Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason part II

[KovalchukFistPump]

The conversations here about the urgency to trade Bratt make no sense to me - but seems like some fans are hellbent on doom and gloom. I know there's nothing else to talk about and arguing is fun, so I'm just going to have to abstain from reading this thread. I personally think he can retain full trade value next summer if traded to a team that can agree to a deal, ala Matt Tkachuk.

 

[Homedresser]

If I'm Fitz I make my push today for 8m x 8. Add clauses, go to mostly signing bonuses whatever you can do to get him to sign at that number. Going above that AAV on 8 years would actually now be difficult to fit in this year given the team's cap space.

Going to 9m x 8 or 10m x 8 could definitely pay off down the line, but so could giving him a one year deal and having him humbled by an injury or a cold streak next season. It's not a no brainer to me, but I could see it being a smart bet. I think 8m x 8 though is a clear win for NJ and I were to guess Bratt's not willing to do that so we're gonna end up at a 4 year deal that possibly means years 5-8+ are much more expensive.

worst take I've seen on this. Absolutely no way this happens.

 

[Homedresser]

The conversations here about the urgency to trade Bratt make no sense to me - but seems like some fans are hellbent on doom and gloom. I know there's nothing else to talk about and arguing is fun, so I'm just going to have to abstain from reading this thread. I personally think he can retain full trade value next summer if traded to a team that can agree to a deal, ala Matt Tkachuk.

at this point, I think you're right. With what people are posting it's time to take a break. These blank check posts are crazy.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

That is a deal he could easily sign.

There is absolutely no chance of a long term deal for under 7 million dollars.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I honestly am surprised that people want to just give Bratt a blank check coming off this season. His previous career high was 35 points. Nobody is at least even a tiny bit concerned with giving him max term and dollars?

No.

This is the laziest take that there is tbh.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

There is absolutely no chance of a long term deal for under 7 million dollars.

His long-term number is more likely to come in under 7M than over. He doesn’t have the track record whatsoever to get a long-term 7-8M deal.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Again, over the past THREE total seasons, Jesper Bratt is 29th in the NHL among forwards in even strength points per 60 with 2.44. That is among ALL forwards. That is better than:

Mikko Rantanen
Patrick Kane
Alex Ovechkin
Filip Forsberg
JT Miller
Timo Meier
Brayden Point

to name a few. This notion that Bratt is a one year wonder is nonsense.

 

[Billdo]

No.

This is the laziest take that there is tbh.

I mean I don't think it's "lazy" and I'm not opposed to it at all, I've said I'd give him 8x8, I just am somewhat concerned doing so.

 

[Triumph]

His long-term number is more likely to come in under 7M than over. He doesn’t have the track record whatsoever to get a long-term 7-8M deal.

This is just not a supportable viewpoint given what the Devils did with Jack Hughes. If I were Bratt and his agent and Fitzgerald made a statement like this, I'd point to that and call bullshit.

 

[Homedresser]

Why? Because I actually believe in the player and if you get him for 8 on a long term deal, that will be a savings compared to what he’ll get in UFA. If you don’t believe in the player, fine. I do. He was our best player last season and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he is again.

just curious, if you want to give him 8x8 for 64M and think that's a savings compared to UFA. What do you think he's getting in UFA?

 

[Zippy316]

His long-term number is more likely to come in under 7M than over. He doesn’t have the track record whatsoever to get a long-term 7-8M deal.

The latter may be true but I don’t think he’s signing anything less than 7.

If he follows up last year with another 70-90 point season, he’s a lock for an 8x8 deal somewhere. That’s also after getting ~5 million this upcoming season.

So assume he signs one year at 5.5 before arbitration. If he follows that up with an 8x8 deal after a strong season, he’s looking at 69.5 million over the next nine years. If he signs 8x7 today, he’s looking at 56 million. Or 8x6.5, he’s looking at 52 million. That 8 year deal ends when he’s 34 and the way the NHL is going, I doubt he gets a big deal after that.

That’s honestly a huge difference and if the cap starts trending upwards, it’s likely he might even be able to negotiate higher than an 8x8.

 

[JimEIV]

The conversations here about the urgency to trade Bratt make no sense to me - but seems like some fans are hellbent on doom and gloom. I know there's nothing else to talk about and arguing is fun, so I'm just going to have to abstain from reading this thread. I personally think he can retain full trade value next summer if traded to a team that can agree to a deal, ala Matt Tkachuk.

Ala Matt Tkachuk would be a trade coming off a career year...

Not moving him this year and waiting we run the risk of Bratt not matching this season AND having to trade a player who is seemingly hellbent on getting to UFA. Unless Bratt takes another step, Bratt most likely will not be more attractive in a trade than he is right now.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Again, over the past THREE total seasons, Jesper Bratt is 29th in the NHL among forwards in even strength points per 60 with 2.44. That is among ALL forwards. That is better than:

Mikko Rantanen
Patrick Kane
Alex Ovechkin
Filip Forsberg
JT Miller
Timo Meier
Brayden Point

to name a few. This notion that Bratt is a one year wonder is nonsense.

