His most common linemates are Motte and Essimont. Paul and Stamkos are his second most common with Glendening and Essimont third. Also Stamkos is an even strength blackhole this season so that argument he should score more with him doesn't work.
I also don't know why you think he was Colton's replacement? He's not a C nor has been in his career. He was to add bottom 6 scoring depth. Which he hasn't done but again is paid just 2M not 4M like Colton who we couldn't afford to keep.
Paul isn’t the greatest at generating offense at even strength, either.
Stammer is by far #1 on the team in terms of percentage of points via PP (55%), while Paul is 4th (3rd among forwards).
Stammer (-25) paired with Paul (-20) seem to be a magnet for goals against while not offering much of anything in return. They aren’t that great at forechecking, they aren’t physical, I guess their strength as a line would be cycling, but even that is average at best.
I do think sticking Sheary with Paul and Stamkos is a decent way of containing all that even strength mediocrity to one line.
To no one’s surprise, our other MVP- Hagel is dead last among players who have earned a point on the power play; he is at 10% of his point totals coming via PP.
A man possessed at EV.