Predators shake up forward lines in Mike Fisher's debut

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Mike Fisher made his return to the Predators' lineup Friday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Fisher, who ended his retirement Jan. 31 in order to rejoin the team for its playoff push and another opportunity at the Stanley Cup, signed a prorated $1 million contract Monday.

“I know it’s going to take a little bit of time to get my game going, but hopefully it won’t take me too long," Fisher said Friday afternoon. "There will be nerves. If there’s not nerves, there’s probably something wrong.”

The 37-year-old has the ideal qualities of a bottom-six center, a position he now can play with the enviable balance that the Predators possess at the middle of the ice. Ryan Johansen, Kyle Turris and Nick Bonino slotted ahead of Fisher on Friday, a depth chart that arguably is the strongest in team history.

“You look at our team and the depth we have,” Fisher said. “There’s so many guys that are capable of coming in, and that’s why this team’s been successful all year. Being able to play your fourth line against their first line and not worry at all, not many teams can say that. Wherever I fit in, I know that I can contribute in different ways — offensively, defensively, leadership, special teams, whatever it may be.

"I think that’s what I’ve done in the past and I’ll continue to do.”

Predators coach Peter Laviolette scrambled his combinations, resting forwards Craig Smith and Scott Hartnell as well as captain Roman Josi and defenseman Yannick Weber.

Colton Sissons and Austin Watson flanked Fisher on the team's fourth line, a familiar grouping from last season.

The Predators count their versatility among their greatest strengths this season and plan to experiment with different configurations before the playoffs begin next month.

“For me, I’m just looking at different things," Laviolette said. "I know that I can always move the lines back around. To be honest, I feel comfortable with any 20 guys that go in the lineup.

"You’re going to see that down the stretch. It’s good that we’re able to do that. We’re in a position to do that, but one of the main things for me is to make sure that everybody’s playoff-ready.”

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.