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Nashville Predators: Mike Fisher announces retirement

By Dave Stevenson

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 3: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators takes a second period face-off against the Andrew Copp #9 of the Winnipeg Jets in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 3, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Preds defeated the Jets 2-1 and tie the series 2-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 3: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators takes a second period face-off against the Andrew Copp #9 of the Winnipeg Jets in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 3, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Preds defeated the Jets 2-1 and tie the series 2-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher has announced his NHL career as a player is over

Last offseason, Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher announced his retirement. However, the Preds and Fisher quickly found out he probably retired a little bit too early. Since the center had an itching to play and Nashville needed center depth, the two sides agreed to a one-year deal in February.

For the second straight year, Fisher has announced his retirement. But this time, it feels much more real. Last season, Fisher was still a productive player with 42 points. This season, in 16 regular season games, he put up merely four points. In the postseason, Fisher put up only one point, a goal, in 12 games.

On the ice, the Predators probably won’t miss him too much. Between Calle Jarnkrok, Frederick Gaudreau, Colton Sissons, and Emil Pettersson, they have the forward depth to be able to replace Fisher. That’s before factoring in 2018 Olympics star Eeli Tolvanen, who should be in the lineup full-time next season.

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In the locker room, Fisher’s presence will be missed. They re-signed him in February after letting him work out in their arena, which tells you how important he is to them. Scott Hartnell could return for another year, but the Predators are a pretty young team. Barring roster additions, Nick Bonino, Matt Irwin, and Pekka Rinne will be their only players who are 30 years old or older next season.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Fisher get a job with the Predators eventually. He and his wife (country star Carrie Underwood) love it in Nashville. They’re deeply connected to the community. The Predators are a franchise who pride themselves in helping those around them.

Fisher would make sense in a franchise ambassador role or possibly a community service-related role. His wife could join him in a similar role, depending on what she does with her career. Of course, Underwood would likely not mind singing the national anthem. And, given their 2-0 record with her singing it, the Predators likely wouldn’t either.

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In life, you try to leave places better than you found them. Fisher has made the Predators better, which is all you can ask for in a hockey player. But now it’s time for both sides to move on, though their paths will likely merge again in the near future.

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