Fast (neck) announced his retirement from professional hockey Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Fast's announcement doesn't come as a huge surprise after he missed the entire 2024-25 campaign due to a neck injury. Over his 11-year NHL career, the 33-year-old winger saw action in 703 games for the Rangers and Hurricanes, registering 91 goals and 157 helpers while adding another 27 points in 80 postseason contests.

Fast (neck) was shifted to long-term injured reserve Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

EDGE Analysis

Fast's placement on LTIR was just a matter of timing based on when the Hurricanes could secure the most cap relief. The veteran winger will not be playing this season due to his long-term neck injury. Unfortunately for Fast, that means he will head into free agency this summer without having played in over a year.

Fast (neck) was placed on the injured non-roster list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Fast had neck surgery in August and won't play in the 2024-25 season. He will be replaced in the lineup by William Carrier. The 32-year-old Fast notched six goals, 19 points and 79 shots on net in 73 contests during the 2023-24 regular season.

Fast underwent surgery to repair his injured neck Aug. 6 and will miss the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign.

EDGE Analysis

Fast has been out of the lineup since the regular-season finale against Columbus on April 16, missing the Hurricanes' entire postseason run. Now, it seems the 32-year-old winger will not be an option this year as well after needing to go under the knife. The Swede missed the 20-point threshold last year by just one point and likely would have been in contention to get back to challenging for 30 this year. Without Fast in the lineup, expect him to be placed on long-term injured reserve. His absence should make a roster spot available for Bradly Nadeau, Jackson Blake or Tyson Jost to begin 2024-25.

Fast (neck) was still wearing a neck brace Saturday while he continues to undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fast was unavailable during the playoffs after suffering the injury in Carolina's regular-season finale April 16. The 32-year-old winger tallied six goals and 19 points in 73 regular-season games in a bottom-six role. Once the severity of his injury is diagnosed, Fast will focus on getting back to full health ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Fast (upper body) is unlikely to recover before the end of the playoffs, coach Rod Brind'Amour told Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Fast was injured during the Hurricanes' regular-season finale April 16. He had six goals and 19 points in 73 contests in 2023-24. Fast is in the first campaign of a two-year, $4.8 million contract, so even if he does miss the remainder of the postseason, he likely hasn't played in his final contest with Carolina. The 32-year-old serves in a bottom-six capacity when healthy.

Fast (upper body) will remain out of the lineup for Game 3 versus the Islanders on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fast will miss his third straight game after he was injured in the regular-season finale in Columbus. The 32-year-old had six goals and 19 points in 73 appearances during the regular season. His status for Saturday's Game 4 is still up in the air.

Fast (upper body) is not expected to be an option for Game 2 against the Islanders on Monday, according to Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Fast did not skate Sunday after missing Carolina's series-opening victory over the Islanders on Saturday. He was injured in last Tuesday's regular-season finale versus Columbus. Fast registered six goals and 19 points in 73 games during the 2023-24 campaign.

Fast (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Game 1 against the Islanders on Saturday, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fast is currently stuck in a 24-game goal drought dating back to Feb. 13 versus the Stars. During his goal slump, the Swede notched six helpers, 23 shots and 30 hits while averaging 12:03 of ice time. Once given the all-clear, Fast should challenge Jack Drury or Stefan Noesen for a spot in the lineup.

Fast (undisclosed) didn't return to Tuesday's tilt versus the Blue Jackets after requiring help to get off the ice following a crash into the board, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Hurricanes rested about half of their roster, but Fast still played and sustained an injury in the regular-season finale. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour did not have an update after the contest, leaving Fast's status for Game 1 of the playoffs in doubt.