3 Things I Like About Paul Cotter On The Golden Knights
This season brings back most of the Golden Knights that won last season’s Stanley Cup. In a sense, it’s a bit of deja vu. Considering the hot start and Vegas being atop the Western Conference, it should come as no surprise for Golden Knights fans. Yes, even Paul Cotter is back.
Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Cotter are leading Vegas back to the top. Vegas even managed to bring back Adin Hill and Ivan Barbashev in the offseason, re-establishing themselves as Stanley Cup contenders.
However, there is one noticeable difference. Reilly Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2024 third-round pick in the offseason. There were some caveats to this, such as Smith‘s age (he’s 32) and Vegas’s need to give younger talent a chance.
That younger talent includes Cotter, who has the opportunity to prove himself. The former fourth-round pick brings plenty to the table in his own right, which will be a boon for the Golden Knights.
Of course, he’s sharing time with other young studs such as Pavel Dorofeyev and Nicolas Roy. Still, Cotter has some desirable attributes that can help the Vegas Golden Knights. Here are three things that the native of Canton, Michigan, brings to the table.
Cotter is the perfect fit for Bruce Cassidy’s defensive-minded system. He has no problem hitting people, which is evident from his 168 hits in 55 games last season. He already has 74 this season, which is good for fourth in the NHL. His physicality is wearing opponents down, helping Vegas go on the forecheck much easier.
It isn’t just knocking people around that he’s good at, though. He can also block shots. Last season, he blocked 17 shots in 55 games. A major part of Cassidy’s game plan is disrupting opposing offenses by limiting scoring chances. Cassidy’s zone defense is where Paul Cotter is molding into a good fit.
Cotter is also listed at 6’2″, weighing in at a mean 212 lbs. The Golden Knights love their size, which is evident by the metrics; Vegas is tied for the third-tallest team in the NHL at an average height of 73.9 inches. They’re also tied for the second-heaviest team, with an average weight of 206.3 lbs.
This size plays a major role in taking away those scoring chances. You need those bigger bodies in front of the net, blocking shots and clogging shooting lanes. Cotter is another solid big piece of Cassidy’s system, and it’s already showing.
However, Paul Cotter isn’t just another big body in Bruce Cassidy’s arsenal. He’s also displayed some good defensive skills in other departments.
How so? Last season, he had 17 takeaways in 55 games. this season, he’s already up to eight through 25, which is a promising sign of his development. He’s grown his game from his debut and continues to make defense a vital part of who he is.
You can also insert the young center in any part of the lineup, sans the first line. Whether it’s with William Karlsson or Chandler Stephenson, you can count on Paul Cotter being there. He fits in numerous spots and has even gotten such production on the power play (more on that in a bit).
Such versatility makes the Canton native a reliable asset for Cassidy. Have a player down? Just put Cotter there. Need to shuffle your lineup? There he is. If there’s one thing that makes the Golden Knights a great team, it’s their depth and utility. That’s where the center thrives and helps Vegas in numerous ways.
While Cotter has shown to be a reliable cog on the forecheck, he’s also shown he can score goals. Just take his 13 goals in his rookie season last year. It’s a sign that he can be a trustworthy piece on both ends of the ice.
This season, he’s grown his presence to the power play, where he already has two power play goals. Vegas has needed help on the power play for a while now. Seeing the center help the cause makes matters much easier for the Golden Knights.
However, there are some things that Cotter can improve upon. First, he can stand to be more effective as a player. His relative Corsi at even strength was -5.7 last season, while his current statline is -6.2.
Compare that to Eichel’s relative Corsi at even strength of 8.5 from last season and his 8.2 this year. Now look at Mark Stone’s metrics, where his relative Corsi at even strength was 10.4 last season and his current line is 8.9. Some work needs to be done on this front.
A part of Paul Cotter’s development stems from being able to take better shots. It’s going to take some time for him to develop. But judging from his 13 goals in his rookie season, he’s heading on the right path.