Prediction #2: Paul Cotter will be on the first line by season's end
We’ve been on the Paul Cotter train for a long time. He’s played well with Mark Stone and William Karlsson. While he was playing on the Vegas Golden Knights bottom line at the end of last season, he’s had that role as the third guy on a great line. The Devils will likely use Cotter in that role at some point.
In two games, Cotter has two goals and an assist. According to Natural Stat Trick, Cotter was on the ice for seven high-danger chances and just two against at 5v5. He’s one of three players on the Devils to get multiple 5v5 points in the first two games. One of the others is Jack Hughes.
Again, Cotter has experience on these top lines. He’s done it at the highest level. This isn’t Nick Foligno and Philipp Kurashev playing 300 minutes with Connor Bedard because the Blackhawks have nothing on the roster. Coaches wanted to give Cotter that spot over players who are conceivably more talented.
Right now, Cotter is playing well on the fourth line with Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian, but give it some time. Sheldon Keefe isn’t the type of “line blender” coach we’re used to with Lindy Ruff, but he’s played guys up in the lineup that have surprised. This is how Auston Matthews ended up with Max Domi. This will be similar, and the Devils will finally have someone who can “protect” Jack Hughes, although we still have that low on the totem pole.