Aarif Deen
Question from Avsfan1701
With Chris MacFarland now in Nashville, who do the Avs bring in as GM? Do they promote from within?
Aarif’s Response
I think they’re going to end up bringing in someone from outside of the organization. But I also think they’ll restructure some things from within (I can see Andrew Cogliano becoming an assistant GM, for example).
Speaking of Cogliano, I’m curious to see if he, Andrew Wilson, or Kevin MacDonald join MacFarland in Nashville — if that’s an option for them. If so, there will be more for Sakic to do.
The names that make the most sense right now are some of the candidates who have been tossed around for other jobs. Think Rangers assistant GM Ryan Martin, or Boston Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold. Perhaps even former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brandon Pridham, who is a savvy capologist.
Martin spent 14 seasons in the Red Wings organization and ran their AHL team. He won two Calder Cups in that time. He departed Detroit for the same role in New York in 2021.
Gold has been an assistant GM since 2020 and formally running the AHL team in Providence since 2023.
Pridham was hired by Brendan Shanahan in 2014-15 to join the Maple Leafs’ organization as a special assistant to the GM (the title Cogliano has had under MacFarland). He was later promoted to assistant GM in 2018-19 and served in that position for seven years. If I remember correctly, Pridham also worked for the league before that and was a key part of implementing the salary cap in 2004-05. He knows the ins and outs of the cap pretty well.
Question from USCdynasty
Chris MacFarland track record is abysmal starting from the moment he took over for Sakic. Is there any plausible way for the Avs to have sustained success moving forward?
Aarif’s Response
I go back and forth on how I feel Chris MacFarland did in his four years in the GM role. He was never shy to make moves and always tried to build a Stanley Cup contender — even if it meant sometimes overpaying for the players he felt were a fit. In the end, winning a Stanley Cup this year would’ve made it all worthwhile, but that obviously isn’t the case.
But to answer your question, yes, I think Sakic can right the ship. I’m curious to see how much correcting he does, or where he goes, but he’s being handed an opportunity to reset the direction of the franchise before making that next GM hire. He’ll have the next month or so of the offseason to do some summer cleaning, get the franchise in a direction he’s comfortable with, then bring someone in to collaborate with after that.
Question from Cuttlemater
Do you think the Avalanche will ever update their jerseys? I don’t want them to do anything drastic, but I think it would be nice to modernize the logo a little bit or something. What are the chances we see them do something more than slightly change the shade of a color anytime soon? Personally, I’d like something fresh and new to add to my jersey collection.
Aarif’s Response
I love a fun question like this. I’m in the camp that believes they shouldn’t touch the primary logo. I love that it has remained the same for 30 years and it should stay that way for as long as possible. There’s something beautiful in building a brand and sticking to it.
I do, however, think they need to be more creative with third jerseys, even a fourth jersey, and bring at least one more into their rotation. I would love to see a revamped version of the 2003 burgundy ‘Colorado” jersey make a return, for example.
Let’s also not forget that they’re playing in the Winter Classic next January. I would love for that jersey to be added to the rotation after they use it in the outdoor game. Basically, give me more “fourth” jerseys like this year’s Quebec Nordiques colors.