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

[Devs3cups]

Would love it if they could push the deal up into the 6 year range, which is what Fitz may be pushing for. Get him locked up until he's 30, and at the end of the deal he'll be young enough to chase another big contract in UFA with another deal for his post-prime years.

That’s kind of what I’m not understanding with Bratt. Dude could sign a 5-6 year deal and still get paid. Just do it bro.

 

[megajake]

Bratt has been great for awhile now. Go back a few pages and take a look at his numbers over the last THREE seasons. IF you think its a one year wonder, you aren't paying attention.

No one is saying to give him a "blank check" either.

Plenty of people are saying, go look back a few pages. People are willing to give him whatever just so we don't lose him. I love Bratt, I think he is great and SHOULD continue to being great, but cmon. It really is 1 great year. Fila has been better and more consistent and got under 8 million. Seems perfectly reasonable for Bratt to go for 7.5/8 based on the contracts we'd seen.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Plenty of people are saying, go look back a few pages. People are willing to give him whatever just so we don't lose him. I love Bratt, I think he is great and SHOULD continue to being great, but cmon. It really is 1 great year. Fila has been better and more consistent and got under 8 million. Seems perfectly reasonable for Bratt to go for 7.5/8 based on the contracts we'd seen.

I haven't seen anyone say that we should offer him more than that?

I think 7 or 8 x $7.5 is a perfectly fair longterm offer so I really dont know what your point is?

 

[ninetyeight]

You don't know what has been offered! How many times this has to be said?

I can't believe people are getting this upset by facts they made up themselves.

 

[Unknown Caller]

I haven't seen anyone say that we should offer him more than that?

I think 7 or 8 x $7.5 is a perfectly fair longterm offer so I really dont know what your point is?

I'm not sure that he would accept 8 x $7.5. It's very likely that his agent sees the cap going up significantly in a couple years while Bratt's production continues to take off and he sees a substantial pay raise in that environment. If this was as easy as 8 x $7.5, I think it would have been done already.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

it honestly scares me that we have fans that think like this.

Jesus Christ.

Apparently only the ones who remember when the team won games and the types of players it takes to do that.

Thirty-plus games out of the playoffs and the guy wants a $5 million raise?

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Apparently only the ones who remember when the team won games and the types of players it takes to do that.

you're basically confirming that your thinking is 20 years behind

 

[megajake]

I haven't seen anyone say that we should offer him more than that?

I think 7 or 8 x $7.5 is a perfectly fair longterm offer so I really dont know what your point is?

You really want me to pull up people saying 8x8? We are in agreeance on that. Just seems like if it was that easy, he would of been signed already. I think its more likely Bratt doesn't want 7/8 x 7.5 than Fitz isn't offering it

 

[JimEIV]

Apparently only the ones who remember when the team won games and the types of players it takes to do that.

Thirty-plus games out of the playoffs and the guy wants a $5 million raise?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Apparently only the ones who remember when the team won games and the types of players it takes to do that.

Thirty-plus games out of the playoffs and the guy wants a $5 million raise?

Sir its pretty clear that you don't understand the NHL as currently constructed, so I am not sure I am going to bother wasting any more time to get through to you.

again, the Devils were bad so that means that none of their players are good? That line of logic is mind-numbingly stupid.

 

[NJ Devil]

The only way Bratt, at this point, does an eight year deal is if the eighth year is enough to recoup 'lost assets' if he were to skip going to UFA.

So for example, offering him 9m a year for 8 years would likely suffice. Overpay, I know, but that eighth year of 9m would help outweigh going straight to UFA. Him signing a 2-year, 5m per deal and then a UFA deal for 7 years x 9m would just about equal the same as the 8x9 offer only the Devils could give.

Now... idt anybody wants Bratt signed to 9m x 8 years, even if hes worth it. Its a risky deal. But what I was trying to prove was that Bratt likely wants an overpay on long-term to make up for a potential contract in UFA two years from now. 8x8 doesnt suffice because Bratt, most likely, can get 9m a year in UFA in 2024 if he doesnt fall off a cliff. Thats the difference of 8-15mil, barring different state taxes.

