Predators' Roman Josi emerges as premier defenseman

If given a choice, Predators defensemen Shea Weber and Roman Josi would prefer to play outside the glare of the NHL spotlight.

Weber's longtime importance to the franchise and perennial Norris Trophy candidacy, though, have prevented him from avoiding mainstream attention.

So far, Josi has mostly existed in relative obscurity outside of Nashville, but that won't last much longer. The 24-year-old has emerged as a premier multidimensional defenseman and been crucial to the Predators' return to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"I just try to play my game," Josi said. "You don't really worry too much if you're in the spotlight or not. That's not really one of my concerns. You want to play well as a player and just try to play your game."

Naturally, Josi and Weber, defensive partners for the past three seasons, are evaluated as a unit. Together, they arguably form the NHL's most dependable pair, each averaging over 26 minutes per game. Coach Peter Laviolette plays them in all situations and against the opposition's most formidable players.

"I truly don't know who I would trade them for," Predators general manager David Poile said. "I think they're that good."

Viewed individually, Josi's ongoing maturation is reflected in his statistics. He is the first Predators defenseman to score 15 goals and record 40 assists in the same season. His 55 points were just one behind Weber's single-season scoring record for defensemen, which the Predators captain set last season.

"He's just continually getting better," Weber said. "He's going to continue to get better, too. You forgot how young he is. From him to be growing at this rate and playing at this level right now, it's exciting to us to know that he's going to have even more ahead of him."

Despite starting more shifts in the defensive zone than any player in the NHL, Josi was on the ice for 68 goals scored by the Predators and 44 goals scored against them at even strength this season. That plus-24 differential led all defensemen.

"He's always so good with the puck and his skating ability and he never gets tired," former Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "But what you notice over time is his ability to defend. His stick detail, his one-on-one play is much better than it was. His strength on the puck in battles is much better as he's gotten older and stronger. He's getting better and better all the time. Roman Josi will be a player that you'll hear from for the next number of years."

Josi's profile will surely grow as the Predators enter the postseason, and how far they advance will depend on Josi's all-around contributions.

"There's no question that this year he's played at a higher level," Poile said. "I think it's going to come by how we do and he does in the playoffs and for sure I think he's going to be one of the guys that's going to get big-time recognition next year. ... I think we know what we have and we feel Roman's one of the best defensemen in the league.

"Last year was a little bit of the coming-out party, but this year, I really think he deserves more attention nationally and certainly deserves more recognition."

Reach Adam Vingan at 615-259-8023 and on Twitter @AdamVingan

ROMAN JOSI FILE

Age: 24

Birthplace: Bern, Switzerland

Experience: Four years, No. 38 pick in 2008 NHL draft

NHL Debut: Nov. 26, 2011

Notable Awards: Most Valuable Player/Best Defenseman, 2013 IIHF World Championships

PREDATORS VS. BLACKHAWKS

FIRST ROUND

Best-of-seven series

Game 1: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Nashville (Fox TN)

Game 2: Friday, 8:30 p.m., Nashville (Fox TN)

Game 3: Sunday, 2 p.m., Chicago (WSMV-4)

Game 4: Tuesday, April 21, 8:30 p.m., Chicago (Fox TN)

*Game 5: Thursday, April 23, TBD, Nashville (Fox TN)

*Game 6: Saturday, April 25, TBD, Chicago (Fox TN)

*Game 7: Monday, April 27, TBD, Nashville (Fox TN)

*if necessary