The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that forward Jesper Fast will likely not play this season due to neck surgery.
Fast, who was injured in the Canes’ final regular-season game, underwent surgery on Aug. 6.
Related: Jesper Fast leaves final regular season game after colliding with boards
It’s a huge blow for Fast, who didn’t even get a chance to play in the playoffs last year after suffering an injury in the second period of the final regular-season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The injury first occurred when Blue Jackets defenseman Eric Gudbranson crosschecked Fast to the lower back, causing the winger to lose his balance and hit his back against the boards.
The Swedish winger has been a fixture in the Hurricanes’ defense for years, with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook as strong defenders.
He also contributed offensively (six goals and 19 points in 73 games last season) and in 2023 he led the team in the playoff scoring list.
Fast, 32, is entering the final year of a two-year, $2.4 million contract, and if he doesn’t play, it could be the last time we see him in a Hurricanes jersey.
