Why Did The Devils Trade For Paul Cotter?; Best & Worst Moments From The Offseason So Far

In yesterday's episode, I talked about Johnathan Kovacevic being an underrated get for Tom Fitzgerald. When the New Jersey Devils first obtained Paul Cotter, it sparked a debate. Because the team sacrificed Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid to get his services. Even though he's projected to be a bottom-6 player, Cotter does fill a need for New Jersey. I also talked about some of my favorite and least favorite moments from the offseason so far.
Interview soundbite: Paul Cotter (Courtesy of the New Jersey Devils)
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[@ryanreist6841]

I don’t understand the negativity that some have to these off season moves. In a matter of weeks Fitzy hired a solid new coach in Sheldon Keefe, got a legit starting goaltender, added size / depth / experience on the blue line, and brought in a more physical bottom six forward in Cotter. I know everyone was all starry eyed for a top six forward with names like Tkachuk, Stamkos and Marchessault floating around, but I think fans need to think of things this way. Last season the Devils were injury plagued, had league worst goaltending, and rookies anchoring the blue line. Despite all that, they were still in the wild card race until the last 15 or so games. So if Fitzy hadn’t made any changes this summer, but that same squad was just healthy for the full 24-25 season, that would probably be enough to squeak into the post season. Now factor in all the above mentioned upgrades along with a healthy squad, and there’s a lot to be looking forward to for Devils fans in my opinion.

[@ondra_vro]

Well said. Stamkos was unobtainable in free agency for that price and Marchessault preferred a friendship with Stamkos and presumably lower taxes in Nashville over NJ; Fitzgerald couldn't do anything about his decision when his agents then stopped answering the phone. Tkachuk is still an option, but I dare say it can't be done without trading Palat because of the salary cap (He has NMC, which can stop the trade immediately) and it will cost too much. We also can't trade Mercer because he, Meier and Bratt are the only Devils RW capable of playing top 6 and of those mentioned, one must play LW. Also in this scenario NJ needs to clear up 3M cap space. If Fitzgerald had acquired Tkachuk or Marchessault I would have been thrilled, but I think he solved problems that needed to be solved first.

[@MrAaron194]

Holtz had every opportunity to showcase his talent last season, with all the injuries, and he didn’t. The entire league took notice of this. And to make it worse, he didn’t get on team Sweden. His stock must have drastically gone down. In hindsight we should have sent him to the Sharks and kept Zetterlund.

[@TragicSlug420]

16 goals on the 4th line with barely any minutes was pretty good to me

[@Cape-Dweller]

I think they’ll regret trading Holtz.

[@robertlamkin6464]

Cotter’s profile seems more like a fourth liner. I do like the physicality.
I wanted to give Daws one more year, but Markstrom is an upgrade.

[@chillionaire7114]

Even if Holtz takes off in Vegas, it just wasn't going to happen in NJ. I think that kid needs a veteran leadership group to get through to him.

[@marccormier9384]

i feel Cotter going to be pretty good with the Devils 🔥

[@NJDEVILz86]

Ummm someone that HITS...even after the play...hes a gamer every shift

[@Stiiizz]

I don't see anyone talking about Colton white being signed back to the devils but I'm new to this so I don't really know how good he is

[@michaelmignone5869]

I think cotter was a good move despite whats posted about it on social media. We have our 2 nhl goalies, then daws/schmid (who both needed new deals) and poulter (who had the best year in utica of any of our goalies. So schmid or daws had to go and it wasn't going to be daws. For holtz, regardless where he got drafted, it was clear he wasn't going to work out here (whoevers fault that was, management, scouting or player). Holtz was going to be in bottom 6 but doesnt play a bottom 6 game. So a one for one of holtz for a guy like cotter is a fair swap, imo. Now schmid, we were probably going to let him go anyway, so a 3rd back is fair

[@nicholasconners1901]

You gotta stop calling it Silly Season.

[@mysterymystery5463]

Yesssss it was necessary!!!!!!

[@subfail4810]

Holtz gonna pot 20+ this year I think

[@bgcheese]

I think Holtz will be playing in Sweden in a few years. He was removed from the Swedish World Championship team. There is something that coaches are noticing from him or his play that they aren’t liking. I guess we’ll see how he does with the Knights.

[@captainmofongo584]

Was under the tutelage of what was considered 2 "players" coaches, and he couldn't do what was asked. It's not what Holtz does when he scores a goal it's what he's not doing when the puck is not on his stick. I hope he improves and can make it in Vegas, but this team just doesn't have the time at this juncture to accommodate a project like that. This is exactly why I wanted nothing to do with Cole Eiserman in the draft.

[@1verge1]

Yea once fitz kinda publically bashed him in that presser a while back, i thought he must be a problem. Whether its locker room, or being not very coachable, or just something we dont see on tv. At the same time i feel these coaches should take a page from belichick and "dont tell me what he cant do, tell me what he can do". And work to maximize what he does do well, which is shooting. But thats a different sport. Holtz gotta get in where he fits in and do the work thats asked of him if he wants to be an nhl player.