New Jersey Devils End of the Season Report Cards: Forwards
By Nick Natale
Nico Hischier (GP 71 - 27G - 40A - 67P)
Nico Hischier, like most Devils this year, missed a chunk of games with injury. Hischier, unlike most Devils, still found a way to produce offense at a high rate. His 200-foot game wasn't nearly as good as it was in his Selke runner-up 2022-23 season, but he was still effective and relied upon in the defensive zone. One of the biggest takeaways from a disappointing year will be how he responds as the captain of the team next season. He tried his best to will them back into the postseason, declaring their play "embarrassing" right before the All-Star break, and went on to score 39 points in the last 35 games. Devils fans should be proud to have Hischier as the leader of this young group.
Grade: B+
Jesper Bratt (GP 82 - 27G - 56A - 83P)
Jesper Bratt was just one of five Devils players to play all 82 games, and oh boy, did he make the most of it. After back-to-back 73-point seasons, Bratt's game went to the next level this season, leading the team in points with 83. He was truly the only consistent player over the course of the year. Even if the points weren't coming, Bratt was still producing high-danger chances and driving play, oftentimes by himself. Bratt is a known hard worker and gym rat which showed this year by his improvement in play and his durability. He finished with the third-highest TOI for forwards, just behind Hischier and Hughes. Most importantly, Bratt proved he wasn't just a contract-year superstar and showed why he was worth the $63 million he got last offseason.