Jesper Fast will not play in the 2024-25 season because he had neck surgery.
He got hurt in Carolina’s last regular-season game, missing all playoff matches. This injury ended his season with only 19 points in 73 games, his lowest since his rookie year in 2014-15. Fast has been very reliable throughout his career, rarely missing games. Since becoming a full-time pro, he played in 634 out of a possible 712 games from the 2015-16 season onwards.
Fast started with the New York Rangers after they picked him in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft. He moved to the AHL three seasons later and soon made it to the NHL because of his steady two-way play on the wings. Though not a big scorer, with a career-high of just 33 points, he earned respect and even Selke Trophy votes in some seasons.
In 2021, Fast joined Carolina as a free agent after seven years with the Rangers. He became an essential part of Carolina’s bottom six, providing energy around players like Jack Drury and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. His role would have stayed similar next season but now Carolina needs to adjust.
Carolina’s Next Steps:
The Hurricanes might turn to their top prospects to fill Fast’s spot. They have Vasiliy Ponomarev, Bradly Nadeau, Jackson Blake, and Gleb Trikozov signed on entry-level contracts. Each could make it to the NHL lineup but will face competition from veteran fourth-liners Eric Robinson and Tyson Jost as well as rising talents like Felix Unger Sorum and Justin Robidas.
Fans might feel worried about how this change will affect team dynamics.
Fast’s absence leaves a gap that young players must step up to fill while competing against experienced veterans. How do you think this will impact Carolina’s performance next season?
