If Nick Paul is expecting a recall to the NHL anytime soon, he best not wait by the phone.
Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion described Paul on Wednesday as the team's "biggest disappointment," according to Chris Stevenson of NHL.com. "If (Nick) Paul wants to be an NHL player, he has to be way better than how he's played this year."
Paul has not played with the Senators this season after dressing for 24 contests in 2015-16. He has recorded 23 points in 50 games with Binghamton (AHL) this season, but six skaters, including defenseman Chris Rumble, have scored as many or more points than the 21-year-old winger.
Canadian hockey fans will recall Paul from his performance at the 2014-15 world juniors, when he pocketed three goals in seven games en route to Canada's gold medal finish. Surely the Senators were expecting that type of return from what remains as the most significant piece from the deal that sent former captain Jason Spezza to the Dallas Stars in 2014.
With Ottawa hit with a string of injury concerns - forwards Bobby Ryan, Mark Stone, and Mike Hoffman are all on the shelf - now is the opportune time for Paul to find his scoring touch and make his long-awaited return to the Senators' lineup.
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