Metropolitan Notes: Fast, Hurricanes, Islanders Arena

The Rangers had tried to sign winger Jesper Fast to a contract extension before last month’s trade deadline but talks stalled quickly due to a large gap between the two sides, reports Larry Brooks of the New York Post.  However, despite that, they opted to keep him in the hopes of continuing their late push for the playoffs.

The 28-year-old was on his way towards hitting new career bests offensively before this stoppage while he has been a fixture in their top six for a big chunk of the season.  Those elements are certainly factors in him seeking a raise on his current $1.85MM but with the Rangers already having several key players to re-sign, limited cap space, and the potential cap issues as a result of this pandemic, they’ll likely have to hold off on taking another run on re-signing him for a while.

More from the Metropolitan:

• One team that should get a considerable boost if games resume is the Hurricanes. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti that blueliners Dougie Hamilton and Sami Vatanen could be available to return which would be a big boost to their back end.  Hamilton was in the midst of a career year before fracturing his fibula in January while Vatanen has yet to play for Carolina after suffering a setback in his lower-body injury shortly after being acquired from New Jersey.  Brind’Amour also indicated that goaltender James Reimer was nearing a return from his lower-body issue before the pause as well so he should also be available.
• Work on the new arena in Belmont Park has been put on hold due to New York’s order on ceasing non-essential construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, notes Newsday’s Jim Baumbach. The development company believes that they should be able to still get the arena ready for the start of the 2021-22 campaign as long as the stoppage isn’t for too long.  If that doesn’t happen, their recent agreement to play the remainder of their games for this season and next at Nassau Coliseum will likely be extended until construction on the new facility is completed.