Jesper Bratt
Yeah, this is the one contract that means the most to the Devils this offseason. Jesper Bratt has been the Devils best player. They don’t want that to be the case moving forward, but Bratt has turned every line he’s on into the best line on the team. When he’s matched with Jack Hughes, that becomes the top line. When he’s with Nico Hischier, that becomes the top line. The same thing happens when he’s paired with Dawson Mercer.
What is that worth? In a few words, it’s worth a lot. Bratt is on pace for 74 points this season if he’s able to play the rest of the team’s games.
There really isn’t a good comparison from restricted free agents last season. However, we did see Elias Pettersson put up similar numbers and get north of $7 million, but he’s a legit superstar the Canucks are building around. He’s also an elite winger. He’s one of the best players at his position, and the Canucks want him to be their top player.
The Devils want Hughes to be their top player. That marketability of Bratt will change his value slightly. He’s still worth in the realm of what Pettersson got, but he’s not worth that exact price. The Devils should go into this hoping Bratt accepts somewhere in the $6 million range. Hischier is getting $7 million long term and Hughes is getting $8 million. Bratt making $6 million as one of their wingers is more than fair.