NHL Suspends Paul Cotter for Headshot on Adam Pelech

The verdict took less than 24 hours. The NHL Department of Player Safety announced their decision to suspend Paul Cotter for two games following his illegal check to the head of Adam Pelech.

The hit came during the second period of the New York Islanders’ 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils yesterday afternoon. The officials reviewed and ejected Cotter for an illegal check to the head, giving the Islanders a five-minute major power play.

Cotter injured Pelech on the play, who left bloodied and did not return. Pelech has a history of head injuries and his status for the final two games of the New York Islanders’ season remains unknown.

https://x.com/NHLPlayerSafety/status/1911863399211790477

The Devils have just two regular season games left, and Cotter will not miss any playoff games. The collision itself is rather ugly, and it’s one that left Pelech fuming.

https://x.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1911485615754838460

Islanders Hall of Famer and current color commentator Butch Goring dropped perhaps his best tweet of the season when shown Paul Bissonette defending the headshot:

https://x.com/91Butch/status/1911572578432319520

Butch is 100% right. While I doubt Cotter has the intention of injuring Pelech, he could have and should have done way more to avoid contact, especially to the head. He forfeits pay and the next two games as a consequence.