The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions add more depth to their forward group by acquiring Nick Paul from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Mathieu Joseph and a fourth-round pick in 2024.
Roster update: The #Sens have acquired forward Mathieu Joseph and a fourth-round draft pick in 2024 in a trade with @TBLightning in exchange for forward Nick Paul.
As part of the transaction, the #Sens will retain 44.5% of Paul’s remaining 2021-22 salary. pic.twitter.com/TlXC8Cp9DW
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 20, 2022
Nick Paul Traded to Tampa Bay
Nick Paul is a left-winger/centre who has 11 goals, seven assists for 18 points in 56 games this season for the Senators. The 27-year-old plays on average 17:22 for Ottawa with a 45.2 Corsi for percentage. He plays on average 2:12 on the penalty kill and is 14th best in the league in takeaways over the past two seasons.
Nick Paul is the last remaining piece from the Jason Spezza deal to the Dallas Stars to move on from the Senators. He spent parts of seven years as a Senator, the only team he’s played for in his NHL career. In 227 games, Paul scored 29 goals, 37 assists for 66 points.
In return, the Senators receive 25-year-old winger Mathieu Joseph. The Lightning drafted Joseph 120th overall in 2015. In 58 games this season, Joseph has eight goals, 10 assists for 18 points. He plays 13:42 per game with a 45.8 Corsi for percentage. Joseph has played four seasons with the Lightning. In 221 games, he has 37 goals, 33 assists for 70 points.
Ottawa retained $600,00 of Paul’s $1.35 million salary-cap hit, leaving the Lightning with a cap hit of $749,250. Paul is a free agent at the end of this season. Joseph has a cap hit of $737,500 and is a restricted free agent at the end of this season.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Tampa Bay, they receive a big, versatile defensive forward who can provide some secondary scoring. Paul is comfortable playing left-wing or centre. He’s an intelligent player who is good at stealing pucks, cycling the puck and penalty killing. When he gets an offensive chance, he has the skill to capitalize on it.
For Ottawa, they receive a replacement for Paul in their line-up in Mathieu Joseph. Joseph is a fast, hard-working winger who has a bit more offensive upside than Nick Paul.
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