New York Rangers’ Jesper Fast an Unsung Hero
The New York Rangers boast one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL. They have skill and speed throughout the lineup and no shortage of star players. However, a more defensive player stands out as an unsung hero on this team: Jesper Fast.
Throughout his career, Jesper Fast has quietly gone about his business. And, in doing so, has become one of the most well-rounded forwards on the New York Rangers. This season has been no different for Fast.
Before his shoulder injury that kept him out for most of March, Fast was having one of his better years offensively, racking up his current total of 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points. Since his return, Fast has not recorded a point, however his defensive play has not stalled.
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Fast has always been acclaimed for his strong defensive play. Both before his injury and after his return, this is true for yet another season. He shows off his defensive prowess in many different ways, as well.
Fast uses his speed and premier stick work to keep opposing players in check. Almost every penalty kill the Rangers have to make, Fast is there, patrolling the point. However, Fast puts these two attributes to their greatest use in deep and along the boards.
This makes Fast a menace on both the forecheck and backcheck. Whenever there is a dump and chase situation, he seems to be the first man forward or the first man back. And once he gets to the puck, he does a great job tying up with both his stick and his body. A great example has been this California swing the Rangers have been on.
For the most part, these Western Conference teams are much bigger and stronger than those in the Eastern Conference. For a leaner player, only weighing in at 190 lbs, Fast’s game has not been stifled by working against larger opponents.
One play against Los Angeles stuck out to me. The Rangers turned the puck over in the offensive zone with a defenseman pinched, causing an odd man rush. Fast hustled back and used his stick to cut off the passing lane before closing down the man on the boards. He makes plays like that every game; he just isn’t one of the star, top-nine forwards.
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Jesper Fast is not one of the names thought of when most think about the Rangers. Albeit, he should be. He makes contributions on both ends of the ice that the team sorely misses when he’s out of the lineup. And at only 25 years of age, hopefully he has more than a few years left in a blue sweater.