Nick Paul

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Nick Paul

| image = Nick Paul (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Paul with the Binghamton Senators

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|20|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 223

| position = Centre / left wing

| shoots = Left

| league = NHL

| team = Tampa Bay Lightning

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams = Ottawa Senators

| ntl_team = CAN

| draft = 101st overall

| draft_year = 2013

| draft_team = Dallas Stars

| career_start = 2015

}}

Nicholas Paul (born March 20, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). A left winger, he was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round, 101st overall, of the 2013 NHL entry draft. He has also played for the Ottawa Senators.

Early life

Paul was born on March 20, 1995, in Mississauga, Ontario,{{cite web |title=Nick Paul |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/149617/nick-paul |website=Elite Prospects |access-date=December 27, 2021}} to parents Ellwood and Melinda. He holds dual citizenship between Canada and the United States due to his mother being an American citizen.{{cite press release |title=North Bay Applauds Gold Medalist Paul |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/north-bay-applauds-gold-medalist-paul/n-4916089 |publisher=North Bay Battalion |via=Our Sports Central |access-date=December 27, 2021 |date=January 16, 2015}} Growing up, his father and half brother Christopher built a backyard rink for Paul and his older brother Jesse to use for practice.{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=Don |title=Ottawa Senators bigger, but does it mean better? |url=https://ottawasun.com/2014/07/02/ottawa-senators-bigger-but-does-it-mean-better |access-date=December 27, 2021 |work=Ottawa Sun |date=July 2, 2014}} As a youth, Paul was friends with Max Domi and attended Toronto Maple Leafs games with him.{{cite web |title=One On One With Sens Left Winger Nick Paul |url=https://facesmag.ca/one-on-one-with-senators-nick-paul/ |work=Faces Magazine |access-date=December 27, 2021 |date=October 5, 2020}}

Playing career

=Junior=

While growing up in Mississauga, Paul played minor midget hockey for the Mississauga Chargers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). During his 2011–12 season with the Chargers, Paul scored three goals and two assists for five points.{{cite web |title=Dallas selects Paul with fourth-rounder |url=https://battalionhockey.com/dallas-selects-paul-with-fourth-rounder |publisher=Brantford Battalion |access-date=December 27, 2021 |date=June 30, 2013}} While standing at only 5-foot-6 during his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft eligibility year, Paul tallied four goals and 25 points in 37 games.{{cite web |last1=Salvain |first1=Hailey |title='I'm here. I'm good enough': Inside the rise of the Senators' Nick Paul |url=https://theathletic.com/1449543/2019/12/16/its-hard-not-to-pull-for-a-guy-like-that-inside-the-rise-of-senators-nick-paul/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210426112356/https://theathletic.com/1449543/2019/12/16/its-hard-not-to-pull-for-a-guy-like-that-inside-the-rise-of-senators-nick-paul/ |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |date=December 16, 2019}} Despite failing to be drafted into the OHL in his first year of eligibility, Paul was later selected by the Brampton Battalion, (later the North Bay Battalion) as an overaged player.{{cite web |last1=Mendes |first1=Ian |title=How meditation and positivity helped Senators' Nick Paul become a Masterton Trophy nominee |url=https://theathletic.com/2566792/2021/05/11/how-meditation-and-positivity-helped-senators-nick-paul-become-a-masterton-trophy-nominee/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211227055418/https://theathletic.com/2566792/2021/05/11/how-meditation-and-positivity-helped-senators-nick-paul-become-a-masterton-trophy-nominee/ |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |date=May 11, 2021}} After his first season with the Battalion, where he scored 12 goals and 28 points, Paul was selected 101st overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2013 NHL entry draft.

