Paul Cotter thriving as Canucks visit Devils, his former team

Vancouver Canucks forward Paul Cotter will face his former team on Saturday when the Canucks visit the New Jersey Devils in Newark, New Jersey. Cotter has enjoyed a strong start in Vancouver, leading the team with four goals in five games after signing as a free agent in the offseason. He also earned NHL Third Star of the Week honors before his four-game points streak ended during Thursday's 7-2 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes.

New Jersey allowed Cotter to leave without a qualifying offer during an offseason overhaul led by new general manager Sunny Mehta, prompting Cotter to sign a one-year, $2.15 million contract with Vancouver. Both teams enter Saturday's matchup looking to end two-game losing streaks, with the Canucks continuing a six-game road trip and the Devils aiming to secure their first regulation lead of the season.