Nick Paul - NHL News & Rumors

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | July 2, 2026 | Toronto Maple Leafs New players speak to the media following the start of NHL Free Agency. 00:00 Brandon Duhaime 04:33 Nick Paul 12:37 Jack Roslovic 20:55 Colto...

5 DAYS AGO • NHL.COM

Nick Paul Media Availability | July 2, 2026 | Toronto Maple Leafs Nick Paul speaks to the media after being acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

5 DAYS AGO • NHL.COM

Winners and losers of the NHL offseason include teams in big markets spending and improving

NHL teams committed over $862 million in salary on the first day of free agency, not counting entry-level or minor-league contracts

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Maple Leafs trade goalie to Lightning for Nick Paul after signing Sergei Bobrovsky | Sporting News Toronto made quick work of this situation.

6 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Heading north Paul was acquired by Toronto from Tampa Bay on Wednesday in exchange for Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 third-round selection.

Impact Paul comes with a $3.15 million cap hit through 2028-29, which is very reasonable given the contracts middle-six forwards are receiving thanks to the rising cap. The 31-year-old is coming off a down campaign in which he had seven goals and 15 points in 51 regular-season outings with the Lightning. However, he surpassed the 40-point milestone in each of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 regular seasons. Toronto will probably use him primarily on the third line, and he might also receive some power-play ice time.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

In action Friday Paul (illness) will rejoin the lineup versus the Habs in Game 6 on Friday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Impact Apparently, Paul wasn't as coy about his availability as head coach Jon Cooper, who previously declined to respond regarding Paul's health. The 31-year-old forward is currently mired in an eight-game pointless streak during which he notched 11 shots, 18 hits and 16 PIM. Given Paul's offensive limitations, he generated just 15 points in 51 regular-season contests, fantasy managers will probably want to consider alternative options Friday.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time decision versus Habs Paul (illness) will be a game-time call for Game 6 versus Montreal on Friday, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Paul was on the ice for the game-day skate, which would seem to indicate he'll be back in action, but the team didn't run line combinations, and head coach Jon Cooper didn't reveal any details regarding his lineup. If Paul does play, it will likely come at the expense of Conor Geekie.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Under the weather Paul (illness) won't play Wednesday in Game 5 versus the Canadiens.

Impact Paul was a surprise absence from warmups, and this explains why. Conor Geekie is set to play as the fourth-line center Wednesday, though Zemgus Girgensons could also do some work down the middle in Paul's absence. Paul's next chance to play is Friday in Game 6.

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Steps up in teammate's absence Paul scored a goal and added an assist in a 6-2 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday. He fired two shots, added two hits and won seven faceoffs.

Impact Paul stepped up with Anthony Cirelli nicked up with an undisclosed injury. The goal was his first since Feb. 1 (13 games; one assist). Paul has struggled with injuries this season and has played in just 47 contests. He has seven goals, eight assists, 62 shots, 70 hits and 278 faceoff wins (54.5 percent) this season.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to return Sunday Paul (illness) will play against Nashville on Sunday, according to Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Impact After sitting out Saturday's 4-2 win over Ottawa, Paul will return to a fourth-line role against the Predators on Sunday. He has accounted for seven goals, 13 points, 52 shots on net and 56 hits across 41 appearances this season.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Lightning deal the Senators a blow in the playoff race by beating them 4-2

Defenseman Emil Lilleberg scored the go-ahead goal and had a career-high three points, and the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-2

MARCH 28 • Associated Press

Not available Saturday Paul (illness) has been ruled out of Saturday's home tilt versus Ottawa, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times.

Impact Paul has been slumping of late, tallying one goal and one assist in his last 17 games, while missing 11 games with an undisclosed injury that put him on long-term injured reserve. Overall, Paul has six goals and seven assists over 41 games this season.

MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE

First helper since return Paul logged a power-play assist in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Wild.

