The Nashville Predators appointed Vukie Mpofu as Assistant General Manager on July 7, 2026, according to a statement from Predators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris MacFarland. Mpofu, 30, joins the Nashville front office after three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he served as Director of Hockey Operations and Legal Affairs.
What is Vukie Mpofu’s role with the Nashville Predators?
As Assistant General Manager, Mpofu will manage several core functions of the organization’s hockey operations. According to the team’s announcement, his responsibilities include player acquisition strategy, amateur and professional scouting, and contract negotiations. Additionally, he will oversee salary cap management and ensure compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
During his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mpofu worked closely with the organization’s hockey research and development department.
How does Mpofu’s background influence his new position?
Mpofu brings a mix of legal expertise and front-office experience to the Predators. He earned a Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law, specializing in Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports Law. Before his tenure in Pittsburgh, he served as Manager of Hockey Operations and Legal Affairs in Los Angeles from 2021 to 2023. In Los Angeles, he worked under Rob Blake, who is currently the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Predators.
His early career includes a 2020-21 stint as a Hockey Legal Affairs Intern for the Vegas Golden Knights and a legal internship with Wasserman, now known as The Team. These roles provided him with a foundation in the regulatory and administrative aspects of professional hockey.
Why is this hire significant for the Predators’ management structure?
According to the team, the Predators sought to bring in one of the "great young minds in the game" to assist in building a winning franchise in Nashville.
Professional Path Comparison
| Organization | Role | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | Legal Affairs Intern | 2020-2021 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Manager, Hockey Ops/Legal | 2021-2023 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Director, Hockey Ops/Legal | Previous three seasons |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the new Assistant GM of the Nashville Predators? Vukie Mpofu was hired as Assistant General Manager on July 7, 2026.
- What is Mpofu’s educational background? He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Saskatchewan and a Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law.
- Where did Mpofu work before joining the Predators? He most recently worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins under Kyle Dubas and previously held a role with the Los Angeles Kings under Rob Blake.
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