Nashville Predators season snapshot fantasy honors

With the NHL pausing the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus, NHL.com is taking stock of each of the League's 31 teams.

Today, a fantasy recap of the Nashville Predators at the pause:

NOTE: Rank for most-valuable fantasy player is based on standard-category production to date.

Fantasy MVP: Roman Josi, D (rank: 13) -- He's the most valuable fantasy defenseman in standard leagues, ranking second at the position in points (NHL career-high 65 in 69 games) behind John Carlson of the Washington Capitals (75), first in shots on goal (260), tied for second with Alex Pietrangelo of the St. Louis Blues in goals (NHL career-best 16) behind Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets (20), and fifth in power-play points (23). Josi sets himself apart with a much better plus/minus (plus-22; T-16th in NHL) and higher SOG total than Carlson (plus-12; 189 SOG). It's also significant that Josi leads the Predators in scoring by 17 points over left wing Filip Forsberg (48).

Biggest surprise: Juuse Saros, G -- He has emerged as Nashville's No. 1 goalie, going 17-12-4 with more shutouts (four) and a better goals-against average (2.70) and save percentage (.914) than veteran teammate Pekka Rinne (3.17 GAA, .895 SV%, three SO). Saros was the most valuable fantasy goalie in standard leagues over the final month of the season before the pause and is 12-5-0 with a 2.13 GAA, a .935 SV% and four SO in his past 19 games.

Unsung hero: Nick Bonino, C -- He is among the Predators leaders in goals with 18 (tied for second with Craig Smith, behind Forsberg's 21), points with 35 (sixth) and rating at plus-17 (third, behind Josi and Smith, who is plus-18). It's shocking to see Bonino ranked ahead of center Ryan Johansen in standard leagues and not far behind center Matt Duchene, who has underachieved in fantasy after signing with Nashville as a free agent July 1, 2019. Bonino is also a category specialist with added value in formats that count blocked shots (89; second among NHL forwards behind Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari's 103) and face-off wins (488; second on the Predators behind Johansen's 549).

Listen: Video: EDM@NSH: Josi tees up and hammers puck home