Blue Line Station
Fansided

Looking at the Seven Former Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals

By Conor Power

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Jesper Fast #17 of the New York Rangers celebrates a victory over the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Jesper Fast #17 of the New York Rangers celebrates a victory over the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Jesper Fast

A favorite among the fans and the players, Swedish winger Jesper Fast was the Ranger players Player of the Season every year for like 6 years. He was beloved by the fans for playing the right way. He was loved by his teammates for being willing to do anything the team needed to win games. He just seemed to price himself out of New York. Reports suggested he wanted a 3-year deal the Rangers weren’t comfortable with, or a six-year deal, it just didn’t work out.

Quickie was a 6th round pick in 2010 so he’s been around for 13 years. During his seven years in Manhatten, Fast tallied 55 goals and 92 assists in 422 games. He was a great servant for this hockey club and on more than one occasion, he would come through when it seemed like no one in the iconic Blueshirt would. He was a big part of the PK, and a great depth piece for many years.

In 40 playoff games with the Rangers, Fast was a contributor with six goals and eight assists. Despite suddenly scoring every playoff overtime goal Carolina could ever want this season, he’s never been the biggest of scorers in this league. He’s better at forechecking and defending, which always seemed to make him an ideal fit in Carolina. While the Rangers eliminated him last year, he’s four wins away from the Cup Finals.

Fast is a free agent this summer and I’m aware that many people would like to see the Swedish winger brought back to the organization by Chris Drury because he is exactly the kind of player this team needs. Someone with a defensive structure who is smart and willing to forecheck hard. New York doesn’t have a lot of players that fit those needs and he would remedy that for sure. It’s more a question of if they can afford it.

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