Jesper Fast has been an excellent asset to the Rangers over the last three seasons. In fact, the 24-year-old scored a career-high ten goals last season. But that doesn’t justify why he is playing in an offensive role in the lineup.
Now, it is understandable that the Rangers are dealing with injuries, injuries that force a coach to make changes to his lineup. Losing Pavel Buchnevich when he was starting to find his game hurt the team. Followed up by losing Mika Zibanejad. So yes, Vigneault had to make changes.
During the Rangers 4-3 loss to Buffalo, Fast started on the second line.