The Carolina Hurricanes lost to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. Their embarrassing defeat, the third in the East Final in seven years, could prompt some changes. One player the Hurricanes won't be getting back is Jesper Fast, as he has decided to retire. The former Rangers forward did not play while dealing with a neck injury during the 2024-25 season.

“I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world,” Fast told the Hurricanes website. “I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff, and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream. I’d also like to thank Nässjö HC and HV71, organizations that played a vital role in my development into an NHL player.”

Article Continues Below
More Hurricanes News
Erick Tulsky, Rod Brind'Amour, Mitch Marner
Hurricanes’ nightmare scenario in 2025 NHL Free AgencyChristopher Hennessy ·
Brett Burns (in center), Mitch Marner, and Aaron Ekblad on the sides. Hurricanes logo. Hurricanes dream, hurricanes free agency, nhl free agency
Hurricanes’ dream scenario in 2025 NHL Free AgencyBryan Logan ·
Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour gestures on the bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-1.
Hurricanes’ Rod Brind’Amour rebukes Paul Maurice’s new traditionTroy Finnegan ·
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis (24) celebrates scoring with players on the bench during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center
Hurricanes GM’s free agency comments will fire up fansChristopher Hennessy ·
Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) looks on in warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.
3 Carolina Hurricanes trade candidates after Panthers series lossMichael Whitaker ·
Eric Tulsky, Sebastian Aho, and Rod Brind'Amour Hurricanes
3 Hurricanes trade targets after Panthers series lossChristopher Hennessy ·

Fast played seven seasons with the Rangers and four with the Hurricanes. scoring 91 goals in 703 regular-season games. He was a depth forward who played a key role in eight playoff berths in his 11 seasons. A neck injury cost him the 2024-25 season and is now forcing him to retire.

Fast did not play in the final year of a two-year contract that paid him $2.4 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1 if he had not retired. This move does not impact the Hurricanes' plans for free agency, which should lead them to add scoring this summer.

Fast suffered the neck injury in the 2024 season finale against the Blue Jackets. It knocked him out of last year's playoffs, which saw them lose in the second round to the Rangers. After missing this year, the Finnish forward hangs up the skates. From a sixth-round pick to over 700 games played, it was a great career for Fast.