Hall of Famer Rob Blake has a new job.
The longtime NHL defenceman joined the Nashville Predators as executive vice president of hockey operations, the team announced on Friday.
Blake, 56, most recently served as vice president of hockey operations and general manager of the Los Angeles Kings from 2016-2025, leading the team to five playoff appearances.
He will work alongside newly hired Predators president of hockey operations and GM Chris MacFarland across multiple areas.
"Rob is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and a legend of our game. Additionally, 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," MacFarland said in a statement.
Blake, of Simcoe, Ont., played 1,290 career games in the NHL, including a Norris Trophy nod in 1998 and a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. He won a second Cup as assistant GM with the Kings in 2014.
"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," Blake said in a statement.
Nashville has missed the playoffs three of the past four seasons after a stretch of eight straight post-season berths, which included the 2017 Western Conference championship.
Last season, the Predators rallied from last in the NHL on Dec. 8 to a wild-card spot with 10 games to play, only to be eliminated in the 81st game of the season. Coach Andrew Brunette has gone 115-108-23 at Nashville with slow starts in each of his three seasons.
— with files from The Associated Press
