My final asking price on Nick Paul is a 2nd round pick or the equivalent.


Any team that meets the asking price should receive a full 50% salary retention.


According to the Fourth Period, the 4 teams that are linked to him are the Lightning, the Bruins, the Oilers and the Kings.


In the case of the Lightning, they don't have a 2nd round pick until 2024.


So, what will need to happen if the Lightning want Nick Paul is for them to give us their 1st round pick and we would give them back a lower pick.


Now, I know what you're thinking ...


You're thinking that Nick Paul is not the same player as Barclay Goodrow and he's not worth a 1st round pick ...


And that Nick Paul is a pure rental while Goodrow had 1 more year left on his contract when he was traded.



Well, what is often overlooked is that Tampa also received a 3rd round pick in the trade for Goodrow.


And that the difference between the two picks in the Goodrow trade is a high 2nd.


I'm willing to compromise.


My compromise is that instead of the Lightning getting a 3rd round pick along with Nick Paul ...


the Lightning would get back the 2nd round pick they lost in the Coburn/Paquette trade.


Instead of the Lightning dropping 54 spots in the 2022 draft (like in the Goodrow trade) ...


the Lightning would only drop 32 spots.

If ...


1. The Oilers play in the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals ...

AND

2. Duncan Keith is in the top 4 among Oilers defensemen for TOI during the first 3 rounds ...


Ottawa receives Edmonton's 2023 2nd round pick instead.