The Nashville Predators may have lost its top-line center in a 5-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday night. At 7:56 of the second period, Fisher limped to the bench while not putting any weight on his right leg after taking a rough hit in the corner from Martin Hanzal. He would not return to the game due to a lower-body injury.
“I’m not going to make any assumptions, because I don’t know how serious it is,” said Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber about Fisher. “He’s a great player for us and a big leader up front. He gives you a bit of everything- he’s got grit, he’s got skill and he can score. He is definitely a guy we are going to miss, unless he’s back next game and then we don’t have to worry about it.”
Quick shot of Fisher injury. pic.twitter.com/9IFyixiMGL
— On The Forecheck (@OnTheForecheck) December 2, 2015
Fisher, 35, has seven points (five goals, two assists) in 24 games this season. There have been questions concerning Nashville’s center depth since the season began. If Fisher’s injury is severe, the Predators will be in deep trouble down the middle.
Already, Paul Gaustad is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, leaving Nashville with only Mike Ribeiro, Cody Hodgson and Colton Sissons, and by no means can that be considered elite.
Acquiring a top-line center has been a necessity for the Predators, and an injury to Fisher may accelerate the process.
Colin Fitts is a Nashville Predators staff writer for The Hockey Writers. You can follow Colin on Twitter, @FittsTHW, and e-mail him at 22fitts@gmail.com.