and Andre Burakovsky all become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday, while superstar Nathan MacKinnon is also eligible for an extension.

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