Following the draft, Paul returned to the Battalion and continued his scoring prowess. By October 14, Paul led the team with five goals in eleven games.{{cite web |last1=Stepneski |first1=Mark |title=Prospect Report |url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/prospect-report/c-686644 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 29, 2021 |date=October 14, 2014}} This continued throughout the season as he accumulated 37 goals and 29 assists through 58 regular-season games under coach Stan Butler.{{cite web |title=Senators prospect Paul gaining his 'man strength' |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-prospect-paul-gaining-his-man-strength/c-773764 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230031111/https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-prospect-paul-gaining-his-man-strength/c-773764 |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |url-status=dead |publisher=Ottawa Senators |via=NHL.com |access-date=December 29, 2021 |date=July 3, 2015}} As such, he helped lead the team to the OHL's Eastern Conference Finals against the Oshawa Generals. Throughout the post-season, Paul maintained a four-game goal scoring streak and was tied for second in goal scoring with nine through 15 games.{{cite web |last1=Stepneski |first1=Mark |title=Prospect Report |url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/prospect-report/c-715834 |publisher=Dallas Stars |via=NHL.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230030508/https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/prospect-report/c-715834 |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |date=April 21, 2014}} Following the playoffs, Paul's NHL rights were traded by the Stars on July 1, 2014, along with Alex Chiasson, Alex Guptill, and a 2015 second-round pick, to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Jason Spezza and Ludwig Karlsson.{{cite web |title=Senators trade captain Jason Spezza to Dallas Stars |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/senators-trade-captain-jason-spezza-to-dallas-stars/c-724716 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224171549/https://www.nhl.com/news/senators-trade-captain-jason-spezza-to-dallas-stars/c-724716 |archive-date=February 24, 2016 |url-status=dead |publisher=National Hockey League |via=NHL.com |access-date=December 27, 2021 |date=July 1, 2014}}

Paul re-joined the Battalion for his final season in the OHL during the 2014–15 season. By December, he had accumulated 19 goals and 34 points through 27 regular-season games and subsequently signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Senators on December 20, 2014.{{cite web |title=News Release: Senators sign forward Nick Paul to an entry-level contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/news-release-senators-sign-forward-nick-paul-to-an-entry-level-contract/c-745017 |publisher=Ottawa Senators |via=NHL.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927231308/https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/news-release-senators-sign-forward-nick-paul-to-an-entry-level-contract/c-745017 |archive-date=September 27, 2018 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 29, 2021 |date=December 20, 2014}} Upon joining the Senators for their 2015 development camp, he measured at {{convert|6|ft|4|in}} and {{convert|225|lb}}.

=Professional=

==Ottawa Senators==

Paul signed with Ottawa and made his professional debut with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators in the 2014–15 season. He finished with six goals and 11 assists in 45 games with Binghamton. Paul was assigned to Binghamton by Ottawa for the 2015–16 season also. Paul was called up in February 2016 and made his NHL debut on February 16, 2016, against the Buffalo Sabres.{{cite web |title=Senators edge Sabres in 2-1 shootout win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20160216_BUF@OTT/senators-edge-sabres-in-2-1-shootout-win |website=CBS Sports |access-date=October 15, 2018 |date=February 16, 2016}} He recorded his first career NHL goal on February 24, 2016, in a 4–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.{{cite web |last1=Colpitts |first1=Iain |title=Nick Paul nets first NHL goal |url=https://www.mississauga.com/community-story/6342091-nick-paul-nets-first-nhl-goal/ |website=mississauga.com |access-date=October 15, 2018 |date=February 24, 2016}}

