Cotter completed his two-game suspension Wednesday and is eligible to play in Game 1 of New Jersey's first-round series against Carolina on Sunday.
Cotter finished the regular season with 16 goals, 22 points, 62 PIM and 245 hits in 79 appearances. He'll likely serve in a bottom-six capacity during the playoffs.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Receives two-game suspension
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The NHL Department of Player Safety issued a two-game suspension to Cotter on Monday for an illegal check to the head against Adam Pelech (upper body) of the Islanders on Sunday.
Cotter will miss the final two games of the regular season, but he will be eligible to return in Game 1 of the playoffs versus Carolina. The 25-year-old forward has 16 goals, 22 points, 90 shots on net, 245 hits and 52 PIM across 79 appearances this season. Stefan Noesen (rest), Nolan Foote, Curtis Lazar or Marc McLaughlin could replace Cotter in the lineup against Boston on Tuesday.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Facing possible suspension
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Cotter will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday for an illegal check to the head of the Islanders' Adam Pelech (upper body) on Sunday.
Cotter received a match penalty in the second period of Sunday's 1-0 loss as a result of his wrongdoing. The 25-year-old has never been suspended in his four-year NHL career, which could help his case. New Jersey has two matchups remaining on its regular-season schedule, and if Cotter receives a suspension, it's unlikely to be for more than two games.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Pots goal Thursday
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Cotter scored a goal and added two hits in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Flames.
Cotter has two goals over his last five games, though he's largely been limited to fourth-line duties. The 25-year-old forward centered that trio Thursday with Curtis Lazar (undisclosed) out of action. Cotter is at 15 goals, six helpers, 79 shots on net, 218 hits, 47 PIM and a minus-11 rating over 69 appearances this season.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Nets goal after scratch
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Cotter scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Blue Jackets.
Cotter endured a seven-game slump coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Devils scratched him Sunday versus the Flyers, but he was back in a fourth-line role Tuesday, and he ended his slump with a first-period tally. The 25-year-old now has a career-high 14 goals, but he's added just six helpers over 65 appearances, so he's still five points back of matching his 2023-24 total of 25 in 76 games. Cotter also has 206 hits, 76 shots on net, 47 PIM and a minus-8 rating. The Devils acquired Cody Glass and Daniel Sprong in trades to bolster their forward depth, so Cotter's spot in the lineup is far from secure down the stretch.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Scores in Saturday's win
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Cotter had one goal, three shots on net, one blocked shot and one hit in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Montreal.
Cotter's 13th goal of 2024-25 matched his previous best from the 2022-23 campaign when he achieved the feat in 55 games. He has been cold offensively, earning three goals on 16 shots in his last 14 outings. Cotter has 19 points and a team-leading 185 hits through 57 appearances this season.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Scores twice in road loss
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Cotter produced two even-strength goals on three shots, four hits and a plus-2 rating in 14:15 of ice time in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Sabres.
Cotter cut the Sabres' lead to two on two separate occasions, but his efforts weren't enough to pull off the comeback in Buffalo. The 25-year-old had been held off the scoresheet in 10 consecutive games prior to Sunday. Furthermore, his last assist came against Columbus on Dec. 19, so he hasn't been much of a factor offensively after a productive first month of the season (eight points over 13 contests). He does add value in the form of hits, having racked up 180 across 54 outings. The Michigan native is at 12 goals, 18 points and a minus-7 rating in 2024-25.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Scores in back-to-back games
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Cotter scored a goal, took two shots and recorded a hit in Monday's 3-2 win over the Kraken.
Cotter found the back of the net for the second consecutive game, marking the first time he scored in back-to-back contests since the first two games of the campaign. Cotter, who has found the twine thrice over his last five games, has 10 goals and six assists across 43 contests. However, he's not expected to have a prominent role on offense due to his role as a bottom-six forward.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Scores in loss
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Cotter scored a goal, doled out five hits and went minus-2 in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Sharks.
Cotter has two goals over the last four games, but he's picked up just three points across his last 23 outings. The 25-year-old remains in a middle-six role, providing plenty of physicality even in his cold stretches on offense. For the season, Cotter is at nine goals, six assists, 51 shots on net, 143 hits, 37 PIM and a minus-4 rating through 42 appearances.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Helps in win
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Cotter picked up an assist, two shots on net, one block and five hits in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Canadiens.
