Paul Cotter’s arrival in Vancouver is already turning heads, and now the league has put a spotlight on it too.
After just four games with the Canucks, the 26-year-old forward is tied for the NHL lead with four goals and sits tied for third in the league with six points. That fast start earned him third-star honors from the NHL this week, a recognition that matches the way he’s come out of the gate for Vancouver.
The Canucks haven’t had one of their players land on the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week list since Quinn Hughes in November 2025. Cotter’s early production has given Vancouver exactly the kind of immediate impact teams hope for when a new addition steps in and starts producing right away.
Jake DeBrusk said after practice on Tuesday that Cotter’s start didn’t come out of nowhere.
"Well, I remember last year, actually, I think he had a pretty good start with New Jersey, said Jake DeBrusk after practice on Tuesday. I remember playing against him.
I think it was his first ever game against us in Vegas. He was playing center, and I remember he wanted to grab Marshy (Brad Marchand) and scrum or something like that, and I had to step in.
We were talking about that. But I do remember that game.
Obviously, he's got such good hands, such a good skill set. I think for him, whenever you come to a new team, you want to make your mark.
And you know, third star of the week is a great start."
Cotter has also shown how useful he can be in different spots throughout the lineup. He’s been used in all situations, and he’s the only player in the league this season to score at even strength, on the power play, and shorthanded.
Head coach Manny Malhotra also weighed in on Tuesday, calling the league recognition a welcome sign for a player who’s done plenty to earn it.
"It's always a nice accomplishment to be recognized by the league," said Malhotra. "He's had a great start for us.
Hopefully, that continues with the work ethic he is putting in. For him to get recognized like that, it's a nice feather in his cap."
The timing matters, too. Cotter is an unrestricted free agent after the season, and if this pace holds, he could be setting himself up for a major payday. Vancouver signed him to a one-year deal this offseason worth an AAV of $2.15 million.
For now, though, the story is simpler than all that: Cotter has come in, produced immediately, and given the Canucks a jolt that has both teammates and the league taking notice.
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