Expect More Of The Same This Year From Jesper Fast
By Chris Baker
It’s September! Let the predictions begin! What to expect from whom? Who will have the season of their career? What team will break out fast, or start slow? Will this player work out as expected or will they bust? Question marks abound here in the realms of “fun”ditry and punditry.
It’s a crap shoot as to if these pan out, so I try to keep my expectations realistic. Look at some stats, take a stand and stick to it. Nothing to fancy and nothing that I am wagering my kid’s college fund on.
I think we can all, however, expect another solid to better than solid year from Jesper Fast for the 2023-24 campaign.
Quickie had his typical good year with 10 goals, 19 assists, +9, 13.16 S% and a 40 FO%. Goal wise it was his third best, his best being 14 during the 20-21 season with the Canes. Assist ranked second, with his best year again being that 20-21 in Carolina. Only that 20-21 season was he better in the face-off circle too.
While Fast has third of three in point production on the “J Line” for the year, we shan’t forget Jordan Martinhook and Jesper Fast with their break-out play-offs for Carolina. Fast’s playoff performance (6 G, 3 A, 1 PPG, 1 PPP, 1 SHG, 2 SHP, 2 GWG, 20.69 S%) was absolutely nothing to hold your nose about.
I would love to see Fast goose his year’s point total from his 29 last year to the 30 to 35 range next year. Anything over 34 points would be a banner year, which no one would turn their backs on.
Given last year’s success from Jordans Staal and Martinook, and Jesper Fast, it would be great if the Hurricanes could expect a repeat and hope for improvement from the “J Line.” That line combined for 116 points on the year.
Factor in the potential line shake ups at the beginning of the year, with the addition of Michael Bunting and potential additions of Brendan Perlini and Cory Conacher there is the very real potential of a “getting to know you” period with the Canes. The “J Line” will thus be critical in early season point production.
Jesper Fast can surely expect to do his share of the lifting this season, and we can hope for the best that his season will be starting this November.