Predators' Mike Fisher prepares for playoffs, parenthood

What began as a season full of angst and uncertainty for Predators center Mike Fisher has evolved into one of the most memorable years of his life.

Only seven months after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon — an injury that's ended the playing days of some athletes — the 34-year-old Fisher is putting together one of the most productive seasons of his 15-year career, a big reason the Predators will head into Thursday's game against Winnipeg with the NHL's best record.

Off the ice, Fisher is fast approaching a milestone of a more personal nature.

He and his wife, country music star Carrie Underwood, are soon expecting a baby boy, the couple's first child.

"I've always tried to balance things out in life," said Fisher, one of the team's alternate captains. "I think that's important, and obviously kids are going to add a different dynamic that I can't wait for. I think it's going to be awesome.

"(Having kids) is something that a lot of people say it's hard to explain until it really happens, and then it's the greatest thing ever. I'm just kind of thinking about wanting to be the best dad I can be."

Offseason injury

Athletes understand injuries are a risk when playing games, but the way Fisher suffered his Achilles injury — while doing offseason training last July — was exasperating for the Peterborough, Ontario, native.

This was no garden-variety sprained ankle, but instead an injury that would require surgery and a four- to six-month rehabilitation process, ensuring he would miss training camp and several weeks of the season.

In typical Fisher fashion, however, he focused on a few players who'd made successful returns from Achilles injuries — including Ottawa's Erik Karlsson and Los Angeles' Justin Williams — and threw himself into the recovery process.

"Obviously you're disappointed and worried about how you'll come back, but I knew if those guys could come back from it, then it sure as heck was not going to keep me down," Fisher said. "That was my mind-set. There wasn't much I could do except work my butt off to come back."

In addition to tending to the Achilles, Fisher spent plenty of time building his upper body, adding strength to an already powerful frame.

"I was able to focus on some other things through the injury," Fisher said. "I was able to get real strong in the gym and I think that's helped. So, at the time, you think of (the injury) as a setback, but sometimes it's just an opportunity to get better in other areas."

Fisher not only returned closer to the four-week estimate than the six, but has arguably been playing some of the best hockey of his career since rejoining the lineup in late November.

He's averaging a career-best .76 points per game (25 points in 33 contests), leads the team in power-play goals with six despite his shortened season, and has helped the Predators to a 22-7-4 record while in the lineup. Nashville is 10-1-1 when Fisher has scored a goal.

"He's been awesome. Maybe all the rest was good for him," Predators captain Shea Weber said with a laugh. "He obviously rehabbed very hard. I know he was disappointed when it first happened, but he had the right mind-set, worked hard, worked through it, and obviously it's paying off."

Waiting for the baby

One source of inspiration during Fisher's lengthy recovery was the knowledge that Underwood was pregnant.

The couple has publicly said that the baby boy is due in the spring, but indications are the big day isn't too far away. Underwood didn't attend the Grammys last weekend in Los Angeles despite being twice nominated, telling E! News that she was too far along in her pregnancy to make the trip.

"She's having a good pregnancy and everything has been going great, so we're blessed that way and praying everything will go well for the next little bit," Fisher said. "I've had siblings that have kids recently, and just having nieces and nephews is really cool. We both love kids, so it's something we're really looking forward to."

Fisher knows that all the work in the gym and on the ice won't prepare him for fatherhood, but he's getting ready in his own way — thanks to teammate and friend Matt Cullen, who just so happens to have three young boys who are full of energy.

"I was afraid we'd maybe scare (Fisher) off with my three animals," Cullen said with a smile, "but he's just gotten warmed up a little bit with those guys. There's plenty of three-on-one wrestling when he's over at the house. The boys love him."

His future

Fisher's thoughts on the future, however, aren't limited to the baby on the way.

His contract expires July 1, meaning there's no guarantee he'll be in Nashville next season. But Fisher is hopeful he'll be able to return to the team he's played for since Ottawa traded him here in February 2011.

"I love the city and I love the guys here in the organization," Fisher said. "It's been great. Hopefully the business part of things will take care of itself, but I definitely want to be part of it for sure."

Fisher will be 35 by the time next season starts, but if anything, his improved offensive numbers this year would seem to put him in a solid bargaining position.

"It's one of those years where everyone is playing great and the puck has been going in for me," Fisher said. "But for me personally, I just want a chance to win and I feel like we've got a good group here. To be part of it would be exciting, for however much longer."

Predators general manager David Poile says he's more likely to concentrate on new deals after the season than during it, but has made it known the team sees Fisher as part of its future.

"We've reached out to Mike and his agent," Poile said, "and we've made it clear we want him back."

A new contract on top of a new family and a potentially deep playoff run?

It wouldn't be a bad way to round out a year that began on such a troubling note last July.

"It's been exciting times, absolutely," Fisher said. "It was a tough summer with the injury, but you know, finding out you're having a baby kind of puts things in perspective. That's what really matters is family.

"The team has been playing great, too, so that's been fun. I've definitely really been blessed."

Reach John Glennon at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @glennonsports.

NEXT GAME

PREDATORS vs. JETS

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

TV/radio: None/102.5-FM

POINT PRODUCTION

At age 34 — and coming off an Achilles injury that required surgery — Predators center Mike Fisher is averaging more points per game so far this season than in any of his previous 14 years in the NHL. Here's a closer look at his best seasons:

Team, Year Games G-A-Pts PPG Predators, 2014-15* 33 13 -12-25 .76 Predators, 2011-12 72 24-27-51 .71 Ottawa, 2006-07 68 22-26-48 .71 Ottawa, 2009-10 79 25-28-53 .67 Ottawa, 2005-06 68 22-22-44 .65

*Season in progress