Confirmed Signing with Link: [TBL] Lightning re-sign F Nick Paul (7 years, $3.15M AAV)

[Dr Quincy]

7% is extremely low for a middle 6 forward. It's a pretty safe bet that he never falls under 10% again. Especially now that he has competent linemates

For what it's worth, his shots per 60 was almost 2x as high before this year too.

So he's getting off less shots, but a higher pct are going in.

That could be a) better shot quality because of better team/linemates b) a player coming into his own c) a statistical fluke d) some combo of all of those

 

[Master P]

YES!!!

 

[Duck Off]

player and team took term over $. In free agency, he's probably making 4.5ish for 5 years? So the money is about what he'd have made on the open market, maybe a little less.

It's a good move for both sides. I don't agree with those who say it's a great deal for Tampa though. I worry about his play style being sustainable past 30. Dude was a beast in the playoffs though. For the first 3 years, it's a big win for Tampa

 

[SpezDispenser]

Especially now that he has competent linemates

Interesting. I recall him playing with Connor Brown and being moved up to play 2C in Ottawa when injuries hit.

Can you back up that he played with incompetent players in Ottawa?

 

[DFC]

My last sentence said I don't think it's a back breaker. But yes it's overpayment in both term & $ for a player based on an extremely small atypical sample. Something can be "not great" and be "not horrible" at the same time.

I think it's pretty great, really.

Paul didn't play like a 3.15m player in Ottawa from what I gather. In TB, he played pretty close to a 5m player. So this is a pretty reasonable number for him. Honestly I feel like anything below 3.5 is great.

I'm not expecting big scoring. If he can put up 30+ points and continue to make an impact all over the ice, this is a great deal for us. We have plenty of guys who can score.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

 

[Foppberg]

Wow. Still a bit overpaid but he was pretty good in the playoffs.

 

[Oneiro]

Fair deal.

Premium over time vs. cap hit. I see why more deals aren't structured this way but for a good fit depth player, makes complete sense.

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

A year for every inch of Paul's dong.

Good deal

 

[CycloneSweep]

If he plays like he did for Tampa this is a good deal, if he reverts back to how he was in Ottawa that’s a bad deal.

 

[Djp]

I’m surprised. $3.15M is low to what I think he coukd have gotten on the open market. he would not have gotten 7 yrs on the market. It would have been 3-4 yrs.

 

[isles55]

A 27 year old with a career high of 20 points?

 

[Chainshot]

Is this the annual Sean Bergenheim/Joel Ward Award winner as a contract?

 

[izzy]

damn, he earned it though

 

[Stammertime91]

A year for every inch of Paul's dong.

Good deal

12 year contracts don't exist

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

12 year contracts don't exist

I was referring to it when it's flacid not erect.

 

[ATdaisuki]

Way to go BDN!

Wish we could have him back in Ottawa. He was one of my favourite bottom six Sens of all time.

Glad that he's getting his paycheque on a great team. I would have given him this for his play in Ottawa, let alone after his showing in Tampa.

 

[DFC]

For what it's worth, his shots per 60 was almost 2x as high before this year too.

So he's getting off less shots, but a higher pct are going in.

That could be a) better shot quality because of better team/linemates b) a player coming into his own c) a statistical fluke d) some combo of all of those

I think it's A.

TB in general is a quality over quantity shooting team, which is why we are so often outshot by our opponent.

 

[Kcb12345]

A 27 year old with a career high of 20 points?

He had 32 points this season

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Nice deal

Assuming all the bonus information is right (strong assumption given this is breaking news) buying out that contract in 4-6 years is no big deal (1m per). Tampa also shouldn't be caring about 5 years from now anyway.

 

[King Karl]

If he plays like he did for Tampa this is a good deal, if he reverts back to how he was in Ottawa that’s a bad deal.

Not sure what you're implying here. It's not like he found a new gear in Tampa - he's always been an excellent defensive forward who's great on the PK.

 

[More 2004]

Love it. By the time the contract plays out the cap should be damn near 100 million with the TV deals kicked in. Players like Nick are what you need to win. Another JBB special.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don't know why people are surprised with the 7 years part. Paul is another Goodrow or Tanev type of depth guy that teams love to give huge contracts to.

Good for Paul, he was a really good fit in Tampa and this contract sets him up for life.

 

[Canes]

7 year deal purely to keep the cap hit down while Tampa is still competing for Cups. And even if he slows down in the back half of the deal, AAV not too crippling.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Assuming all the bonus information is right (strong assumption given this is breaking news) buying out that contract in 4-6 years is no big deal (1m per). Tampa also shouldn't be caring about 5 years from now anyway.

Always a good omen when you see buyout figures in the first couple pages of a signing.