As things currently stand, the New York Rangers’ forward depth chart is underwhelming to put it mildly. One year after the team was flush with quality options that could play throughout the lineup, Jeff Gorton has assembled a forward corps lacking in depth. Jesper Fast’s hip surgery will leave him sidelined beyond the regular season opener on October 5th at the very least, and it could took more time after he returns to the ice for the Swedish winger to feel 100% again.
In addition to Fast’s injury creating a hole in the bottom six, (which isn’t all bad for Alain Vigneault and the team) New York has yet to fill the void left in the wake of Derek Stepan’s move to Arizona.