Carolina Hurricanes' Jesper Fast undergoes neck surgery, set to miss entire 2024-25 season

Fast, known for his consistent play, suffered a neck injury during the Hurricanes' regular-season finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets, which has now ended his upcoming season before it began.

Fast, 32, played 73 games in the 2023-24 season, contributing six goals and 13 assists, totaling 19 points. His physicality was evident as he ranked sixth on the team in hits, with 79, and reached a career milestone by playing his 700th NHL game on April 9 against the Boston Bruins. The Nassjo, Sweden native has been a dependable presence for the Hurricanes since joining them, and his absence will be felt both on and off the ice.

Originally selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft, Jesper Fast has built a solid career, amassing 248 points (91 goals, 157 assists) over 703 regular-season games. His versatility and work ethic have made him a valuable asset to the teams he's played for, particularly the Hurricanes, where he has been a key player in their lineup.

Fast's injury not only impacts the team's depth but also raises questions about how the Hurricanes will address this significant gap in their roster. With Fast sidelined, the Hurricanes may need to explore internal options or seek external help to fill the void left by the veteran forward.

As the Hurricanes prepare for the upcoming season without Fast, the focus will likely shift to other players stepping up to fill his role. Fast's two-way play, ability to deliver key hits, and experience will be difficult to replace, making this a challenging situation for Carolina.

Fast's journey to recovery will be closely monitored, with the hope that he can return to the ice stronger for the 2025-26 season.

For now, the Hurricanes will need to adapt quickly to his absence and find a way to maintain their competitive edge in a tough Metropolitan Division.

Wishing Jesper a speedy recovery.