Grading Each New Jersey Devils Players’ Playoff Performances

Jesper Bratt – Grade: B-

This is a classic example of how greed can turn a player from a fan favorite into one of the most heavily scrutinized in just one year.

Jesper Bratt, like Mercer, was largely invisible for most of the playoffs. Bratt’s only goal of the playoffs came on an empty net, which is more than disappointing after the Swede scored a career-best 32 this season. Add that to some hefty contractual demands, and you find yourself in very hot water with Devils’ fans.

Bratt had moments, some good, some bad. He assisted on both goals in the Game 3 win over New York and then added another assist in the Game 4 win two days later. The Carolina series was a different story, and Bratt came away with just two assists in the eight-goal outburst and nothing more. His lack of effort along the boards and in the defensive zone was palpable. But most smaller star players do not play defense like that, and we have to accept that too. Bratt didn’t have a great postseason, but it was not as bad as it seemed.

Obviously, Bratt’s contract situation will be the talk of the town going into the offseason.