Jesper Fast to Potentially Miss Entirety of Postseason

The Carolina Hurricanes have potentially been dealt a tough blow after Rod Brind'Amour revealed before Game 3 that forward Jesper Fast is expected to miss the remainder of the playoffs.

"They won't be available," Brind'Amour told team analyst Tripp Tracy on the Bally Sports South broadcast before the game on the status of Fast and Brett Pesce. "[Fast] I think, really, for the whole playoffs no matter how far we go," "So that one's really tough for him. He's put in all that work."

The Canes haven't officially shut Fast down yet though as according to Cory Lavalette of North State Journal, Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell stated that Fast will be reevaluated in four weeks.

Fast was injured in the Hurricanes' final game of the regular season against the Columbus Blue Jackets after being cross checked into the end boards by Erik Gudbranson.

He has not even practiced with the team since and is dealing with what Waddell called a "neck strain."

Fast, 32, is one of the Hurricanes' best defensive forwards and forecheckers and his absence will definitely be felt.

Even though his isn't normally much of an offensive threat, just six goals and 19 points in 73 games this season, he has a way of coming through in the postseason having been tied for the team lead in goals last year with six.

He also scored two playoff, overtime goals last season including the series clincher against the New Jersey Devils.