Predators Acquire Mike Fisher in Exchange for Picks

A long rumored match made in heaven (or at least Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood would say) was consummated today when the Nashville Predators acquired Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators.

The Predators traded away their first round draft pick in this summers NHL Entry Draft and a conditional pick in 2012.

Considering Fisher has two years left on his contract at $4 million in 2011-12 and $3 million in 2012-13, this is in no way a rental situation. I have complete faith in how David Poile works his magic in piecing together a low budget team but this move is a bit of a head scratcher to me.

To commit that much salary in future years, with new contracts needed for Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and Pekka Rinne it would appear to me that someone will have to leave prior to next season.

Fisher is not known as being a pure goal scorer but more of a David Legwand, two-way forward type player, with potential offensive upside. I would not expect him to produce goals at a higher rate in a Trotz system than he has in the past.

The Predators need to also hope that New Jersey returns to their struggling ways since their second round pick (from the Jason Arnot trade) this summer will be the first pick for the Preds at the Draft.

Here is the full release from the Predators...

Preds Acquire Mike Fisher From Ottawa Senators

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired center Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Nashville’s first-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft and a conditional pick in the 2012 Draft. The conditional pick is Nashville’s third-round selection if the Predators win one round in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and turns into a second-rounder in 2012 if the team wins two-or-more rounds.

“We were seeking a top-six forward and Mike Fisher was the player we set our sights on,” Poile said. “He plays playoff-style hockey all season long. He plays on the power play, kills penalties, is strong on draws and can match up against any opposing line.”

Fisher, 30 (6/5/80), is tied for the Senators team lead in goals (14) and ranks third on the club in points (14g-10a-24pts) in 2011-12, his 11th NHL campaign. The Peterborough, Ont., native has amassed 348 points (167g-181a) in 675 games, all with Ottawa, since 1999-2000, hitting the 20-goal mark in four of the last five seasons. The 6-1, 208-pounder notched career highs in points (53), goals (25), assists (28) and power-play goals (10) a season ago and was a finalist for the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2005-06.

Selected 44th overall by the Senators in the 1998 Entry Draft, Fisher has 28 points (14g-14a) in 75 postseason games, more than any current Predator. He has helped the Sens advance beyond the first round four times in six playoff appearances, including an appearance in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals and the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals.

“Mike’s playoff experience will be invaluable to our team and he immediately makes our team stronger and deeper,” Poile said.

Fisher will don a number 12 jersey and in recognition of this, the Nashville Predators will offer a special ticket promotion for the Feb. 12 game vs. Colorado. The promotion includes one upper-level seat for $12 or a pair of lower-level seats for $112. These tickets are on sale now through 5 p.m. tomorrow only through the Bridgestone Arena box office or by calling 615-770-PUCK (7825).

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass