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

[Mgd31]

My sources are telling me the Zacha/Huala trade was the final straw for Bratt.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

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.

What were the exact words in terms of not hearing anything back?

 

[NJDevs26]

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.

I don't know why people say this on the one hand, then on the other laud all the team-friendly deals Fitz signs. Why don't you think he's lowballing him, because he took a very minor risk with Hughes that now looks like a team-friendly deal by at least a million or so per year? Guy just signed Siegs to a deal people thought was a million or so less than he should have commanded.

 

[NJ Devil]

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.

I mean.. from what we do know about them having offered a hefty extension, Id argue theres a real low % chance that we low-balled Jesper. At least a much lower % chance of it not being Bratt's side that is causing issues

Does anyone seriously think we offered him anything less than 8 years x 7mil? And if not, that isnt in any way a lowball for Jesper.

Theres nothing wrong with wanting less term to be able to get two bigger contracts instead of one big one, but theres also nothing wrong with fans being upset by that and wanting him gone after (if its true).

As much as I love Jesper Bratt, I loved the Devils long before him and will long after him. He isnt some level of player weve never seen like Jack.

 

[MVP Zacha]

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.

Yeah, your right. I now hate Jesper Bratt and I want him traded to Arizona to play in front of 5000 college kids now (sarcasm).
All I am saying is, none of us have any clue what either side is asking for so let's not jump to conclusions and hate Bratt or Fitz because of how this is playing out.

 

[Eggtimer]

I have faith it Fitz. He has not gone off course yet. He has done everything he said he wanted to do up until this point. I’m willing to give him the benefit of any doubt.
Like it’s been said multiple times already, none of us really have a Fing clue who offered what and for how long. Maybe we find out after , or maybe we won‘t if it does go to arbitration. I’m sure Fitz has a good idea of what Bratts true intentions are based off of prior negotiations plus this current one. I am confident he will do whatever he thinks makes this team the best it possibly can.
Its simple really in my opinion .If Fitz did all he could to sign Bratt to a long term deal and Bratt chooses not to accept the offers made by the Devils and walk himself to UFA (it’s his right to do so, but still pisses me off it it ends up being the case) then Im sure Fitz will either trade him or perhaps he is confident that this upcoming season will be a prove your value season and they can extend him accordingly. I do not have a good feeling about that being true based off of past negotiations but who knows for sure besides a handful of people.
I am surprised that there has been next to NOTHING leaked about what’s going on between us and Bratt’s agent though. Usually you hear some rumours about where one side is at ?

 

[SempreMilan]

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

I agree. Huberdeau would be an upgrade

 

[britdevil]

Yeah, your right. I now hate Jesper Bratt and I want him traded to Arizona to play in front of 5000 college kids now (sarcasm).
All I am saying is, none of us have any clue what either side is asking for so let's not jump to conclusions and hate Bratt or Fitz because of how this is playing out.

I don't hate him. It would be silly too. He's a pleasure to watch on the ice.

It's the damn contract shenanigans that are pissing me off, AND HE'S DONE IT BEFORE.

 

[Devs3cups]

I don't know why people say this on the one hand, then on the other laud all the team-friendly deals Fitz signs. Why don't you think he's lowballing him, because he took a very minor risk with Hughes that now looks like a team-friendly deal by at least a million or so per year? Guy just signed Siegs to a deal people thought was a million or so less than he should have commanded.

That's definitely a good point, never saw it that way. With that being said, I'm still going to put more stock in Bratt's and his agent's tendency to have hard negotiations.

 

[britdevil]

I don't know why people say this on the one hand, then on the other laud all the team-friendly deals Fitz signs. Why don't you think he's lowballing him, because he took a very minor risk with Hughes that now looks like a team-friendly deal by at least a million or so per year? Guy just signed Siegs to a deal people thought was a million or so less than he should have commanded.

Maybe Fitz sold a big picture. Some are more willing to drink the kool-aid, than others...

 

[Eggtimer]

.

As much as I love Jesper Bratt, I loved the Devils long before him and will long after him. He isnt some level of player weve never seen like Jack.

This. Whatever happens happens. It will suck if he isnt a long term Devil but worst case scenario , we will get a player back in return if he wants to walk. It will be a kick to the nut sack but we net result should still be a very good player playing for us?

 

[NJ Devil]

I don't know why people say this on the one hand, then on the other laud all the team-friendly deals Fitz signs. Why don't you think he's lowballing him, because he took a very minor risk with Hughes that now looks like a team-friendly deal by at least a million or so per year? Guy just signed Siegs to a deal people thought was a million or so less than he should have commanded.

I dont see how those team-friendly deals extrapolate to him possibly low-balling Jesper.

None of those negotiations dragged on, at least not in the sense that we heard about deal negotiations beginning months ahead of when they signed.

Jack getting 8 seems really cheap now but before last year, he hadnt scored enough to command much more. Nico got overpaid when he was first signed to the deal and Siegenthaler has one single season of top-4 play. He probably took the term over the higher AAV for security, plus him playing easy now makes him much more later on since he he a solid spot on a future contender.

Jesper Bratt saying no to anything over 7m seems like its a pretty clear case of a player wanting to make it to UFA quicker. Auston Matthews did it to Toronto, so lets just be thankful he isnt that level of player who our organization's future depends on

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Speaking on how good the Nico and Jack contracts are, I wouldn't mind possibly paying Bratt a bit higher than he should get right now and hope it turns into a steal later on. Eventually someone's going to get overpaid to stay if this team is good or wants to compete. No team in the league has contract steals everywhere in the lineup. And I don't want to be that guy but that Palat deal is going to be annoying until the cap explodes.

