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Devils avoid arbitration with Bratt

*Photo from NJ.com*
   One of the breakout players of 2021-2022 has a new contract in his hands. The New Jersey Devils and LW/RW Jesper Bratt have agreed to a one year, $5.45 mllion deal, according to an announcement made by the Devils on Wednesday.

   Bratt, who was one of the Devils best players and breakout stars last season, was an RFA with arbitration rights. He had his arbitration hearing scheduled for Wednesday, and, just before the hearing, both Bratt and the Devils agreed to a new contract, thus avoiding the arbitration process. He had filed for $6.5 million, while the Devils filed for $4.15 million.

   The last contract for Bratt was a two year deal worth $2.75 million annually. Bratt now gets a hefty pay raise, making $5.45 million this season in his 3rd NHL contract. There are no bonuses in his deal, and Bratt will be an RFA once again when his contract expires after this season.

   Since being selected by the Devils in the 6th round in the 2016 NHL Draft, Bratt had a few solid seasons, but last year was the one he truly emerged. Bratt had 3.36 expected goals for per 60 minutes, which is the best mark on the Devils for skaters to play at least 500 minutes of 5 on 5 play last season.

   Last season, Bratt posted breakout numbers for the Devils. He ended the regular season with 26 goals and 47 assists, posting a even 0 plus/minus rating while averaging 17:26 of ice time, playing in 76 regular season games for the Devils.

   In Bratt's 5 seasons, all with the Devils, he has 70 goals and 133 assists. He also has a -26 plus/minus rating while averaging 15:39 of ice time per game, playing in 307 career regular season games. He has played just one playoff game, coming in 2017-2018, and went pointless in that game, marking his only playoff experience.

   By agreeing to terms on a new deal with Bratt and also Tyce Thompson, the Devils just have two RFA's to negotiate, needing to finalize the situations with Fabian Zetterlund and Miles Wood. The Devils have $3.3 million in cap space to do it.

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