Devils' Jesper Bratt Remains Underrated According to Teammate

New Jersey Devils forward Chris Tierney believes his teammate Jesper Bratt still remains one the more underrated players in the NHL.

After a third straight 70-plus point performance and an appearance at the NHL All-Star Weekend, is New Jersey Devils forward Jesper Bratt still considered an underrated player in the league?

His teammate Chris Tierney believes so.

For six seasons, Tierney only knew Bratt as his opposition, a solid winger on the visiting team known for his skill and speed.

"You obviously see him around the league and know he is a good player."

Playing against a player for 20 minutes a few times a season is vastly different than being his teammate and having a front-row seat to his game in addition to his practice habits.

"I think seeing him every day, day in and day out, you appreciate how good he actually is," Tierney said. "Just firsthand actually seeing him and the work he puts in off the ice and how professional he is. His approach to the game is impressive."

Bratt finished the 2023-24 campaign with a career-high 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists) in 82 games. Of those 83 points, 27 were earned on the power play, marking a new career high for a single season for the Swede.

"He is probably one of the most underrated players in the league," Tierney continued.

Per Devils PR, only two other players in Devils history have recorded three or more consecutive 70-point campaigns besides Bratt: Kirk Muller (five straight from 1986-87 to 1990-91) and John MacLean (three straight from 1988-89 to 1990-91).

During his exit interview, Bratt downplayed his individual achievements, instead focusing on the team's disappointing season.

"There's things throughout the year I improved on. I think I took my game to the next step, but at the same time, I am still standing here in the middle of April, and the season is over. I can't say I'm pleased by any means."

New Jersey finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division and was 10 points out of the final wild card spot. It was a disappointing season for Devils players and their fans, and Bratt knows it.

"It wasn't a step in the direction that we wanted to go. We have to see this as a big motivation and use it as fuel for the summer … We really have to dial it in as individuals to come back as a better player, more mature, and ready to do the right things to get this team back in the playoffs where we should be."

As for Tierney, he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. During his exit interview, he said he would love to return to New Jersey.

"I really enjoyed my time here. Not sure, obviously, what is going to happen. We will kind of see as free agency approaches and see what is going to kind of take place."