Rob Blake, a Hockey Hall of Famer and former Los Angeles Kings general manager, is officially headed to Smashville’s suites. The Predators hired him Friday as executive vice president of hockey operations, sliding a big-name player-turned-exec into the mix just ahead of this month’s NHL Draft and the July free agency window. Blake will report to newly arrived president of hockey operations and general manager Chris MacFarland and is expected to take a leading role in player development, scouting and contract planning. It is the latest move in what has turned into a whirlwind week for Nashville’s front office.
In the team’s announcement, MacFarland said Blake “will work alongside him in all areas of hockey operations, including player development, team strategy, free agency, scouting and drafting,” according to NewsChannel 5. MacFarland described Blake as “a two-time Stanley Cup winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and a legend of our game,” and pointed to Blake’s front office experience as a key piece of Nashville’s next chapter. The Predators emphasized that this is a partnership with MacFarland rather than any change to the general manager seat.
Blake's on-ice credentials and front-office résumé
Before he ever wore a suit and tie for work, Blake put together a 20-season NHL career that checked just about every box. He captured the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1998, lifted the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001 and earned induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014. Wikipedia notes that Blake was a seven-time All-Star who skated for Los Angeles, Colorado and San Jose.
On the management side, Blake spent eight seasons in charge of the Kings’ hockey operations, helping build out the roster through trades, free agent signings and high draft picks. That list includes the selection of Quinton Byfield with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, as detailed by the Los Angeles Times.
What Blake brings to Nashville
Blake, 56, said in the team release that “my family and I are very excited to join the Predators franchise,” per NewsChannel 5. Nashville’s brass is casting his role as deeply involved but clearly complementary to MacFarland’s authority as president and GM. That framing points to Blake taking the wheel on player development and scouting while MacFarland handles the final calls on day-to-day general manager decisions. Fans and analysts alike will be watching how those responsibilities are split as the club barrels into draft and free agency season.
Offseason timing and next steps
The Predators step into the offseason with the calendar already crowding. The 2026 NHL Draft is set for June 26–27, and free agency is scheduled to open at noon ET on July 1, according to the league’s key dates listed at NHL.com. In the meantime, the organization will hold development camp and prospect evaluations as Blake and MacFarland lock in their blueprint. That tight turnaround will quickly reveal how efficiently the new tandem can line up trades, signings and other roster moves.
Front-office fit and expectations
Blake’s arrival comes just days after Nashville’s decision to hire Chris MacFarland as president of hockey operations and general manager, giving the club a leadership setup anchored by two veteran executives. Sports Business Journal reported that the Predators are prioritizing roster construction through the draft and free agency, a plan that will now lean heavily on Blake’s scouting eye and development background. How quickly that strategy translates into wins is the question that will hang over this revamped front office all summer.