 

[BurntToast]

If Bratt gets a short term deal (4 years), he won’t be on the Devils. I can’t imagine the cap skyrocketing. His actions proves he would walk into Free Agency.

The only issue, I don’t know who you would trade him for. Timo? Kyle Connor? Necas? Nothing really works.

Plus, the Sharks are in limbo. If they were smart, they should lean heavy into picks/prospects. If they were smart..

 

[MVP Zacha]

Maybe, Fitz told him that they don't have the cap space right now to give him the AAV that he deserves but let's sign a 4 year nice deal that will fit under the cap right now and Bratt said let's go less AAV for 1 year. Both sides are trying but just can't agree on the structure of the deal.

 

[SempreMilan]

I honestly think Fitz is probably low balling him a little because he wants a team friendly deal and to get him to buy into the team concept but Jesper wants full value based on last season and rate stats. I also think Fitz knew this going back to last round and figured hed be tough to sign long term and that's why he left Bratt out of the 'core' statement. I think Jesper staying long term is going to depend on Jesper wanting to really be here and win with our guys.

 

[Eggtimer]

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

They can mutually agree on a 1-8 year extension before arbitration. If Bratt wants to get to UFA as soon as possible or net on himself for another great season / wait for more cap room to free up - he agrees to a one year deal that would ”maybe”? be higher than what the ruling might be (or a dollar amount Bratt is ok with for one year ).
If Fitz knows there is no deal that eats up any of his UFA years , then he has to settle on a one year deal (2 would be idiotic as Bratt would / could just walk after the two years).Hoping that maybe a bargain cap hit for one year returns a good asset(s) in trade

 

[Emperoreddy]

I don't know why people say this on the one hand, then on the other laud all the team-friendly deals Fitz signs. Why don't you think he's lowballing him, because he took a very minor risk with Hughes that now looks like a team-friendly deal by at least a million or so per year? Guy just signed Siegs to a deal people thought was a million or so less than he should have commanded.

Yeah that I am not getting. Fitz MO with RFAs has been signing them to team friendly deals where their dollar amounts are most likely less then they are worth.

Which is also his job, he is supposed to try and find savings where he can. Cap space is at a premium this year. Doubtful we will be able to clear much to fit in a Bratt blank check and what we will be forced to pay Wood.

Other side though is its his agent's job to get his client as much money possible, not to sign long term team friendly deals. Bratt was our best winger last season. A top winger across the whole league. His camp clearly don't believe last year was a fluke and if it wasn't then yeah he would be an $8 million player in two years as a free agent.

Why would they take significantly less and give away 4+ UFA years with that belief?

It's a tough situation but until we get more info I don't think anyone has really done anything wrong.

 

[SempreMilan]

I dont see how those team-friendly deals extrapolate to him possibly low-balling Jesper.

Really? You dont see what the possible connection could be?

 

[McDuffz88]

What's the chances that this plays out into the start of the season? That would be the real kick in the nuts. Bratt's done it before so I wouldn't put it past him.

 

[Eggtimer]

I get both sides of it. Devils don’t want to pay a player a salary based off of one excellent season. That is the main argument they will use. Meanwhile ,Bratts camp will use his last season and a shit ton of advanced stats to show that last season was not a fluke and that there is more of that to come or even better , and use comparable like Fiala etc (even though they have put up similar production numbers over more than ome season.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Yeah that I am not getting. Fitz MO with RFAs has been signing them to team friendly deals where their dollar amounts are most likely less then they are worth.

Which is also his job, he is supposed to try and find savings where he can. Cap space is at a premium this year. Doubtful we will be able to clear much to fit in a Bratt blank check and what we will be forced to pay Wood.

Other side though is its his agent's job to get his client as much money possible, not to sign long term team friendly deals. Bratt was our best winger last season. A top winger across the whole league. His camp clearly don't believe last year was a fluke and if it wasn't then yeah he would be an $8 million player in two years as a free agent.

Why would they take significantly less and give away 4+ UFA years with that belief?

It's a tough situation but until we get more info I don't think anyone has really done anything wrong.

I'd honestly rather give Bratt 8Mx7, bring back Wood (shouldn't have been qualified at this point), eat the bullet on an Johnsson trade than say Bratt gets 5.5M from an arbitrator, bring back Wood, AJ on the roster still. Only gripe with Fitz is probably not moving off AJ sooner.

 

[Cheddabombs]

What's the chances that this plays out into the start of the season? That would be the real kick in the nuts. Bratt's done it before so I wouldn't put it past him.

0%. If they don't get a deal done themselves an arbitrator will determine the contract. Unless Bratt straight up holds out I guess lol

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

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

Tatar's not getting traded.

 

[jkrdevil]

If Bratt gets a short term deal (4 years), he won’t be on the Devils. I can’t imagine the cap skyrocketing. His actions proves he would walk into Free Agency.

The only issue, I don’t know who you would trade him for. Timo? Kyle Connor? Necas? Nothing really works.

Plus, the Sharks are in limbo. If they were smart, they should lean heavy into picks/prospects. If they were smart..

If they agree to a 4 year deal, he will stay here and all will be forgotten. That buys two years on UFA status.