Fisher Confirms Retirement, Ends Playing Career with Preds

It was the perfect analogy from a man who feels just as comfortable in the great outdoors as he does in the face-off circle.
"I've milked this cow as long as it's been able to milk," Mike Fisher said with a laugh on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. "It's bone dry."
After coming out of retirement to rejoin the Predators for one more run, it was Fisher's way of confirming his NHL career as a player has indeed come to an end as he and the rest of his teammates cleaned out their lockers for the summer.

Across 18 seasons with the Preds and Ottawa Senators, Fisher finishes with 1,104 games played, 278 goals and 311 assists, good for 589 points, with 429 of those games and 241 points coming in Nashville in his final eight NHL campaigns.
After initially retiring following the 2016-17 season, Fisher made the decision to begin skating and training once more with the intention of coming back to play and do whatever he could to help the Predators collect just two more victories than they did last season on their way to the Stanley Cup Final.
Of course, this season ended sooner than anyone could have expected - including Fisher - who was left feeling disappointed, especially due to the fact that a lower-body injury kept him out of a seventh and final game against Winnipeg just two nights ago. Still, there were no regrets from the man who served as Nashville's captain just one season ago.
"You don't want be cleaning out your locker in May, there's no question," Fisher said. "But I had a great three months, I enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoyed coming to work with these guys and it was a great group of people, from the players to the whole organization and staff. I'm glad I came back. It was awesome and obviously disappointing, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I know this team will learn and grow and be better and there's a lot to look forward to."

When asked of his future plans, Fisher didn't close the door on a possible front-office role with the Predators somewhere down the line, but he added those conversations, if they were to ever happen, may still be a way off.
For now, he'll go back to what he loves doing most - being a husband and a father. There will undoubtedly be some outdoorsman activities mixed in, as well as keeping up with the Predators, too. Fisher knows this team will still have a number of years with the core group intact to try for some additional runs at Lord Stanley's Cup, something he has no doubt can happen once more.
"This team is going to have a chance for a number of years," Fisher said. "There's no question that the guys in the locker room and this organization is going to do everything it can [to continue winning]. That's a great group, and I think it's so hard to win, but I think this team has put together something special for sure."
As he walks away for the second and final time, Fisher knows he'll miss the camaraderie in the locker room, the road trips with the guys, everything that comes with being a professional hockey player.
And with one final question to answer, Fisher made sure to thank the fans who have supported his teammates through thick and thin, who have made playing hockey in this city what it is today.
It might be those nights in Smashville that Fisher will miss the most.
"There's still a lot to be thankful for, and as players, this speaks for every guy in the room and how grateful we are for the fans and the city," Fisher said. "Everyone loves this city, loves playing here. We have so much to be thankful for and we appreciate their support."