Rangers working on resolving visa issues for Jesper Fast and Alexandar Georgiev
The New York Rangers as well as many other teams are working through visa issues with players overseas on expiring contracts. Earlier this week we noted that the NHL and NHLPA advised players overseas to return to North America or work with teams on a renewal application before June 30th. The original report failed to make the distinction that this only impacts players whose contracts expire on June 30th.
Jesper Fast UFA
Jesper Fast will become a UFA at the conclusion of this “season”. However, the NHL end of year calendar date is June 30th and July 1st signals the beginning of free agent frenzy. Fast, whom the Rangers opted to keep will have his visa expiring on that day along with his contract. Jesper will be unrestricted and any team looking to strengthen their lineup will be interested. A team source indicated to me that they are working on these visas now just like all other teams in the NHL.
David Quinn recently praised Fast and his importance to the team’s success. “He’s [Fast] a good player” Quinn said, “He’s a guy you can put with Panarin and Strome and be beneficial to that line in so many ways.” Before the season paused Fast had 12 goals and 29 points in 69 games.
Alexandar Georgiev RFA
The Rangers 24 year-old netminder has been practicing with Kaapo Kakko in Finland during the pause. Similar to Jesper Fast, his contract will be expiring on June 30th as will his visa. The difference for Alexandar Georgiev is he will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1st. Prior to Igor Shesterkin’s call up and subsequent taking the #1 job, Georgiev helped keep the Rangers in the hunt for most of the year.
No other Ranger overseas has any visa concerns.
Updated 2:00PM EST
Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil and Libor Hajek although still under contract had ELC slides that impact their current visa status.
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