The Nashville Predators were dealt a huge blow on Monday night when the team announced that veteran leader Mike Fisher will be lost for the next 4-6 months due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The team made it official with this statement:
"Predators forward and alternate captain Mike Fisher sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon during a training session and underwent successful surgery on Thursday, July 3," general manager David Poile said in a statement. "We expect Mike to make a full recovery in four-to-six months, and look forward to his return to the ice."
Fisher, 33, was fourth on the Predators in scoring with 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) last season. He averaged 19:45 TOI in 2013-14.
GM David Poile told the Tennessean:
"I hope we have enough depth".
Poile won't be mashing the panic button as a reaction to the Fisher injury.
"We're not going to sign a player for the sake of signing," Poile said. "It has to be a fit." Good thing that Poile signed former UFA center Olli Jokinen last week. An aging Jokinen will provide some offense, however, he's not an ample replacement for the leadership void that is created by Fisher's serious injury. To compete in the West, teams have to be able to fight fire with fire from the center position against LA< Chicago, Anaheim, and San Jose.
Poile will try to patch his lineup holes with centers Calle Jarnkrok, Colin Wilson or Colton Sissons. Good luck with that.
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My thoughts and prayers are with Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray as he is about to embark on his cancer treatment program.
The Sens issued the following statement on Monday afternoon:
The Ottawa Senators announced today that General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Bryan Murray has been recently diagnosed with cancer. The Senators organization issued the following statement:“Mr. Murray is undergoing further testing and will begin treatment immediately for this condition as prescribed by the team’s doctors in collaboration with specialists.
Mr. Murray’s treatment schedule may require him to be away from the Senators office periodically. During his periodic absence, assistant general managers Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee will be responsible for managing the Ottawa Senators hockey operations department.
On behalf of the entire Senators family, the team is asking that the thoughts, prayers and support of the entire hockey community are with Bryan and his family.
The Senators and Mr. Murray ask that you please respect his family’s privacy during this time.
There will be no further comment from the Senators organization.…