Paul Cotter Suspended For Remainder of Regular Season — Devils Announce Roster Moves

After a lengthy wait, the NHL announced that Paul Cotter was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head on Adam Pelech. The Devils also announced two roster moves.

Paul, oh Paul.

I was disappointed when Paul Cotter took the five-minute major penalty for illegal check to the head in yesterday’s game against the New York Islanders. This is not because the hit was particularly horrific — such a hit would have had him out for playoff games — but because the game was completely meaningless. The Islanders were eliminated. The Devils are going to be third place in the Metropolitan Division. Nothing was changing in yesterday’s game except for the Islanders’ draft position and the players’ individual statistics.

Am I surprised that the hit was looked at by the league and deemed suspension-worthy? After looking at the replay a few times, I am not sure I can buy the TNT intermission group’s excuses for the hit, which you can watch above. It was generous of the crew to mitigate the image of intent, but I do not think they captured the kind of player that Paul Cotter is. Yes, he does not have a reputation for head-hunting, and he didn’t exactly “chicken-wing” Pelech with his elbow — but Paul Cotter averages 251 hits per 82 games played. He broke the New Jersey Devils record for recorded hits since it became an official stat in the 2007-08 season. Someone who throws so many hits and manages to avoid penalty minutes much better than most guys with hit totals like that (he only had 47 PIMs in 78 games prior to yesterday) should always be aware of the potential for contact.

Had Cotter skated more towards the boards after missing the puck (you can see this angle at 0:55), he could have avoided the contact with Pelech. To me, it looks like he starts skating at the puck, and then turns up at Pelech when he doesn’t get the puck. If that’s just because Paul thinks he can take the puck up the ice for a breakaway, maybe that turn is excusable. But since this is a guy who throws a lot of hits, I think you can also argue that Cotter should see he is not going to make a play on this puck. Instead of turning to cut the pass off, and then turning up at Pelech, Cotter could have taken a straight line the whole way at Pelech, hitting through Pelech’s shoulder if he cannot get there on time to poke the puck away.

The point is simple: Cotter saw this play develop, and he had a lane to deliver a thunderous and clean hit, instead choosing the higher-risk lane that put Pelech at risk in exchange for the possibility of stripping the puck for a breakaway. Meanwhile, he never even goes into a glide prior to the contact. So, there are a few levels of danger to the hit, and the NHL needs to enforce this kind of hit more consistently around the league if they want to protect players. The NHL’s official explanation for the suspension can be seen here.

In Other News

The New Jersey Devils also had two roster transactions to announce. The first was the recall of Marc McLaughlin from the Utica Comets to the NHL. McLaughlin, 25, has six goals and zero assists in 26 NHL games — all with Boston — while compiling 26 goals and 37 assists in 183 games in the AHL. Even at lower levels, he has not been much of a producer, while building a reputation for strong defensive zone play. Frankly, I am not sure the Devils need more of that kind of play, but perhaps he will prove that he can score more greasy goals with the Devils. McLaughlin was acquired in the trade deadline move that sent Daniil Misyul to Boston, which was not a trade I was particularly fond of at the time, even though Misyul had not taken much of a a step in his second AHL season. Cotter’s suspension has given McLaughlin a chance to show what he’s got just in time for the playoffs, so let us hope that he proves to be someone that can help the team.

Additionally, the Devils also announced that the Utica Comets will be gaining Cam Squires, the 122nd overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft. With the Cape Breton Eagles, Squires posted a career-high 75 points in 58 games with a +26 rating this season, marking four straight years in juniors where he improved both marks. Squires might not have turned into a huge scorer, but the apparent growth in his two-way play should give the Devils reason to believe he will adapt well to the AHL. Squires should bring a faster, balanced game from the wing, perhaps injecting more energy into their bottom six play down the line, after he bulks up in the AHL. Back when he was drafted, I was very happy with how he presented himself as a person and thought it was a pretty good selection by the Devils given the round. As long as he brings his attitude to professional hockey, he will be an NHLer.

Lastly, Frank Seravalli reported that the Devils are signing Boston University forward Shane LaChance to an entry-level contract, though the team has not revealed the details as of now. The only detail I can think of to be discussed would be whether he is signing immediately, to report to Utica or New Jersey, or if the ELC will begin as of the 2025-26 season. I would certainly like to see LaChance, who was acquired in the Trent Frederic trade, report this season, as I was a big fan of his game in the Frozen Four title game. Alas, we will have to wait for more details from the team.

Your Thoughts

What did you think of the Cotter hit on Pelech? How do you think McLaughlin will integrate himself into the team’s structure? How do you think Squires will adjust to AHL hockey? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.