• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
New Jersey Devils

Devils Need Bratt Back Soon

By Alex Chauvancy October 27th, 2018

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp


Jesper Bratt has yet to play in a game for the New Jersey Devils in 2018-19. He’s missed the team’s first seven games with a fractured jaw, which he suffered while they were in Sweden as a part of the NHL Global Series.

The Devils are 4-2-1 without Bratt, but his presence has certainly been missed. They’re still scoring goals, thanks in large part to the trio of Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri, and Taylor Hall. When Bratt returns, which should be in the near future, the Devils will benefit from having him back on the ice.

Bratt’s Strong Preseason

Bratt had a strong rookie season in 2017-18, where he finished with 35 points in 74 games. He struggled in the second half of the season, but he was still a valuable part of the team’s run to the postseason. Bratt’s second-half struggles seem to be a thing of the past, at least based on his preseason performance.

In three preseason games, he fired six shots on goal. He also had 12 shot attempts and six individual scoring chances. Shot generation was a bit of a problem for Bratt last season, particularly in his final 31 games, where he had 37 shots on goal.

Jesper Bratt New Jersey Devils

Jesper Bratt’s strong preseason was an encouraging sign after his late-season struggles in 2017-18. (Photo by Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

It may only be preseason hockey, but it was encouraging to see Bratt shoot the puck more often. He’ll be expected to play a top-six role when he returns, so he needs to continue shooting. He’ll also get time on the power play, where he can give the team another scoring option.

The Devils will need Bratt to return and provide some offense. Secondary scoring has been a bit of an issue outside of their first line. He’ll help add to that, especially on a second line that has been struggling to start the season.

Devils’ Second Line Needs Bratt

Devils head coach John Hynes has used a few different options at right wing, but it’s been hard to find a replacement for Bratt on the second line.

Stefan Noesen got the first crack at a top-six role in the team’s first couple of games. He had a solid 2017-18, where he finished with 27 points in 72 games. Noesen is a good player and has strong shot rates, but he lacks the skillset Bratt has. That made for a tough fit as a second-line winger.

With the Devils looking for more offense, John Quenneville was given the next opportunity. He had a strong preseason, like Bratt, and has more a suitable skillset to play a top-six role, but the experiment didn’t last long. Quenneville was moved down the lineup after one game and is now with the Binghamton Devils (AHL) looking to find his offensive touch.

John Quenneville

John Quenneville failed to make the impact the New Jersey Devils hoped he would in Bratt’s absence. (Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

Jean-Sebastien Dea has gotten off to a good start this season. He has three goals in seven games and has an expected goals for (xGF%) of 55.21%. Those are pretty decent numbers for someone who was a waiver pickup prior to the start of the regular season.

Dea has held his own in the couple of games he’s been on the second line. He’s shown that he’s a capable player and has earned his spot on the NHL roster. But the Devils need more than what he can provide in order to have a strong top six, which is part of why they miss Bratt.

Marcus Johansson Needs Some Help

After the Devils first line, Johansson probably has the best offensive ability of any player on the roster. He’s a great passer and has a sneaky good shot. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much help around him.

Pavel Zacha looked great in the team’s first two games but has gone missing since. He’s yet to record a point in seven games and isn’t shooting the puck enough. I’ve said enough about the right-wing situation, so there’s no need to go into more detail.

From the THW Archives: Bratt Following Footsteps of Swedish Legend

Johansson is a great player, but he needs support to have more of an effect on the team. He and Bratt showed great chemistry during the preseason, so there’s potential between the two of them. If Bratt shoots the puck close to his preseason rates, it could be a great compliment to Johansson’s passing ability. That could help give the Devils what they’re looking from their second line.

Bratt’s Return Will Be Welcomed

The Devils are doing quite well, even in the absence of Bratt, but it doesn’t take away from what he means to the team moving forward. They don’t need him to be a 60-point scorer, but his offense has been missed.

Jesper Bratt #63, New Jersey Devils (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Jesper Bratt will be a welcomed addition to the New Jersey Devils lineup when he returns. (Photo by Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Hall, Hischier, and Palmieri are all great players and are capable of carrying the load for most of the season. As great as each is, they aren’t immune to slumps or cool stretches. That’s when the Devils will need to have a productive second line. They’ve been able to get by without one so far, but that won’t be the case over the whole season.

This is where Bratt can help be a solution. He can’t drive an entire line by himself, but he can help give it a much-needed spark. He played a large part of last season with Hall and Hischier so he can handle top-six minutes. If his preseason is any indication, he should be able to help right away.

Bratt is the best choice the Devils have to round out their top six. They’ve tried a few options, none of who have what Bratt provides in a scoring role. His return can’t come soon enough, and the Devils will benefit from the offense he can provide when he returns in the not too distant future.

*    *    *

Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick, Corsica Hockey

  • Tags
  • Jesper Bratt
  • Marcus Johansson
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 16th 1:25 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Matthews & Tavares Call Out Team: No Response & No Gas

Jan 16th 1:15 PM
Edmonton Oilers

NHL Rumors: Oilers, Panthers, Maple Leafs, Jets, More

Jan 16th 12:45 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Hope Texier Can Handle Center Ice Now

Jan 16th 12:30 PM
Boston Bruins

Bruins Offering Early Opportunities to Young Players Looking to Flourish

Jan 16th 11:54 AM
Archives

Every NHL Team’s Top Prospect – 2020-21 Season Update

Jan 16th 11:39 AM
Archives

Red Wings’ Top 5 Defensemen of All Time Ranked

Jan 16th 11:13 AM
Archives

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Jan 16th 11:00 AM
Carolina Hurricanes

Jets’ Forsberg Waiver Claim Highlights New Roster-Building Challenges

Jan 16th 10:45 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Big Upsets on Friday Night

Jan 16th 10:35 AM
St Louis Blues

3 Takeaways from Blues’ First Two Games Versus Avalanche

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information