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 signing is part of a broader strategy by Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson to enhance the team’s roster with players who possess both skill and character.
Johnson highlighted Cotter’s attributes, describing him as a versatile forward with a blend of size and speed. He also noted Cotter’s competitive nature on the ice, anticipating that he will be a valuable addition to the team’s bottom six forwards. The general manager expressed enthusiasm for the coaching staff 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 in the 2025-26 season. During this period, he recorded 15 points and 19 penalty minutes. He was a leading player for the Devils’ forwards in hits, accumulating 192, while averaging 10:41 of ice time per game.
The 6-foot-2, 213-pound forward has participated in 296 career games, split between the Vegas Golden Knights and the New Jersey Devils. Across these games, he has accumulated 82 points and 143 penalty minutes. Cotter also played in five postseason contests with New Jersey in 2024-25, where he recorded one assist. He was part of the team that won the Stanley Cup with Vegas in 2023.
A native of Canton, MI, Cotter has represented the United States in international competitions, including 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.
The Canucks’ focus on acquiring players like Cotter aligns with Johnson’s vision for a roster in transition, aiming to build a stronger team culture and support younger players. Johnson emphasized the importance of bringing in players who want to be in Vancouver, contributing to a positive team environment.
Other Roster Moves
In addition to Cotter, the Canucks have also made other significant moves. They signed veteran defenceman Luke Schenn to a one-year, $2.25 million contract. Schenn, from Saskatoon, has had previous stints with the Canucks in the 2018-19 season and from 2021-2023. He split the last season between the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres, where he recorded one goal and six assists over 50 games. Schenn has played in 1,122 games across 10 teams, scoring 45 goals and adding 167 assists. He also won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
The team also acquired defenceman Jamie Oleksiak, who signed a two-year contract with a $5 million cap hit. Oleksiak, 33, played in 78 games for the Seattle Kraken last season and has appeared in 758 career NHL games. Johnson described Oleksiak as a big body who moves well on the ice, highlighting his defensive capabilities and physical play.
Furthermore, the Canucks traded defenceman 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 strategy to reshape the defence corps and add size and potential to the team’s young defensive prospects.
Johnson reflected positively on the day’s activities, stating that the team was strategic in its approach, focusing on acquiring players with specific profiles and strong character. He noted that the new additions are individuals who expressed a desire to play in Vancouver.
The Canucks 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. These moves collectively aim to strengthen the Canucks’ roster for the upcoming season and beyond.
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Source: nhl.com
