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.

Filip Forsberg (616 career games with Nashville)

The most natural choice to make after Josi for Nashville Predators captain is Filip Forsberg. The franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer and the best winger the franchise has ever had for any long period of time.

Does Forsberg embody the role of a team captain? He definitely does and has ascended into being a key veteran for this team after just turning 29-years-old and playing his entire NHL career with the Nashville Predators.

Forsberg has already seen plenty of time as an alternate captain for the Predators and it would be the most obvious first choice for the organization to go with Forsberg, who is signed with the team until 2030 and has been a centerpiece of the team along with Josi and Saros for years now.

If Josi wasn’t on this team then Forsberg would be really difficult to beat out as team captain. He’s a strong leader and respected. He showed loyalty to the Predators franchise by re-signing with the team in the offseason of 2022 after much speculation that he was going to leave in free agency for a team that is closer to winning a Stanley Cup.

Down the road we might criticize the contract as being overpaid, but at the time of the contract signing, it was a pretty reasonable contract for both sides based on the market.

There are some other captain candidates I would consider along with Forsberg.

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.