The New Jersey Devils have re-signed one of their high-profile restricted free agents forward Jesper Bratt to a new eight-year extension worth $63 million.
Hearing the Devils and pending RFA Jesper Bratt have agreed to an 8-year, $63-million contract carrying an $7.875 million AAV per season. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 15, 2023
Bratt’s new contract carries an annual average value of $7.875 million. This number is similar to what Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki are getting for AAV with the Montreal Canadiens.
Most comparable contracts to:
Jesper Bratt – $7.875M x 81. Kevin Fiala – $7.875M x 7
2. Andrei Svechnikov – $7.75M x 8
3. Cole Caufield – $7.85M x 8https://t.co/7vtEvfnPVn pic.twitter.com/hAYUsf68pX— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 15, 2023
#NJDevils Jesper Bratt's new contract breakdown:
2023-24: $10M
2024-25: $9M
2025-26: $9M
2026-27: $8M
2027-28: $7,2M
2028-29: $7,2M
2029-30: $6,6M
2030-31: $6MTotal $63M
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) June 15, 2023
The Devils found a hidden gem in Jesper Bratt by drafting him in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft. He made the Devils roster at the start of the 2017-18 season. In the first game in the NHL, he recorded a goal and assist, and things took off from there. Bratt ended his rookie season with 35 points (13 goals and 22 assists) as the Devils made the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
For the past six seasons, Bratt has only gotten better. He is coming off back-to-back 73 points seasons, where he set a career-high with 32 goals during the 2022-23 season and 47 assists in the 2021-22 season.
Bratt began the year setting the Devils franchise record for the longest point streak to start the year at 11 games. Over those 11 games, Bratt recorded 16 points (five goals and 11 assists).
Bratt chose to bet on himself last offseason only signing a one-year deal worth $5.450 million. Now he is the second highest-paid forward on the team right behind Jack Hughes at $8 million AAV.
After Jesper Bratt took a one year contract last summer, he gets his pay day.
This 8 x $7.875M deal should bring positive value throughout for the playmaking winger. pic.twitter.com/oDrBqdDCul
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) June 15, 2023
Jesper Bratt, signed 8x$7.85M by NJ, is a speedy high-end offensive winger with a combination of playmaking ability, dynamic rush play, and an accurate shot. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/XBT8KEru4A
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 15, 2023
By the A3Z tracked data, Bratt was roughly the fourth best forward for the Devils in the playoffs. Got snakebitten with a 4% shooting percentage. pic.twitter.com/o54Z48eU1c
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 15, 2023
Jesper Bratt (8×7.9m extension with New Jersey) is an extremely strong creator of offence, especially at even strength, and a very strong shooter. Healthy impact on penalty differential. pic.twitter.com/NC30ouNcs6
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) June 15, 2023
Jesper Bratt has re-signed with the New Jersey Devils to an eight-year extension with an AAV of $7.85M. Wow! That's great deal for New Jersey in our eyes. Bratt is an elite winger for us. That's another great contract for Devils to be honest. pic.twitter.com/VXixNMcoGw
— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) June 15, 2023
This is a win for the Devils, as well as general manager wanted to get Bratt into a salary hierarchy with Hughes at the top of the forwards. Not to mention this avoids another contentious contract negotiation with the player and the team which has been well documented.
NHL Free Agents: Jesper Bratt’s Next Negotiation Will Be Very Tough
Tom Fitzgerald via Devils release: “It was always a priority to keep Jesper Bratt here long term and both parties are thrilled that a deal was completed,” said Fitzgerald. “I value and commend the commitment Jesper made to this organization. We believe that he is a special player and a key member of our core group of talent who will contribute towards the team’s long-term success, and organizational goal of bringing a Stanley Cup back to New Jersey.”
In 389 career regular season games, Bratt has recorded 276 points (102 goals and 174 assists). That is the most points recorded by any player drafted in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
The now have $26,407,500 left to work with to re-sign Timo Meier and the other RFAs on the team.
The #NJDevils have $26,407,500 left to work with to get Timo Meier and nine other contracts figured out. https://t.co/kDm7juOeu4
— James Nichols (@JamesNicholsNHL) June 15, 2023
