The Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly bringing back winger Jesper Fast, who was set to hit the free-agent market tomorrow, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
NorthStar Bets’ Chris Johnston reports that the contract is expected to be a two-year deal in the $2.4MM AAV range. 
Fast, 31, has been with the Hurricanes for the past three seasons, since the team signed him away from the New York Rangers with a $2MM AAV deal.
Fast has played 208 games as a Hurricane and scored 82 points. While Fast earned stray Selke Trophy and Lady Byng Trophy votes last season and scored 34 points, Fast didn’t get any down-ballot votes this year and saw his numbers decline slightly.
He still ended the season on a solid note, though, as he scored nine points in 15 playoff games as the Hurricanes made a run to the Eastern Conference Final.
A widely respected two-way winger, Fast has been a regular face on a Hurricanes penalty kill that ranks first in the NHL across the past three years. He’s consistently scored around the 30-point range and has long been a valuable bottom-six forward.
Beyond his on-ice value, Fast brings leadership to the table, as evidenced by the fact that he served as an alternate captain in his final three seasons as a Ranger. He might not have the longest highlight reel, but there are few coaches in the NHL who wouldn’t jump at the chance to add a reliable two-way contributor such as Fast.
Now, with this extension Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour gets to keep Fast for the foreseeable future. At around a $2.4MM cap hit with just a two-year term, that’s good value for the Hurricanes and an entirely reasonable contract extension for Carolina to sign.
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