News:Roman Josi re-signed with the Predators on Monday. The seven-year deal is reportedly worth $28 million, James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail reports.
Analysis: The 23-year-old appeared in 48 games this season, logging an average of 23:32 of ice time per game. He recorded 13 assists and five goals on the year.
News:Roman Josi assisted on two of Nashville's three goals in Friday's loss to Calgary, snapping a seven-game points drought.
Analysis:Roman Josi, along with Ryan Ellis, have been two of the bigger busts this season in terms of young defenders expected to produce. Josi has the ability to move the puck and score, but he has been quiet save for a four-point night against Dallas in late February. Removing that four-point game from his stat line leaves owners with five points over 27 games.
Preds' Josi Struggling To Contribute On Top Defensive Pairing
News:Roman Josi has zero points in five games since registering four points (2G, 2A) on Feb. 25 against Dallas. He's still skating mainly with Shea Weber at even strength, but he's no longer seeing first-line power play duty.
Analysis: Following Ryan Suter's departure in the offseason, Roman Josi was awarded his much-coveted spot next to Weber on the Preds' top defensive pairing. However, with just seven points (3G, 4A) in 25 games, Josi is thus far failing to contribute in any meaningful way offensively, although his rating of plus-5 shows he is still performing well in his own zone. As long as he keeps on seeing 20-plus minutes per night, feel free to keep using him for fantasy purposes, but temper your expectations as far as scoring goes.
News:Roman Josi scored two goals, including the game winner, against the Stars on Monday. He also had two assists, was a plus-3, and had six shots on goal.
Analysis: This is a great game, and Roman Josi is considered a promising young defenseman, but he only has three goals and seven points in 20 games this season.
News:Roman Josi scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday's OT win over Detroit, beating Jonas Gustavsson on a shot from far out.
Analysis: He's got just two assists to go along with the goal, as the offensive prowess he's shown in the AHL and the Swiss league has not yet translated to NHL production despite Roman Josi logging fairly heavy minutes, especially on the power play of late.
News:Roman Josi picked up an assist in Saturday's shootout loss to Anaheim. It's just his second point of the season.
Analysis: We had hoped he'd blossom into a bit more of a scorer, but then again, Shea Weber only has three points this season. Adjust your expectations down unless the Preds upgrade their offense.
News:Roman Josi is first in line to take over for the departed Ryan Suter on the Preds' blue line this season, The Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Coach Barry Trotz indicated this week that he's looking to Roman Josi to skate with Shea Weber mainly in even-strength situations, meaning Josi could see a big bump in his average ice time of just over 18 minutes per game last season. He could represent a great late-round steal in your fantasy drafts this season - adjust your picksheets accordingly.
News:Roman Josi agreed to a contract with SC Bern of the Swiss League, SC Bern's official website reports.
Analysis: The defenseman scored 16 points for the Predators last season, proving to be an integral part of the team's top line. Roman Josi will be able to return to the Predators as soon as a resolution to the lockout is reached.
News:Roman Josi scored his fifth goal of the season during Saturday's regular season closer, a 6-1 laugher over Colorado.
Analysis:Roman Josi registered 16 points in 52 games this season, not a bad result considering he started the season on injured reserve with a concussion. The Preds see him as an up-and-coming blueliner who can play in all situtations, even on the power play. Keep an eye on him as he develops.
Preds' Josi (Upper Body) Due Back Friday Vs. Wings
News:Roman Josi (upper body) practiced Thursday and is expected to play Friday against Detroit, The Tennessean reports.
Analysis:Roman Josi has 15 points in 47 games thus far - not bad for a rookie defender on a team stacked with offensive blueliners like Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. He should be regular for the Preds starting next season.
News:Roman Josi (upper body) remains day-to-day and will not play Saturday against Winnipeg, reports the Tennessean.
Analysis: This will be the seventh straight contest Roman Josi has missed due to the ailment. Make sure he remains stapled to your fantasy bench.
News:Roman Josi (upper body) was not on the ice for practice on Wednesday, the Tennessean's Joshua Cooper reports.
Analysis: No word yet on whether he has been ruled out for Thursday's game in San Jose. It looks like both Roman Josi and fellow defenseman Kevin Klein could miss the game, which would leave the Preds thin on the blue line.
News:Roman Josi (upper body) remains day-to-day, but could join the team later this week on its three-game road trip, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: The Preds close the week in California with games against the Sharks, Kings and Ducks. Look for Roman Josi to get back into the lineup for at least one of those matchups.
News:Roman Josi is not on the ice for pregame warmups and will miss Monday's game with an upper body injury, Joshua Cooper of The Tennessean reports.
Analysis: For now, he's considered day-to-day as we await more information regarding the nature and severity of his injury.
News:Roman Josi hit the scoresheet for the second consecutive game when he assisted on a Brandon Yip goal during the first period of Thursday's 4-2 win over Colorado.
Analysis:Roman Josi has had a very successful rookie season thus far, collecting four goals and 11 helpers in 46 games to date. Coach Barry Trotz currently has him paired with stay-at-home defenseman Hal Gill, which gives Josi a little more freedom to jump into the rush. He makes for a decent addition to your fantasy roster if you're currently in a deeper format and need help on the blue line.
