Nick Paul is going to give the Maple Leafs not only the shutdown centre they need, but also a clutch playoff performer who steps up when it matters most.
Paul was acquired this summer from the Tampa Bay Lightning for goaltender Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick. Expected to help bring a defensive and physical edge to the lineup, he's excited to get started with the team and his passion is well-documented.
He is coming off a down year where he struggled after recovering from wrist surgery. He put up only 15 points in 51 games with the Lightning (7 goals) but had back-to-back 20-goal seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25 so there's certainly a chance for him to bring offence to the bottom-six.
Paul can take the pressure off the stars, and step up when needed most
But that's not the focal point of why Toronto traded three assets to acquire him, as he's the shutdown centre they've needed. Since trading away both Nicolas Roy and Scott Laughton at last year's deadline, the Maple Leafs have had a hole in their 3C spot that needs a consistent defensive threat.
Paul brings excellent face-off metrics as he had a 53.9% face-off win percentage last year, and has a 52.2% career face-off win percentage. Paul has also averaged 26 blocks and 68 hits over his career, so there's a knack for being physical as well.
That's going to be a big factor in the penalty kill, and he'll be looked at as one of the main pieces who can alleviate PK minutes off the stars like Auston Matthews and John Tavares.
But he also brings a much deadlier asset that may go overlooked - his playoff ability.
Paul is someone who consistently comes through when needed and personally eliminated the Maple Leafs in 2022 when he scored both goals in a 2-1 Tampa Bay victory.
He has a modest 14 points in 45 playoff games but four of his 10 goals are game-winners - matching Mitch Marner's total in Toronto and surpassing William Nylander and John Tavares who have two and three playoff-game winners respectively.
Toronto has lacked a true killer in the playoffs, and Paul would provide them with one they have direct experience with and it could be an x-factor if the Maple Leafs find themselves in the playoffs.
Paul's arrival clears the way for Easton Cowan to thrive
Giving the Maple Leafs a true defensive and checking pivot, Paul allows the younger core to find their offensive footing without having to rely as heavily on defensive responsibility.
While we don't know the lines Jim Hiller is going to be putting on the ice, a player like Cowan could end up being pushed down depending on the situation. However, if he lands alongside Paul as his centre, he can thrive offensively by driving the line while having Paul cover for him defensively by winning puck battles, gaining possession, then finding a clear and smart way out of the zone.
Plus, Cowan isn't left with a lack of a finisher as Paul does have multiple 20-goal seasons and if Colton Sissons is added to the line as well - that's another defensive anchor who can even alleviate Paul's responsibility and he can focus a bit more on offence with Cowan though we won't know lineups until training camp starts.
Cowan already plays tenacious enough to classify as an energetic wing and he has no issues fighting for pucks as well. Though it may take him out of a top-six spotlight, he could shift the dynamic of Toronto's third line into a speedy, hard-nosed checking line with scoring potential.
Paul's price was a heavy one as Toronto sent away one of their homegrown goalies in Hildeby along with two picks. But he brings versatility, defensive responsibility and protection for Toronto's younger stars - which is what the team valued as part of both winning now and developing their future.
Do you think Nick Paul is going to be Toronto's x-factor in the playoffs?
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