Bratt and Fitzgerald share their excitement and focus on the future.
At 9:30 A.M. on Thursday, June 15, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald opened his e-mail and saw the news he had been waiting for.
"Jesper has accepted your terms. We have a deal."
The long-awaited e-mail was from Joakim Persson, the agent of 24-year-old Jesper Bratt. After all this time, Fitzgerald could finally celebrate that he had locked up his speedy winger for the next eight years.
"It was always a priority to keep Jesper Bratt here long term, and both parties are thrilled that a deal was completed," said Fitzgerald in the team's press release. "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."
Not even 24 hours later, the general manager held a Zoom media availability to discuss his latest accomplishment. Sporting a white New Jersey Devils' zip-up and a huge grin, he talked about his excitement as well as the excitement of his players.
"Knowing that we've got a core player wrapped up for the next eight years is exciting, Fitzgerald said. I know his teammates are very excited, particularly two centers that are on our team - Jack (Hughes) and Nico (Hischier). Bratt's excited, and we're excited. It's behind us. It's here. All we're really dwelling on right now is the future."
Bratt revealed during his Zoom media availability that before the news broke, he reached out and texted Hischier to let him know the deal was done.
"I wanted to let him know since he's the leader and captain of the team," he said. "I wanted him to hear from me personally and not just read it in the media. I wanted him to be aware of the situation."
In past interviews, the young Swede has not been shy about his wanting to remain in New Jersey. During his end-of-season media availability, he confidently said, "We'll get (the contract) done. I'll see you guys for the next couple of years to come."
Currently, Bratt is back home in Sweden. When he spoke to the media at 9:00 A.M. EST, he was relaxed, wearing a black collared short sleeve polo. At the start of his availability, he spoke about the team's core and what the group was able to accomplish during the 2022-23 season. He continued to say it was his main goal to stay with the team and grow with his teammates.
"I'm really excited. I'm just so happy we could get it done."
Fitzgerald credited his entire team, including David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Tad Brown, and Kate Madigan, among others, who contributed to getting this deal done. He can now turn his attention to his other free agents as things begin to heat up. As for Bratt, he will go through a similar training routine that he's done in the past but will take tonight to celebrate his new contract with his family.