Colorado Avalanche continue to build new front office, add an assistant GM
Jul 22, 2022, 4:05 PM
Last week the Colorado Avalanche made headlines with two big promotions in their front office.
Today, the team hired a third voice to add to the room.
The Avs are bringing on Kevin McDonald as their new assistant general manger. He takes the place of Chris MacFarland, who was promoted to GM on July 11. Former GM Joe Sakic was elevated to president of hockey operations the same day.
McDonald has been with the St. Louis Blues since the 2001-2002 season, most recently serving as the general manager of their AHL affiliate the last four years. He was the recipient of the 2022 Thomas Ebright Memorial Award, which is annually presented for outstanding career contributions to the American Hockey League. McDonald “played an important role” in the Blues winning the Stanley Cup in 2019, according to a press release from the Avs.
What does this move mean for Colorado? On the surface, it’s simply a replacement for MacFarland. He earned his new job title, so the Avs needed someone to fill his role.
But with Sakic also being elevated to president, it could be the beginning of the Avalanche laying the groundwork for his eventual retirement. That could be in a year or two, or it could be in 10 years. It all depends on how long Sakic wants to stay involved. Regardless, the team is putting together a staff of adequate replacements when (and if) that day arrives.
It’s hard to envision Sakic leaving anytime soon, given just how good the Avs were a season ago and how long they should be good for, but you never know. For now he’s still running the show, with MacFarland and McDonald also key decision makers moving forward.
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