Jesper Bratt Extension Top Priority for the New Jersey Devils

2016 162nd overall draft pick Jesper Bratt has made serious waves the last couple of seasons & has entrenched himself as a core component of the Devils' future. Other than Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier & newly signed defenseman Dougie Hamilton, there isn't a more valuable player on the roster. His 203 points are 7th among 2016 draftees, while his 307 games played are 12th most. Quite impressive for an 'undersized' sixth round pick.

Bratt scored 73 points last season & is a restricted free agent this summer. An arbitration-eligible RFA, nonetheless. GM Tom Fitzgerald has openly stated Bratt's significance. A budding star, the Devils will need quality skaters to join star centers Jack Hughes & Nico Hischier. So far, Bratt is their best option at the wing position, so signing him to a long-term deal would be optimal for the Devils. Contract projections carried out by various analytic entities forecast a 4-year, ~$22 million contract. With the AAV projected as high as $8 million provided they opt for more term.

Any player who drives play 200 feet like Bratt does, you simply secure that player's services. New Jersey has about $25 million in salary cap space to sign Bratt along with F's Jesper Boqvist, Pavel Zacha, Miles Wood. The Devils already seem focused on signing their star players to reasonable contracts; Jack Hughes & Nico Hischier recently signed 8x$8M & 7x$7.3M deals respectively, which already look like discounts given their play during the 2021-22 campaign. So if the Devils are able to duplicate those deals, Bratt likely signs in the $6-7 million range for 5-7 years. Which would be a major win for the Devils.

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