It took a few callups but Nick Paul finally got his first taste of NHL action this season. After being a healthy scratch in his previous stints with the Senators this year, Paul had a solid debut on Thursday and looked effective in his limited minutes against the Sabres.
"While you're waiting to get in the anticipation starts to build up," said Paul. "It was great to get into that first NHL game of the season and it helps to get all those little nerves out. Now you know what to expect and it's easier to focus on everything you need to do out there."
Paul got off to a great start in Belleville this season producing 6 points (2G, 4A) in 6 games and has received praise from his coaches and management in regards to his play.
"It just shows that the routines and the work I'm putting in are getting noticed," he said about the numerous recalls. "Obviously it's equally important to keep my foot on the gas after you get that call up and now you have to keep adding to it. That's the biggest thing I worked on this summer: my routines and my consistency."
He also credits the work he's done off the ice as a big reason for his early success on it this year and has dedicated a lot more time to the mental side of the game, something that he belives has already started to pay dividends.
"I used to focus too much on the negatives," shared Paul. "Instead of dwelling on what I should have done differently, now I look at everything as an opportunity to improve. It's honestly really helped me. My mindset has been really good and I'm able to control my stress and nerves just by being more positive. You don't always realize how your self-talk can impact you."
With his season debut out of the way, Paul's attention shifts to working to earn a regular spot in the NHL line-up and he'll have an opportunity to do so today against the Sabres.
"It starts with winning all my battles," he said. "I'm a big body and I can skate so I need to use my speed to take defencemen wide and cause a lot of mayhem around the net. I also need to be consistent so the coaches know they can rely on me to be good at both ends of the ice."