Nick Paul Re-Signs in Tampa for Seven Years

Nick Paul does it all. And now he has signed on the dotted line to return to the Tampa Bay Lightning for seven more years. Paul’s deal comes in at an Average Annual Value of $3.15 Million.

Paul was acquired at this past trade deadline in exchange for Mathieu Joseph and a fourth round draft pick in 2024. Paul instantly became a fan favorite as a result of a couple of highlight reel plays early on in his time in Tampa and his legend grew in the playoffs.

The biggest moment(s) of all came in game seven in round one against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Paul cemented himself in Lightning history with a pair of goals in game seven to take down the Leafs in their own barn. For a Toronto area native to crush the Leafs like that on their home ice, in a game seven, on a Saturday night? There is nothing bigger than that.

Tampa Bay determined that this was too good of a player to let slip away. Clearly it was a priority to bring him back this offseason as it was the first impactful piece of business that was done. He is the type of player that puts you over the edge.  A big, tall, strong, forward who can skate and play down the middle is something that every contender is looking for and he was the type of player the Lightning had and Toronto did not. That is the type of player you need.

At $3.15 Million, Paul comes in with pretty decent value to the cap strapped Lightning. Paul is 27 years old and the only thing about the deal that may raise some concern is the seven year term and the No-Trade Clause in the first four years of the deal.

Whether or not Paul plays out the entirety of the seven years until he is 34 with the Lightning is far from a guarantee but the good value on the AAV makes it a deal that works out well for both sides.

Paul played like a top six forward at times in this most recent cup run. With the team at full health he his probably not a top six forward. But, he certainly makes for a very strong third line option to fill the sort of hole left behind by Barclay Goodrow.

Tampa Bay has made it clear that they would like to re-sign Ondrej Palat as well. They likely already have a number in mind in order to make it work for him. More than likely, somebody under contract will have to be moved in order to make that work. The Ryan McDonagh rumors began making the rounds yesterday as a potential way the Lightning could gain some cap flexibility.

With the offseason now in full swing, the Lightning are certainly a team with some challenges at hand and the hoops they will have to jump through will be fascinating to watch.