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Ranking the Rankings: Did ESPN Get New Jersey Devils Top 100 Rankings Right?

By Nick Villano

Apr 24, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid (40) celebrates with center Jack Hughes (86) and center Nico Hischier (13) after defeating the New York Rangers in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid (40) celebrates with center Jack Hughes (86) and center Nico Hischier (13) after defeating the New York Rangers in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63): Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Jesper Bratt
ESPN Ranking: 81
Too High, Too Low, Just Right?: Too Low

This is the one that feels egregious. We’d understand this ranking if it was last year. Bratt was coming off his first 70+ point season. Wildly, Bratt was unranked last season on this list. Then, he did it again on the scoresheet. Now he’s ranked, but it’s wildly low. We expected Bratt to be closer to where Meier is.

Bratt is ranked in the same tier as Brock Boeser, who nobody was willing to trade for last season, Patrik Laine, who seems to get worse with age, and Nazem Kadri, who didn’t hit the heights the Flames were hoping for when they signed him. Bratt is slightly higher than these players, despite Boeser having a good start to the season.

Would anyone trade Bratt this season for Boeser, Kadri, or Laine? Maybe someone would consider Laine, but Bratt seems to be in the next tier up from these players. He’s been good to start the year, putting up two points per game. While it is too early to claim victory on Bratt’s success, it’s a big deal that he’s playing so well.

dark. Next. Top 50 New Jersey Devils of All Time

Bratt’s age tells us he’s only going to get better. At 25 years old, he’s starting to hit that sweet spot where his experience is hitting at the same time as his peak physical condition. Bratt’s instincts are close to as good as Hughes’. He can play on any line and succeed. Can Bratt get to 100 points? Maybe he would get more love on this list then.

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