When Jason Spezza — or at least a version of the great player he once was — comes to town with the Dallas Stars on Monday, it will be another reminder of the bad trade the Senators made in the summer of 2014.

In return for the second-leading scorer in franchise history, a guy who scored 687 points in 686 games, they received three players and a second-round draft pick. Only one of those assets remains with the Senators organization, and that’s Nick Paul, who was summoned from Belleville of the AHL along with Christian Jaros on Friday.

Paul has played 36 games for Ottawa, sprinkled over those three seasons, while suiting up in 172 with the team’s AHL affiliate.

Only 23, opportunity has knocked a number of times, but he has been unable to answer. You may think his chances of becoming a NHL regular are over,

He firmly believes otherwise.

“I feel I’m getting better,” said the 6-foot-3, 219-pound winger. “Sometimes you feel like you just hit that levelling spot, but I haven’t hit that yet. I feel every year I’m getting better and better. I’m pushing myself.”

Paul looked like he was on track to the big leagues when he played 24 games with the 2015-16 Senators, but that plan was derailed. Two seasons ago, he scored 15 goals and 37 points in Binghamton. Last season, he had 14 goals and 27 points in 54 games with Belleville.

The belief was that Filip Chlapik would be the first forward to be promoted this season, but Paul was called up when Ryan Dzingel and Alex Formenton went down because he earned it.

“He was great in the exhibition games down there,” said GM Pierre Dorion, “and he was the best forward down there.”

Paul spent the past summer focusing on his speed, explosion, skills in tight and a quicker release. But he was also taught to work on his frame of mind.

“Whenever I start to build up stress I meditate,” he said. “The glass is always half full. Everything’s positive.

“I didn’t believe in it at first but I’ve been using it as a tool. It’s changed my whole mindset. I feel good. It’s actually helped me a lot.”

Paul and Jaros had just landed in Winnipeg with the B-Sens on Thursday when they found out they were heading back east to answer Ottawa’s need. They went to the hotel to grab their hockey bags, then had a bite to eat. Paul even managed to squeeze in a haircut before they were on the plane again.

Sounds like a long day?

“It’s a good day when you’re getting called up,” said Paul.

After practice Friday, he looked comfortable in the Senators dressing room, talking to reporters he’s now known for awhile. He should be familiar with the surroundings. He’s friends with all the players, even those who have been here for awhile.

Having played in NHL games, he’ll know what to expect and what’s expected of him.

“I know what it’s like being called up,” Paul said. “The nerves aren’t as bad … they’re still obviously there, but it’s getting later in my career, I know my window is slowly going shorter and shorter. I’ve got to make sure I come in and have my best day every day. I can’t have days off. I’ve just got to make sure I work as hard as I can and prove myself. I want to show them I can be a NHL player.

“I just don’t want to be a callup here and there.”