Confirmed with Link: Arbitration Avoided, Bratt Signs for 1 year, $5.45 million

[Mgd31]

$5.45 million is insane value for Bratt too (lol heh).

 

[guitarguyvic]

A one year deal is still awful however they came about it, it’s nice they avoided the hearing where this was the almost certain outcome anyway but now you’re stuck trying to extend him or trade him with one year left unless the Devils are out of it again this year and they flip him at the deadline

Well…perhaps Jesper wants a certain amount and the team will be more willing to give it to him if he proves he’s worth it this year. If Jesper wants to sign long-term and has a great season and isn’t butthurt about how it played out, then all is good. If he doesn’t have a great season, then the devils avoided a big over-commitment.

But we don’t know what each side truly wanted or offered. I don’t think this one year contract really clarifies it. Maybe we will have a better idea based on what the team does with him at the next go round.

 

[Nocashstyle]

It’s bad that he didn’t get locked up long term and there’s still the chance he may have his eyes set on being a UFA in two years.

BUT, it’s good they avoided arbitration. It’s good Bratt is still an RFA next offseason. It’s good Bratt will hopefully have another season to show last year wasn’t a fluke breakout and he is worth 7 or 8 mil long term. Bratt probably also wants to see the Devils trend in the right direction next year before he commits long term.

All in all, more good than bad.

 

[SKNJD9]

Not the end of the world like everyone thought, like I said!

Fitz better have an extension ready January 1st, and better push hard for it if Bratt still does well

Lmfao given the last two negotiations what makes you think Bratts agent will do anything but stretch it out to the last possible second

 

[PainForShane]

The Hockey Guy had a video yesterday saying Bratt was looking for 6.5, Devs wanted to pay him 4.15. IIRC he didn't mention term, but if he's correct and Bratt was only looking for 6.5 for a slightly longer bridge deal (or even something long term)...

EDIT: to be clear the 6.5 / 4.15 are the numbers the different camps were looking for in arbitration, they may or may not have to do with discussions on a long term or bridge deal. That said as a neutral fan I do feel 4.15m (even as an arb number) is insultingly low and may lead to signing problems down the road. Sorry @glenwo2 (and everyone else see below) for the confusion, I didn't fully understand THG's video from last night when I made the initial post, thx for calling me out on it

 

[JimEIV]

I hope we get a good return on the trade

 

[BostonDevil]

I don’t see this as anything but a road to another contentious negotiation in a year.

There’s something going on with either the team or him/his agent and I’m guessing if it hasn’t been cleared up by now, I’m not expecting some magical transformation in the next 12 months.

I hate to say it, but time to move on.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

$5.45 million is insane value for Bratt too (lol heh).

If this is true (and it is) then the idea he was gonna sign long term at 6.5m was a pipe dream. If 5.45m is insane value, then he's worth 8m on a long term deal at age 24 imo.

 

[devilsfan35]

What’s the benefit in avoiding arbitration? Still a 1 yr deal

 

[Eggtimer]

It’s infinitely better than a 2 or 3 year deal. He’s still an RFA after this. If he puts up another big year, there’s no more “it was a fluke” bullshit. We have money coming off the books and can actually pay him what he deserves. And if he has a down year (he won’t), then we can get him for cheaper.

There just isn’t reason to panic here. Why should Jesper have locked himself into a long term deal before the cap rises and before he’s fully established himself as an elite player?

There could also be Bratt wanting to see how competitive the Devils are this year as well before deciding to commit long term, =6+ years?
I can kinda see that angle but you would think he has some faith in himself and his teammates being able to step it up eventually .

 

[TrufleShufle]

The Hockey Guy had a video yesterday saying Bratt was looking for 6.5, Devs wanted to pay him 4.5. IIRC he didn't mention term, but if he's correct and Bratt was only looking for 6.5 on a slightly longer bridge deal...

I'll see if I can find the source, will edit this post when I do

It was announced that if it went to arbitration that those were the numbers, Bratt at 2 years, team at 1.

 

[BostonDevil]

You going somewhere?

I’ll never leave you!

 

[Mgd31]

If this is true (and it is) then the idea he was gonna sign long term at 6.5m was a pipe dream. If 5.45m is insane value, then he's worth 8m on a long term deal at age 24 imo.

Oh yea he's probably going to put up a PPG season and ask for Laine's contract and set himself up at 28 for another major deal.

 

[Eggtimer]

What’s the benefit in avoiding arbitration? Still a 1 yr deal

It gets ugly and players can take it personally during arbitration. It’s essentially the Devils trying to say why they think he is worth less money/ less important / good as he thinks he is by asking what he is for salary .

 

[SKNJD9]

What’s the benefit in avoiding arbitration? Still a 1 yr deal

Not completely destroying their relationship when Fitzy tells a arbitrator why Bratt isn't worth top dollar

 

[glenwo2]

The Hockey Guy had a video yesterday saying Bratt was looking for 6.5, Devs wanted to pay him 4.5. IIRC he didn't mention term, but if he's correct and Bratt was only looking for 6.5 on a slightly longer bridge deal...

I'll see if I can find the source, will edit this post when I do

Dude...I know I am now blaming Fitz but....even THAT number (4.5) is a bit too unbelievable to...well...believe.

But if by some chance, there is truth to it, then Fitz REALLY lowballed Bratt here.....

 

[JimEIV]

What’s the benefit in avoiding arbitration? Still a 1 yr deal

Jesper didn't have to hear the organization layout a case for why he wasn't worth what he was asking.

 

[Devs3cups]

I’ll just say this, if Bratt really wanted to get out of town, I doubt going through the arb process an potentially getting more than 5.4 would’ve bothered him. Maybe that’s a good sign?

 

[OmNomNom]

what if bratt wanted to do like $6.5 x 6-7, and Fitz just felt that it was either term or value?

i think them avoiding arbitration is better honestly, and i'm sure we'll see a deal signed by end of 1H

 

[SKNJD9]

Dude...I know I am now blaming Fitz but....even THAT number (4.5) is a bit too unbelievable to...well...believe.

But if by some chance, there is truth to it, then Fitz REALLY lowballed Bratt here.....

4.1/6.5 was the arb filings from each side. It in no way indicates how high NJ was willing to go on a LTD

 

[glenwo2]

I’ll just say this, if Bratt really wanted to get out of town, I doubt going through the arb process an potentially getting more than 5.4 would’ve bothered him. Maybe that’s a good sign?

His agent is poisoning the Well here.

THAT could be the root cause.

4.1/6.5 was the arb filings from each side. It in no way indicates how high NJ was willing to go on a LTD

right.

This shane guy confused me for a moment there.

 

[ninetyeight]

The Hockey Guy had a video yesterday saying Bratt was looking for 6.5, Devs wanted to pay him 4.5. IIRC he didn't mention term, but if he's correct and Bratt was only looking for 6.5 on a slightly longer bridge deal...

Those were arbitration numbers for a 1 year deal. This matter has been discussed to death here already. Arbitration offer has close to no relativity to actual long term offers as the team wants to low ball and persuade the player to not go into arbitration and take the long term offer instead.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

what if bratt wanted to do like $6.5 x 6-7, and Fitz just felt that it was either term or value?

i think them avoiding arbitration is better honestly, and i'm sure we'll see a deal signed by end of 1H

Fitz is clueless then, Bratt would've outperformed a contract like that quite easily.

 

[EnglishDevil]

I don't think he'll be here long term unfortunately, enjoy him while he lasts this is probably his final year in a Devils uniform.

 

[devilsfan35]

So he’s an RFA again next year right? If he went to arbitration and settled on a 1 yr deal he’d become a ufa?