Now I know things aren't always as they seem, it's just easier to act that way, but something is up with Mike Fisher. It's not so much that he's slumping or scoring at a lesser rate, as we've all seen how streaky he can be over the past years. Hell it's not uncommon to see him go 15 without potting one, but is it just me or has his game almost disappered since he became engaged to Carrie Underwood? The numbers are not his ally either. Let's look at the facts shall we.They announced they're engagement on December 21st, 2009. Prior to that date, Fisher had played 33 games. In those 33, he had 15 goals and 14 assists, good for 29 points, or .87 points per game. To go with that impressive streak, he had 4 game winning goals, was a plus 10 and had a point in 20 of those 33 games. He was having the season of his life, even getting consideration for Team Canada, although he ultimately didn't make it. The point is he was killing it, finally earning his 4.2 million annual salary and having everyone in Ottawa and the NHL singing his praise.
Not only was he scoring, which was a very nice plus, but he seemed to have a renewed passion and love for the game. I've never been a huge Fisher guy, but no one would ever accuse him of not working hard. Early this season however, he was blowing everyone's expectations out of the water and was slowly finishing his chances that in previous years he had failed to do. He was always a hard worker but a frustrating player as well, but things were finally coming together for him. He was a favorite to be a finalist for the Selke even. And then he was engaged.
Now I am not a fan of criticisizing a players personal life, it's none of my business really, unless it affects their on ice performance that is. Now I'm not saying it's the engagement is the sole reason he is struggling. Perhaps he has a lingering injury or perhaps he's just simply reverted back to the player he always was and gone on a patented Mike Fisher cold streak. I'm not around the team everyday, I can't say for sure either way. But what I do know, is the numbers do not lie.
Since he dropped an alleged quarter mill on that ring for Carrie, his numbers have been sinking faster then Jay leno's ratings. Peep the stats. Since #12 has been off the market, he has played a comparable 31 games, scoring a measly 5 goals and adding 11 assists, good for 16 points. Those 16 points in 31 games is good for .51 points per game, a big decrease from the .87 he was averaging before they became Fisherwood officially. Unfortunately for Fisher, the bad news doesn't end there either. In those 31 games, he had 13 games with a point, compared to 20 in the first part of the season and was a minus 1, instead of a plus 10 and had 2 game winning goals, instead of 4 earlier. Basically, his numbers are down by half.
I could even live with the decrease in points if his play was still strong but it just isn't. He is barely noticeable anymore out there and when I do notice him, it's usually for the wrong reasons, like a pass he couldn't take or losing the puck or letting someone skate around him. Even when he used to not score, he was always a presence at least but not as of late.
I don't know the reason why this is happening and I don't pretend to. Maybe he's hurt. Maybe media pressure or wedding details are getting to him. Maybe he's had to adjust to having a full time girlfriend around more. Maybe he's tired from having to fly to LA for the Grammy's or Nashville to see her. Whatever the reason, I just want him back to his first half self, because let's face it, he is one the keys to our success and we need him to be at his best.
All I know is his game has disappeared and he needs to find it fast. If anyone happens to find it, please return to the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club immediately.
Thoughts?
20 comments:
well put mayor, he has sucked the last 20 games
Fisher does not even to be playing that hard anymore. If he does not show anything in the playoffs I say send him to Nashville for a defenseman. Also Mayor, though you might not like to admit it Michalek has been even more invisible than Fisher over that span. It is a shame, we have seen what he can do when he is motivated and forces things.
Fisher does not even to be playing that hard anymore. If he does not show anything in the playoffs I say send him to Nashville for a defenseman. Also Mayor, though you might not like to admit it Michalek has been even more invisible than Fisher over that span. It is a shame, we have seen what he can do when he is motivated and forces things.
I agree Michalek has slowed down considerably but im willing to give him a pass so far because...
A) he's 25 and still has time to grow, Fisher is at his peak
B) Michalek is on a new team and a new city, Fisher has been here his whole career
C) Michalek is clearly nursing some kind of injury that is limiting his, he's lost a lot of his speed the past 20-25 games. Something is slowing him down all of a sudden.
But yes Milan needs to do way more too i agree
He has flown to Nashville TWICE during the season and ONCE to LA to see Carrie. She HAS flown a couple dozen times to see him in Ottawa and other away games, so your theory about him being TIRED of flying to see her is rubbish!
I was wondering how long it was going to take you to post this kind of tabloid crap. You lasted longer than I thought. You are right about one thing, a player's personal life is NONE OF YOUR OR OUR BUSINESS, even if it affects his on ice play.
