Standing in the unfamiliar depths of the Nashville Zoo a couple of weeks back, I found myself face to face with a goat.

This wasn't just any goat, though. This goat's name is Pekka, named after former Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne. The symbolism was clear. Rinne is the G.O.A.T. — greatest of all time — in Predators history.

The naming came during a week when Rinne's No. 35 rose to rafters inside Bridgestone Arena.

While trying to find my way out of the zoo that morning, my mind wandered while my legs stayed confused. Then, as I walked past a family of monkeys, a question snuck into my head: Which animal are they going to name after Roman Josi one day?

This wasn't the first time the thought crossed my mind.

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Rinne is the G.G.O.A.T. (greatest goalie of all time) in Predators history.

Roman Josi, though, is a whole different animal. This limb is secure, no doubt, but I'd venture to say when all is said and done, Josi will be the G.P.A.T. — greatest Predator of all time.

That's not to take anything away from Rinne and his Vezina Trophy and his franchise records and his work in the community. Rinne told me as much during a casual conversation a couple of seasons ago, when he called Josi the best player on the team.

And yes, comparing goalies to skaters seems senseless in some ways.

But for the sake of this exercise, let's just leave the definition open to interpretation.

Josi has a Norris Trophy on his mantel from 2019-20, sure. But this season he's been even better than that. After scoring the winning goal Tuesday against the Dallas Stars in perhaps his team's biggest game of the season during the biggest week of the season, Josi was two scores shy of breaking his single-season record. He also was five assists away from breaking another record.

His 60 points were tops on the team by nine. He broke the franchise record for assists earlier this season. He's first in shots on goal, second in points, third in games played and goals created, sixth in goals.

Granted, the Predators are relative newbies to the NHL, having played their first game in 1998.

Still, the lists with the captain's name on them seem never-ending.

"He's so good," center Ryan Johansen said before repeating himself for emphasis, as if one "he's so good" wasn't enough. "It's just ridiculous."

Johansen went as far as giving Josi a new middle name — "Franchise record-breaker."

"He's brining it every night ... not only offensively but defensively as well," Johansen said, introducing hammer to nail.

Josi's offensive numbers help him stand out among his peers, yes. But his defense doesn't suffer too much because of it. Brains more than brawn help Josi win out in that department, along with natural ability.

Sure, Rinne was the first Predator to have his number retired. Josi's No. 59 surely will join 35 someday. But I'd bet it goes a step further. Josi has a legit shot at being the first Predator elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. And to think, he almost wasn't an All-Star this season.

Josi, not surprisingly, is more than adept at deflecting compliments.

"I didn't like my year last year that much," Josi said. "I think I have more. I tried to come back and be better as a player and a leader."

So far, "so good," as Johansen might say.

A lot of Predators are having career years. See: Juuse Saros, Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene.

Josi would rather talk about that.

But this isn't about that.

Career years come along once during a career.

Josi seems to keep doing his one better.

Which will make him the best of all-time as far as Predators are concerned.

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

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Roman Josi is best player in Nashville Predators history