Former Rangers forward out for season after neck surgery

Jesper Fast will not play in 2024-25 after the former New York Rangers forward had neck surgery August 6. The 32-year-old will likely be placed on long-term injured reserve by the Carolina Hurricanes before the season begins.

Fast sustained a neck injury when he was cross-checked from behind in Carolina’s final regular-season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 16. As a result, Fast was unable to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the second round when the Rangers defeated the Hurricanes in six games.

“Worst-case scenario. Just when the fun is about to start, you’re sitting on the sideline,” Fast explained at breakup day in May. “You just want to help your team and be part of it, so of course it’s really tough to be on the side. It was definitely one of the toughest periods in my career.”

Fast wore a neck brace when meeting reporters at breakup day, though he remained hopeful about his future at the time.

“It’s a neck injury as you can probably see. Right now, we’re still doing some… trying to find out how long it is. Have some new exams coming up so we’ll know more later,” he said. “Right now we’re hopeful, but we’re waiting for a little more results.”

Fast had 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 73 games last season, his fourth with the Hurricanes after signing with them as a free agent before the 2020-21 season. He has one season remaining at a $2.4 million salary cap hit before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

But his future in the NHL is in question at the moment. And likely won’t be determined for some time as he recuperates and rehabs following surgery.

Former Rangers forward career in question after neck surgery

Fast played the first seven seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers, where he earned the nickname “Quickie.” Hard working and diligent, Fast was a solid middle-six forward and elite penalty killer with the Rangers.

Though never a star, he was a key piece when the Rangers went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, losing to the Los Angeles Kings in five games, and won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15 before losing in the Eastern Conference Final to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In 422 games with the Rangers, Fast scored 55 goals and totaled 147 points. His most productive season on Broadway was 2017-18 when Fast had 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists). Four seasons later with the Hurricanes, he recorded an NHL career-high 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists).

A sixth-round pick (No. 157) by the Rangers in the 2010 NHL Draft, Fast has appeared in 703 regular season games in the NHL and another 80 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

By Jim Cerny

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of... More about Jim Cerny