Predators add
Fisher, husband of
Carrie Underwood,
in move to spark
offense
Written by
Bryan Mullen
11:43 PM, Feb. 10, 2011|
On Tuesday, Predators Coach Barry Trotz
called out several of his forwards for their
recent lack of production.
As it turns out, the organization already
was calling Ottawa.
Hoping to boost their offense for the
playoff run but also for the next two years, the Predators acquired Senators center
Mike Fisher on Thursday. In exchange,
Nashville gave up its first-round draft pick
in the 2011 NHL Draft and a conditional
pick in the 2012 draft.
Fisher, the husband of country music
superstar Carrie Underwood, is tied for the
Senators' lead in goals (14) and is third in
points (24) this season.
"Mike Fisher is a player we have always
liked," Predators General Manager David
Poile said. "We like everything about his
game. He plays hard, he scores pretty
good. He plays in all situations."
Coach Barry Trotz was understandably
excited with the acquisition.
"It's a good statement by ownership and
the organization that, you know, we're not
just trying to make the playoffs," Trotz
said. "We're trying to build a consistent
winner here."
Fisher's contract runs through 2013, and
the salary cap hit is $4.2 million. He will
make $4 million in 2011-12 and $3
million in 2012-13.
The Predators hope to get Fisher a work
visa today, and he is expected to be in the
lineup when Nashville hosts Colorado on
Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.
Fisher, 30, is not known as a premier
scorer, but he has recorded 20 or more
goals in four of the past five seasons and
performs well on the power play and in