While the Stanley Cup playoffs gear up for the conference finals starting on May 20, the IIHF World Championships are underway in Switzerland.
The Nashville Predators, who did not qualify for the playoffs for the second straight year, have several players vying in the IIHF’s annual hockey tournament.
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The World Championships began with group play on May 15 and will conclude with the gold medal game on May 31. Among the 16 teams competing this year are the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, and Switzerland.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Detroit Red Wings center Marco Kasper (92) checks Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, March 2, 2026.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 17: Roman Josi #90 of Team Switzerland celebrates scoring a goal in the first period during the Men’s Qualification Playoff match between Switzerland and Italy on day 11 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on February 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) is recognized with other players who are headed to the Winter Olympics before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) reacts after his shot was deflected by St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) battles Ottawa Senators right wing Michael Amadio (22) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) fights for the puck with Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (6) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) chases after the puck with Carolina Hurricanes left wing Mark Jankowski (77) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) skates with the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi greets fans during the Gold Walk before their home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) gets up after a hard hit into the boards during the second period against the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (4) hugs former Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber as Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) greets former general manager David Poile and former goaltender Pekka Rinne after a ceremonial puck drop at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) shoots the puck past Colorado Avalanche center T.J. Tynan (9) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) skates past appreciative fans before their game against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues with center Gustav Nyquist (14) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 4, 2024.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
March 9, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Trey Fix-Wolansky (64) and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) scrap during the first period of a hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday at Nationwide Arena.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Referee Ian Walsh (29) separates Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the second period of the game between the Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) falls over the pile of New York Rangers players while trying to score during the third period of their game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Former Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, left, greets Predators defenseman Roman Josi, right, during the unveiling of Rinne’s statue at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 25, 2023.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils with defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) stops a shot from Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Mar 12, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) wait for a face off during the second period against the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) leaves the ice after losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning during the NHL Stadium Series game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Feb 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Central Division defender Cale Makar (left) of the Colorado Avalanche fist bumps Central Division defender Roman Josi (59) of the Nashville Predators during the 2022 NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Warren Foegele (13) tries to shoot past Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 21, 2021.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and center Ryan Johansen (92) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) disputes a call as he enters the penalty box late in the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi watches warmups before the Tennessee Titans game at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) battle for the puck during the third period of the 2020 NHL Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Predators hockey player and captain Roman Josi gives Craig Baugh a hug in the hallway of the Predators clubhouse at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. Baugh has been with the Predators as a clubhouse assistant since they began the franchise.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) poses with a fan during the 2019 Gold Walk before the home opener at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) goes down in front of Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) defending the net against a Dallas Stars shot during overtime of the divisional semifinal game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Monday, April 22, 2019.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) skates during warmups in front of fans at the glass before the divisional semifinal game against the Stars at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas., Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Central Division player Roman Josi (59) of the Nashville Predators and Patrick Kane (middle) of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a goal against the Pacific Division in the 2019 NHL All Star Game in San Jose, Calif., on Jan. 26, 2019.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Central Division player Roman Josi (59) of the Nashville Predators in the premier passer competition in the 2019 NHL All Star Game skills competition at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Jan. 25, 2019.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) takes a shot from Oilers left wing Milan Lucic (27) and left wing Drake Caggiula (91) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) greets Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) after Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) tussles with Predators left wing Austin Watson (51) and defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the second period in Game 2 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) attacks into Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) during the second period of game one of the first round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, April 12, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59), goaltender Pekka Rinne (35), and center Ryan Johansen (92) pose with the Presidents’ Trophy before a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena, Saturday, April 7, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) helps goalie Pekka Rinne (35) keep a Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) shot from making it into the goal during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, March 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Andie Owen, 7, a Predators fan who is in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, presents the puck to Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) before a game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Former captain Mike Fisher and current captain Roman Josi unveil the Western Conference Final banner before the home opener at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
The Predators Roman Josi and teammates plant the sword at the 50 yard line at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) congratulates Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen (7) after game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena Sunday, June 11, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) moves the puck during the third period of game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena Sunday, June 11, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ian Cole (28) and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) tussle along the boards during the first period of Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena Monday, June 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) helps Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) stop a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) during the first period of game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal with center Filip Forsberg (9) during the second period of game 4 of their NHL Playoff series against the Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, April 20, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenseman and captain for NHL hockey team
Predators defenseman Roman Josi reacts after being called for a tripping penalty on San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena on April 2, 2016.
Here’s how Predators players are performing so far in this year’s World Championships.
United States – Ryan Ufko (D)
The United States have won only one of their first three games in group play. Though the roster is considerably younger than the one that won gold at the Olympics in February, it’s been a sobering tournament so far for the Americans.
Ryan Ufko, 23, is the United States’ seventh defensemen. In a 6-2 loss to Finland, he recorded an assist and two shots in 16:30, but that was the highlight of his tournament so far. Unless he wins more favor with coach Don Granato – and unless the United States wins more games – it may be a quiet tournament for Ufko.
Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ufko passes the puck past Boston Bruins center Marat Khusnutdinov (92) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Of note, Predators’ 2025 first-round pick Ryker Lee was invited to camp with United States, but was not selected for the final roster despite scoring an impressive backhand goal in the pre-tournament.
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Canada leads Group B with three wins in three games. They also have the most goals scored (16) and fewest goals allowed (4). At this point, this is Canada’s tournament to lose.
Canada’s forward #90 Ryan O’Reilly (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the group B match between Canada and Denmark at the IIHF Ice Hockey Men’s World Championship at BFC Arena, in Fribourg, Switzerland, on May 18, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images)
Ryan O’Reilly has picked up right where he left off in the regular season. He leads Canada with three goals from his second-line center position, playing with Dylan Holloway and John Tavares. That gives him 47 points in 66 career games at the World Championships.
Once again, the Predators have a Finnish goalie at the World Championships. Interestingly, it’s not Juuse Saros, who either wasn’t invited or declined the invitation (he did just represent Finland at the Olympics, so maybe some rest is preferred).
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Finland is second in Group A behind Switzerland, and Annunen has been a big reason. He’s 2-0 with a .940 save percentage, making 17 saves in a 3-1 win over Germany on May 15 and 30 saves in a 6-2 win over the United States on May 18.
Switzerland’s Roman Josi between Finland’s Patrik Puistola and goalkeeper Justus Annunen during the Finland vs Switzerland game at the Beijer Hockey Games at the Catena Arena in Ängelholm, Sweden, May 7, 2026. (Photo by Johan NILSSON / TT News Agency / AFP via Getty Images) / Sweden OUT
Roman Josi has one goal and two assists in three games for Switzerland, leading them to three wins in three games so far. Josi’s legend in Switzerland continues to grow — he’s scored 54 points in 93 international games as the team’s captain and top defenseman.
Switzerland could challenge Canada to win this tournament, which would give Josi his first-ever World Championship gold medal.
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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators’ Roman Josi, Justus Annunen shine at World Championships