If the Devils are trying to maximize Jack Hughes, the simplest answer is sitting right there: keep Jesper Bratt beside him.
Hughes is the centerpiece in New Jersey. He’s put together four straight seasons of 70-plus points, and his gold-medal-clinching goal for Team USA pushed his name even further into the spotlight.
If the Devils are serious about getting back to the playoffs, they need that level of production to keep rolling. The cleanest way to help is to give him a linemate who fits his game, and Bratt is the best match.
The numbers back it up. Last season, Hughes and Bratt were on the same line 57.6% of the time, and those line combinations produced 34 points, the most of any of Hughes’ linemates.
They also connected for 20 points together on the power play. At five-on-five and with the man advantage, they kept finding ways to drive offense.
The underlying metrics tell the same story. Per Moneypuck, lines featuring both players posted a 55.4 xGoals% and 3.63 xGoals per 60 minutes.
Defensively, they held their own too, with a 7.7 xGoals Against and 2.5 xGoals Against per 60 minutes. That’s a duo that can tilt the ice without giving much back the other way.
Part of what makes the fit so clean is how similar they are as players. Both are known for their playmaking, and both can set up high-quality chances with smart passes.
They also cover for each other in different ways. Bratt may be a bit undersized, but he brings a physical edge and a pest-like presence that can make opponents think twice.
That kind of pushback gives Hughes room to operate.
Add a shoot-first winger to that mix, and the line could become even more dangerous. A finisher would give Hughes and Bratt a target for all those setups and could lift the point totals for everyone involved. Hughes and Bratt are at their best creating for others, and that strength is exactly what makes the pairing so effective.
For New Jersey, the path is pretty clear. If the goal is to do right by Hughes, Bratt belongs right next to him. It’s one of the strongest line combinations the organization has.
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