New Jersey Devils 2023-24 season awards

I took a closer look at which Devils were most deserving of the NHL's major awards.

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The New Jersey Devils were a massive disappointment in 2023-24. They entered the season as one of the favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup and yet they are hitting the links as half the league gets set to begin their quest for the Holy Grail.

Lost in the fog of a very underwhelming year were some excellent individual performances.

Let’s take a closer look as we hand out many of the major awards to the Devils player I feel is most deserving.

Art Ross: Jesper Bratt

Jesper Bratt played in all 82 games and averaged more than a point per game for the first time in his NHL career.

That was enough to lead an injury-plagued Devils team in scoring, although with ~20 points fewer than I would have expected the leading producer – likely Jack Hughes – to record this season.

That being said, I want to take nothing away from Bratt. He was a model of consistency for a team that had very little of it.

He created chances in bulk for his linemates every night and established himself as one of the upper-echelon playmakers in this league.

Rocket Richard: Timo Meier

Meier’s first full season with the Devils was a disaster in many ways. He spent much of the year sidelined with injury or playing at less than 100%. He was a staple on the 3rd line for most of Lindy Ruff’s time as bench boss. He didn’t get a real chance on the top power play unit until Tyler Toffoli was traded in March. And he still led the team in goals. Truly incredible.

While it wasn’t the highest bar to clear, I find it extremely encouraging that Meier could overcome all of that and score more goals than anybody on a roster with a handful of star forwards.

With better health, top power play time, etc., I think Meier could be a 40-goal guy again next season.

Hart Trophy: Jesper Bratt

Timo Meier scored more goals. Jack Hughes recorded more points per game. Nico Hischier played more difficult minutes. And yet I think it’s fair to say Bratt was unquestionably the most valuable player on the Devils in 2023-24.

Bratt led the team in assists, primary assists, points, and 5v5 points while posting strong on-ice impacts.

He also lapped the field in terms of Goals Above Replacement, finishing with a sparkling rating of +23.6.

That put him 10 GAR clear of the closest Devil (Jack Hughes) and sandwiched him between David Pastrnak and Kirill Kaprizov when looking at the league as a whole.

There’s also something to be said for playing 82 games. Availability is the best ability and Bratt was a reliable contributor every night for a team that had very few of them.

Hopefully, the Devils’ stars will be healthier a season from now and Bratt has more competition as he attempts to defend his title.

Selke: Jesper Bratt