 

[njdevils1982]

But speaking of movement...This guy tied a fly called the "game changer" probably 10 years ago where he tied 5 or 6 individual segments on a shank and used wire to attach them so they would articulate in the water...The result is pretty spectacular.

i dont fish but holy shit that second video

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

In 2018-2019, I was telling the Oilers that exact thing.

Don’t pay McDavid or Draisaitl any money; they’re players on a bad team and so are bad. Remember the Newlin rule.

Draisaitl, McDavid and Jesper Bratt?

Mmmm..

Sure. Same thing. Except in that season the Oilers won 35 games and were 11 points from the playoffs. And both of those players had over 100 points.

Bratt has topped 40 points...ONCE.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Draisaitl, McDavid and Jesper Bratt?

Mmmm..

Sure. Same thing. Except in that season the Oilers won 35 games and were 11 points from the playoffs. And both of those players had over 100 points.

Bratt has topped 40 points...ONCE.

is Mo Seider a good or bad player? The Red Wings were really bad, so by your logic he must stink.

How about Tage Thompson? Scored 40 goals. Is he good or bad?

Josh Norris (a worse player than Bratt who just got 8 x 8, by the way)? Brady Tkachuk? Bad team, so they are bad players?

 

[Eggtimer]

Bratt has been great for awhile now. Go back a few pages and take a look at his numbers over the last THREE seasons. IF you think its a one year wonder, you aren't paying attention.

No one is saying to give him a "blank check" either.

I’m in between the two extremes. He is a hell of hockey player and only think / hope he will get better , HOWEVER he has only had one ”elite” season . I would be confident paying him close to Fiala money but why as much or more? Fiala has put up proven numbers for more seasons, Bratt has had one. Yes he looked good seasons prior to but you can’t pay him according to how he looked . Bottom line is how useful he is to the team = point production (usually , some guys get paid for intangibles more so ).
Giving him say 7.5-8 over 8years is a pretty damn big gamble for a player with ine very good season. I think we all get a little ahead of ourselves when evaluating a beloved player in Bratt imstead of looking at him in an objective unbiased manner and in strictly a business manner of paying an employee based on past performance and what they should be worth movig forward. Even though most of us believe Bratt will only get better from here on out , if he doesn’t … handing him a 8 mil x8 contract is a lit extreme.
As much as I want to see Bratt retire a Devil, I think maybe a 4-5 year deal is mutually beneficial.

 

[JimEIV]

i dont fish but holy shit that second video

Yeah...That's a super cool fly. pain in the butt to tie...Takes like 40 minutes to do one and you need a lot of specialty materials...But when you see it in the water it's well worth the effort. And everything eats it - Freshwater to saltwater bass, trout, tarpon, redfish are the species I've caught on it.

This is what is basically under the hood.

 

[njdevils1982]

@Better Call Dano

no more better call sal?

 

[AfroThunder396]

I think they're much more inclined to open up the checkbook and give Bratt a long term deal next year:

1.) Much more cap space
2.) Coming off two good years makes it easier to commit
3.) Eats up more UFA years

It'll cost more to do a long term deal next year but I think we'll not only be more eager to pay him more, but feel much more safe about doing it.

Obviously they both know where each other stand on a long term deal. I think this arbitration is more of a "franchise tag" year than anything else, just buying time to get the real deal worked out.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I think they're much more inclined to open up the checkbook and give Bratt a long term deal next year:

1.) Much more cap space
2.) Coming off two good years makes it easier to commit
3.) Eats up more UFA years

It'll cost more to do a long term deal next year but I think we'll not only be more eager to pay him more, but feel much more safe about doing it.

Obviously they both know where each other stand on a long term deal. I think this arbitration is more of a "franchise tag" year than anything else, just buying time to get the real deal worked out.

if this is the Devils' line of thinking, they are morons....plain and simple.

