The Nashville Predators have hired Chris MacFarland from the Colorado Avalanche as their president of hockey operations and general manager. MacFarland replaces Barry Trotz, who will move into an advisory role after announcing his retirement from the GM position earlier this season. MacFarland, 56, spent 11 seasons with the Avalanche, including four as general manager. Under his leadership, Colorado posted the NHL's best record this season before being eliminated in the Western Conference Final. He is a finalist for general manager of the year. Nashville has missed the playoffs three of the past four seasons. Joe Sakic will serve as the Avalanche's interim GM for the foreseeable future.

Honeywell International has entered a multi-year global partnership with the National Hockey League, becoming the league's official building automation and energy management partner. The deal aims to modernise arenas, practice facilities and community rinks with AI-enabled, integrated building systems. The partnership extends Honeywell's building automation footprint into sports venues and hockey communities across North America. However, analysts suggest the NHL deal serves primarily as a proof point for Honeywell's pivot towards higher-value, software-heavy automation and energy management, rather than altering the company's investment narrative. Honeywell's near-term focus remains on executing its planned breakup into three public companies, including an aerospace spin-off and divestitures of productivity solutions and warehouse divisions. The company projects $44.8 billion in revenue by 2029, requiring 5.9% annual growth.

The NHL invited Glice to showcase a 150 m² synthetic ice rink at the 2026 SportsInnovation conference in Düsseldorf, allowing visitors to test the company's StellarGlide technology firsthand. Glice's ice panels are manufactured in German plastic polymer mills that serve aerospace and robotics industries. Laboratory testing by the Fraunhofer Institute showed the surface achieved friction levels equivalent to real ice at lower skating speeds. Omar Mitchell, NHL vice president of innovation and growth strategy, said the activation demonstrates how material-science companies can shape hockey's future by lowering barriers to play through flexible, location-independent installations. The showcase highlighted how synthetic ice can support experiential activations and broaden access to skating experiences in new settings.