Roman Josi is the pillar of a Nashville team that is adrift.
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On July 1, when the NHL free agent market opened, the Nashville Predators stole the show by recruiting the two flashiest forwards.
General manager Barry Trotz signed a contract worth US$32 million (four years) to Ontario winger Steven Stamkos (34).
And he agreed for five years (27.5 million greenbacks) with Quebec winger Jonathan Marchessault (33 years old).
He had clearly chosen to go “all in” and, as his team navigated the soft underbelly of the league, had ruled out embarking on the path to reconstruction.
Was the choice wise? If 13 matches obviously do not make a season, we cannot exclude the hypothesis that the Tennessee club has embarked on a path which leads it straight into a wall.
The Preds, who lost 3-2 in Washington on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, are last in the general ranking of the North American professional league (9 points).
Stamkos has only three goals.
One more than Marchessault.
Two more than Bernese defender Roman Josi (34 years old), the captain, the figure, the image of the organization.
Unbalanced alignment
In an era where speed of execution has become a fundamental ingredient in the quest for success, Nashville is composed of skaters anchored in their thirties (the others are Ryan O’Reilly, 33, and Filip Forsberg, 30) who do not seem very well supported.
The center line is rickety and the star players don’t necessarily have what they need to complement it.
The defense is so lacking in talent and real depth that Josi is overused. Coach Andrew Brunette regularly sends him on the playing field for more than 26 minutes.
In short, the canvas is all holed.
Solutions ou reconstruction?
Hence the questions: Will Nashville find solutions to quickly return to success with its current staff? Or will the club make a 180-degree turn and embark on the path to rebuilding?
If the answer to the first question is yes, so much the better. Roman Josi will perhaps have the chance to make his ultimate sports dream come true: lifting the Stanley Cup with the team whose logo he has tattooed on his heart.
If the answer to the first question is negative (and therefore that of the second question is positive), well, you will seriously have to imagine Roman Josi skating with another team in the NHL championship.
If Raymond Bourque did it…
Because the best Swiss hockey player of all time will want to maximize his chances of winning the Cup. If Raymond Bourque, Mr. Bruins, had left Boston to go for the trophy with Colorado in 2000, nothing is impossible…
Because No. 59, who is linked with Nashville for three more seasons, is a loyal man. He will agree to be traded if his departure (which would bring in a nice array of prospects and draft picks) proves beneficial for the Predators.
NHL. Wednesday’s matches.
Washington – Nashville 3-2