So Milan gets a break and he MUST be nursing an injury and when Spezza was having issues, he MUST have an injury. It was never blamed on his new marriage. Maybe Fish does have an injury or has lost his confidence from earlier in the season like he did last season. Maybe, just maybe, he is tired! Blame it on whatever you want, but keep his personal life out of it. They all deserve happiness just like the rest of us. Mr. Mayor, all I can say is how disappointing your blog has sunk. Should I start calling you Perez Senstown? I expect this crap from him!
And NO, I am not one of those crazy Carrie fans!
Like i said, i comment on it IF it's affecting his play and his play has gone WAY downhill.
Also like i said in the piece, i dont know if it's her fault at all, just saying thta sicne they were engaged his play is off, u cant dispute the numbers. It's FACT!
I didnt report on them holding hands or going to dinner or shopping. It's hockey related, pretty easy to see that.
I didnt say it was her fault. I siad something he's wrong, i even said maybe he's hurt who knows.
I dont care the reason, i just want him back to playing well and earning his money and as a season ticket holder im entitled thanks.
LOL@ anonymous 8:04pm
Such a Fisher fanboy.
Grow up, his play is way down and it did coincide with underwood.
Typical Fisher chokefest good job mayor, dont listen to the haters
fisher sucks, only girls like him
Truthfully besides the beginning of this year, the only time I have been truly impressed with Fisher's play was during our run to the finals. Actually, that playoff is what earned him his contract.
Here's what you don't get, Mayor. You picked an arbitrary date. I could've picked the date Alfie got hurt against the Pens and come up with similar statistics and say that Fish was so traumatized by that day he lost his form and hasn't recovered even though Alfie's back and OK. Instead you chose to pick a tabloid topic. Why? Because it's an easy hook that'll get you hits.
Does it matter that Fish has been to see Carrie ONCE in LA (the Grammys) and ONCE in Nashville (for the Olympic break) and that's it? No that's just an inconvenient fact for you. Here's a fun stat for you. Back in the middle of November after the OT loss to the Rangers, Fish took a private jet down to Nashville to watch Carrie play the Opry. He was back for practice that Monday. Tuesday the Sens played the Leafs and Mike had a 2 goal game. Does that mean we should give Carrie credit for that game? Please.
Fish didn't do well with the pressure to carry the team when the Sens first line was out. He started overthinking, gripping the stick. He got a little better when Alfie came back. Then the Olympic break which seems to have thrown the whole team out of sync, plus that nasty virus.
Really dumb post Mayor. Then again seeing how slow you've been to see Eric Karlsson develop I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Wow, must be slow in Sens Town. I cant believe that you spent so much effort on this blog. I kept scrolling down and thought it would never end. I believe that someone else wrote an article about this not too long ago and compared the stats before and after.
First off, I just wanted to add a couple notables. When Fish traveled to Nashville to catch her Opry show I believe it was right after the Ranger game at home. Let me see, who had the game winner in that game. Lets go further with the infamous Grammy trip. Gee, it was another afternoon game. It escapes me who they played that date but again, who had the game winner I ask? Yeah right, he must of had Carrie on the brain. Nice try. I believe that I caught every game this season so far. Never was a Sens fan, that is until Miss Underwood began dating Fisher. I'm actually from the States. I started watching the games last year. If anything I believe that she has been a positive influence on him as well as he on her. So I must be dreaming then that the announcers pretty much every game mention that Fish is having a career year. So you ask why his #s have been down. First off, correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't he on to of everybody in pre-season. Him and Comrie, right? He was carrying the team for the most part when a few guys just weren't on their game, i.e. Spezza. Kovalev wasn't in his groove as well. Then you had all the injures. One thing I noticed early on, his teammates were passing him the puck. Now I see him skate to the front of the net and watch Kovalev play with the puck and lose it. Maybe if he starts getting the passes again he will have the opportunities. I believe things were changed up when Clouston told them to shoot, hence the passes stopped coming his way. Another thing I've noticed, kind of off topic but have you noticed how badly Carkner is getting beat. This has actually been awhile now that I've seen this. He's a push over getting around. He's very slow. I've noticed at times our lines are staying out there too long during a shift and they're losing their legs and getting burnt. So I haven't commented until now about some of the things I've noticed of late. And finally, just summing everything up here, I really think you're off base with your analysis of Fish's play. He's having a career year. He's leading the team in game winners, he's tied with Michalek on PP goals and just one shy of the team lead in goals scored. He's tied with Phillips on the +_. We won't count Foligno because he's been out and that hasn't changed. While I'm mentioning Foligno, he is really missed. I think when Foligno was in with Fish, Fish had more opportunities. Foligno is such a hard worker down at the boards. Again, Kovalev just plays with the puck way too much. I think that Fish is good when he's paired up with Alfredsson as well. I don't have the team stats on hits right off hand but I bet Fish is probably leading that as well. He's leading with shots as well with 176. So there is my analysis of the Fish. I think he is doing fine and did not deserve a long winded blog from you today.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand FisherWood fan boys are coming now lol
Wow, that person talked about the long article and then proceeded to post the longest comment of all time. Who cares why Fisher is playing badly, he still is playing badly. He is really payed to be a high energy player who will win battles and take the puck to the net. He has not been doing that so much lately. Also, strongly believe that Carrie Underwood is the one who infected the Sens with the flu so I am blaming her for Saturday's loss.
