A large chunk of the rumour mill is surrounding the trade deadline. It is warranted with the number of key names on the trade block. But one aspect churning the mill is players seeking contract extensions. One is David Pastrnak, but today we focus on the rumours around New Jersey Devils Jesper Bratt.
Jesper Bratt Due For A New Contract
Rumour: Ryan Novozinksy from NJ.com discusses the buzz around Jesper Bratt and his next contract
The New Jersey Devils Jesper Bratt is due for a new contract. As all Devils fans and Tom Fitzgerald can remember, his current one was a grind until the bitter end. He signed a one-year deal worth $7 million dollars and has been eligible to sign a long-term deal since January 1. Tom Fitzgerald used one word to describe the contract talks last season. That word was “challenging” and he could be in for that once again.
According to Novozinsky, a source close to Bratt has said there is nothing new to report. It could be a long road before the pen gets put to paper, but there is a strong case to be made for locking him up for the foreseeable future.
Why Bratt Deserves The Contract Extension
One thing the Devils management nailed was the contract extensions for star centres Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. In the end, they could be bargains for deals given what they bring to the lineup. Alongside those two, one player has helped shape the core and that is New Jersey Devils Jesper Bratt.
Since joining the league, Bratt has been a consistent 30+ point producer. His game took a launch last season as he set career highs across the board. Bratt scored 26 goals, and added 47 assists, for 73 points in 76 games. He was a near point-per-game player. If Fitzgerald thought that was a fluke thing, well guess again. Bratt is a point-per-game player right now with 48 points in 47 games played. He is currently on pace for 83 points and 31 goals, which surpasses last season. Bratt led the way last season but is second on the team this season.
Fitzgerald Should Lock Him Down
New Jersey Devil’s Jesper Bratt is a special player. He uses his speed and finesse to create offence and is good at driving possession. The core of the Devils has taken great shape with Hughes, Hischier, Ondrej Palat, Dougie Hamilton, Dawson Mercer, and Vitek Vanecek, and should also include Bratt for the foreseeable future. He is proving that last year was no fluke and is progressively getting better. His agent played hard to get the last off-season, and the way Bratt is performing it will only get harder. Despite the Devils being in the mix for San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier, that should not complicate this matter.
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