Mike Fisher: 5 Reasons the Nashville Predators Made a Great Trade

With 18 days to go before the NHL trade deadline, the Nashville Predators acquired forward Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators today in exchange for a 2011 first-round pick and a 2012 conditional draft pick.

This is a great move for the Predators. As they now set their sights on the NHL playoffs, the Mike Fisher acquisition gives Nashville fans five reasons to look forward to the rest of the season.

Fisher Fills the Void Left by Matt Lombardi’s Concussion

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 16: Matthew Lombardi #!5 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates with the puck in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 16, 2010 in

The Predators’ biggest summer free-agent pickup, Matt Lombardi, went down just two games into this season with a concussion and hasn’t come back. Since then Nashville has been on the lookout to find a suitable replacement.

"We were seeking a top-six forward, and Mike Fisher was the player we set our sights on," said Predators general manager David Poile.

Addressing this issue has come at the right time for the Predators as they now set their sights on the playoffs with Fisher adding depth to the lineup.

Fisher Brings with Him All the Intangibles the Predators Need

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UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 05: Mike Fisher #12 of the Ottawa Senators checks Richard Park #10 of the New York Islanders against the boards during a NHL game December 5, 2006 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

“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,” Poile said in a press release earlier today.

The intangibles that Mike Fisher brings along with him are immeasurable when you look at this trade on paper.

Fisher is gritty on defense and is well-known as an aggressive player, earning him accolades as a finalist for the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2007, and he also has a knack for scoring.

The Predators Aren’t Really Giving Up That Much

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PITTSBURGH - APRIL 16: Mike Fisher #12 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Mellon Arena on April 16, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

The Predators should be in a win-now type of mindset, and the acquisition of Mike Fisher further reinforces their mission to go big or go home.

Nashville owes Ottawa a first-round pick in the upcoming 2011 draft, and after that Nashville only has to give the Senators a third-round selection if the Predators win a round in the playoffs or a second-round pick in the 2012 draft if Nashville advances to the Western Conference finals.

When Fisher shows he is an integral part of the Predators' playoff success, fans will realize that he was worth every penny.

Fisher Brings with Him Playoff Experience

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MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Fisher #12 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on September 24, 2010 in Montreal, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Senators 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Mike Fisher brings with him valuable playoff experience that any team would love to possess.

In his 14-year hockey career, Fisher has seen playoff action in 10 of those years, making 88 total starts.

He’s scored 18 goals during the playoffs while also spending 83 minutes in the penalty box, showing how determined and tough he is during playoff games.

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

Fisher Is Coming Relatively Cheap

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UNIONDALE, NY - APRIL 03: Mike Fisher #12 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the New York Islanders on April 3, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Isles defeated the Senators 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Fisher is only 30 years old and has two more years remaining on the four-year deal he signed with Ottawa.

Focused on created a winning season, the Predators’ front office knew Fisher would only count $4.2 million towards the salary cap while making $4 million next season and $3 million in 2012-2013.

Currently tied for fifth in the Western Conference, the Nashville Predators have best suited themselves for a deep playoff run by adding center Mike Fisher.