The team announced on Wednesday that Fisher, who retired following the Nashville’s run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, will begin skating on his own before signing a contract to rejoin the Predators near the NHL’s Feb. 26 trade deadline.
“It’s great to be back,” Fisher said at a press conference with Nashville general manager David Poile and coach Peter Laviolette. “I never really thought it was a possibility. After I retired, I was done and that’s what I felt was the right decision then.”
The 37-year-old said that his mindset started to change around Christmas, when he first considered a comeback. He spoke with Poile, Laviolette, current Predators captain Roman Josi and other friends and family before making the final decision last weekend.
Fisher confirmed that the move is “just for this year” and that “there is no real timetable” for his return to action.
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Laviolette said that while he and the team respected Fisher’s decision to walk away from the game in August, he was a little disappointed by it and is excited to have his veteran presence back in the locker room.
“We’re getting a terrific person,” Laviolette said. “We’re getting a lot of character put in our locker room, experience and leadership, a terrific player. Everybody’s really happy that Mike’s back.”
That includes Fisher’s wife, country music star Carrie Underwood, who shared the news on Twitter.
“Carrie asked me every few days if I was going to do it,” Fisher said. “She wanted me to do it and she’s usually right.”
The 18-year veteran played his final six-and-a-half seasons with the Predators, after the Ottawa Senators traded him to Nashville near the trade deadline in 2011. He has recorded 276 goals and 309 assists in 1,088 career games.
Fisher returns to Nashville (29-12-7), which currently sits in second place in the Central Division, for another run at an elusive first Stanley Cup.
