Nashville Predators won’t bring back left winger Scott Hartnell and defenseman Alexei Emelin for the next season according to the team’s general manager David Poile. Hartnell and Emelin are both set to become unrestricted free agents in the offseason.

Scott Hartnell, who previously played for the Predators from 2000 to 2007, rejoined the Predators in 2017 from Columbus Blue Jackets, singing a $1 million deal in the summer. He ended up playing in 62 games, managing 13 goals and 11 assists.

“I think he did a really good job for us this year coming in — the leadership, maturity,” – said Poile after announcing the team won’t bring back Hartnell. “He’s always an exciting player both on and off the ice because he does so much physically with how he plays and verbally with how he talks. He was an important player for our team.“

After his second stint with the Predators came to an early end, Hartnell said he is thinking about retirement.

“I’ll take some time away to think about it,” – he told the Tennessean. “These last couple months, just wondering if I still have it, if I could still skate. I thought I played pretty solid, but your heart’s got to be there too with it, and that passion. I feel like it’s there.“

Alexei Emelin also joined the Nashville Predators in 2017 but failed to make a significant impact ending the season with one goal and eight assists.

Predators, who also seen center Mike Fisher retiring on Saturday, are expected to work out an extension with defenseman Ryan Ellis this summer. Ellis, who has a one year left on his five-year, $12.5 million contract, recently said he would like to finish his career with the Predators.

“I love it here,” – said Ellis. “My fiancée loves it here. If it was my wish, I’d finish my career here. So we’ll see what happens.“

The post Nashville Predators Parting Ways with Scott Hartnell and Alexei Emelin appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Mike Fisher has enjoyed his retirement for a little less than six months but then the Nashville Predators called, and the 37-year old responded. Fisher decided to come out of retirement on Wednesday and sign again with the team who he captained to the Stanley Cup Final appearance in the last season. Fisher will sign a professional contract with the team before the February 26 trade deadline and has already started practicing with the Predators.

“It always kind of bugged me when guys came out of retirement. I didn’t really think it was a possibility,” – he said. “I just thought about the opportunity. How good this team is. About the run last year, and what could be. I got a blessing from family and my wife.“

Fisher added that his wife, Grammy Award-winning singer Carrie Underwood, influenced his decision to put the skates back on. Underwood even went on her Twitter profile to express support for her husband’s decision.

This is happening! Fish is back! So proud of you, baby! We want the cup!!! https://t.co/ohP7zPtT1s

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) January 31, 2018

Nashville Predators are currently sitting on the second place of Central division, coming off a 1-2 defeat against the Chicago Blackhawks. With Fisher on board, the team will have their already strong group of centers, even more, bolstered, and will add a strong veteran leadership in the locker room.

“[We’re] getting a terrific person back in our locker room, and a terrific player,” – said Predators’ coach Peter Laviolette about Fisher’s return.

Mike Fisher contributed to 18 goals and 24 assists in 72 games for Predators in the last season and had four assists in 20 playoff games. Fisher said that team’s potential for another Stanley Cup run played a major factor in his return.

“I believe this team is built to win and has a very good chance. So that’s part of the reason I want to come back,” – said Fisher. “But we didn’t win last year, and that was the best part of my career.“

The post Mike Fisher Returns from Retirement and Signs With Nashville Predators appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Nashville Predators won’t bring back left winger Scott Hartnell and defenseman Alexei Emelin for the next season according to the team’s general manager David Poile. Hartnell and Emelin are both set to become unrestricted free agents in the offseason.

Scott Hartnell, who previously played for the Predators from 2000 to 2007, rejoined the Predators in 2017 from Columbus Blue Jackets, singing a $1 million deal in the summer. He ended up playing in 62 games, managing 13 goals and 11 assists.

“I think he did a really good job for us this year coming in — the leadership, maturity,” – said Poile after announcing the team won’t bring back Hartnell. “He’s always an exciting player both on and off the ice because he does so much physically with how he plays and verbally with how he talks. He was an important player for our team.“

After his second stint with the Predators came to an early end, Hartnell said he is thinking about retirement.

“I’ll take some time away to think about it,” – he told the Tennessean. “These last couple months, just wondering if I still have it, if I could still skate. I thought I played pretty solid, but your heart’s got to be there too with it, and that passion. I feel like it’s there.“

Alexei Emelin also joined the Nashville Predators in 2017 but failed to make a significant impact ending the season with one goal and eight assists.

Predators, who also seen center Mike Fisher retiring on Saturday, are expected to work out an extension with defenseman Ryan Ellis this summer. Ellis, who has a one year left on his five-year, $12.5 million contract, recently said he would like to finish his career with the Predators.

“I love it here,” – said Ellis. “My fiancée loves it here. If it was my wish, I’d finish my career here. So we’ll see what happens.“

The post Nashville Predators Parting Ways with Scott Hartnell and Alexei Emelin appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Mike Fisher has enjoyed his retirement for a little less than six months but then the Nashville Predators called, and the 37-year old responded. Fisher decided to come out of retirement on Wednesday and sign again with the team who he captained to the Stanley Cup Final appearance in the last season. Fisher will sign a professional contract with the team before the February 26 trade deadline and has already started practicing with the Predators.

“It always kind of bugged me when guys came out of retirement. I didn’t really think it was a possibility,” – he said. “I just thought about the opportunity. How good this team is. About the run last year, and what could be. I got a blessing from family and my wife.“

Fisher added that his wife, Grammy Award-winning singer Carrie Underwood, influenced his decision to put the skates back on. Underwood even went on her Twitter profile to express support for her husband’s decision.

This is happening! Fish is back! So proud of you, baby! We want the cup!!! https://t.co/ohP7zPtT1s

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) January 31, 2018

Nashville Predators are currently sitting on the second place of Central division, coming off a 1-2 defeat against the Chicago Blackhawks. With Fisher on board, the team will have their already strong group of centers, even more, bolstered, and will add a strong veteran leadership in the locker room.

“[We’re] getting a terrific person back in our locker room, and a terrific player,” – said Predators’ coach Peter Laviolette about Fisher’s return.

Mike Fisher contributed to 18 goals and 24 assists in 72 games for Predators in the last season and had four assists in 20 playoff games. Fisher said that team’s potential for another Stanley Cup run played a major factor in his return.

“I believe this team is built to win and has a very good chance. So that’s part of the reason I want to come back,” – said Fisher. “But we didn’t win last year, and that was the best part of my career.“

The post Mike Fisher Returns from Retirement and Signs With Nashville Predators appeared first on SportzBonanza.