News:Roman Josi was held off the scoresheet Tuesday against Vancouver, his 13th consecutive game without a point.
Analysis: Outside of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, you should not expect anyone on the Preds' blueline to be contributing much offensively. Roman Josi is currently skating with the recently-acquired Hal Gill on the team's No. 2 blue line tandem, and the pair will form more of a shutdown unit than anything else. Govern your fantasy expectations accordingly.
News:Roman Josi's assist in Thursday's win over the Avs gave him three straight games with a helper.
Analysis: Eight points in 22 games for the 21-year-old Swiss D-man isn't blowing the doors off the barn, but he's shown the ability to pile up points both in the Swiss league and in the AHL, where he's got 44 in 74 career games. Roman Josi is a terrific long-term defense prospect, and it's impressive that he's earning so much ice time -- 21 minutes, four of them on the PP Thursday -- on a team heavy with defensive talent.
News:Roman Josi has been averaging roughly 24 minutes of ice time in the four games since teammate Shea Weber was sidelined with a concussion - well above his season average of 16 minutes. He also continues to see second-line power play duty.
Analysis:Roman Josi's star is on the rise, as he has taken Weber's spot alongside Ryan Suter on the Preds' blue line. He has two goals and three assists in 18 games since being recalled from AHL Milwaukee in late November, giving him some value in deeper fantasy formats. Furthermore, there's a good chance he will continue to enjoy a top-four role in Nashville even after Weber returns.
News:Roman Josi scored his first career NHL goal Saturday against the Ducks. The marker came 2:33 into the third period off a point shot on the power play.
Analysis:Roman Josi, playing in just his eighth career game, was called up before the Preds' Nov. 26 game against Detroit. He was replacing Jonathon Blum in the lineup who was sitting out as a healthy scratch. Josi is averaging just under 15 minutes per game right now, and sees second-line power play duty most nights. He offers modest fantasy value in deeper leagues.
News:Roman Josi, who is now symptom-free after suffering a concussion during training camp, will travel with the Preds on their current four-game road trip, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Preds coach Barry Trotz said he is eager to see Roman Josi in action now that he is healthy, but added he does not have any immediate plans to add Josi to the lineup. "The whole plan was to have him come up and get him (acclimated) to playing because I've only seen him play maybe a game and a half," Trotz said. As for when he expects to put Josi in the lineup, Trotz said, "We'll work him in somewhere." Josi will not make for a reliable fantasy option until he starts to see some regular ice time. Go with other options if you have them.
News: The Predators recalled Roman Josi from AHL Milwaukee on Friday, Josh Cooper of The Tennessean reports.
Analysis:Roman Josi has played in just five games this season due to an upper body injury, but he appears ready to go after playing in five games with Milwaukee, and recording a goal and three assists. Josi has yet to appear in an NHL game, but there is a good chance he makes his NHL debut in Saturday's game against the Red Wings.
Preds Josi Progressing In Recovery From Upper Body Injury
News:Roman Josi (upper body) has started riding an exercise bike, the Tennessean reports, adding that he will start the season with Milwaukee of the AHL.
Analysis: There is no still no timetable for his recovery. Consider him out indefinitely for now.
News: The Predators have placed Roman Josi (upper body) on injured reserve, the Tennessean reports, adding that he will start the season with Milwaukee of the AHL.
Analysis: This is an unfortunate development, as Roman Josi had been an early favorite to open the season with the Predators. The Swiss defensive prospect was dominant for AHL Milwaukee last season, having notched six goals and 34 assists in 69 games.
News:Roman Josi (upper body) may start the season at AHL Milwaukee, Joshua Cooper of the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: The good news is, Roman Josi's stint in the minors may only be temporary, according to coach Barry Trotz. "In the past we've had players gotten injured like Roman has, and gone down, got their game going and they were fine," Trotz said. Josi did not skate with the team Thursday and should be considered day-to-day for the time being.
News:Roman Josi (upper body) won't play until the weekend, Joshua Cooper of the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Just a heads-up as his absence may make it difficult for him to avoid opening the year in the AHL with Milwaukee.
News:Roman Josi missed practice Sunday with an upper-body injury, according to the Tennessean.
Analysis:Roman Josi will find it tough to land a roster spot if he's already on the shelf with an injury. There are currently three open spots on the Preds' blue line coming into camp, and Josi is said to be competing for one of those spots with fellow rookies Ryan Ellis, Teemu Laakso and Mattias Ekholm, as well as veterans Tyler Sloan and Jack Hillen. Look for Josi to start the season at AHL Milwaukee if his injury forces him to miss more than a few days of training camp.
News: Nashville GM David Poile has touted a number of rookie defensemen, including Roman Josi, as possibilities to start the season with the Preds, according to the Tennessean.
Analysis: With Francis Bouillon currently on the mend from a concussion, Poile may be leaning on guys like Roman Josi to fill in the gaps. Josi played in 69 games at AHL Milwaukee last season and posted 40 points (6G, 34A), giving the Preds a glimpse of his offensive potential. He also won't have to make much of an adjustment to the NHL's style of play, since he started competing against men in the Swiss-A professional league at age 17 four years ago. "He's a good kid, a character kid," according to Martin Gelinas, Director of Player Development for the Preds, "He's ready to take the next step. Nashville isn't too far away with Roman."
