Nashville Predators Hire Rob Blake as Executive VP of Hockey Operations

The Nashville Predators are making significant additions to their front office. On Friday, the team announced the hiring of Hall of Fame defenseman Rob Blake as their new Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.

“We are ecstatic to welcome Rob Blake to the Nashville Predators as our executive vice president of hockey operations,” MacFarland said in a release. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in management and I will rely on him to assist me in many areas across the department as we look to build a winning team in Smashville. I couldn’t think of a better person to join me and the organization on this journey.”

Blake joins the Predators after an eight-season tenure as the vice president of hockey operations and general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, spanning from the 2017-18 season through 2024-25. During his time at the helm in Los Angeles, Blake compiled a regular-season record of 309-238-71, guiding the Kings to five Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. He and the Kings organization officially parted ways at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Before ascending to the GM role, Blake captured a Stanley Cup as an assistant general manager with the Kings in 2014. This executive success followed a legendary 1,290-game playing career in the NHL, highlighted by a Norris Trophy in 1998 and a Stanley Cup victory with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. 

“My family and I are very excited to join the Predators franchise and would like to thank Chris MacFarland for his trust in me,” Blake said. “This is an organization with a great history and a very bright future, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I am grateful to work with Chris, who is one of the best general managers in today’s game, and build something special here in Nashville.”