Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland up for Jim Gregory Award

Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has built an incredible roster.

And that’s being recognized around the league.

MacFarland was named a finalist for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award, it was announced by the NHL on Tuesday. He joins Bill Guerin of the Minnesota Wild and Pat Verbeek of the Anaheim Ducks in the top-3.

Announcing the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award finalists… 🏆 #NHLAwards

This award is presented annually to recognize the work of the top general manager in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/2Z45rPNabJ

— NHL (@NHL) May 12, 2026

The award has been presented annually since 2009-10 to the GM who best excelled at his role during the regular season.

It is voted on by the NHL’s general managers and a panel of executives and print and broadcast media after the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Chris MacFarland made key trade deadline acquisitions in the likes of Nazem Kadri, Nicolas Roy and Nick Blankenburg, all whom have helped the Avalanche start 7-1 in the postseason.

He also gave lucrative contract extensions to Brock Nelson and Martin Necas, guys he brought in last year and are top-6 forwards for the Avs. MacFarland paid defenseman Sam Malinski, which is looking like a bargain given his meteoric rise on Colorado’s blue-line.

Throw in the fact that the Avalanche have the best roster in the NHL and it’s a no-brainer that Chris MacFarland is a finalist for the Jim Gregory Award.

He’s made bold moves throughout his tenure, some that have worked and others that haven’t, but there’s no question MacFarland is an aggressive general manager.

And with the Avs being a championship contender seemingly every year, that’s what fans want. A boss who isn’t afraid to make tough decisions while pushing the chips all-in and pursuing another Stanley Cup.

The award will be announced down the road, with Chris MacFarland hoping to join Joe Sakic as a recipient after he took it home for the 2021-22 season.

That was the last time the Avalanche won a title — and history repeating itself on both fronts would be a great thing.

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