Micklebot
Moderator
- Apr 27, 2010
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Jim Nill said it in an interview after the trade. I couldn't find a link but he said something along the lines of 'Bryan Murray really did his homework and insisted that Nick Paul be a part of the trade'. I don't think Dallas wanted to trade him.
I saw Paul a few times in North Bay this past season and he's going to be a really good player. Probably the piece from the Spezza trade I'm most excited about.
I think you're referring to this interview, where he says the following:
Jim Nill said:"The two young men they got, Alex Guptill, great size, was a big player at Michigan, has got a great scoring touch. And then I think the sleeper in the trade is going to be Nicholas Paul. He played in North Bay. He was a draft pick of our’s. I told Bryan Murray when he made the trade with those players he picked the right guys. I said you’re going to be surprised by Nicholas Paul. They did their homework, so I’ve got to compliment them. It’s a great hockey trade for both sides.â€
I'm not sure saying the less highly touted player in the trade is a sleeper is the same as saying he is the top prospect in the trade. I think most people would be surprised if Paul became more than a 4th line player, where as Guptill has top 6 upside; if that was his expected future role, would he be considered the better prospect? It's hard to say.