Avalanche and Predators complete multi-piece trade as GM raids former team again

Chris MacFarland has barely settled into his new office in Nashville, and he is already making the Predators look a lot like the Colorado Avalanche.

The Predators have acquired Jack Drury, prospect Chase Bradley and Colorado's third round pick in 2029 in return for forward Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux. The swap marks the latest transaction between the two clubs since MacFarland left his post as Avalanche GM to become Nashville's president of hockey operations and general manager.

It is not the first time MacFarland has called up his old front office this offseason. Earlier this month, he pulled off a trade to bring veteran center Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch from Colorado to Nashville. In return, the Avalanche received goalie Magnus Chrona and a pair of third-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

On the other side of these deals, Joe Sakic has stepped back into the GM chair following MacFarland's departure. Sakic, who also serves as president of hockey operations, previously held the role when Colorado captured the Stanley Cup in 2022. The recent flurry of trades has restocked the Avalanche's draft pick cupboard while reshaping their roster.

Last season, Drury played a full 82-game schedule, recording 27 total points (10 goals and 17 assists) with a plus-15 rating, adding 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in 13 playoff contests before the Avalanche's elimination. He was originally acquired in a trade with Carolina on Jan. 24. 2025. 

As for Svechkov and L'Heureux, the former played in a career-high 70 games for Nashville last season and registered 17 points (4g/13a). The 17 points matched his rookie season total from 2024-25, while the 13 helpers marked a personal-best. Drafted in the first round (19th overall) in 2021 by the Predators, he was selected just before L'Heureux, who was picked by Nashville in the first round (27th overall) that same year. He got in 25 games for the Predators last season and recorded five points (4g/1a). The bulk of L’Heureux’s 2025-26 was spent in Milwaukee where he posted 28 points (14g/14a) in 30 games and ranked tied for fifth on the team in goals.

For now, the pipeline between Denver and Nashville shows no signs of closing. As long as MacFarland knows exactly what Colorado has on its roster, the Predators figure to keep coming back for more.