How the New York Rangers should internally replace Jesper Fast
By Alex Csedrik
Kaapo Kakko is the clear choice to replace Fast in the top six.
Kaapo Kakko will be in the Rangers’ top six next season, and he will most certainly replace Fast. Of course, with the whims of David Quinn, the lineup could be tinkered on any given shift, but on paper, Kakko and Panarin will flank the second-line center. (Will Strome be the center?)
Yet, Kakko replacing Fast in the lineup doesn’t replace Fast’s role on the team as a defensively responsible forward who can kill penalties.
There is an intriguing option.
Julien Gauthier could provide some offense on the penalty kill.
Julien Gauthier, along with Vitali Kravtsov, seemed destined to be the Rangers third-line wingers for the 2020-2021 season. While Gauthier hasn’t shown to be as defensively sound as Fast by a long shot, an intriguing strategy would be using Gauthier on the penalty kill as Fast’s replacement.
With Gauthier’s long reach and speed, the Rangers could have a penalty killer that’s an offensive threat a la Michael Grabner.
Plus, it would give the youngster and 21st-overall pick more ice time, and the chance to unlock the scoring capability he touted in the AHL this season for the Charlotte Checkers (27 goals in 75 games).