New York Rangers: Five potential replacements for Jesper Fast

Sep 29, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) plays the puck against New Jersey Devils defenseman Andy Greene (6) during the first period of a preseason hockey game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 27, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde (65) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal during overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks at Amalie Arena. The Lightning won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Yanni Gourde-

“Who?” – most Rangers fan reading this, probably.

Gourde, listed as 5’9″ 170 lbs, has been stellar in the AHL the past three seasons despite his size. He finally was able to crack the Lightning lineup for 20 games and did well scoring six goals and sporting a 58% corsi for. Playing for the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning’s AHL affiliate, Gourde has been a menace on the penalty kill and is routinely praised for it.

Gourde again extremely effective disrupting at the top of the #SyrCrunch PK. #CalderCup
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) June 8, 2017

Much like Hrivik’s situation, Gourde is 25 and a pending unrestricted free agent. But with others ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s a possibility Gourde will look for more job security elsewhere. He’s a potential typical low-risk, high reward signing, and Jeff Gorton should look into it.

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