The New York Rangers are very fortunate to have Igor Shesterkin as their beginning goaltender, because the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner is among the crew’s most dependable gamers. Nevertheless, they opted to not re-sign Jaroslav Halak, who carried out fairly effectively as a backup goalkeeper final season. As a substitute, Rangers basic supervisor and chairman Chris Drury signed Jonathan Fast to a one-year, $825,000 contract. Though the contract shouldn’t be costly, the crew takes an enormous threat by trusting the veteran to assist Shesterkin.
Fast’s efficiency in 2022-23
Within the 2021-22 season, Fast outplayed backup goaltender Cal Petersen and led the Los Angeles Kings to the playoffs for the primary time in 4 years. He completed with a 23-13-9 report, .910 save proportion and a couple of.59 goals-against common.
Though he performed effectively in 2021-22, Fast performed poorly for the Kings initially of final season. He conceded too many gentle targets, some from unhealthy angle pictures and a few from unhealthy rebounds. He allowed three targets on seven pictures in a loss to Rangers on Feb. 26 and ended up being known as off. His report dropped to 11-13-4, with an .876 save proportion and a 3.50 goals-against common.
Simply earlier than the commerce deadline, the Kings made the shocking resolution to commerce Fast to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who then traded him to a contender from the Vegas Golden Knights. The change of surroundings, together with strong play from his new teammates, helped the veteran keeper, and he performed higher after the commerce.
Associated: Los Angeles Kings Should Give up Jonathan Fast
Newest information and highlights
Fast received his first 4 video games with the Golden Knights, together with a formidable 33-save shutout towards the Carolina Hurricanes on March 11. He went 5-2-2 with a .901 save proportion and a 3.13 goals-against common.
Though his recreation improved, Fast didn’t have the chance to play for the Golden Knights within the playoffs. Laurent Broissoit began the playoffs beginning in aim, however was injured within the crew’s second-round recreation with the Edmonton Oilers. Adin Hill began for the remainder of the playoffs and the crew received the Stanley Cup.
The state of affairs of Rangers goalkeepers
Though Shesterkin performed at an especially excessive stage in every of his first 4 seasons, he missed a number of video games as a result of damage. He solely performed 53 video games within the 2021-22 season as he missed just a few weeks with a lower-body damage and he performed a career-high 58 video games final season. Though he stays wholesome, the crew will naturally must watch out to not abuse their star goalkeeper.
Furthermore, Rangers are unlikely to have sufficient area to re-sign star wingers Vladimir Tarasenko or Patrick Kane. They may have a troublesome street to the playoffs within the extremely aggressive Metropolitan Division. They nonetheless want to choose up factors when Shesterkin does not begin in aim, in order that they want dependable play from their substitute goalkeeper.
Fast has been forward all through his profession, serving to the Kings to 2 Stanley Cup victories and successful the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012. He has a .921 save proportion in 92 profession playoff video games and he thrived underneath stress, however final season he did not seem like that participant in any respect. Now Rangers want him to regain his kind this season.
For Fast and the Rangers go forward
The Rangers have made the playoffs twice in a row, and regardless of a disappointing first-round loss to rival New Jersey Devils final season, they need to have excessive expectations this season. They need to anticipate an amazing goalkeeper from Shesterkin, however they can even want a good goalkeeper from their substitute, Fast. Relying on him is a threat after his struggles in 2022-23, and they’ll want him to play skillfully in aim to succeed in their potential this season.