On July 16, 2018, Paul signed a one-year contract extension with the Senators.{{cite web |title=Senators sign forward Nick Paul to a one-year deal |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/senators-sign-forward-nick-paul-one-year-deal/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=October 15, 2018 |date=July 16, 2018}} On July 2, 2019, Paul re-signed with the Senators for another season.{{cite press release |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-sign-forward-nick-paul-to-a-one-year-two-way-contract/c-308168900 |title=Senators sign forward Nick Paul to a one-year, two-way contract |publisher=Ottawa Senators |date=July 2, 2019| access-date=July 3, 2019 |via=nhl.com}} Paul struggled to break into Ottawa's lineup under coach Guy Boucher.{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2019/09/04/senators-nick-paul-says-this-is-make-or-break-year-for-him-in-nhl.html |title=Senators' Nick Paul says this is 'make-or-break year' for him in NHL |work=Toronto Star |last=Clipperton |first=Joshua |agency=The Canadian Press |date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=July 12, 2023}} At the end of the 2019 training camp, Paul was placed on waivers but went unclaimed and was assigned to the Senators AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.{{cite web |url=https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/senators-masterton-nominee-nick-paul-finds-his-niche-after-years-of-battles-to-stay-in-the-nhl |title=Senators Masterton nominee Nick Paul finds his niche after years of battles to stay in the NHL |work=Ottawa Sun |last=Warren |first=Ken |date=May 10, 2021 |access-date=July 12, 2023}} Paul became a regular NHL player during the 2019–20 season, setting a new high in games played in the NHL with 56.{{cite web |url=https://www.baytoday.ca/sports/former-battalion-star-nick-paul-gets-nhl-award-nomination-3767572 |title=Former Battalion star Nick Paul gets NHL award nomination |work=baytoday.ca |date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=July 12, 2023}} After Erik Gudbranson was traded away by the Senators during the 2020–21 season, Paul was named an alternate captain. That season Paul established himself as one of the team's top penalty killers. Paul was named the Senators' nominee for the NHL's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy at the end of the season. During the 2021–22 season, Paul was used all over the lineup by coach D. J. Smith, slotting in wherever the coach needed a hole in the lineup filled. However, contract negotiations stalled with the Senators and Paul was made available for a trade by the organization.{{cite web |url=https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/snapshots-nick-paul-a-healthy-scratch-and-expected-to-be-moved-by-senators |title=Snapshots: Nick Paul a healthy scratch and expected to be moved by Senators |work=Ottawa Sun |last=Garrioch |first=Bruce |date=March 18, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2023}}

==Tampa Bay Lightning==

On March 20, 2022, just a day before the trade deadline, Paul was traded by Ottawa to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.{{cite web |title=Senators trade Paul to Lightning for Joseph, fourth-round pick |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/senators-trade-nick-paul-to-lightning-for-joseph-fourth-round-pick/sn-amp/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=March 20, 2022 |date=March 20, 2022}} He scored his first goal as a Lightning on March 22 versus the Carolina Hurricanes.{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/lightning/2022/04/02/lightning-forward-nick-pauls-path-of-perseverance-to-his-first-playoff-run/ |title=Lightning forward Nick Paul's path of perseverance to his first playoff run |work=Tampa Bay Times |last=Encina |first=Eduardo A. |date=April 2, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2023}} Paul made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in the first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the seventh game of series against the Maple Leafs, Paul scored his first two playoff goals, including the series winner.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33917775/unheralded-nick-paul-steals-show-game-7-tampa-bay-lightning-eliminate-toronto-maple-leafs |title=Unheralded Nick Paul steals show in Game 7 as Tampa Bay Lightning eliminate Toronto Maple Leafs |last=Shilton |first=Kristen |work=ESPN |date=May 14, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2023}} Paul helped the Lightning advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for their third successive season{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/nhl-sports-hockey-tampa-canada-ef68bfd09c1c371aebb15133ef8a308f |title=Lightning retain Nick Paul with 7-year, $22 million contract |work=AP News |last=Goodall |first=Fred |date=July 1, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2023}} and contributed with 5 goals and 9 points through 23 games before losing to the Colorado Avalanche.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-sign-newhook-to-deal-that-sets-him-up-for-success/ |title=Nick Paul, Lightning agree to seven-year, $22.05M contract extension |work=Sportsnet |date=July 1, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2023}}

On July 1, 2022, Paul opted to forego free-agency in agreeing to a seven-year, $22.05 million contract extension to remain with the Lightning.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-sign-f-nick-paul-to-a-seven-year-contract-extension/c-334790320 | title = Lightning sign Nick Paul to a seven-year contract extension | publisher = Tampa Bay Lightning | date = July 1, 2022 | access-date = July 1, 2022}} Paul helped the Lightning to the playoffs again during the 2022–23 season. They faced the Maple Leafs in the first round again and with Toronto leading the series 3–1 and the Lightning facing elimination in Game 5, Paul scored the game-winning goal to keep the Lightning in the series.{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/lightning/2023/04/27/maple-leafs-lightning-nick-paul-andrei-vasilevskiy-pat-maroon/ |title=Lightning-Maple Leafs breakdown, survive-and-advance edition |work=Tampa Bay Times |last=Knight |first=Joey |date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=July 12, 2023}} However, the Maple Leafs eliminated the Lightning in the following game.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-eliminate-lightning-in-game-6-for-first-playoff-series-win-since-2004/ |title=Maple Leafs eliminate Lightning in Game 6 for first playoff series win since 2004 |work=Sportsnet |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 29, 2023 |access-date=July 12, 2023}}

