The Nashville Predators have gotten some of the best years of Roman Josi’s career at a bargain rate. General manager David Poile was able to sign the Swiss defenceman early in his career for $4 million and seven years starting with the 2013-14 season.
Josi has been the quiet leader on the club and one of the best blue-liners that no one talks about. He was one of the first defenders in team history that could provide goals for the back end. The 29-year-old nearly has 100 goals on defence for the Predators.
He was the first Nashville defenceman to really start counterattacks with his great skating ability. The Bern, Switzerland native has been the cornerstone of one of the best defences in the NHL over the last three seasons.
Now that P.K. Subban has been traded, Josi is probably the best defender on the team and should be paid like it. Ryan Ellis nets $6.25 million until the end of the 2026-27 season while Mattias Ekholm is getting $3.75 million until the end of the 2022-23 season. Josi should get the big-money deal worthy of his stature.
Roman Josi and a New Contract
The Predators currently have over $5 million in cap space but need to ink restricted free agents Colton Sissons and Rocco Grimaldi in the coming weeks. Josi’s deal won’t come into effect until next year, but Poile is likely thinking of ways to clear space.
Both parties have already reportedly talked about an extension at the start of free agency on July 1. The two sides seem to be on the right path when it comes to getting a deal done.
Poile is usually pretty good at fitting all the pieces in at a decent rate. He got Matt Duchene to sign for $8 million when some thought that he would command $9 million or more. The Nashville general manager has gotten many players to take a little bit less so he can keep more of the team together.
What Will Roman Josi Get
Josi is up there on the list of the best defencemen in the league. He may not get the publicity of an Erik Karlsson or a Drew Doughty, but he’s a key part of the Predators defence. The Swiss stalwart won’t get $11 million like those, but he’ll get a healthy raise.
He’s on the same par as teammate Ellis, Ryan McDonagh and John Carlson. His 0.62 career power-play points a game tops a list including some of those names. His career Corsi For is 50.2 and is in the middle of the pack of some of those names.
The veteran is also looking for a long-term deal that will get him to the latter stages of his career. He’s probably getting a contract of seven or eight years that will likely take him to the end of his tenure.
Many of the defencemen on the list make $6.25 million and it should be more than that. Josi will likely get $8 million or more when all is said and done.
What It Means for the Future
The Predators moving Subban helps them use some of that money that won’t get used on him. Duchene’s contract takes up $8 million, but it could have been a much bigger headache.
Poile will likely give Josi the raise he’s deserved, and Nashville will have one of their best defencemen locked in for a long time. The Predators can now focus on shoring up their scoring and try to get back to the Stanley Cup Final.
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 17: Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) scores on Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche, held on October 17, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
