Rangers and Jesper Fast talked extension before trade deadline

At this past trade deadline, two Rangers unrestricted free agents were thought to be moved. One was Chris Kreider, who on deadline day signed a 7 year deal. That ensured Mika Zibanejad’s favorite linemate would remain. The other was Jesper Fast, who didn’t sign an extension but was not traded anyway. Now, the Rangers could lose him for nothing once free agency season is determined.

Rangers and Fast talked

Larry Brooks is now reporting that the Rangers did try and work out an extension before the deadline. Obviously the two sides could not agree and we don’t know if the reason was money, term, or both.

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The Post has learned that management had preliminary discussions with Fast’s camp leading into the Feb. 24 trade deadline but were unable to come to an agreement on an extension, with the divide somewhat wide. The Blueshirts nevertheless declined to move Fast, instead retaining him for the drive to the playoffs. If this season does not resume, this w

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Brooks does believe that due to the salary cap not rising, it will not only make it more difficult for the Rangers to keep him but also for other teams sign him. But let’s be real, there are plenty of teams with cap space that will be able to give him a deal in the $3-4M range per season with term that the Rangers can’t. At 28 years old with 12 goals and 29 points in 69 games, Fast is the perfect utility forward that can kill penalties.

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Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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