Preds All-Star Josi Continues to Impress Former Teammates Weber, Jones

Shea Weber isn't surprised one bit. Neither is Seth Jones.
They both knew how good Roman Josi already was, and it was clear to them how good he was going to be. So, the fact that the current captain of the Nashville Predators leads his team in scoring and is on pace to challenge for the franchise's all-time points mark in a single season at 85 isn't exactly eye-opening for two of his former teammates.
The three blueliners are among the best in the game residing in St. Louis over the next few days for 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend, and those who used to patrol the backend with Josi in Music City can see why he's earned a nod.

"Even when he was young, you saw how good he could possibly be," Weber, now the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, said of Josi during NHL All-Star Media Day. "As you get older, it comes down to being more consistent. I think he's got that consistency now, and he's obviously one of the top defensemen in the game I enjoy watching him play."
"Nashville knew, and I think we all knew how good he was going to be," Jones, now with the Columbus Blue Jackets, said of Josi. "Him and Weber we're an awesome pair when I was there in Nashville. They ate up a lot of minutes, [which was impressive] especially with how young Jos was at that time… Now, his skating ability and his puck sense is off the charts."
Those attributes are part of what has led Josi to his career-year thus far. With 48 points in 47 games, Nashville's captain is producing at over a point-per-game clip over halfway through the season, and he doesn't show signs of stopping.
He deserves to be in St. Louis with the game's best, and even though it's his second-consecutive All-Star recognition - and third overall - it simply never gets old.

"It's a huge honor to be here, and it's pretty cool, pretty special," Josi said. "I have so many cool memories from past All-Star Games. The first one in Nashville [in 2016] was really special, and even last year [in San Jose]. It's pretty cool to be here, and I'm really excited."
Josi was one of four Predators in attendance for the festivities during the 2016 installment in Tennessee, and he had goaltender Pekka Rinne alongside last year in the Bay Area. The 2020 version marks the first time Josi has been the lone Nashville representative at the League's showcase, and with that comes great pride for his team and his city.
"It's a huge honor to represent Nashville," Josi said. "Nashville is such a first-class organization, and there's so much respect around the League for the Predators and for the organization. I'm really happy to represent Nashville."
There's perhaps no one better suited to do so either. Well-spoken, gracious, ridiculously skilled and dashingly handsome to boot, Josi embodies what it truly means to be an NHL All-Star.
Everyone can see it. Just ask two more of the best in the game.
"When I first met him as a young kid coming in, he was a fresh face and had so much to learn, but even in my time there he matured so much as a person, and obviously as a player as well," Weber said. "His game really evolved. I still keep in touch with him, and I enjoy talking with him any chance I get."
"Roman is a special player," Jones said. "He's probably twice the player he was when I was there, his game has grown that much… He's a great guy off the ice too. I really enjoyed knowing him as a person, and he was an even better teammate. I'm happy for him."