20 begins with .915+ SV%: $75K
35 GP: $25K
40 GP: $50K
20 Ws: $50K
25 Ws: $100K
The 39-year-old netminder is in his second season in Manhattan because the No. 2 to Igor Shesterkin, posting a .896 SV%, 3.14 GAA and three shutouts in 17 begins and 4 aid appearances this yr. He was extraordinarily scorching to begin the marketing campaign, going 5-1-0 with a .936 SV% in seven appearances in October and November, however has a .874 SV% and 4-5-2 file in his final 14. He’s began two of 10 video games popping out of the 4 Nations break, a light-weight workload he must be anticipated to copy down the stretch with the Rangers in a battle for his or her playoff lives.
Fast’s profession résumé wants no introduction. The three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Kings and Golden Knights ranks 14th all-time with 402 wins, a determine that leads American-born netminders. He additionally has 63 profession shutouts, outpacing No. 2 Ryan Miller by 19 for first all-time amongst Individuals. He’s by no means gained a Vezina Trophy, however was the runner-up in 2012 and a finalist in 2016.
However on the entire, Fast hasn’t been practically as worthwhile to the Rangers as final yr. A UFA pickup within the 2023 offseason, Fast was one of many league’s higher backups in 2023-24 with a .911 SV%, 2.62 GAA, and an 18-6-2 file in 27 showings. That displaying was good for 9.8 objectives saved above anticipated behind a mean Rangers protection, per MoneyPuck, a determine that’s dipped to -2.6 this yr. They may do far worse for a limited-use backup, although, and people year-to-year swings have turn out to be commonplace for Fast within the twilight of his profession. He hasn’t posted a save proportion north of .900 in back-to-back years since doing so in 10 consecutive seasons to start his profession.
Fast was set to be a UFA this summer season after signing a similarly structured extension final March. This deal carries a better wage assure and whole incomes potential than his present deal, which afforded him $1.275M in wage and signing bonus with only one $25K efficiency bonus, which he gained’t earn because it required him to make 20 begins with a SV% of not less than .915.
If he declines additional subsequent yr, pending RFA Dylan Garand can be his substitute on the roster pending any exterior additions. The 22-year-old has been known as up on a number of events from AHL Hartford over the previous few years to again up both Shesterkin or Fast when the opposite is unavailable however has but to make his NHL debut. In 30 minor league video games this yr, he has a .912 SV%, 2.79 GAA, three shutouts and a 16-7-7 file.
Out of the 23 gamers presently on the Rangers’ energetic roster, 17 at the moment are signed by means of subsequent season at a mixed cap hit of $84.89M, per PuckPedia. That leaves the Rangers with $10.61M in cap area to fill six roster spots, practically all of which could possibly be swallowed up by new offers for pending RFAs William Cuylle and Okay’Andre Miller.
