The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that forward Jesper Fast is not expected to play this season following neck surgery.
Fast, who was injured in the Canes’ regular-season finale, underwent surgery on Aug. 6.
Related: Jesper Fast leaves final regular season game after crashing into boards
It’s an extremely tough blow for Fast, who didn’t even get a chance to play in the playoffs last year after getting injured in the second period of the regular season finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The injury first occurred when Blue Jackets defenseman Eric Gudbranson collided with Fast in the lower back, causing the winger to lose his balance and crash backward into the backboards.
The Swedish winger has been a defensive mainstay for the Hurricanes for years, forming a defensive line with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook.
He’s even a consistent offensive contributor (six goals and 19 points in 73 games last season) and led the team in scoring in the 2023 playoffs.
Fast, 32, is heading into the final year of a two-year, $2.4 million contract and if he doesn’t play, that means we could potentially have seen the last of him in a Hurricanes jersey.
