New Jersey Devils, Jesper Bratt reach final-day agreement to avoid NHL arbitration

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils avoided arbitration with Jesper Bratt, signing the up-and-coming Swedish forward to a one-year, $5.45 million contract.

General manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the signing Wednesday before the two sides were scheduled to go to arbitration. Bratt will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season and again have arbitration rights.

The 24-year-old Bratt set career highs last season in goals (26), assists (47), shots (197), power-play points (18), time on ice (17:26) and points (73). His goal total tied with Jack Hughes for the team lead, while his assist, shots, power-play points and points totals all ranked first for New Jersey.

Bratt's six game-winning goals also led the club and were a career high.

In 307 career contests, Bratt has 70 goals and 133 assists, which are the most earned by an NHL player who was selected after the second round of the 2016 draft. The sixth-round pick became the first Devils player since Taylor Hall in 2017-18 to record 70 or more points in a single season.