Impact Paul set up Brandon Hagel for the first of the Lightning's two empty-net goals. This was Paul's first point in six games since he returned from a lower-body injury. A couple of lengthy absences have kept Paul's scoring numbers down this season -- he's at 13 points, 52 shots on net, 52 hits and a minus-11 rating over 40 appearances. He will have limited fantasy upside as long as he remains in the bottom six.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to rock Paul (undisclosed) was activated off long-term injured reserve and will return to the lineup Saturday versus Carolina, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Paul missed 11 games, dating back to Feb. 1, with the injury. He is expected to see bottom-six minutes Saturday. Paul has six goals, six assists and 42 hits over 34 appearances this season.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time decision for Saturday Paul (undisclosed) will be a game-time call for Saturday's tilt versus Carolina, per Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Impact Paul practiced without restrictions Friday. He has missed the last 11 games, missing the last six weeks. He should play as a middle-six center upon his return, with Yanni Gourde moving down the depth chart. Paul had six goals and 12 points in 34 games prior to his injury Feb. 1.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Expect to miss another week or two Paul (undisclosed) is still out for a week or two, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports Friday.

Impact Paul remains on long-term injured reserve, but a timeline has been established. It's unclear if he's resumed on-ice activities at this time, but he should be able to soon. The 30-year-old will likely be a middle-six option once he is healthy again.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured reserve Paul (undisclosed) was put on injured reserve Wednesday, per Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.

Impact Paul hasn't played since Feb. 1 due to the injury. Emil Lilleberg was also placed on IR, while Brayden Point was activated off LTIR in corresponding moves. Paul has six goals and 12 points in 34 appearances in 2025-26. He'll likely serve in a middle-six capacity once he's healthy.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

No timeline for return Paul (undisclosed) doesn't have a timeline in place for his return to the lineup, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday.

Impact Paul hasn't been participating in practices after missing two straight games before the Olympic break. He isn't expected to be available to play next week when Tampa Bay's schedule resumes against Toronto on Wednesday, and it sounds like he will miss additional time afterward. Paul has six goals, 12 points, 48 shots on net and 42 hits in 34 appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Guentzel's goal in the final seconds of OT gives the Lightning a 4-3 win over the Sabres

Jake Guentzel scored with 14 seconds remaining in overtime after teammate Darren Raddysh forced the extra session by scoring with 26 seconds left in regulation as the Tampa Bay Lig...

FEBRUARY 4 • Associated Press

Won't play until after Olympics Paul sustained an undisclosed injury during Sunday's 6-5 shootout win over the Bruins and has been ruled out for the Lightning's last two games prior to the Olympic break, Erik Erl...

Impact Paul's first chance to return to the lineup will be in the first half of a back-to-back set Feb. 25 against Toronto. The Olympic break will be coming at a good time for the Lightning, as their center depth has taken a hit from injuries. Paul has six goals, 12 points, 48 shots, 42 hits and a minus-10 rating over 34 appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Lightning's Nick Paul on playing in the Stadium Series | Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Tonight brings in Lightning's Nick Paul to discuss playing in the Stadium Series

FEBRUARY 2 • NHL.COM

Strikes on power play Paul scored a power-play goal on two shots and went minus-2 in Sunday's 6-5 shootout win over the Bruins in the Stadium Series.

Impact Paul brought the Lightning within a goal, capitalizing on a parade to the penalty box for the Bruins late in the second period. This goal ended a nine-game point drought for Paul, who has been dropped to a bottom-six role recently. The 30-year-old forward has struggled after consecutive 40-point campaigns, earning a mere six goals, 12 points, 48 shots on net, 42 hits and a minus-10 rating over 34 appearances this season. He doesn't need to be rostered in most fantasy formats unless he makes a dramatic improvement on offense.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Lightning's historic 4-goal comeback stuns Bruins in NHL Stadium Series game

Nikita Kucherov scored the tying goal in the third period, Jake Guentzel scored the only goal in the shootout, and the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied from a four-goal deficit to beat...

FEBRUARY 2 • Associated Press

Lightning Combine For Two Power Play Goals In 23 seconds vs. Bruins

FEBRUARY 2 • YOUTUBE

Lightning's Nick Paul on playing in the Stadium Series | NHL.com NHL Tonight brings in Lightning's Nick Paul to discuss playing in the Stadium Series

FEBRUARY 1 • NHL.COM

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Winners and losers of the NHL offseason include teams in big markets spending and improving

Lightning deal the Senators a blow in the playoff race by beating them 4-2

Guentzel's goal in the final seconds of OT gives the Lightning a 4-3 win over the Sabres

Lightning's historic 4-goal comeback stuns Bruins in NHL Stadium Series game