Roman Josi isn’t just back-he’s quietly building one of the most compelling comeback stories in the NHL this season. After dealing with a rare and concerning health condition in the offseason, the Nashville Predators captain has returned not only to the ice, but to top form, reminding everyone why he’s long been one of the league’s elite defensemen.
On Tuesday night, Josi delivered his first two-goal game of the season in a win over the Edmonton Oilers, a performance that felt like a statement-both for himself and for a Predators team clawing its way back into playoff contention. And while he may not be the loudest name in the conversation for the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy just yet, his case is becoming harder to ignore.
A Scary Offseason and a Determined Return
Josi’s path back wasn’t a typical injury-rehab storyline. The 33-year-old was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a condition that can cause dizziness, fatigue, and a host of other symptoms that are especially problematic for a professional athlete. He first noticed something was off during the lead-up to training camp this past September.
“I just knew something was kind of off,” Josi said. “Last year it just kept getting worse and worse. Then that hit against Florida-it was kind of the point where I said: I need to figure out what’s going on.”
That hit, which came late last season, was a turning point. It forced Josi to seek answers, and the diagnosis that followed could’ve derailed his career.
But instead of stepping back, Josi leaned in. He committed to treatment, trained through the uncertainty, and declared himself ready for the start of the regular season.
Early Setbacks, Steady Climb
Josi opened the year playing in the first eight games, picking up five points and looking like he hadn’t missed a beat. But just as he was finding his rhythm, an unrelated injury forced him out of the lineup for nearly a month. He returned on November 22 against Colorado-and that’s when things really started to shift.
Since Josi’s return, the Predators have found their footing. After back-to-back wins over Detroit and Chicago, Nashville began climbing the Western Conference standings. Now, they’re firmly in the wild card mix, and Josi’s fingerprints are all over the turnaround.
He’s been a stabilizing force on the blue line, a catalyst on the power play, and a leader in the locker room. Tuesday night’s performance was just the latest example of that impact-and it came with some history.
Milestones and History in the Making
With his overtime winner against the Oilers, Josi became just the sixth defenseman in NHL history to record 10 career overtime goals. That same tally also marked his 37th career game-winning goal, tying him with Kevin Hatcher for 11th all-time among defensemen.
And there’s more history on the horizon. Josi is sitting at 996 career NHL games, meaning that-barring any setbacks-he’ll hit the 1,000-game milestone on January 22 at home against Ottawa. That’s a major achievement for any player, but especially for one who’s had to battle through the kind of adversity Josi has faced this past year.
When it comes to career production, Josi remains in rare company. Among active NHL defensemen, only five have more points than his 747-and all of them have played significantly more games.
Brent Burns leads the group, but he’s logged over 500 more games than Josi. The next closest on the list, John Carlson, is just 13 points ahead.
And Josi’s goal-scoring? That’s elite territory.
With 198 career goals, he ranks third among active defensemen. He’s just six behind Erik Karlsson for second place, and hitting the 200-goal mark this season feels like a matter of when, not if.
Still Logging Heavy Minutes-and Heavy Impact
Even with his ice time slightly down-he’s averaging just over 23 minutes per game, nearly two minutes fewer than last season-Josi continues to be a force. He’s already tallied 23 points in 34 games, contributing on the rush, quarterbacking the power play, and delivering in clutch moments.
His game hasn’t lost its edge. If anything, it’s become more efficient. He’s picking his spots, playing smart, and still carrying a heavy load for a Predators team that leans on him in all situations.
A Masterton-Worthy Campaign
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. And if you’re looking for someone who checks all three boxes, it’s hard to overlook Roman Josi.
He didn’t just come back from a scary diagnosis-he came back better. He’s leading a resurgent team, hitting historic milestones, and showing no signs of slowing down. If anything, he’s proving that even in the face of adversity, elite talent and leadership can still shine through.
Roman Josi may be flying under the radar right now, but if he keeps this up, he won’t be for long.