Mike Fisher, Predators make progress in contract talks

As the July 1 opening of the NHL's free-agency period approaches, contract talks between forward Mike Fisher and the Predators are "progressing well," according to agent Todd Reynolds.

"We're making progress," Reynolds said Friday during a phone interview. "Everyone wants the same thing, and we're just trying to come to an agreement on what that ultimately looks like."

During his end-of-season address after the Predators were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in April, general manager David Poile said Fisher, who turned 35 Friday, "can play as long as he wants."

Fisher also expressed his desire to return to Nashville, encouraged by the team's direction.

"Mike is terrific in every way," Poile said last week at the Music City Sports Festival. "He's a terrific player, terrific pro, terrific role model. He's a great person to have in our locker room for any of our younger kids that want to follow in his footsteps in terms of how he conducts himself as a hockey player and more importantly as a man."

There has been a "consistent dialogue probably since the new year" between Fisher's camp and the Predators, according to Reynolds. The two sides have gotten closer to agreeable terms over the past month.

"Everyone is putting their best efforts into trying to get something done," Reynolds said. "Talks are very amicable and constructive. Ultimately you agree on term and numbers, that's what it comes down to.

"We're not quite there yet, but I think we're moving towards that. Mike wants to play in Nashville. They want him to play in Nashville. That's a great start to any negotiation."

Asked if Fisher's current two-year, $8.4 million contract provides a reasonable template for what a potential extension could look like, Reynolds politely declined to specify.

"As far as term goes, Mike will play for as long as they want him to play and he feels he can contribute and be an effective member of the Nashville Predators," Reynolds said.

"In the mean time, I think it's going to probably end up at two (years). I don't know that for certain, but I think that's probably the right number for everyone involved."

Reach Adam Vingan at 615-259-8023 and on Twitter @AdamVingan.