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

[Camille the Eel]

I badly hope they can make this work. That said, can't wait to see how the Fitz apologists spin this one if something doesn't get done. Maybe Chase Stillman can step into his spot in the lineup

You can’t pin it on Fitz at this point. A deal may be made yet. But, if not, the big challenge for Fitzgerald is how he creatively deals with it from there.

 

[devilsfan35]

If he accepts the 1 yr deal and puts up only 50 points, boy will he wish to have accepted the long term offer. Huge risk by betting over injuries

 

[LoktionovMVP]

Takes two to tango, and Bratt doesn't seem to want to tango reasonably (lol).

Anyways, I have a feeling that if Fitz gave Bratt what he wants you'd find a way to complain about him still.

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong. He's done some good stuff this summer (Siegs, Marino, Zacha) and some less good ones (Palat, no other wingers) - still time to do something good with JB63 here

 

[jkrdevil]

Weird that Weekes doesn't understand arbitration offers. They literally have nothing to do with what's been discussed for a long-term contract.

Weekes understands. He had a long career as a player and knows how things work. He is doing Bratt’s agent a favor by trying to pressure the Devils publicly.

 

[MVP Zacha]

I can't believe that there is no middle ground with you people. It's either, Fitz is lowballing him or Bratt is only concerned with a huge payday. I am pretty sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I could see Bratt's agent leak some things that makes Fitz look bad for sure, and I don't get what the plan was for Bratt if Fitz actually did want to sign both Gaudreau and Palat as rumored.

I would be mad at NJ if Bratt isn't a long term Devil and Fitz would be the most likely person to blame imo, unless it's clear Bratt really wants to be elsewhere, but it appears he just really wants to be paid more money and have the ability to be a UFA earlier.

 

[Billdo]

I think Fitz has do what's best long term for the team. Signing Bratt obviously isn't a bad thing but if he's not interesting in signing a legit long term offer, nothing should be off the table. Having said that I don't see him signing anything lower than 7 if there is any sort of term attached to it.

 

[britdevil]

I can't believe that there is no middle ground with you people. It's either, Fitz is lowballing him or Bratt is only concerned with a huge payday. I am pretty sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Are you forgetting Bratt willingly held out on the last go around?

TF openly said that a large contract offer was sent MONTHS ago and hadn't heard zilch back?

Quite a bit of evidence to show that this leaning towards a player issue, not a team one.

 

[Devs3cups]

I could see Bratt's agent leak some things that makes Fitz look bad for sure, and I don't get what the plan was for Bratt if Fitz actually did want to sign both Gaudreau and Palat as rumored.

I would be mad at NJ if Bratt isn't a long term Devil and Fitz would be the most likely person to blame imo, unless it's clear Bratt really wants to be elsewhere, but it appears he just really wants to be paid more money and have the ability to be a UFA earlier.

The bolded's not just a small thing that Fitz should just cave to.

It seems pretty clear to me that Bratt wants to hit FA really soon and be paid earlier, which is way closer to wanting to play somewhere else than wanting to be a Devil. I ain't mad at Fitz for sticking to his guns. Second hard negotiation with Bratt.

 

[Nubmer6]

I can't believe that there is no middle ground with you people. It's either, Fitz is lowballing him or Bratt is only concerned with a huge payday. I am pretty sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Something something HFBoards something.

 

[Lou is God]

I badly hope they can make this work. That said, can't wait to see how the Fitz apologists spin this one if something doesn't get done. Maybe Chase Stillman can step into his spot in the lineup

Apologists?? Our GM is not someone like Chuck Fletcher, there is no reason to not be happy with the job Fitz has done. The man was just minutes away from getting the big fish in the UFA market two years in a row. We're in very good hands.

 

[Devs3cups]

Apologists?? Our GM is not someone like Chuck Fletcher, there is no reason to not be happy with the job Fitz has done. The man was just minutes away from getting the big fish in the UFA market two years in a row. We're in very good hands.

My manz drastically improved the D in 2 off-seasons lol. That doesn't get talked about enough.

 

[MauDevils]

Bratt is probably in Holtz' ear saying to bail asap

Gotta actually be on the ship first before you try and jump off of it.

 

[JimEIV]

My manz drastically improved the D in 2 off-seasons lol. That doesn't get talked about enough.

