The Jim Gregory general manager of the year award honors the NHL executive who best exemplifies outstanding contributions to their club. This season, the three finalists—Pat Verbeek of the Anaheim Ducks, Bill Guerin of the Minnesota Wild, and Chris MacFarland of the Colorado Avalanche—were selected by a panel of GMs, executives, and media after the first round of the playoffs. [1] [2] All represent Western Conference teams still chasing the Stanley Cup, highlighting their ability to build contenders amid fierce competition.
Unlike recent years dominated by Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill, who secured three straight wins, this award breaks new ground. Iconic figures like Lou Lamoriello have multiple honors, but the field remains wide open. Here’s a ranking of the finalists based on their regular-season success, playoff performance, and long-term vision.
3. Pat Verbeek, Anaheim Ducks
Pat Verbeek took over as Ducks GM in 2022, navigating a rebuild toward contention. This marks Anaheim’s first playoff appearance under his watch, a significant milestone after years of lottery positioning. The Ducks upset the heavily favored Edmonton Oilers in Round 1, showcasing Verbeek’s blueprint for resilience.
Now in Round 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Anaheim’s depth has shone through. Verbeek’s strategy blends youth development with timely veteran additions, creating a balanced roster poised for deeper runs. His approach has transformed a middling team into a playoff threat.
Drafting has been a cornerstone of Verbeek’s success. He selected star center Leo Carlsson, defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, and right winger Beckett Sennecke, injecting high-end talent into the pipeline. These picks provide a foundation for sustained excellence.
To accelerate contention, Verbeek targeted experienced players:
- Blueliners John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and Radko Gudas for defensive stability.
- Forwards Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Mikael Granlund for scoring punch.
This influx of veterans complemented the young core without mortgaging the future. With $40.5 million in projected salary cap space this summer, Verbeek holds flexibility for further upgrades. [3]
Verbeek earns finalist status for positioning the Ducks as short- and long-term Cup threats. His measured rebuild offers a model for patient front-office work.
2. Bill Guerin, Minnesota Wild
Bill Guerin’s tenure with the Wild, now in its seventh season, features steady Central Division ascent. The boldest move came via the blockbuster trade for superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. Guerin surrendered significant assets but leveraged his stockpile of picks and prospects to win the bidding war. [4]
Hughes has elevated Minnesota’s blue line, validating Guerin’s aggressive vision. “When a player like Quinn Hughes is available, you make the call,” Guerin said post-trade. [5] This deal underscores his ability to identify and acquire elite talent.
Guerin also etched NHL history by re-signing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million extension—the richest total value in league history. This locks in a cornerstone amid rising costs.
Playoff progress reinforces his impact:
- Knocked out the Dallas Stars in Round 1.
- Advanced to face the Colorado Avalanche in Round 2.
- Consistent climbs in Central Division standings over seven years.
Guerin’s 2026 joy extended beyond the club, serving as GM for gold-medal-winning Team USA at the Winter Olympics. His multifaceted leadership positions Minnesota for perennial contention.
A first Jim Gregory award would signal Guerin’s arrival among elite GMs. His blend of trades, contracts, and international success makes a compelling case.
1. Chris MacFarland, Colorado Avalanche
Chris MacFarland, GM since summer 2022, has quietly built the NHL’s premier team. Partnering with president Joe Sakic, he crafted the league’s best squad from bell-to-bell, topping standings with a 55-16-11 record and 121 points. [1] Dominance started early and never wavered.
Midseason, MacFarland addressed minor gaps with precision trades:
- Re-acquired star center Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames.
- Added veteran center Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Bolstered defense with Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
These moves fortified an already stacked roster. In the playoffs, Colorado has lost just one of eight games, imposing their will on opponents.
MacFarland’s rapid impact belies his relative anonymity outside hockey circles. He delivers coveted results: regular-season supremacy and playoff poise. Official NHL announcement confirms his finalist nod alongside peers. [1]
Expect MacFarland to win, given Colorado’s comprehensive excellence. This won’t be his last nomination.
These finalists embody GM excellence amid a parity-driven league. Whoever claims the Jim Gregory award sets the standard for 2027 and beyond, with all three teams eyeing the Cup. Fans await the winner as playoffs intensify.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.