Roman Josi sees pros and cons in losing his defensive partner.
After a trade that saw longtime defensive partner Shea Weber traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for P.K. Subban, Josi - the Nashville Predators' leading scorer from the blue line last season - believes both teams are getting great players.
How diplomatic.
Having said that, though, Josi sees Subban as a great fit for the Predators in terms of the team's style of play.
"I think it's one of the philosophies of coach (Peter) Laviolette that he wants to play a fast game and he wants, defensemen - especially defensemen - that skate with the puck and move the puck and join the rush and play in the offensive zone, too," Josi said Saturday, per Tim Campbell of NHL.com. "I think P.K. fits that style really well. ...
"Obviously (Subban's) a great player. We're excited to have him in Nashville. He's one of the best defensemen in the world. He's a great personality, too."
Josi admitted he'll miss Weber, of course, and said it will take some time to get used to a new partner on the blue line, Subban or otherwise.
But with those two plus Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm, the Predators now boast one of the best top-four defensive groups in the league, and Laviollette must be giddy about having so many tools at his disposal.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.