The New Jersey Devils announced they have signed forward Jesper Bratt to a new two-year deal worth $5.5 million The contract carries a salary-cap hit of $2.75 million.
#NEWS: You’ve all been such brats lately, hounding us for a signing…
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— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 10, 2021
Jesper Bratt Re-Signs With The Devils
A vital piece of the Devils offence will finally be back in the lineup. Bratt led the Devils in even-strength goals with 15 goals and set a career-high of 16 goals during the 2019-20 season. He was on pace to crack 20 goals before the season was shut down because of COVID-19. For his career, Bratt has recorded 100 points (37 goals and 63 assists) in 185 regular-season games. Of his 37 goals, he has five game-winning goals. Bratt was originally drafted by the Devils in the sixth round (162 overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft, and crack the lineup during the 2017-18 season. In his NHL debut in the NHL that season, he scored his first goal and assist). During that season, Bratt recorded 35 points (13 goals and 22 assists) including four power-play goals.
What the Future Means
Unfortunately for Bratt and the Devils, he will not be in the lineup for opening night. In fact, it could be quite some time before we see Bratt in New Jersey. He still has to get a new work visa. Since he did not have a contract, Bratt could not get one to come over to New Jersey. Bratt has remained in Sweden since the pandemic started. Many had thought, this deal could have gotten done during the offseason since the team and player had so much time to work on it. Now that it is complete both parties will do their best to get the necessary paperwork filed, so Bratt can return to the lineup as quickly as possible.
Once Bratt does get to New Jersey, he will have to quarantine and pass the NHL protocols before he can return to practice. But for a player like Bratt who has been so inconsistent the last two seasons for the Devils, not being there to start training camp could hurt his position in the lineup. Considering it was in training camp, where Bratt made the team, now a player who is in New Jersey for camp could potentially steal his spot on the top line. But not having Nico Hischier and Bratt to start the year, puts the Devils behind the eight-ball.
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