New York Rangers Report Card: Jesper Fast

Looking back on Jesper Fast’s 2018-2019 campaign with the New York Rangers; a period of streakiness, offensive success, injury, and new leadership roles.

Jesper Fast – Grade B

We continue our New York Rangers report cards with a look at one of the veterans on the team, Jesper Fast. Despite some dry patches and being sidelined with an injury for the last portion of the season,  Fast performed about as expected this year. His offensive production was on-par with expectations, as well as how well he handled an “A” on his chest and a new leadership role.

His season

Jesper Fast started out his season with a bang, scoring his first goal of the season in his first game of the season. The tally was put up on October fourth, in a matchup with the Nashville Predators.

He continued to thrive throughout the month of October, with five points that month (one goal and four assists). He even had one multi-point game, putting up two assists when visiting the Carolina Hurricanes.

The forward’s production was similar during the following month, with four points (all assists) during November. He began December by scoring a goal on his birthday, the second day of the month.

He also had one of the best games of his career thus far during this month. Against Nashville on December 29th, he recorded three points made up of two goals and one assist. This in his first game back from missing two weeks with a shoulder injury.

Fast began to hit his stride a bit in January. That month, he collected a stretch of three points in four games (two goals and one assist).

After a drought at the beginning of February, he picked up his pace yet again in late February and March. During that stretch, he recorded three points in seven games (one goal and two assists).

Unfortunately, the right-wing’s season was cut short. In early February he   He was tore ligaments and fractured his right thumb. Amazingly, he played through the injury for over six weeks, skipping practices, but still suiting up for games.  On March 25 he was shut down for the season, missing the last seven games so he could have the injury surgical repaired.

However, Jesper Fast’s on-ice results weren’t the only thing he accomplished this year. He continued to wear the title of “alternate captain” with pride, congratulating younger players like Neal Pionk and Filip Chytil after they score.

Why the grade

Jesper Fast had the season that most, if not all, fans thought that he would have. There was no way his numbers would be inflated like they were last year since he wasn’t being forced to play top-line minutes as he did under former head coach Alain Vigneault.

Fast averaged about 0.3 points per game, similar to last year’s 0.5 points per game. However, this was a number that was stacked up due to offensively talented linemates.

Getting back into his comfort zone (the bottom six) and out of places he didn’t belong (the first line with players like Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider) seemed to work wonders for Fast. While he didn’t go above and beyond, he thrived this year.

Jesper Fast seems like he will always be a valuable resource for this team; a secret weapon, a swiss army knife, whatever you want to call him. He has been a solid member of this team and its third and fourth lines for years now, and that hasn’t changed all that much yet.

This season was just more proof that the 27-year-old has a niche on this team (and in the NHL for that matter). While he doesn’t always impress, he is able to hold down the fort for rookies and can be counted on to score a few goals here and there.

By the Numbers

Games Played: 66

Assists: 12

Goals: 8

Points: 20

Penalty Minutes: 26

Corsi-For Percentage: 47.78

Next Report Card: Steve Fogarty