And improved the D prospect pool significantly...4 of our top 10 prospects will be Fitz Dmen picks... Luke, Simon, Seamus and Muk.

 

[Devs3cups]

And improved the D prospect pool significantly...4 of our top 10 prospects will be Fitz Dmen picks... Luke, Simon, Seamus and Muk.

Don't forget the GOAT...

ARTYOM BARABOSHA!

 

[jkrdevil]

I can't believe that there is no middle ground with you people. It's either, Fitz is lowballing him or Bratt is only concerned with a huge payday. I am pretty sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

If they were targeting both it was probably with the inkling that Bratt wasn’t open to a long term deal.

 

[SempreMilan]

And improved the D prospect pool significantly...4 of our top 10 prospects will be Fitz Dmen picks... Luke, Simon, Seamus and Muk.

He's had a pretty damn good run so far for sure. I trust him to do what's best for the team and to do it intelligently. If Bratt ends up on a 1er I trust Fitz will manage the asset accordingly. He's a good player, but not irreplaceable imo

 

[JimEIV]

He's had a pretty damn good run so far for sure. I trust him to do what's best for the team and to do it intelligently. If Bratt ends up on a 1er I trust Fitz will manage the asset accordingly. He's a good player, but not irreplaceable imo

It sucks to be forced to move a good player but it looks like that's where we are headed

 

[MVP Zacha]

Are you forgetting Bratt willingly held out on the last go around?

TF openly said that a large contract offer was sent MONTHS ago and hadn't heard zilch back?

Quite a bit of evidence to show that this leaning towards a player issue, not a team one.

And you know for sure that he wasn't being lowballed because he was, at the time a 30 - 35 point player?

 

[NJ Devil]

Hoping the fact there still isn't a deal is they are hashing out something with any kind of term.

Should agreeing on a one year deal really take this long?

The process of agreeing to the 1-year deal doesnt begin until tomorrow's hearing I thought. Both sides give a number and wait until the judge makes a call, idt they discuss a 1-year deal, only a multi-year extension prior to arbitration

I could be wrong though, but thats how Ive always understood arbitration

 

[Devs3cups]

And you know for sure that he wasn't being lowballed because he was, at the time a 30 - 35 point player?

Nothing from Fitz's track record suggests he's lowballing him, so I'm definitely going to put more stock in Bratt's hard negotiations.

Fitz/Shero (Fitz was his AGM at the time and was no doubt involved in the negotiations) have given out big contracts based on potential and ok production before, notably Hughes and Nico.

 

[MauDevils]

It sucks because Bratt has become a very unlikable player to me at this point.

If it gets to a hearing I'm hoping for a trade sooner rather than later.

 

[britdevil]

And you know for sure that he wasn't being lowballed because he was, at the time a 30 - 35 point player?

I have absolutely no idea. Do you?

Do you honestly believe that Fitz, a man who has opened the cheque book at every opportunity so far in his GM career, is seriously out here singling out Bratt and offering lowball contracts?

For all we know Bratt eventually caved and took the original two year contract that was offered? Which tbh, is and was a perfectly fair contract for a 22 year old with good potential.

Jesper Bratt willingly missed camp. Jesper Bratt has not responded to a contract offer that has been made. Jesper Bratt is going to salary arbitration.

Undeniable facts at this point. It's not a great look for the young man.

 

[MVP Zacha]

Nothing from Fitz's track record suggests he's lowballing him, so I'm definitely going to put more stock in Bratt's hard negotiations.

Fitz/Shero (Fitz was his AGM at the time and was no doubt involved in the negotiations) have given out big contracts based on potential and ok production before, notably Hughes and Nico.

And there is nothing wrong with that. But the crayon eaters that have already decided that Fitz is being a cheap ass or Bratt wants out is ridiculous. Not one person here has any information on the actual negotiations or what each side is looking for but people have already picked sides.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Yeah, I have no problem with Bratt getting his payday. The thing that also hurts the Devils is how close Bratt is to UFA + the cap spiking in a few years, we can't fault Bratt and his agent using that as leverage for more money. But at the same time, Fitz has shown he will sign guys with an overpay at the time and then hope the contract ages well. Considering Bratt and his agent filed for 6.5M, they're probably looking at 8-8.5Mx7 or 8 years.