Fast signed a two-year, $1.9 million contract with the Rangers on Wednesday, Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports. Fast will return to a bottom-six role with the Rangers in 2015-16. He registered a total of 14 points in 58 games with the big club last season. Those numbers are likely to increase this year, as 2015-16 will likely mark the first time in Fast's career in which he will spend the entirety of the season in the NHL.

Fast scored on both of his shot attempts in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime defeat to the Lightning in Game 3. Fast's first goal would give the Rangers a 2-0 lead in the first period, but that was hardly enough of a cushion in what has been a high-scoring series. The 23-year-old has three goals and three assists across 15 postseason contests, giving the Rangers useful production next to Derek Stepan.

Fast chipped in an assist in Sunday's Game 6 triumph over the Capitals. Fast has now gathered a point in four of the six second-round contests, which will probably keep him locked into a second-line role for the duration of the Rangers' postseason stay. However, he's not seeing any time on the team's power play yet, limiting his upside to an extent in daily formats.

Fast scored his first goal of the playoffs in Thursday's Game 1, and it was a big one, as he potted the game-tying tally with 4:39 remaining in an eventual 2-1 loss to the Capitals. It's certainly not Fast's fault that the Rangers ended up taking this loss on a goal in the final seconds, as his clutch tally ended a 55-minute stretch of futility against Washington netminder Braden Holtby. The Swede is going to be seeing more ice time moving forward while Mats Zuccarello (head) is on the shelf, so this is a positive sign for him even in a losing effort.

Fast practiced with the team's third line on Tuesday, reports Andrew Gross of The Record. Scoreless through five playoff games (one point in eight career games), Mats Zuccarello's (head) injury seemingly gives the 23-year-old an opportunity for more minutes. While it's just practice and we could see a different combination for Game 1 against the Capitals, considering Fast's skill-set is similar to that of Zuccarello's, it's looking more likely the Swede will lineup with Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin on Thursday night. Fast logged 14 points in 58 games this past regular season.

Fast tallied a goal in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Capitals. Fast's empty-net marker gave him his sixth goal and 14th point in 58 games this season. While the 23-year-old is bound to surpass those marks in the seasons to come, the Rangers' exceptional depth at forward will likely preclude Fast from logging much meaningful ice time on a scoring line during the playoffs.

Fast scored a goal and registered a plus-2 rating in Sunday's trouncing of Anaheim. That's a goal in two straight games for the Swedish forward. The 23-year-old now has three points in his last four contests. If Fast can continue to string points together, he's liable to work his way up a lineup that Alain Vigneault is not afraid to change with Martin St. Louis still on the mend. Fast has managed five goals, 12 points and a plus-4 rating through 47 games.

Fast (knee) will reenter the lineup Monday against the Predators, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports. New acquisition James Sheppard isn't expected to arrive in New York prior to Monday's puck drop, paving the way for Fast to play for the first time since Feb. 7. It appeared that he had been recovered from the sprained knee ahead of the Rangers' last game Saturday against the Flyers, but the coaching staff opted to hold him out as a precaution. It's unclear if Fast will be able to retain a regular spot in the Rangers' lineup once Sheppard joins the team.

Fast (knee) will not return to the Rangers' lineup Saturday against the Flyers, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports. Fast is rapidly closing in on a return, but coach Alain Vigneault suggested after Saturday's morning skate that the forward needed one more practice Sunday before the team would feel comfortable inserting him back in the lineup. Assuming Sunday's session goes well, look for Fast to make his first game appearance since Feb. 7 when the Rangers take on the Predators on Monday.

Fast (sprained knee) skated in a regular jersey at Thursday's morning skate, Newsday's Steve Zipay reports. Fast had been able to skate in a non-contact fashion over the preceding few days. With Fast beginning to increase his involvement, coach Alain Vigneault said the forward would be about "one or two practices away" from receiving clearance to play. In accordance with that, Fast's return could come Saturday against the Flyers, but Monday's tilt with the Predators is probably a more realistic target.