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New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Who Could Be This Year’s Jesper Bratt

By Nick Villano

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 21:New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of the NHL preseason game between the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens on September 21, 2017, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 21:New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the third period of the NHL preseason game between the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens on September 21, 2017, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Last year, the rise of Jesper Bratt started with his performance in the Buffalo Prospects Challenge. Who could be that player be for the New Jersey Devils this year?

It was one year ago when we started to hear the name Jesper Bratt. The New Jersey Devils sent him to last year’s Buffalo Prospect’s Challenge, and he played really well. He scored a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins roster, and ended up playing on a line with Nico Hischier and Michael McLeod, the Devils last two first-round picks. That started what was a special season and the start of a surprise career.

The rosters were announced Tuesday for this year’s prospect challenge. There are an array of young players on this roster, from guys who will likely make the roster this season to players who may not be with the franchise by November.

To be this year’s version of Bratt, this player cannot have expectations. He has to come into camp expecting to go to Juniors or the minors, and has to have an insane camp to push people out. That means you won’t see Ty Smith, Michael McLeod and Joey Anderson on this list. Many fans predict they have a shot to crack the lineup immediately.

No, this player will literally come out of nowhere. Who knows. We might not have a Jesper Bratt this season. However, there are some long-shot prospects who could show they did everything right this offseason. Everything could fall into place, and they could make it onto the Devils roster right out of camp. Here are five possibilities.

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