The 27-year-old forward, who could have become an unrestricted free agent July 13, had 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 80 games this season, including 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 21 games for the Lightning after being acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on March 20 for forward Mathieu Joseph and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
"It feels good to get an offer that quickly, that aggressively and then for a long term like that," Paul said. "It's a cool feeling to feel wanted like that and for it to happen so quickly. Seven years is a long time, and for them to have that confidence in me and to believe I'm going to better my game and be a better player and continue to help this team be successful and they see that for seven years ... is really huge. When I would talk to (Lightning general manager) Julien (BriseBois), he really appreciates what I bring to the table. We had a good talk about where my future is headed and what he likes and everything about my game.
"It wasn't a hard decision for me. I wasn't looking around. I knew this is where I wanted to be, and thankfully we got it done."
Paul had nine points (five goals, four assists) in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including both Tampa Bay goals in a 2-1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of Eastern Conference First Round. He had two goals in the Stanley Cup Final, which the Lightning lost to the Colorado Avalanche in six games.
"There's no judgment, there's no feeling of not fitting in. It was just a good connection," Paul said. "I just felt like family almost. Like I've known them forever and I literally knew them for a week or two weeks at that point. That's the biggest thing that stands out to me. [Forward Brandon] Hagel said it as well. It's how easily they let your personality come out and be yourself and feed into it.
"I can't say enough good things about Tampa. The fans are great. I can't believe how much support the team has from the fans and the city. All the restaurants have 'Go Bolts', all the houses have the flags. The support is unbelievable. Since the end of the season, people have come up to my fiancee and I and congratulated me on the season and told me they want me to stay. That means a lot to us, to feel appreciated and supported. Definitely one of the reasons why we wanted to stay here."
Paul was in the final season of a two-year, $2.7 million contract ($1.35 million average annual value) he signed with the Senators on Oct. 14, 2020.
"I think we had a good read on him as a player," BriseBois said Tuesday. "I think him getting to play in the NHL playoffs, which he hadn't done before, allowed him to showcase how much of a gamer he is.
"If anything, that's probably the quality that stands out to me. He's a big-time gamer. He fought through a lot of injuries for a long time and still performed at a very high level through Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Very impressive."
BriseBois said Paul played through a sprained AC joint in his shoulder.
Selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round (No. 101) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Paul has 80 points (34 goals, 46 assists) in 248 regular-season games for the Senators and Lightning.
NHL.com independent correspondent Corey Long contributed to this report.