International play

{{MedalCountry|{{ih|CAN}}}}

Paul made his international debut for Canada with the national junior team at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He finished the tournament with three goals in seven games to help Canada win a gold medal.{{cite web |last1=Colpitts |first1=Iain |title=Dream comes true for Paul at World Juniors |url=https://www.mississauga.com/community-story/5248695-dream-comes-true-for-paul-at-world-juniors/ |work=Mississauga News |access-date=December 27, 2021 |date=January 8, 2015}}

Paul was chosen to represent Team Canada again at the senior level for the 2021 IIHF World Championship. Paul scored at 6:26 of the first overtime in the gold medal game against Finland to give Canada its 21st all-time gold medal.{{cite web |last1=Podnieks |first1=Andrew |title=Canada wins "little miracle" gold |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2021/wm/news/26359/can_fin_gold |publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation |access-date=December 27, 2021 |date=June 6, 2021}}

Following the Tampa Bay Lightning's ouster in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Paul again joined Team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Championship.{{cite news |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/looking-at-team-canadas-decision-to-swap-celebrini-and-fantilli-for-dubois-hagel-and-paul |title=Looking at Team Canada's Decision to Swap Celebrini and Fantilli for Dubois, Hagel and Paul |first=Michael |last=DeRosa |magazine=The Hockey News |date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 8, 2024}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:60em; text-align:center;"
style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! colspan="3" style="background:#fff;"\| ! rowspan="99" style="background:#fff;"\| ! colspan="5" \| Regular season ! rowspan="99" style="background:#fff;"\| ! colspan="5" \| Playoffs
style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
2011–12 \| Mississauga Chargers \| OJHL \| 9	3	2	5	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2012–13 \| Brampton Battalion \| OHL \| 66	12	16	28	21 \| 5	0	1	1	0
2013–14 \| North Bay Battalion \| OHL \| 67	26	20	46	39 \| 22	12	6	18	10
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2014–15 \| North Bay Battalion \| OHL \| 58	37	29	66	49 \| 15	7	8	15	6
2015–16 \| Binghamton Senators \| AHL \| 45	6	11	17	10 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2015–16 \| Ottawa Senators \| NHL \| 24	2	3	5	6 \| —	—	—	—	—
2016–17 \| Binghamton Senators \| AHL \| 72	15	22	37	30 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2016–17 \| Ottawa Senators \| NHL \| 1	0	0	0	0 \| —	—	—	—	—
2017–18 \| Belleville Senators \| AHL \| 54	14	13	27	40 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2017–18 \| Ottawa Senators \| NHL \| 11	1	0	1	0 \| —	—	—	—	—
2018–19 \| Belleville Senators \| AHL \| 43	16	23	39	29 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2018–19 \| Ottawa Senators \| NHL \| 20	1	1	2	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
2019–20 \| Ottawa Senators \| NHL \| 56	9	11	20	24 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2019–20 \| Belleville Senators \| AHL \| 3	1	3	4	0 \| —	—	—	—	—
2020–21 \| Ottawa Senators \| NHL \| 56	5	15	20	19 \| —	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2021–22 \| Ottawa Senators \| NHL \| 59	11	7	18	22 \| —	—	—	—	—
2021–22 \| Tampa Bay Lightning \| NHL \| 21	5	9	14	17 \| 23	5	4	9	6
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2022–23 \| Tampa Bay Lightning \| NHL \| 80	17	15	32	33 \| 6	1	0	1	2
2023–24 \| Tampa Bay Lightning \| NHL \| 82	24	22	46	27 \| 5	2	0	2	6
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2024–25 \| Tampa Bay Lightning \| NHL \| 76	22	19	41	30 \| 5	2	0	2	2
style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! colspan="3" \| NHL totals ! 486 !! 97 !! 102 !! 199 !! 182 ! 39 !! 10 !! 4 !! 14 !! 16