Josi Honored to Join Saros, Represent Preds at 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend

Roman Josi was planning to spend his long weekend in Miami, but an invitation to Las Vegas isn't a bad alternative.
Nashville's captain gladly canceled his plans after being added to the roster for 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend, set to take place Feb. 4-5 at T-Mobile Arena just off the Vegas Strip. Josi, who will be making his fourth-career appearance at the event, is replacing Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon on the Central Division roster, and the nod couldn't be more well-deserved.

Just in the past two weeks, Josi became Nashville's all-time assists leader after recording the 357th helper of his career. Earlier this season, Josi also passed Martin Erat (481) for sole possession of the second-most points in franchise history.
The 2020 Norris Trophy winner is currently fourth among NHL defensemen and is first on the Predators in points this season with 43 (13g-30a). His 13 goals are the second-most among NHL blueliners, and he's just three goals from matching his career high of 16, set in 2019-20, his Norris Trophy season.
Suffice to say, Josi certainly has the accolades to back up the selection. He can't wait to mingle with the best in the world once more - including fellow teammate Juuse Saros as the goaltender makes his first All-Star appearance - as a pair of Preds receive the recognition they've earned.
"I have so many great memories from previous All-Star games, and it's always a huge honor to represent your team," Josi said. "Especially [to go] with Juice this year will be a lot of fun. Some of the best memories I've had in hockey [have come from All-Star Weekends], so it's always a lot of fun."
Josi has previously attended NHL All-Star Games with former Preds netminder Pekka Rinne, and now he'll do so with Rinne's protégé. A potential frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy himself as the League's top puck stopper, Josi knows how much Saros has meant to Nashville's success this season, and he's looking forward to experiencing the weekend with another friend for the first time.

"It's going to be a lot of fun, and we can't talk enough of how deserving he is of going to the All-Star Game," Josi said of Saros. "He's been our best player all year. What he's done for us this year is pretty unbelievable. I've said before I think he's the best goalie in the League, and he's won us so many games, so obviously well-deserved. I remember my first one. It's pretty special, and I'm sure he's excited and I'm excited to be part of it with him."
John Hynes has the privilege to coach - and simply watch - Josi and Saros on a nightly basis, and Nashville's bench boss is among those who is thrilled to see the pair represent the Predators at one of the League's signature events.
"I'm really glad that he's going," Hynes said of Josi's late add. "I know that it means a lot to him, and I think the way that he's performing this year statistically, as a leader, a captain, impacting our team, I think it's great that he's recognized… Any time our guys can get recognized on the national scale is really important because we've got some really good players having some really good years and doing some good things this year - so, it's great."
Josi says he doesn't necessarily view the process any differently now that he's an All-Star veteran of sorts - his four nods are second only to Shea Weber's five in Predators franchise history - but the chance to participate again certainly isn't lost on him.
So, instead of enjoying the sand and surf, Josi will be showing his skills and establishing once again why he may just be the very best at what he does - an excellent alternative plan.
"Every [All-Star Game] I've been to has been pretty cool," Josi said. "There's different things within the game that are happening, and it's just a really cool event. It's fun to be around those guys that you play against all the time, to play with them for once. And Vegas is a really cool city, so it's going to be a lot of fun."
Josi, Saros, and their fellow All-Stars will showcase their talents in the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills on Friday, Feb. 4 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) before facing off in the 2022 NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 5 (2 p.m. CT, ABC).