Finding a Way to Elevate: Mike Fisher

Every year there are players who breakout in the playoffs and then follow that up with strong regular seasons. This season we watched players like Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Joe Pavelski, Ville Leino amongst others elevate their game. This daily snippet will point out that player in an attempt to find some sleepers for next year prior to the end of the playoffs.

Last night Mike Fisher, or Carrie Underwood’s husband rather, found a way to make an impact offensively for the Nashville Predators.

With only five goals and 12 points in 25 games with his new team during the regular season, Fisher looked like a big gamble — especially since the Preds sent a first round pick in 2011 as well as a conditional pick in 2012 with that condition being the team advances to the second round of the playoffs. Considering the Preds already considered themselves a playoff team, getting to the second round was a gamble they were willing to take, and for good reason.

Fisher elevated his game last night, scoring two goals and assisting on another, playing primarily between Patric Hornqvist and Sergei Kostitsyn. That same unit frequently lines up with Shea Weber and Ryan Suter on the powerplay and combined for the first goal of last night’s game. It looks like Fisher developed chemistry with several different combinations of players in Nashville, which makes him an excellent depth forward for deeper fantasy leagues. It was because of his versatility with the Ottawa Senators that he became a scoring threat in the past, hitting 25 goals just one season ago.

Next season, you may be able to get him at a discounted rate due to his slump in the beginning of his transition. Make no mistake, Fisher is back, keep him on your cheat sheets accordingly.

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