In a battle for a puck in the corner, Cotter managed to direct it with his skate to Erik Haula, who set up Jonas Siegenthaler for the Devils' third goal. The third-line winger's hot start to the season has faded a bit, but Cotter has points in two straight and 10 points over 16 outings. Whether he's scoring or not, Cotter makes opponents feel his presence; he's up to a team-high 53 hits.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Tallies in Sunday's win
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Cotter scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Ducks.
Cotter has a goal and an assist over his last two games after going three contests without a point. The 24-year-old forward saw 15:54 of ice time Sunday, his second-highest total of the season, though he remains in a third-line role. He's contributed six goals, two assists, 22 shots on net, 33 hits, eight PIM and a minus-2 rating through 12 appearances, offering physical play and steady depth offense.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Pots two goals in win
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Cotter tallied two goals on four shots and added two hits in Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Capitals.
Cotter has been scorching to start the season with four goals and five points in his first four games. The 24-year-old could have a breakout year in the high-octane offense of the Devils. However, he is unlikely to maintain his current scoring pace. After all, he recorded a career-high 25 points in 76 regular-season contests with Vegas in 2023-24.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Two points in win
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Cotter scored an empty-net goal and picked up an assist in a 4-1 victory over Buffalo on Friday.
Cotter was part of a three-player deal between the Devils and Golden Knights back in June, and he impressed in his New Jersey debut. Despite a fourth-line role that came with just 10:13 of ice time, the Michigan-born winger still managed to pick up two points and seal the game with his empty-net tally.
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Devils' Paul Cotter: Acquired in deal
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New Jersey obtained Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick from Vegas on Saturday in exchange for Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid.
Cotter collected seven goals, 25 points, 100 shots on net and 233 hits in 76 games during the 2023-24 campaign. He could occupy a bottom-six role with the Devils next season while seeing some power-play time.
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Golden Knights' Paul Cotter: Logs helper in win
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Cotter notched an assist in Friday's 7-2 win over the Wild.
Cotter has three helpers over his last eight outings, and he's also racked up 21 hits in that span. His heavy playing style is a good fit for the bottom six and could also have value in the playoffs, if he's able to keep his place in the lineup once Mark Stone (spleen) and William Carrier (upper body) return. Cotter has 25 points, 99 shots on net, 226 hits and a minus-9 rating through 73 appearances this season.
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Golden Knights' Paul Cotter: Gets on scoresheet with helper
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Cotter notched an assist, two shots on goal, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Predators.
Cotter had been scratched for five of the previous six games, but he got into the lineup when William Carrier (upper body) couldn't play Tuesday. The helper snapped a five-game slump for Cotter. The 24-year-old forward has 23 points, 95 shots on net, 205 hits, 41 PIM and a minus-8 rating through 66 contests, but he doesn't have a guaranteed spot in the lineup when the Golden Knights are at or near full health up front.
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Golden Knights' Paul Cotter: Dishes two assists in loss
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Cotter registered a pair of assists in Saturday's 7-2 loss to the Sabres.
This was Cotter's first multi-point effort since Dec. 21. The 24-year-old has a career-high 22 points, 85 shots on net, 190 hits and 37 PIM through 60 appearances. He's also earned four power-play points, including one of his assists Saturday. Cotter saw 17:23 of ice time in the blowout loss, and he could join Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson on the top line if Brendan Brisson is removed from that spot at some point.
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Golden Knights' Paul Cotter: Sparks comeback push
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Cotter scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Bruins.
Cotter snapped a six-game point drought with his second-period tally, which got the Golden Knights on the board after they fell behind 3-0. The 24-year-old forward is up to 20 points, 85 shots on net, 188 hits, 37 PIM and a minus-10 rating over 59 appearances this season. While he's had some top-six looks, he's most often played on the third line in recent weeks, providing physicality and energy with limited offense.
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Golden Knights' Paul Cotter: Chips in with helper
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Cotter logged an assist, four shots on goal and five hits in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Predators.
Cotter picked up his first point in three games since he returned from a one-game absence due to an illness. The 24-year-old winger is up to 20 points, 79 shots on net, 166 hits, 33 PIM and a minus-8 rating through 55 outings. He's on track for a career year virtually across the board as he continues to log middle-six minutes and occasional power-play time.
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Golden Knights' Paul Cotter: Unavailable Monday
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Cotter (illness) will not suit up Monday against Minnesota.
Cotter tallied a point in each of his last four games after an 11-game scoring drought. The 24-year-old should be back in the lineup Saturday against Carolina barring a setback. Sheldon Rempal was promoted from AHL Henderson and is expected to dress in Cotter's absence.
