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Nashville Predators Hierarchy of Importance in the Lineup

By Chad Minton

WINNIPEG, MB - JANUARY 12: Calle Jarnkrok #19, Roman Josi #59, Matt Duchene #95 and Yannick Weber #7 of the Nashville Predators discuss strategy during a second period stoppage in play against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on January 12, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Preds shutout the Jets 1-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - JANUARY 12: Calle Jarnkrok #19, Roman Josi #59, Matt Duchene #95 and Yannick Weber #7 of the Nashville Predators discuss strategy during a second period stoppage in play against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on January 12, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Preds shutout the Jets 1-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Roman Josi
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 10: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators r(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

151. . . . Roman Josi. 2. player

Not only is Roman Josi my undisputed best player on the Nashville Predators, but he’s also one of the most important in the hierarchy of the lineup.

That’s probably not to any surprise to anyone reading this. Josi is the main reason why the Predators didn’t finish in last place in the division this season.

How can one player be the difference between being a last-place team and actually being in a playoff spot? For starters, there’s usually a lot of teams clustered up trying to make a wildcard spot as the season winds down.

This season was no different, and the Predators were right in the thick of it. Without Josi’s stellar and reliable play, the Predators would be hanging out down in the cellar with the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks.

Josi covers up a lot of deficiencies that the Predators have. He takes over plays all by himself and often times creates high-danger scoring chances. His elite skating ability and skill level forces multiple defenders to chase him around, and that usually opens up opportunities for other players.

If you take Josi suddenly out of the Predators lineup, they’re a very ordinary team offensively, and they’re an absolute mess on defense. Quite frankly they already are a mess on defense even with Josi, but so much worse without him.

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