Nashville Predators: Fisher’s retirement brings opportunities for others
Mike Fisher has officially retired after 17 seasons in the NHL. Here is why that is a good thing if you are a Nashville Predators fan.
Mike Fisher has been a staple for the Nashville Predators since a trade with Ottawa brought him home to his wife, Carrie Underwood, in 2011. He has been everything the Predators could have ever hoped for on and off the ice. He brought a smart physicality to the ice along with myriad other tangibles that have helped drive the teams success-ultimately to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. Fisher will always be revered for his time spent in that locker room and in the Nashville community.
For now, it is time to move on.
Center of attention
Nashville Predators
For the first time in Predators history, they have serious depth at the Center position. Not only do they have their bona fide number one center in Ryan Johansen, they also have arguably a couple of number two centers in Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Bonino. Additionally, they have a couple of rising younger guys in Colton Sissons and Frederick Gaudreau: two guys who definitely showed when given the chance, they can rise to the challenge (see Sissons’s hat trick and Gaudreau’s three goals in the Finals).
With Fisher retiring, that enables every guy to slot up. Jarnkrok or Bonino will be taking the number two slot. My preference is Jarnkrok and I will tell you in another post why. Sissons will most likely be the favorite for the fourth line center, however, Gaudreau should be given a legitimate shot in camp.
Captain Concern
Fisher’s retirement creates another void for the Nashville Predators, and indeed another opportunity. Fisher was named Captain at the beginning of last season after the Predators traded away Shea Weber. Not only will they need a new Captain with Fisher leaving, they also have an Alternate open with Neal’s departure to the Golden Knights.
Although needing a new captain always is a weird transition in the locker room, this is a positive thing for the Predators-specifically for David Poile. Poile has been a mastermind when it has come to signing his own free agents, and has a handful of guys on very “team-friendly” deals, especially Ryan Ellis.
According to sportrac.com, Ellis is under contract for the next two seasons at a $2.5 million/year cap hit. That is just absurd. Ellis is a top line D-man who potted 16 goals and 38 points last season. You make a guy like that happier when he is given a letter on his jersey. Ellis has shown he can be a leader on this team and undoubtedly will be considered for one of the captain vacancies. If I had to put money on it, I would say the Roman Josi gets the C, Ellis gets an A, and Ryan Johansen gets the other A. However, don’t count out Filip Forsberg or P.K. Subban.
So, Predators fans, it is okay to be sad that Fisher has moved on. He will always be considered a Predator and truly has been one of the greatest guys to play the game. But, rejoice in the fact that Poile has given you a fantastic (or FANGtastic, whatever is your flavor) roster that has endless potential and is ready to compete for the Cup again this year.
Next: Assembling Franchise’s All-Time Best Offensive Weapons
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