The Senators and pending UFA forward Nick Paul are not believed to be close on a contract extension, reports Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. Ottawa’s last offer was reportedly a three-year deal with a $2MM AAV, a bit of a raise on his current $1.35MM cap hit. However, with him being on pace for a career year and the market for players that can play down the middle being strong, that isn’t the type of offer that’s going to make it worth not testing free agency. Seravalli adds that there has been little contact between the two camps in recent weeks. If they can’t reach an extension, the 26-year-old should be on the move by March 21st.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic:
- While Red Wings winger Jakub Vrana was a full participant in the morning skate today, there remains no timetable for his return, notes Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. Head coach Jeff Blashill has expressed optimism that the 26-year-old will be able to make his season debut soon as he continues to work his way back from shoulder surgery back in October. Detroit currently has a full roster and will need to make a move in order to activate Vrana off IR in the coming days.
- Sabres forward Zemgus Girgensons returned to practice today for the first time in nearly six weeks after re-aggravating a lower-body injury, relays Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald. However, he will miss at least the next two home games for Buffalo next week. Meanwhile, Hoppe adds that winger Vinnie Hinostroza could return at some point next week from his lower-body injury. The pending UFA could be of interest as a depth addition so him being able to get back in the lineup before the March 21st trade deadline is of particular importance for Buffalo.
Nick Paul is an ideal bottom six forward. What he provides isn’t shown by points. But in saying that, he is almost six years into his career and he’ll be lucky to reach 30 points as a career high. I would sell high and hope to get teams to buy in that he could be their Goodrow/Coleman-lite for their cup run.
what is selling high? a 2nd or 3rd?
I wouldnt part with a 2nd for him. 16 points in 52 games. He should of taken the 3yr x 2mil offer. He wont see better then that in free agency. I might give a 4th for him
Either way at the very least, getting a 3rd for a UFA and guy in his career year whose high point total may only be in the 30s.. that would have to be a steal for OTT
“Career year?” Gods, no, Paul isn’t having a “career year” — he’s averaging *fewer* points a game than the last two, with a lower faceoff percentage, poorer defensive numbers, fewer hits and more giveaways. And the guy turns 27 in a couple weeks: he’s not going to get better from here. He’s on pace to score more points than he has before, but only because he’s never played more than 56 games in a season before.
This is a guy who’s a third-liner at best, and that much only on a mediocre team. $2 million’s reasonably generous for that, but if they can get something of genuine value from someone for him, sure, whatever works.
I think hes going to be a sour man when he realizes he wont get an offer anywhere close to what Ottawa offered him