"Also, strongly believe that Carrie Underwood is the one who infected the Sens with the flu so I am blaming her for Saturday's loss."
THANK YOU! Now that rates an investigative report from The Mayor.
I look forward to equally long winded blogs on the significant others of Alfie (uncharacteristically turnover prone, 8 goals in last 31 games), Michalek (10 assists all season, 6 goals in last 33 games), Carkner (slooooow as molasses, getting beat bad lately), and every Senator not named Andy Sutton. Fish needs to pick it up, but he's not alone.
On another note, is the Team Canada partier in your photos Mike Richards?
Carrie Underwood-Fisher to Mike Fisher to Senators = Yoko Ono to John Lennon to the Beatles. I.e. no good will come out of this for the Senators. Carrie does seem like a nice person, but what do we know? Perhaps Mike would feel more comfortable living in Nashville?
How about David Legwand or Joel Ward one for one, or Ryan Suter if the Bryan wants another defenceman?
Sorry Mayor, but this article was a load of tripe. To pinpoint the engagement as the fall-off in play for Fisher ignores such important developments as the entire top line going down for a two week stretch. That happening alone forced Fisher to become the defacto "#1 Centre" which, in turn, meant he was facing team's top D pairing. Fisher is a lot of things, but playing top line minutes is his kryptonite. He's just not good enough to carry a team.
Secondly, you are conveniently forgetting his good games since his engagement, all to fit your flimsy argument. It's one thing to have true reason to believe he's distracted i.e. him making constant trips to scout wedding locations, PR appearances, etc. but he's done nothing of the sort.
Fisher is what he always will be. A player capable of having hot streaks, followed by cold streaks. The difference is, this year, the hot streak was hotter and longer than usual.
Thumbs down to this piece.
1) It wasnt ME who said she may have infected the team with the Flu lol
2)I clearly say it might not be her fault at all and he might be hurt or on a cold streak like he does usually
3)Everything is backed up by stats that you can't deny. I didnt ignore good games, just like i didnt single out any bad ones. It's about a body of work over many games.
4)No it's not mike richards, western confernce
Good to see everyone so animated about it thought, it's funny to see everyone rush to ol blue eyes' defence like a schoolgirl.
I just want him to play better, Michalek too
screw the haters mr mayor. they just wanna make excuses for his play and blame you. point is fisher has sucked for months and they wanna give him a pass. a 4 million plus he gets no pass, step it up mike
To me his slide also co-incides with not being chosen for the Olympic team. That roster was released late December. After that and being named to the taxi squad as a long shot to be called up (I think Jeff Carter was next in line anyway) he seems to have relaxed. Why not chaulk it up to this as well? Maybe the Olympics was a motivator all along and when it looked like the chances were slim of getting the checking line Centre spot or Morrow's spot, he took the foot of the gas.
Whatever the reason, he appears to have lost a step or a dropped intensity level. Michalek the same. These are secondary scorers who were counted on for primary duty early because of Spezza and Kovalev's slow starts. They delivered then and are also needed now.
Get Michalek, Fisher and Kovalev out of these mini slumps and the team will get back to winning again. It's not just him and his off ice distractions.
"1) It wasnt ME who said she may have infected the team with the Flu lol"
Good gravy Mayor, you ARE a buffoon. It was sarcasm.
"Good to see everyone so animated about it thought, it's funny to see everyone rush to ol blue eyes' defence like a schoolgirl."
Who's defending Fish? Pretty much everybody says he needs to step it up along with others on the team. What you're being called out on is the personal life angle which is something a tabloid obsessed schoolgirl would latch onto. I had second hand embarrassment reading your "analysis".
Thumbs up to Master Of Puppets for a sensible analysis. I agree the Olympics were probably a big motivator. Now Fish needs to see the playoffs as one.
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