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Captain Candidates if Nashville Predators Didn’t Have Roman Josi

By Chad Minton

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 26: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the Nashville Predators follows through on a shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on March 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 26: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the Nashville Predators follows through on a shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on March 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Ryan McDonagh
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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.

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