New York Rangers' Jesper Fast Will Continue to Be Effective
As we draw closer to opening night there is one key Sweedish New York Ranger, and whose name is not Henrik Lundqvist, it is Jesper Fast.
If you have read any article of mine you have seen what type of hockey fan I am. So it should come as little to no surprise when I say that Jesper Fast (Quickie) is my favorite New York Rangers forward.
Jesper Fast a former sixth-round draft pick by the New York Rangers and has been with the team for the past three seasons. Fast, a right-handed, two-way forward is such a key player for the New York Rangers and in my opinion, was the best player for the team in the past two postseasons.
With a month until the season starts and a plethora of forwards, what can fans expect from 19?
2015-16 Traditional Stats
Games Played: 79
Goals: 10
Assists: 20
Points: 30
+/-: 9
PPP: 0
TOI: 14:56
Expected Role: Third/Fourth Line Winger
Season in Review
Now, if you are looking for a goal scorer, look elsewhere, because this is not at all what to expect or even demand from the Swedeish forward. Last season, a +9 as a bottom six forward helped show just how smart of a player Fast is. He is a defense-first type of player that fills all of the typical sports cliches.
I fear that at times I am drastically discrediting and undervaluing the ability of Jesper Fast. He is not a scorer. That is one thing that I like about him. He reminds me of former captain Ryan Callahan because while he has all the capability to score, his first focus is being a smart hockey player. Many times this smart style of hockey leads to big goals.
It is plays like this in the neutral zone that are so important, especially in the postseason. Fast does have intelligence and he also truly does have skill offensively.
Fast, is six feet tall exactly and weighs 188 pounds. Yet here he is standing in front of the net screening the goalie thus leading to a huge goal. Quickie brings this kind of game to the Big Apple.
Projected Traditional Stats 2016-17:
Games played: 75
Goals:13
Assists: 23
Points: 36
+/-: 3
PPP: 0
TOI: 15:00
Expected Role: 3rd Line Winger (Role player)
Fast is projected to play around 75 games, tally 13 goals and 23 assists according to ESPN.com. Personally I do see Fast ending up right around 13-15 goals this season however I do see more coming on the assist side.
How much more? Fast is projected to be on a line with Kevin Hayes and JT Miller, who combined tallied 36 goals (14 and 22 respectively). Hayes, had a down year and will look to have a bounce back season, could lead to Fast ending up with upwards of 30-35 assists by seasons end.
Putting the offensive stats aside there is one thing that I truly do believe with Jesper Fast. Fast is GUARANTEED a spot on this team even with the overstock in forwards .
I’ve spoken about the improved penalty kill and the importance of defense for the team this season. Fast has to be the stellar two-way player that he is known to be for the team to improve on the ice.
‘Quickie’ has been such an important forward for the Blueshirts in the past, and will continue to be this season as well. He will be the most undervalued and underrated player on the entire team.
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