Breaking: Devils' Paul Cotter Handed Multi-Game Suspension By NHL Player Safety

An illegal headshot has cost the New Jersey Devils' Paul Cotter a two-game suspension, meaning his regular season is over.

New Jersey’s Paul Cotter has been suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head against NY Islanders’ Adam Pelech. https://t.co/mF1jSNZ9U3
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 14, 2025

NHL's Department of Player Safety made the ruling after reviewing the incident from Sunday's game.

"Cotter leans into a high, hard check that... misses Pelech's core, and hits his head, making it the main point of contact on a play in which it was avoidable," said DoPS in its ruling.

"Cotter takes a poor angle of approach, choosing an angle that causes him to cut across the front of Pelech's body, missing his core. He raises his left leg and leans into the contact."

Paul Cotter got the boot from the game for this hit on Adam Pelech, and Pelech was RAGING after💥
pic.twitter.com/mOSyMITsts
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 13, 2025

The play unfolded at high speed in the neutral zone during the second period of Sunday's Devils-Islanders game. Cotter caught Pelech hard right in the face with his shoulder, leaving the Isles' defenseman bloodied—and mighty furious.

A bloodied Adam Pelech to Paul Cotter after his illegal check to his head:

“You fucking dunce! Fuck you!” pic.twitter.com/NvUZ7QparR
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 13, 2025

Although Cotter attempted to apologize to Pelech, he never got a chance to as he was ejected from the game. If you can read lips (or the above tweet) you'll get the gist of what Pelech shouted at him.

Cotter will be eligible for Game 1 of the playoffs, so all the suspension amounts to, really, is some rest for the Devils forward ahead of the big dance.

This is the 25-year-old's first time being disciplined by the NHL in his three seasons.