Nashville Predators: Players deserving consideration for captain

With “The Captain” retiring, the Nashville Predators are tasked with selecting a new captain. Our staff submits our opinions on who it should be.

What’s done is done, and the Nashville Predators must now turn their attention to building off the amazing run of the 2016-17 season. Key players are gone, and one of those is former captain Mike Fisher. Replacing his spirit and character will be challenging. But, alas, needs to happen.

The problem is now who steps into that role? The hole left by Fisher is a large one, maybe larger that we even realize. He was the heart and soul of the Predators, at least as the team itself has expressed over the last two days. Looking for the next Mike Fisher to replace Mike Fisher is not possible. Asking someone to be what they are not is unfair to everyone.

Leadership can be trained, but is also a natural skill. Some people just have a knack for leading. Maybe there is a player on the roster that was doing that along side Fisher last year.

Truth is we don’t know for sure. All we can do is speculate. So, I put the question to our writers here on Predlines: who do you believe should be the new captain and why. Here are their thoughts.

Captain Ryan Ellis

When you think about it, the title does have a ring to it. Simple, yet refined. Or maybe it is because there a Twitter account under that name with over 11,000 followers. If there is a member of our team that is for Ryan Ellis being captain, it is Treigh Patterson.

Treigh’s thoughts: Usually when you think of a team’s captain that person is the “face” of the organization. While I don’t think that would be the case with Ellis, I don’t think it was for Fisher, either. To me, Ellis embodies everything a captain should be. He is a true leader on and off the ice. Ellis gives his all every time he is on the ice, proven by him playing through his injury during the playoffs. He loves Nashville and Nashville loves him. Plus, he was drafted and developed by the Predators. He had paid his dues, and deserves the recognition.

Strong support of Ellis. I am sure his beard approves. Fisher had a beard, so it seems to be a requirement, right?

P.K. Subban

To say a player has an impact in his first year with an organization is rare. What Aaron Judge is doing for the New York Yankees is impressive. Then you have Cody Bellinger. Both are rookies and putting up ridiculous numbers in baseball. With veteran players, you usually know what you are going to get. Most of the time. But, I believe P.K. Subban left a major impact on the Predators in just his first season. Our James Marlin and Steve Cook agree.

James’ thoughts: Although Subban has been with the team for just one season, he is one of the more vocal leaders on the team, and that was shown throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Being a vocal leader is a characteristic that captains should possess. Subban is sometimes involved in controversy on the ice, but that just comes because of the type of player he is. Not only is Subban a vocal leader and good player, but he is also very involved in the media. He is usually the go to guy for the Predators when it comes to the media, especially in the playoffs last year.

Off the ice, Subban is very involved in the community around him, as he has his own charity and is all about helping others. Not only is P.K. Subban a key voice for the NHL, he could soon potentially be the voice of the Nashville Predators as he has the chance to become the next captain.

From Steve’s point of view: To me, the captain should be the person you most want representing your team on and off the ice. Shea Weber & Mike Fisher were great choices in that regard. So is Subban, in a different way. He’s only been with Nashville one season. That one season was the most successful in franchise history.

Subban draws a lot of attention off the ice, some warranted and some not. He represents the new school of hockey that the Predators look to be a major part of. Nashville is about glitz & glamour, and Subban is the perfect representative of that. He backs up anything that he says that might tick off some people.

Subban is a leader in the community and has already shown leadership qualities while with the Predators. He’s the one fist-bumping everybody as they get off the ice. He’s addressing the team after difficult losses. P.K. Subban is already the face of the Nashville Predators to the outside world. Making him captain cements it.

Roman Josi

The heir apparent to the throne of Predators Captain is Roman Josi. Since 2015, Josi served as the Alternate Captain for the team. It seems to be the obvious choice for the role. An understated star, much like Fisher. One that can put up points and play great defense. The all around player. Mike Wade agrees.

Mike’s thoughts: This was the plan all along, in my opinion. Josi wasn’t quite ready for the role, so they gave it to Fisher who was going to be done in 1-2 years anyway. Number 59 possesses solid leadership traits, including serious determination on the ice and respect for the game. He’s also a fan favorite and has built a great relationship with his teammates in Nashville.

Perhaps most importantly, Josi has a great ability to keep his mouth shut and play his game. Mike Fisher was an expert in this, which helps the team immensely. Josi’s perpetual focus has benefitted his point production: in nearly 400 games with the Predators, the 27-year old has recorded 67 goals and 180 assists – fantastic numbers for a defenseman. In 2016-17, he had the highest average time on ice – 25:04 – of any skater for Nashville.

Be it a warm up skate or a playoff game, Roman Josi is a quiet, diligent leader who will inspire teammates to focus on the task at hand and stay away from needless distractions.

Viktor Arvidsson

This one may be a bit more remote in comparison to the others, but let’s just investigate the possibility. They say little things come in small packages. At 5-feet 9-inches, and 180 lbs. soaking wet in full gear, Arvidsson is definitely small in stature. His game is not however. He is the pick of our Andrew Robinson.

Here are Andrew’s words: Not because of the offense, but because of his playing style. He goes 110% at all times to any part of the ice even though he is the smallest guy out there. He always takes additional punishment for being small, and never quits or complains. If you want a captain who leads by example, he is your guy.

He’s not wrong. There is something about Arvidsson. He just keeps going no matter what happens on the ice. He is an energetic player, that leaves it all out on the ice. Not a bad aspect to consider.