INSIDER: Latest info on the New Jersey Devils star being TRADED

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Dan
June 20, 2022 (2:27 PM)

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Last week a surprising rumor emerged when talk began to circulate about the New Jersey Devils potentially trading star forward Jesper Bratt. In spite of the fact that he was arguably the most important player on the Devils' roster this past season, Bratt, who lead New Jersey in points this past year, is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, and has not come to terms with the Devils on a new contract.

That a contract hasn't happened yet, despite the fact that the Devils should in theory have plenty of room to make the signing happen, with $25 million in projected cap space for next season, has led to speculation that a trade could be in the works.

There are even those who feel an offer sheet could be forthcoming, this in spite of the fact that the Devils would very likely be able to match any offer.

Team leader in PTS . Still young. Consistent production, great value as a 6th Rd Draft Pick- yet I'm told no significant contract extension talks to this point, and I can confirm there are several teams interested in trading for Jesper Bratt of @NJDevils .@NHL #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/NuqXPi8JXB� Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 18, 2022

On Sunday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared his thoughts on the situation and had a much more balanced take. Friedman began by largely dismissing the notion that Bratt could be the target of an offer sheet this summer.

"First of all I don't know if it makes a ton sense to offer sheet Jersey," began Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast. "I think that what you wanna do is, you wanna offer sheet a situation where you're gonna put a huge squeeze on them to be able to do things. I don't think that New Jersey is necessarily that team... I see a team with a ton of cap space and I think a desire to keep Bratt."

While Friedman did acknowledge that the Devils may very well have tested the market on Bratt, he indicated his belief that this may be a case of an agent and a team butting heads.

So if the Devils would like to keep Bratt, where does the rumor of him being shopped by the Devils stem from? Friedman had an interesting theory on that particular point as well.

"I suspect, I don't know, but I suspect that there was a negotiation earlier this year that didn't end up close," said Friedman. "And I think what the Devils did was they just said 'Ok, if we have to do this what's his value.'"

Friedman summed up his thoughts on the topic by stating that he feels talk of a Bratt trade may be going a bit too far.

"I think any talk of trading him could be premature, I could be wrong."