At the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBrois made a bold decision by trading speedy depth forward Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 4th-round pick in exchange for physical forward Nick Paul.
Paul immediately made an impact, tallying five goals and 14 points in the remaining 21 regular season games of the 2021-22 season. He showcased his skills by scoring both goals for the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game seven of their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, leading to a 2-1 victory. Recognizing his contributions, the Lightning rewarded Paul with a 7-year contract worth an average of $3.