Mike Fisher puts retirement in rearview and rejoins Predators' roster

At a Wednesday morning news conference following the Nashville Predators' morning skate, veteran center Mike Fisher announced he is coming out of retirement to rejoin one of the NHL's best teams.

"I believe this team is built to win. That's part of the reason I want to come back. We didn't win last year and that was the best part of my career. I feel like this year could be the year," said Fisher, who was seated next to president of hockey operations general manager David Poile and head coach Peter Laviolette. "The closer I got towards it, the closer I thought what a great opportunity this would be. ... I'm ready for it."

No specific timetable was given for Fisher's return to game action.

Fisher is returning only for the remainder of the 2017-18 regular season and playoffs.

In his NHL career, Fisher has played more than 1,000 games, logging 276 goals and 309 assists. A former second-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators, Fisher played his final seven seasons before retirement with the Predators.

After falling short in the Stanley Cup Finals last season, Fisher started telling friends he missed the action last month.

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The Predators currently sit in second place in the Central Division with a 48-29-12 record and a plus-21 goal differential.

"To make a long story short, we reached out to Mike and there was a few conversations," Poile said. "(Predators captain) Roman Josi met with him and had a conversation. He made the decision and he wants to come back."