 

[Eggtimer]

I'm not sure that he would accept 8 x $7.5. It's very likely that his agent sees the cap going up significantly in a couple years while Bratt's production continues to take off and he sees a substantial pay raise in that environment. If this was as easy as 8 x $7.5, I think it would have been done already.

If he wants over 7.5 … I’m sorry but in my humble opinion he is not worth over that. Yes he is trending to be a 7.5 + player but at this point it’s still a gamble. Maybe if he was crushing every league he played in his entire life the risk wouldn’t be bad at all. I am not saying he is not a very good player . I want him on the Devils for as long as possible but I also want what’s the best for the team long term as well. I’m not saying he is a 5-6 mil player long term but paying him 8 mil is getting too risky for me. It could turn out to be one of the best bargain contracts in the league in a couple of years but it could also end up being an anchor too.

I think they're much more inclined to open up the checkbook and give Bratt a long term deal next year:

1.) Much more cap space
2.) Coming off two good years makes it easier to commit
3.) Eats up more UFA years

It'll cost more to do a long term deal next year but I think we'll not only be more eager to pay him more, but feel much more safe about doing it.

Obviously they both know where each other stand on a long term deal. I think this arbitration is more of a "franchise tag" year than anything else, just buying time to get the real deal worked out.

I have a feeling that if he goes to Arb that Fitz looks at moving him sooner than later.

 

[JimEIV]

If he wants over 7.5 … I’m sorry but in my humble opinion he is not worth over that. Yes he is trending to be a 7.5 + player but at this point it’s still a gamble. Maybe if he was crushing every league he played in his entire life the risk wouldn’t be bad at all. I am not saying he is not a very good player . I want him on the Devils for as long as possible but I also want what’s the best for the team long term as well. I’m not saying he is a 5-6 mil player long term but paying him 8 mil is getting too risky for me. It could turn out to be one of the best bargain contracts in the league in a couple of years but it could also end up being an anchor too.


I have a feeling that if he goes to Arb that Fitz looks at moving him sooner than later.

Is Bratt any more of a gamble than Nico or Jack were when they got their deals?

People can make believe those two deals aren't comparable but everyone in the world knows damn well those two deals are the backdrop for Bratt.

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

Im fine with arb and having another year to assess Case Bratt. What is concerning is some of the (over) reactions on this board. Glad we have the Habs/Leafs esque enthusiasm?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Im fine with arb and having another year to assess Case Bratt. What is concerning is some of the (over) reactions on this board. Glad we have the Habs/Leafs esque enthusiasm?

What makes you think that a THIRD round of negotiations will be a good thing after seeing how the first 2 rounds have gone?

Getting 1 year in arbitration and then Being 1 year from UFA means he could almost hold the team hostage. If this gets to arbitration, that is the absolute WORST case scenario for the Devils.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

is Mo Seider a good or bad player? The Red Wings were really bad, so by your logic he must stink.

How about Tage Thompson? Scored 40 goals. Is he good or bad?

Josh Norris? Brady Tkachuk? Bad team, so they are bad players?

Thompson would be comparable to Bratt in that he has had one breakout season. He will make $1.4 m in the final year of his contract and likely get a significant raise - if he repeats what he did last season.

Norris has played two seasons and scored 52 goals. And his contract is probably on the high side.

Seider was his team's top defensemen as a rookie.

Bratt had a career year in his fifth season.

Can't help thinking the outrageous contracts being suggested are very Jeff Skinner-ish.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Thompson would be comparable to Bratt in that he has had one breakout season. He will make $1.4 m in the final year of his contract and likely get a significant raise - if he repeats what he did last season.

Norris has played two seasons and scored 52 goals. And his contract is probably on the high side.

Seider was his team's top defensemen as a rookie.

Bratt had a career year in his fifth season.

Can't help thinking the outrageous contracts being suggested are very Jeff Skinner-ish.

but they played on bad teams so they can't possibly be good?!

At least by your logic, of course.