Captain Candidates if Nashville Predators Didn’t Have Roman Josi

We’re hearing a lot of talk lately about NHL teams naming their new captains, and we know that the Nashville Predators have been all set for a while in this important area by having Roman Josi.

Josi has been captain of the Nashville Predators since 2017-18 and has been the premiere superstar of the team during that run, including a Norris Trophy win in 2020 and representing the Predators in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.

Including Josi, the Nashville Predators have had seven captains in their team history, starting with Tom Fitzgerald until 2002. Josi is the longest tenured Predators captain, with Shea Weber being captain for six seasons.

It’s important to note that this is purely speculative and in no way suggesting that Josi shouldn’t be captain, so just stop with that. Also, Juuse Saros would make a great captain if goalie were allowed to serve as on-ice captains, which they are not according to NHL, IIHF and Hockey Canada standards.

Goalies can be unofficially named team captains and just not wear the “C” patch or perform any on-ice captain duties.

So it begs the question of who would make a great Nashville Predators captain if Josi wasn’t currently on the Predators? Let’s throw out some candidates.

Colton Sissons (537 career games with Nashville)

Not nearly as flashy on the scoresheet as Forsberg, but Colton Sissons has always been that steady veteran presence for the Nashville Predators. Willing to do the dirty work that gets overlooked.

Sissons illustrates what it means to be a team captain because he always brings the hard fought minutes every shift. He leads by example, shows passion for the franchise and clearly just wants to do whatever it takes to win.

A captain does what it takes for the greater good of the team. That’s why it’s not just about being the most talented player on the roster that gets you the top look as team captain. In that regard, Sissons is an outstanding captain candidate for the Nashville Predators if we weren’t blessed enough to have Roman Josi.

Sissons will likely move into the top-10 on the Predators franchise list for most games played. He’s currently at 537 games and is close to passing Ryan Suter, Ryan Ellis and Kimmo Timonen in Predators longevity.

I don’t think anyone would question Sissons as a team captain if the opportunity presented itself.

Ryan McDonagh (854 NHL Games, 4 Seasons as Captain of NYR)

Normally I wouldn’t consider a team captain that’s only been with the team for one year, but Ryan McDonagh is a major exception because the guy is class personified. A true leader that has been a great addition to the Predators locker room.

McDonagh served as team captain of the New York Rangers from 2014 to 2018 before leaving to join the Tampa Bay Lightning. He would’ve been an excellent captain for the Lightning as well if not for Steven Stamkos already deservingly having that role.

Same goes for the Predators. They have Josi, but if this team was in search of a new captain, it would be hard to overlook McDonagh. And he already has served some time as alternate captain in his short stint with Nashville.

It seems highly probable that the 34-year-old McDonagh will finish out his NHL career with the Nashville Predators and lay roots down here like many other former players have done in the wonderful Nashville community that keeps growing as a hockey town.

McDonagh would maybe be the front-runner over Forsberg and Sissons as the top candidate for Predators captain if there was a vacancy to be filled. I would have zero problem with that.

Ryan O’Reilly ( Entering 1st Season with Nashville, Captain of Blues for 3 Seasons)

Will Ryan O’Reilly get alternate captain status from the Nashville Predators to open up 2023-24 at the Tampa Bay Lightning? I can certainly see that happening as the battle-tested NHL veteran is coming up on 1,000 career games and served as captain of St. Louis Blues.

The problem with this is O’Reilly is so new to the team that there may be other players who have been with this team longer that are more deserving to get that role. Sissons in particular should be in line for alternate captain roles.

However, O’Reilly is coming into this organization not only being expected to produce top line minutes and help springboard this sleepy offense from 2022-23, but also to be a strong mentor to this younger core of players.

This will be a better question to include O’Reilly after we see the season unfold and how he takes on this veteran role among a lot of younger players, including the possibility of rookie Luke Evangelista even playing on a top line with O’Reilly.

Looking into the Crystal Ball, Who Could be Next Nashville Predators Captain?

First we have to think about how many more years Roman Josi will be playing in the NHL, which I would put in the neighborhood of four or five more seasons. He’ll retain the Captain’s patch until he hangs up the skates and retires as a member of the Nashville Predators.

Josi has “No Move Clause” protection in his contract that run until 2028, in which case Josi may retire as a Predator.

Obviously this is pure speculation and looking way out into the future, but Cody Glass is the first player that comes to mind if things pan out like the organization is hoping it will.

Glass becomes the top line center of this organization after signing a multi-year deal in the offseason of 2025, if not before then. He continues his trend of being a leader both on and off the ice.

It’s been incredibly inspiring to watch Glass battle through adversity after his stint with the franchise that drafted him in the top-10, joins the Predators and then just keeps fighting for roster time on the NHL.

If I’m forced to take a bet on who the next captain is way down the road after Josi retires, I’m probably going with the safe bet of Forsberg because he’ll still be the legacy Nashville Predators veteran who deserves that status post-Josi.

However, Glass should be a solid second choice if for some reason Forsberg is no longer on this team or active on the roster.

Another player to think of is Philip Tomasino if he remains long-term with the Predators. Although much more of a long-shot swing in the dark.

Aside from that, the next captain of the Nashville Predators is probably still in the farm system somewhere and waiting to be called up. Maybe Matthew Wood, Tanner Molendyk or Egor Afanasyev? Who knows.

Top-5 Nashville Predators Home Games to Attend for Upcoming Season

Even in a not so anticipated year for the Nashville Predators, there are still five home games that stand out as exciting in 2023-24.