Nick Paul has three years remaining on his contract at a $3.1 million AAV. Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn ImagesJuly 1, 2026 Updated 4:26 pm EDTThe Maple Leafs’ summer makeover continues.The Leafs traded goaltender Dennis Hildeby and a pair of draft picks to the Tampa Bay Lightning for middle-six forward Nick Paul.Paul, a Toronto native, has three years remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $3.15 million.A big body at 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds, Paul is coming off a down year offensively of just seven goals and 15 points in 51 games.The 31-year-old scored 20-plus goals in each of the two previous seasons.To get him, the Leafs sent a fourth-round pick in 2027 and a third round selection in 2028 to the Lightning in addition to Hildeby.
Hildeby became expendable after the Leafs signed Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year contract in free agency. Anthony Stolarz will back up Bobrovsky next season, with young goaltender Artur Akhtyamov also lurking.The 24-year-old will require waivers next season. The Leafs also traded Joseph Woll last month.Paul joins four other forwards added by the Leafs on Wednesday as Toronto also signed Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime to multi-year contracts on the opening day of free agency.Jul 1, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
