The Rangers have locked in restricted free agent Jesper Fast for three years, with the right wing agreeing to a contract averaging about $1.85 million per season.
The team announced the terms of the deal Wednesday.
Fast, 25, is one of the team's most valuable two-way forwards, with head coach Alain Vigneault using him up and down the lineup and on the penalty-kill. For the second consecutive season, he won the Players' Player award, as chosen by his teammates.
Fast underwent hip surgery for a labral tear earlier this summer and is not expected to be ready to play until November. He had six goals and 15 assists in 68 games last season, and three goals and six points in the playoffs. Fast ranked third among team forwards with 99 hits and was fourth in blocked shots last season. He was paid $1 million, with a salary cap charge of $950,000.
Fast was drafted in the sixth round in 2010. He has played in 216 games with 65 points in parts of four seasons.
General manager Jeff Gorton has one other key RFA to sign, center Mika Zibanejad.
