The 2025-26 season for the Nashville Predators ended just over two weeks ago, and they have an abundantly busy offseason ahead of them. It starts with hiring a new GM, which they have yet to do, and we really will not know anything about their roster decisions moving forward until that is settled.
We at least have an idea, however, that they might shift towards more of a youth movement given their current middling status, as well as the promising state of their young core. A scorched-earth rebuild might not be what is necessary, but it would make sense to move off of at least one or two veterans within the next few months.
That discussion starts with guys like Ryan O'Reilly and Jonathan Marchessault, and could even extend to guys who are more established than those who were brought in by Barry Trotz. Particularly, there is a low, but still a non-zero percent chance that the Predators move on from their captain Roman Josi.
Roman Josi holds cards in potential trade, and has earned every right to dictate his future
To begin this discussion, it must be stated that Josi has two more years left on his contract, one that has a no-movement clause through the 2026-27 season. Any decision to deal him ultimately must be signed off on by him, and it seems as if such a scenario is not out of question for this offseason.
NHL insider Pierre Lebrun wrote an article for The Athletic about two months ago, and the excerpt he wrote on Josi -- one that still stands as of today -- was that a change of scenery might be wanted by him and his camp, depending on the direction that the Predators take in the next few months.
Lebrun also added that the chance that it happens is low, but also that it is still possible and has a better chance of occurring than many might believe when initially seeing the rumor.
There is obviously much to unpack here, but one thing is certain first and foremost -- if Josi were to actually request a trade out of Nashville, he has every right to do so. That in itself is probably the most unlikely occurrence of everything, given Josi's loyalty to Nashville and the Predators, but he absolutely could not be blamed if he went through with it.
Josi entered the NHL in the 2011-12 season and has played all 15 of his seasons for the Predators. He became an alternate captain in the 2015-16 season before rising to the actual captaincy in 2017-18, and he has worn the "C" for all nine seasons since then.
Josi has been nothing but a model of consistency throughout these years, showing up every day, giving his all, and expressing nothing but appreciation throughout his time on the Predators.
Those who have watched over the years have also noticed that he has stepped out of his comfort zone and evolved from simply being a "quiet" leader, which has been amazing to see. Of course, he has had zero issues off the ice and has been a joy to have from a personal, human standpoint.
On top of that, Josi proved to be one of the NHL's elite players throughout his prime -- one that was undeniably wasted by the Predators organization. He won a Norris Trophy, finished second in Norris voting two other times, and has added to his decorated resume with a top 10 finish in Hart Trophy voting.
Josi has put the Predators on his back so many times throughout his career, and has been the absolute definition of a leader by example. The only thing he owes to anyone is to give himself the best chance possible to maximize the last few years of his career, whether that is in Nashville or elsewhere.
As much as it would sting, Nashville Predators could benefit from trading Josi
Let's acknowledge that it would be a tough, sad day for any Predators fan to see one of their all time favorites in Josi be traded to another team. That being said, there is such a thing as making a tough decision that pays dividends for the future, and that might be exactly what this situation is.
As mentioned, Josi has two years left on his contract and there is a strong chance that the Predators go in a direction that prioritizes the future over the present. With him being 35, that just does not align with where he is at this stage of his career, and there is no shame in two parties realizing that their paths are diverging.
Additionally, anyone who has watched can tell that Josi has lost a step at this point in his career, as the overall skating abilities and wow factor are just not the same. That is not to say that he is bad now, in fact the underlying numbers still show he is a strong player, but he just does not have the ability to truly take over games like he used to.
Let's get one thing right -- there is absolutely nothing wrong or unusual about a guy like Josi starting to show some signs of decline. In fact, it is remarkable that he is a month away from turning 36 and still playing at a high level despite several ailments throughout his career, including consussions and the POTS syndrome diagnosis.
Josi likely has enough in the tank to at least finish out his contract, but it might not be in the best interest of him or the Predators for that to happen in Nashville. He is in the sweet spot of his career where he has almost surely peaked, but still has enough left to make a difference on a team that can contend for a Cup.
The Predators might be smart to take advantage of that and move Josi while he could still fetch a nice haul on the trade market. At absolute minimum, a return for him would be an NHL veteran, a high level prospect, and a pick in the first two rounds, and the return would probably be more than that if they actually went through with it.
Let's also establish one more thing -- the Predators should not move Josi unless the package they would receive is really worth it and gives them quality resources for the future.
Whoever the new GM becomes would certainly realize that, and it is still unlikely that this general situation materializes perfectly. But if it does, the Predators would be wise to pounce and get a quality return for their captain instead of keeping him for at most, two more years when they will not be contending for a Stanley Cup.
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