Mike Fisher expected to make decision on future by next week

Mike Fisher has been mulling retirement since his Nashville Predators lost Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It appears the free-agent center is nearing a decision as to whether he wants to return for another NHL season.

"He is on vacation, and I have been away and (focused on preparing for arbitration hearings)," Predators general manager David Poile told Adam Vingan of the Tennessean. "I'm hoping to talk to him later this week to see where he's at. I'd say by next week, we should have an update."

Even in his age-36 season, Fisher was still a valuable player for the Preds. He scored 18 goals, tallied 42 points, and won 54.9 percent of his faceoffs.

With Nick Bonino now in the fold, Fisher would be able to slot in as the team's third-line center - a much more fitting role for the 37-year-old.

With few remaining centers left in free agency, the Preds would likely turn to in-house options Calle Jarnkrok, Colton Sissons, or Frederick Gaudreau to fill the third-line vacancy left by Fisher if he opts for retirement.