Devils F Jesper Bratt to miss opener with broken jaw
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Devils forward Jesper Bratt will miss the start of the season because of a broken jaw.
The 20-year-old Swede was hit in the face by a puck that was shot from the point and deflected off the crossbar during a practice on Thursday in Gothenburg, Sweden. The team said Friday he'll be out a few weeks but there is no need for surgery. He was placed on injured reserve.
The Devils will open their season against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday in Sweden.
Bratt had a surprising rookie season with 13 goals and 22 assists in 74 NHL games. He was a sixth-round draft pick in 2016.
The Devils signed veteran Drew Stafford to a one-year, $810,000 contract on Friday. The 32-year-old, who had been in training camp on a professional tryout offer, had eight goals and seven assists in 59 games with New Jersey last season.
