Jesper Bratt, Devils Reach 8-Year, $63M Contract Extension Ahead of NHL Free Agency | News, Scores,
Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe New Jersey Devils and winger Jesper Bratt agreed to an eight-year, $63 million contract Thursday.
Bratt, 24, was set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
"It was always a priority to keep Jesper Bratt here long term and both parties are thrilled that a deal was completed," general manager Tom Fitzgerald said in a statement. "I value and commend the commitment Jesper made to this organization. We believe that he is a special player and a key member of our core group of talent who will contribute towards the team's long-term success, and organizational goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to New Jersey."
Bratt matched his career high with 73 points (32 goals, 41 assists) last season. His goals were second behind Jack Hughes for the team-high, and his emergence helped the Devils finish third in the Eastern Conference points standings. Bratt added six points in 12 playoff games before New Jersey was eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes.
"Jesper says that he is super excited to have a deal done, looking forward to Devils bright future and continuing the run for the Cup," Bratt's agent, Joakim Persson, said in a statement to NJ Advance Media's Ryan Novozinsky.
Bratt has been upfront about his desire to remain in New Jersey, but contract extension negotiations proved fraught. It seems his impending restricted free agency ramped up the urgency on both sides, as the Devils are paying a significant price to retain the 2016 sixth-round pick.
New Jersey now has the majority of its core inked for the foreseeable future, which should allow the club to continue building on last season's momentum.
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