Columbus Blue Jackets MacFarland joined Columbus prior to the
1999–2000 campaign and served as the manager of hockey operations from 2001 to 2007 before being promoted to assistant to the General Manager,
Scott Howson, in July 2007. MacFarland remained in the Blue Jackets organization for 16 years, serving in all facets of management and spending his final two seasons within the organization as the General Manager Blue Jackets' minor-league affiliate, the
Springfield Falcons.
Colorado Avalanche On May 21, 2015, MacFarland was hired by the Colorado Avalanche to serve in the same capacity of an assistant general manager to
Joe Sakic. Working closely with Sakic, MacFarland played a pivotal part in helping the Avalanche rebuild from finishing last in the league in the
2016–17 season to capturing the Presidents' Trophy in
2020–21 and winning the
Stanley Cup in the following
2021–22 season. On July 11, 2022, MacFarland was promoted to the general manager for the championship-winning Colorado Avalanche, with Joe Sakic assuming the president of hockey operations role. == Personal life ==