A New Chapter for the Canucks' Forward Corps
The Vancouver Canucks announced on Tuesday that they have secured forward Paul Cotter on a one‑year contract worth $2.15 million, locking the 2018 fourth‑round pick into the roster through the upcoming season.
Cotter, who honed his game with the Vegas Golden Knights before a stint with the New Jersey Devils, brings a blend of size, grit and face‑off versatility that makes him a natural fit for the team’s bottom‑six.
Coaches have highlighted his ability to slide between center and wing, a flexibility that could prove vital as the club looks to refresh its depth ahead of the next campaign.
His reunion with former linemate Max Sasson adds an intriguing storyline. Sasson, who recently transitioned between center and wing, paired with Cotter at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, contributing to Team USA’s success with a goal and an assist in eight games.
The duo’s chemistry was evident when they combined for Sasson’s first point and Cotter’s opening goal of the tournament, and they finished the event alongside forward Mathieu Olivier, forming a physically imposing line that also generated offense.
There is growing speculation that the Canucks might reunite Cotter and Sasson as a third‑ or fourth‑line pairing, potentially alongside a scrappy winger such as Brendan Gallagher. Such a combination could give Vancouver a tougher, more versatile bottom line.
General manager Patrik Allvin hinted that the organization is evaluating several options for the fourth line, and the Cotter‑Sasson tandem is certainly among the candidates being tested during training camp.