Deal between the Devils and Jesper Bratt could have major implications for the Nylander negotiations
The New Jersey Devils announced the contract extension of 24-year-old forward Jesper Bratt earlier today, with the details being 8-years and $63 million dollars - a $7.875 million annual average value.
This deal important for the Devils for a variety of reasons, but it's also important for the Leafs because it also affects the market for upcoming UFA forwards and, in particular, one comparable in Toronto.
Since 2017-18, William Nylander has scored 149 goals and 356 points across 418 games. In that same span - counting Bratt's rookie year as well - Bratt has 102 goals and 276 points in 389 games. The past 2 seasons, Nylander has put up 74 goals and 167 points in 163 games on some pretty good Leafs' teams, where Bratt has put up 58 goals and 146 points in 158 games on one very bad Devils team and one very good Devils team.
It has been reported that Nylander wants a significant raise from his current $6.96 million cap hit. The way the market fluctuates for young forwards who have the capabilities of scoring 40 goals and a point per game, Nylander is in line for at least $8M-$9M, with the slightest chance of reaching double figures. If he goes to the open market next summer, someone will overpay for his services, but with Bratt's deal coming in at $7.875 million, it might actually help Toronto in the long run.
$10 million for Nylander is a lot of money, especially with the how the salary cap has barely budged over the years. While he has been a very productive forward over the last 4 seasons, the Maple Leafs don't have the luxury of being able to pay all their top dogs more than $10M apiece.
John Tavares and Mitch Marner have 2 years left with cap hits of 11 million and 10.9 million, respectively, while also carrying NMCs. Auston Matthews is in line to become the highest paid player in the league and could topple 13-14 million if his lofty asks are met by the Leafs front office.
That doesn't leave much wiggle room for Nylander, who the Leafs very much want to keep around for the long haul. The Bratt deal may help drive the market price down slightly on Nylander, which could, in turn, allow the Leafs to hang onto him.
Over the last 4 seasons, Nylander has scored at a 0.85 points per game clip, while Bratt comes in at 0.71 points per game. In the last 2 seasons, where both players have stepped up considerably, Nylander is at 1.02 points per game and Bratt comes in at 0.92. There is a difference between the 2 players, and age would also come into play, but Nylander's $10 million+ ask might have to be reconsidered, as he may not be worth $2.125M more than Bratt.
Nylander still remains a top trade target for many teams and if the Leafs are still considering a re-tool this summer, his friendly cap hit and expiring contract would make things very easy. If they know they can't get an extension done, then we might have very well seen the last of Nylander in a Leafs jersey because the last thing Brad Treliving wants is another Johnny Gaudreau situation.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 15 | 428 ANSWERS Deal between the Devils and Jesper Bratt could have major implications for the Nylander negotiations Is William Nylander worth more than $2M over what Jesper Bratt is being paid? | ||
| Yes | 115 | 26.9 % |
| No | 313 | 73.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
