New Jersey Devils: Jesper Bratt Could Still Contribute

New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes has lost faith in his surprise forward Jesper Bratt. Despite a rough stretch, he could still contribute when given the opportunity.

The New Jersey Devils were carried by a teenage rookie to start the season. He was giving more than expected, despite having immense talent from day one. This sounds like the start of a Nico Hischier appreciation thread, but this is actually about Jesper Bratt.

Bratt was the best player on the ice for much of October. Yes, that even includes Taylor Hall at times. He scored six points in his first three career games, and ended the month with four points in the final two games of October.

His play fell off in November, but he was still productive. He ramped it up in December and January, scoring 16 points in the two months.

Then February happened. Bratt fell off an absolute cliff, scoring just two assists and no goals. Both those assists came in one game against the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s like he forgot what got him to this point. He was obviously dealing with a rookie wall, and he lost all confidence in his shot.

While there’s something that needs to be done about Bratt, just knowing his spot on the roster is not solidified could be the push he needs.

Right now, Hynes decides that Drew Stafford is a better forward to start on a nightly basis than Bratt. That’s despite Stafford clearly being a one-year Devils and Bratt being 19 years old. That’s because one brings a veteran experience needed to win in a playoff race, even though the talent level is not the same.

Here’s the thing, Bratt is in the perfect position to turn it around. If he finds his way back in the lineup, he would slot into the fourth line. That would put him on the right wing of Brian Boyle and Miles Wood. Wood knows what it’s like to hit the rookie wall after a promising start.

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Bratt can use his limited ice time to show he can still produce. He can either send breakout passes to a rushing Wood, or throw a puck on net that Boyle can drill home. Playing with these two players, both of whom knows what adversity on the ice is, could turn his season around immediately.

All Bratt needs now is an opportunity. If Wood is unable to play on Tuesday, then Bratt will likely play with Brian Gibbons and Boyle. Either way, it’s two players he can learn a lot from.

The Devils desperately need goals from wherever they can get them. Bratt’s last goal against the Florida Panthers shows he still has the skill to score. He just needs to regain his confidence. As long as he reminds himself that he’s a rookie, and fourth on the team in scoring, things will start falling his way.

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