The tradeMaple Leafs get: Left winger Nick PaulLightning get: Goalie Dennis Hildeby, a third-round pick in 2028, a fourth-round pick in 2027.After signing the Panthers’ starting goaltender earlier in the day, the Maple Leafs headed over to the other side of the state to send one of theirs to the rival Lightning.Overall, this is a rather fascinating deal between division rivals attempting to one-up one another in the Atlantic. Paul, somehow now already 31 years old, has been a useful player on a good Tampa team for a long time, including producing two 20-goal, 40-point seasons when he was used up the lineup with some of their stars in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He also had a few big goals in the playoffs during their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2022.His best fit at this point is likely as a defensively capable presence, however, as he’s an excellent two-way player with a massive frame (6-foot-4, 234 pounds) who can play either on the left side or at center, winning key draws and helping on the penalty kill. All of those are useful traits for the Leafs as they look to replace the departed Scott Laughton and Nic Roy.Paul’s addition does make Toronto’s earlier acquisition of Colton Sissons feel somewhat unnecessary, especially at the $4.25 million cap hit Sissons signed for, but the Leafs now have a surplus down the middle to deal from if they’re looking to make other moves. And there’s a heavy demand league-wide for centers right now.