CANUCKS AGREE TO TERMS WITH PAUL COTTER ON A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT
The Vancouver Canucks have announced an agreement with forward Paul Cotter on a one-year contract. The deal is valued at $2.15 million AAV. This move is part of the team’s strategy to enhance its roster with players who possess a blend of size, speed, and competitive drive.
Ryan Johnson, the Canucks’ General Manager, highlighted Cotter’s versatility and physical attributes. Johnson noted that Cotter’s profile is seen as a positive addition, particularly for the team’s bottom six forwards. The coaching staff is reportedly eager to work with Cotter to further develop his game.
Cotter’s Career Overview
Cotter, who is 26 years old, played in 79 games for the New Jersey Devils during the 2025-26 season. In these appearances, he recorded 15 points and accumulated 19 penalty minutes. He was a significant physical presence, leading all Devils forwards in hits with 192, while averaging 10:41 of ice time per game.
His career spans 296 games, split between the Vegas Golden Knights and the New Jersey Devils. Over this period, Cotter has registered 82 points and 143 penalty minutes. He also participated in five postseason contests with New Jersey in 2024-25, where he recorded one assist. Cotter was part of the Vegas Golden Knights team that won the Stanley Cup in 2023.
A native of Canton, MI, Cotter has also represented the United States internationally. His international appearances include the 2018 World Junior A Challenge and the 2026 World Championships. He was originally drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the fourth round, 115th overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Other Canucks Signings
In other team news, the Vancouver Canucks also brought back veteran defenceman Luke Schenn on a one-year contract valued at $2.25 million. Schenn, from Saskatoon, has a history with the Canucks, having played for the team in the 2018-19 season and again from 2021 to 2023.
Schenn split the previous season between the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres, where he recorded one goal and six assists across 50 games. Drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008, Schenn has played in 1,122 career games for 10 different teams, scoring 45 goals and adding 167 assists. His career also includes stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Nashville Predators. He secured two Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
General Manager Ryan Johnson emphasized the importance of acquiring high-character players to build a stronger team culture. He noted the focus on veterans who can support younger defencemen and contribute a physical element to the roster. Johnson stated that the team sought players who wanted to be in Vancouver, highlighting this as a crucial factor in their recruitment strategy.
The Canucks also acquired defenceman Jamie Oleksiak, who signed a two-year contract with a $5 million cap hit. Oleksiak, who is 33, played in 78 games for the Seattle Kraken last season and has participated in 758 career NHL games. Johnson described Oleksiak as a strong two-way defenceman who utilizes his size and strength effectively.
Additionally, the Canucks traded Marcus Pettersson to the New York Rangers for a 2030 first-round draft choice, which is top 10 protected. This move was part of Johnson’s plan to adjust the defensive lineup and add size and potential to the team’s young core.
The team also signed Akil Thomas, who is 26 years old. Thomas did not play in the NHL this past season, and is expected to play a significant role in Abbotsford.
Source: nhl.com
