Why Nashville Predators coach John Hynes said Roman Josi is 'best defenseman in the game'

Nashville Predators coach John Hynes wasn't defending his defenseman.

He wasn't necessarily campaigning for Roman Josi, either.

Though the latter may be necessary if Josi is going to win his second Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman this season.

Hynes was just stating, perhaps with a splash of bias, his unequivocal belief. A simple answer to a simple question: Is Josi the best defenseman in the NHL?

Hynes didn't hesitate to back Josi's case for adding another Norris to the collection.

"Roman Josi is the best defenseman in the game," Hynes said. "You look at what he means to this team and what he means to the franchise night in and night out. ... Roman is an all-star player, a superstar player.

"When you look at other defensemen, I'm not so sure there's a player that impacts their team, their organization the way Roman does."

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Hynes was talking on the ice, where Josi has set career highs in goals, assists and points already this season. Where he became the franchise' all-time assists leaders.

He was talking in the locker room, where the captain's voice carries a lot of clout.

He was talking in the community, where Josi continues to be a face of the franchise.

While not many, there are other defensemen in the team picture with Josi.

The Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar is the odds-on favorite to take home the prize. The Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman also is a viable candidate. There's last season's winner, the New York Rangers' Adam Fox.

All three were betting favorites over Josi according to various odds sites.

Meanwhile, Josi's numbers continue to suggest maybe those odds could change.

Josi led all defenseman with 69 points going into Thursday's games. His 17 goals were second-most, four behind Makar. His 52 assists were tied with Fox for the most.

"It's between him and a couple other guys," Hynes said. "His ability to defend, his ability to play on the penalty kill, his ability to produce points. ... I don't know if there's another comparable."

Since winning the Norris after the 2019-20 season Josi has become a father for the first time and is expecting again with his wife Ellie. Before that season he signed the biggest deal in Predators history. His team's unexpected success this season has propelled him to uncharted territory. What about his recent career has stood out the most?

"It's tough to say," Josi said. "That year when I won the Norris was personally a really good year for me. This year I feel like we have such a good team ... so many guys having big years, which helps. It's tough to compare. I'm definitely happy with the way it's gone so far."

The way it's gone so far? So good.

Now what?

It's doubtful Josi will much care about winning another award.

He has his sights set on other things, like the postseason.

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators Roman Josi strong candidate for Norris Trophy