Devils Must Go Short-Term on Jesper Bratt Next Contract

The New Jersey Devils have a big decision to make this off-season when it comes to restricted free agent Jesper Bratt. Bratt is having a career season with the Devils recording 43 points (14 goals and 29 assists) in 44 games this season. And many people expect Bratt to get paid significantly this off-season. Even though Bratt is putting together a phenomenal season for the Devils, instead of giving a long-term deal, the team would be wise to bridge him once again to a prove-it type of deal. Similar to what Tampa Bay Lightning did with their core pieces in Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point.

Jesper Bratt burst onto the scene for the Devils during the 2017-18 season playing alongside fellow rookie Nico Hischier. The duo played well together alongside then linemate Taylor Hall. Bratt put up 33 points (13 goals, 22 assists) as the Devils made the playoffs for the first time since 2012. And while Bratt has been a 30 point player since coming into the NHL, it was his consistency from game to game that was a cause for concern.

Even during this season, Jesper Bratt found himself in Lindy Ruff‘s doghouse as he was benched for significant periods or scratched because the consistency was just not there. Since his benching in late October, Bratt has turned into a superstar with the Devils playing alongside Jack Hughes. Hughes and Bratt are turning into a great duo for the Devils, which is another topic for another day.

Since October 30th, Bratt has rattled off all 41 points including several point streaks that were over four or more. His most recent point streak has seen Bratt record 18 points over his last 14 games. This was the consistency Lindy Ruff was looking for from Bratt. And it is coming at the perfect time for Bratt as his contract is coming up at the end of the season.

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After a tough contract negotiation last time around, this one should be a lot easier for Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald. Bratt’s current contract pays him $2.75 million per season, though he thought he deserved more thus staying in Sweden longer than he had planned at the start of last season. Bratt is definitely one of the young core pieces Fitzgerald has identified as he is a consistent top-six player now in the league at age 23. But does that necessarily mean, the Devils should sign him to an eight-year deal?

The Devils re-signed Jack Hughes to a new eight-year contract extension. This was after the team signed Nico Hischier to a new seven-year deal. Both players were in the final year of their entry-level contracts. With Bratt, you want to see more from him before committing long-term.

Fitzgerald has high praise for the former sixth-round pick, who has shown if you put in the work, the results will come.

“He’s an elite, lateral skater and I never thought that part of his game could get better, but I think it has,” Fitzgerald said. “His edgework, his ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone at a high speed and his control is just incredible. I’ve been very impressed with his inside game, and his willingness to touch pucks first. Those are areas we continually work on with a lot of our players. If you want to be productive, you’ve got to get to the inside.”

Before teaming with Hughes on a line, Bratt was on a line with Dawson Mercer and Andreas Johnsson. That line was so dominant for the Devils early on. The play of Mercer helped to raise the level for Bratt and Johnsson. And since then it has been nothing but an uphill trajectory for Bratt.

“The chemistry with whoever he plays with is always good,” Fitzgerald continued. “Obviously, the magic he and [Hughes] are creating right now is very impressive. He has so much passion for the game and he works on his craft every day and it’s paying off.”

The question will be when and how much are the Devils willing to commit to Bratt. Most projections have the Devils signing him to a long-term deal. And if the Devils were to commit seven or eight years that means the contract would be done when he is in his 30s. But the Devils should be careful with a player having a career year.

With P.K. Subban‘s contract coming off the books at the end of the year, the Devils have the cap space to extend him. But they will want to keep it under what Hughes is making. No doubt Bratt deserves a raise, but make him prove it again because he is a player that could get complacent real quick.

Having the motivation to prove it, again and again, will be the best thing for Jesper Bratt. Thus the Devils should commit three to four years max right now and make him prove he is truly a consistent player in the NHL.

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