Report: Tampa Bay Lightning, Nick Paul nearing contract extension
The Tampa Bay Lightning are closing to locking up a deadline acquisition in Nick Paul.
This, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, who reported Thursday night a multi-year deal was on the horizon — one the club prioritized.
Sources say Nick Paul and the Tampa Bay Lightning are closing in on a multi year agreement. Not done yet, but the Paul extension was a priority today.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2022Paul, 27, joined the Lightning on March 20th, a day before the NHL’s trade deadline, in a deal with the Ottawa Senators that saw Tampa send back Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 4th round pick.
In the 21 regular-season games, Paul chipped in quite well scoring five goals and 14 points. Come playoffs, he remained effective with five goals and nine points in 24 games.
Paul scored some big ones for the Lightning, too. He tinkled the twine twice in Tampa’s 2-1, game seven victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tampa Bay looked to recreate a new form of their wildly successful depth line of Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow who were a staple in the teams 2021 cup win. Paul found himself being a key addition in Tampa’s search for a three-peat this year and now, it looks like he’ll help the Lightning in another hunt for the Stanley Cup.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.