Is Jesper Bratt actually the best New Jersey Devils player?

If the New Jersey Devils indeed have a de facto best player at all, it may not be who you would typically expect, and some prominent media members feel the same way. Quietly, star Devils forward Jesper Bratt set the single-season franchise record for assists last season, recording 67 helpers and breaking Scott Stevens's long-standing mark of 66 assists.

On the other hand, franchise player Jack Hughes doesn't have a specific Devils record for goals or assists, but he does hold the overall record for most points in a season with his 99 from back in 2022-23.

In a recent conversation, NHL media members Jonny Lazarus and Arthur Staple both agreed that Bratt, however, holds the edge.

"I think, right now, it's Jesper Bratt," Staple said. "I was in their locker room during training camp, and I was talking to Nico Hischier because they came into the league at the same time. There's been so many ups and downs, and I was saying he's been so underrated. Hischier was like, 'He's still underrated.' Like, people still don't know how good this guy is.

"I understand that the Devils are not a major market team even though they're so close to the New York area. They just don't get a lot of the coverage the other teams do. But, this guy is legit. It has been almost entirely 100% him building himself up year by year to be such an elite player."

After watching Bratt put together four straight seasons of 73 or more points for the Devils, including a career-high 88 points last year in addition to the aforementioned assist record, it's hard to disagree with Staple.

Lazarus, who primarily covers the Rangers in addition to his other content, agreed.

"He's become a more popular player, but I still don't think he's looked at as the best player on the Devils," Lazarus added. "I think it might be time to start saying he is."

Jesper Bratt is in the conversation as the best player for the New Jersey Devils

The 27-year-old Bratt is already up to two goals and five points in four games this season, tied with Timo Meier for the overall team lead in scoring.

Objectively, there is a legitimate case to be made on Bratt's behalf, especially considering Hughes's continued injury woes. The best ability is availability, as some would say, and Bratt has played no fewer than 81 games in each of the last three seasons.

The Swede is in the driver's seat early in the season, and if he continues on that path, it could soon be time to turn the volume up on this conversation.