New York Rangers Blueshirt Beat, 6/6/17: Ilya Kovalchuk to Broadway? Jesper Fast Surgery 2
Feb 19, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; Russia forward Ilya Kovalchuk (71) shoots and scores a goal against Finland in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Ice Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Ilya Kovalchuk possibly making his NHL comeback with the New York Rangers and the implications of Jesper Fast‘s surgery on the Expansion Draft.

For the last several weeks an Ilya Kovalchuk return to the NHL has been implicated by many writers and reporters. What an influence the 34-year-old, offensively gifted winger could have on a franchise.

Recently ESNY’s own Daniel Federico discussed how adding Jaromir Jagr could be a low risk, high reward scenario for the New York Rangers.

Adding Ilya Kovalchuk would be a fool proof way to bolster the offense and cure the Rangers special team problems over the last several seasons. Kovalchuk has always been known as a power play threat from his point position, much like Alexander Ovechkin.

Adding the highly coveted winger would not be easy. Several teams have their hands in the honey pot looking to strike gold. Not to mention that the Devils wouldn’t be too happy with Ilya scoring goals for their cross-town rival New York Rangers.

The Rangers would likely have to give up young talent, a veteran player, and maybe even some draft picks in order to acquire Kovalchuk. With players like Kreider, Hayes, Buchnevich, Skjei and Miller likely off the table this simply leaves Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast. Jesper Fast, after successful surgery, will likely not hit the ice until November plummeting his trade value and making him an unlikely target. Oscar Lindberg could be a legitimate piece, along with another player and some picks. Is it worth it? You be the judge.

Jesper Fast Surgery A Success

Days after the playoff loss to Ottawa coach Alan Vigneault announced that one player was going to need offseason surgery. That player, Oscar Lindberg.

On Monday the team announced that Jesper underwent a successful labral repair on his left hip. The surgery will sideline the 25-year-old Swede for the entire training camp and likely into November. With the Expansion Draft around the corner, the injury could not come at a more peculiar time. Some could argue this benefits the Rangers and other that it will cost the Rangers.

For those who wanted to keep Jesper Fast on the Blueshirts, you have prevailed. It now seems unlikely that Vegas will try and acquire the forward. This leaves the likely candidates of Antti Raanta, Michael Grabner or Lindberg. This is just another twist in the intricate web being spun by the upcoming expansion draft.

Rangers News, Stories

  • Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post Discusses Jesper Fast’s hip surgery.
  • ESNY’s own Derek Radich talks about the Las Vegas Golden Knights acquiring a large contract from the New York Rangers.
  • Larry Brooks of the Post discusses how the Blueshirts could acquire Ilya Kovalchuk.
  • Mika Zibanejad releases his first single.
Die hard New York Rangers fan and podcaster. All NY sports. Yankees, Giants, Rangers LGR!