A preview of Canucks forward Paul Cotter's 2026-27 season.
Welcome to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s 2026–27 player preview article series. This series will outline the expectations for every player projected to play for the Canucks during the 2026–27 season. Today’s player is new Canucks forward Paul Cotter.
Cotter’s 2025–26 Season
Cotter was the first 2026 free-agent signing announced by Vancouver, with the forward inking a one-year, $2.15M deal with the Canucks. A depth player, Cotter has spent the past two seasons with the New Jersey Devils, registering 22 and 15 points in 2024–25 and 2025–26 respectively. In 2024–25, he scored a career-high of 16 goals in 79 games.
In 2025–26, Cotter’s offensive production dipped a fair bit, as he went from his career-highs in 2024–25 to 15 points in 79 games the past year. His ice time also took a bit of a hit, dropping to 10:41 minutes from 13:05 the year prior. The highest ice time he recorded in a single game during the 2025–26 season was 16:58 minutes in a 3–2 shootout win against the Washington Capitals, during which he logged an assist.
Outside of the NHL, Cotter also represented Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. He played on a line with new Canucks teammate Max Sasson for the bulk of the tournament, with the duo, alongside Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier. He scored two goals and two assists in eight games for Team USA.
Dec 19, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Paul Cotter (47) prepares for the game against the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn ImagesCotter’s 2026–27 Predictions
Cotter can bring some handy versatility to Vancouver’s bottom-six, as he’s able to play both at center and at wing. Realistically, however, the forward will likely begin the season at wing, given that this is where he has played most often both at the NHL level and internationally as of late.
As a forward with a fair bit of speed and physicality (he had 192 hits in 2025–26), Cotter will be best suited to fulfill an identity role with the Canucks, contributing offence at a depth rate but maintaining a good energy on the ice. While his contract is only for the 2026–27 season, a strong campaign to start the year may propel Cotter to different opportunities up-and-down the lineup.
Bold prediction: Cotter signs a contract extension with the Canucks ahead of the 2027 Trade Deadline.
Canucks 2026–27 Player Previews:
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