This season was the best season of Bratt’s career by far. Are you denying that?

Sure he’s been underrated and underplayed for a while and has good underlying numbers. But he shouldn’t be paid like a ppg forward off of one season at that rate of production.

This is just not a supportable viewpoint given what the Devils did with Jack Hughes. If I were Bratt and his agent and Fitzgerald made a statement like this, I'd point to that and call bullshit.

Jack Hughes and Bratt aren’t comparable whatsoever. Like not remotely. Bratt isn’t getting paid like a ppg forward after one season of producing as such because there’s a very real possibility he falls back closer to what he was.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

This is just not a supportable viewpoint given what the Devils did with Jack Hughes. If I were Bratt and his agent and Fitzgerald made a statement like this, I'd point to that and call bullshit.

Comparing Jack Hughes pedigree to Jesper Bratt's is not a supportable viewpoint.

 

[devilsfan35]

F*** Bratt.
I trust Tom to not screw this up

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

just curious, if you want to give him 8x8 for 64M and think that's a savings compared to UFA. What do you think he's getting in UFA?

I think this ends with us giving him a 4 year deal. I think at the end of that deal, he will have established himself as a point per game player with some of the best underlying numbers in the NHL. Keep in mind he will likely be playing with Jack Hughes or Nico at their peaks. He will be getting elite winger money in a higher cap environment for max term. It will be more than 8 million per year.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[TrufleShufle]

I mean I don't think it's "lazy" and I'm not opposed to it at all, I've said I'd give him 8x8, I just am somewhat concerned doing so.

Yea I get it, that's why I'm in some way relieved we didn't do anything crazy with any of the big names this year, whether it was trade or UFA. Too many guys this year had absolutely monster years. I'm ok sitting this offseason out with terms to insane contracts based on last year. If these type of numbers become the norm, we will know and start grading accordingly, it was just a wild year for so many players.

That said, I want Bratt to a long term so we can move on, I just really hope it's not too ridiculous with last year being weighted more than it should.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

The latter may be true but I don’t think he’s signing anything less than 7.

If he follows up last year with another 70-90 point season, he’s a lock for an 8x8 deal somewhere. That’s also after getting ~5 million this upcoming season.

So assume he signs one year at 5.5 before arbitration. If he follows that up with an 8x8 deal after a strong season, he’s looking at 69.5 million over the next nine years. If he signs 8x7 today, he’s looking at 56 million. Or 8x6.5, he’s looking at 52 million. That 8 year deal ends when he’s 34 and the way the NHL is going, I doubt he gets a big deal after that.

That’s honestly a huge difference and if the cap starts trending upwards, it’s likely he might even be able to negotiate higher than an 8x8.

That is a huge if. There’s a very real possibility that his production falls back closer to where it was. There’s also the risk of injuries. If the long-term number being discussed right now is around 7M he has a lot more to lose than gain IMO by taking a short deal. If it’s under 6M and closer to 5M than it makes sense for him to bet on himself.

 

[Homedresser]

Again, over the past THREE total seasons, Jesper Bratt is 29th in the NHL among forwards in even strength points per 60 with 2.44. That is among ALL forwards. That is better than:

Mikko Rantanen
Patrick Kane
Alex Ovechkin
Filip Forsberg
JT Miller
Timo Meier
Brayden Point

to name a few. This notion that Bratt is a one year wonder is nonsense.

wow, a new contender has emerged. I don't care what advanced "stats" are used. If you've PLAYED the game and have watched the games there is no way you can put Bratt in the category of these players.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Prefer 1 to 3 years by a pretty large margin. Arbitration is not a death knell on him long term in NJ. Four years is acceptable but disapointing.

Edit: I mean I prefer 1 year deal to Bratt receiving a 3 year deal. I see it as: 5 or more > 4 > 1 > 3 > 2

 

[Emperoreddy]

Prefer 1 to 3 years by a pretty large margin. Arbitration is not a death knell on him long term in NJ. Four years is acceptable but disapointing.

Why would you prefer 1 or 3 instead of 4?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

wow, a new contender has emerged. I don't care what advanced "stats" are used. If you've PLAYED the game and have watched the games there is no way you can put Bratt in the category of these players.

The hell are you talking about? He’s one of the most impressive players to actually watch in the NHL. And his real, statistical impact on his linemates is even better than his incredible “eye test”.

 

[MachoDiablo]

I just want to hear that a deal has been agreed upon. Stay the @#$% away from letting the arbiter decide, and whether it's 1 year, 3-4 years, 7-8 years, whatever it is just get it done. If it's one year, so be it, circle back around after this season and hammer out whatever you can.

 

[devilsfan35]

I find it amusing at how many people on twitter have no idea how arbitration works