New York Rangers roundtable: Is Jesper Fast overrated or underrated?

John Williams

I’m getting sick and tired of a majority of the fan base singing the “Jesper Fast is underrated” song. If anything, he is overrated by many in this fan base and especially the coach.

Fast is a fourth liner who could move up to the third line if the team has lost a player or two to an injury. There used to be a time where having players like Jesper Fast across the fourth line was an expectation. I am reminded of the Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett line. While each of them had different skill sets than Fast, they did similar things. They were strong in the defensive zone and could chip in offense when needed.

Since we have been desensitized to fourth lines with Tanner Glass and Cody McLeod on them, of course a guy like Fast stands out.

With the hodge-podge lineup that the Rangers are throwing out there these days, there are eight players better suited for a top-six role. Yet, Fast found himself on the first line at times on Wednesday night on Pittsburgh.

Fast is fine. He does the little things well. His uptick in goal scoring is due to the significant uptick in his shooting percentage. He is a very good bottom line player. He should never find himself anywhere near the top-six again.