Yahoo Sports Devils Forward Brings Physicality Against Kings, Matches Career High
Lately, there has been a lot of discourse about the New Jersey Devils bottom-six forward group.
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While the third and fourth lines have lacked offense, Paul Cotter has been finding other ways to contribute to his team.
Against the Los Angeles Kings, the 25-year-old had eight hits, which tied his season and career-high in a game. He previously hit that mark on Oct. 14 against the Utah Hockey Club.
It is the most that a Devils player recorded in a single game this season.
Through the first half of the 2024-25 season, Cotter leads his team with 138 hits in 41 games. The second-most is defenseman Brenden Dillon, with 103.
Nov 10, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Paul Cotter (47) before a game against the San Jose Sharks at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Prior to scoring a goal on Dec. 31 against the Anaheim Ducks, he had a 19-game goalless drought. Before the holiday break, Cotter spoke to The Hockey News about the aggrevations of not contributing to the scoresheet.
"Major frustration, but I mean, at the end of the day, this is the type of stuff that really sucks if your team is not winning," he said of his line not generating goals. "At the end of the day, we are winning, so yeah, we are pissed off that opportunities aren't going in for us, but once the game ends, it is pretty much a flush because we won the game."
Against the Kings, Cotter's line with Erik Haula and Dawson Mercer had a few strong offensive zone shifts, and it seems the trio is on the right path and getting closer to finding their scoring touch.
While the points have not been inconsistent, Cotter has prioritized playing his game and adding physicality to New Jersey's lineup. His 138 hits are fourth most in the league behind Kiefer Sherwood (Vancouver Canucks), Mark Kastelic (Boston Bruins), and Luke Schenn (Nashville Predators).
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