With 5 victories in seven video games to start out the 2024-25 season, the New Jersey Devils have developed a profitable mindset below new head coach Sheldon Keefe. Nonetheless, a lot of their success is because of the new additions to their roster. Each offseason acquisition has offered depth, widening the Devils’ expertise provide. In flip, Keefe has been capable of take a look at gamers on numerous traces, together with former Vegas Golden Knight Paul Cotter.
On the finish of June, normal supervisor Tom Fitzgerald introduced that Cotter would be a part of the Devils’ roster (together with a 2025 third-round draft choose) in alternate for Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid. For some, it was unknown what he may convey to the desk, however Fitzgerald believed he had one thing particular to supply, and simply seven video games into the season, Cotter is on observe to succeed in profession highs.Â
Cotter leads the membership with 5 targets and has proven a exceptional mixture of excessive velocity, effectivity, and physicality. He can take pucks in deep, encompass the web, and create shot makes an attempt. He’s additionally not afraid to make use of his dimension to his benefit. He recorded 233 hits final season, a welcome enchancment over the crew’s lack of physicality prior to now. Actually, Cotter’s energy and expertise are paying homage to Miles Wooden, who signed a six-year cope with the Colorado Avalanche in 2023.
This season, Cotter additionally has a 70% on-ice targets proportion, together with 2.08 anticipated targets per 60 minutes. In accordance with NHL Edge, he is a good skater. In 2023-24, he ranked within the 84th percentile for prime skating velocity and the 87th percentile for velocity bursts over 20 miles per hour. Total, he appears to have solidified his position on the Devils for the remainder of the season.
Cotter’s Early Success in 2024-25
Final Saturday, Cotter shined within the Metropolitan showdown towards the Washington Capitals. He created numerous scoring alternatives, and Keefe promoted him to the third line, changing veteran left-winger Ondrej Palat, who has not but scored a degree this season. Cotter had a two-goal sport, discovering on the spot chemistry along with his new linemates. Erik Haula and Stefan Noesen assisted on his aim late within the first interval, giving the Devils an early 2-1 lead. Then, Cotter prolonged the Devils’ lead in the midst of the third, capitalizing on a rush alternative with Noesen. Whether or not he’s enjoying with the “Meat and Mitts” group or contributing on the third line, Cotter is proving to be a beneficial and versatile bottom-six ahead.Â
Paul Cotter is inevitable. pic.twitter.com/EYrB9Cwmpe
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 18, 2024
His laborious work was rewarded once more when the Devils confronted the Ottawa Senators on Thursday evening. Keefe put him on the second line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, whereas Tomas Tatar was swapped onto the third line. The Devils’ head coach was assured Cotter may pull his weight as a top-six left winger, and he instantly clicked along with his new linemates and even took a number of faceoffs rather than Hughes. Late within the third interval, his aim prolonged the Devils’ result in 3-0, assisted by Dougie Hamilton and Brenden Dillon. With a lot uncooked ability and potential, Cotter stays a chief candidate to have a breakout season.
Cotter’s Journey to the NHL
Cotter’s highway to the NHL was paved with grit, dedication, and dedication. He started his profession with the Brookings Blizzard of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), scoring 60 factors in 59 video games in 2016-2017. The next season, he grew to become eligible for the draft and performed in the US Hockey League (USHL) for the Lincoln Stars.Â
Cotter was drafted a hundred and fifteenth general within the fourth spherical by the Golden Knights in 2018 however didn’t make his NHL debut till 2021. Initially, he agreed to play faculty hockey at Western Michigan College however later determined to affix the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He additionally appeared with the Chicago Wolves and the Henderson Silver Knights within the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2019 to 2022.Â
Associated: Early New Jersey Devils Takeaways to Kick Off 2024-25 Season
In 2021-22, Cotter performed solely seven video games with the Golden Knights however noticed extra ice time the next season. In his sophomore NHL marketing campaign, he recorded 18 factors throughout 55 video games. Although he didn’t gown for the Golden Knights’ 2023 championship run, his identify was engraved on the Stanley Cup after enjoying over half of their regular-season video games.
Every little thing’s Coming Up Cotter
Lower than 10 video games into the season, Cotter has already established his position on the Devils. As their main aim scorer, he brings a mix of physicality and offensive drive that the crew desperately wanted final season. He additionally meshes effectively along with his teammates on any line. That is solely the start of a possible breakout marketing campaign for Cotter, and his expertise will solely develop additional as he enters his prime. Thus far, the Devils received this commerce.
