Nashville Predators: Replacing Fisher most important task for Laviolette

Replacing a player that leaves is a challenge. Replacing a leader harder. But, replacing Fisher is the task the Nashville Predators must get correct.

Leaders are hard to find. Good leaders even more difficult. Finding a natural leader that is excellent in all they do is like winning the lottery. With Mike Fisher as captain of the team, the Nashville Predators won the lottery.

While he is not officially gone, the Predators must starting planning for life without Fisher. Filling the scoring hole left is not the issue. It is the way he carries himself on and off the ice that cannot be underestimated. His leadership helped propel the team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The vacancy

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With Fisher named captain, after serving four years as the alternate while Shea Weber was still on the roster, the Nashville Predators flourished. Though the record may not reflect it, Fisher led the team through adversity and pushed them to the playoffs. From there, the story wrote itself.

Even coach Peter Laviolette saw the importance for Fisher as captain when the selection was made.

"There’s a lot of confidence that we made that choice, and we got the right guy. After being around [Fisher] and watching him and seeing how he handles the team and how he works every day and how he interacts with his players and coaches, we 100 percent made the right call."

Those traits – handling the team, work ethic, interaction with others – are what will be the largest concern when selecting the next captain. Plus, there is Fisher’s work in the community with groups like Room at the Inn.

Maybe there is one player already stepping up into that role.

Stepping up

The obvious choice for the next captain is Roman Josi, who served as the Predators’ alternate captain last season. Already a leader on defense, stepping up to captain may be worth the consideration. Or, the team could select Ryan Johansen, who also lead the team in scoring and assists last season.

But, there is one more player that deserves consideration. And, no it is not Pekka Rinne, though I believe he would be fantastic. He did allude to this player in this letter in The Players’ Tribune.

That player is P.K. Subban.

Think about it. Does the team make the playoffs without Subban? It is possible, but not likely. His flashy play, elite defensive work, and ability to lead a power play are great characteristics. However, from the start of his time in Nashville to the conclusion of the season, Subban was the one cheering the Predators on.

Furthermore, Rinne said that it was Subban’s personality and play that “really left its mark on our team this year in a significant way.” Add to this his charity work and foundation, you have a player with all the traits of a great leader.

Next: Mount Rushmore of Predators Players

Could Subban be named the eighth captain of the Nashville Predators? It may be the next best decision Laviolette makes.