you have to remember that Paulie was talking Soprano family business to Johnny Sack thinking that he was scoring points with Carmine Sr. when he was still alive and remember that it was Paulie who told a few people about Ralph Ciferetta making fun of Ginny Sack.
But SF, you say he thought he was scoring points, but Carmine Sr. didn't even know who the fuck Paulie was. I think Paulie's connection with New York began and ended with Johnny Sack. With Sack now gone, I don't think Paulie really talks to any of the New York crew. So I doubt he is the one that " was playing both sides " as shown in up coming scenes.
I think it is interesting that Patsy Parise's son is dating Meadow. Remember when is twin brother was killed along with others from Junior's crew for running their mouth about Tony and his mother trying to kill each other. Patsy almost shot Tony at his pool, but decided against it , and then got fairly high in Tony's crew. Is he waiting to get really close to Tony to kill one of his loved ones to make Tony grieve as well, and maybe he was waiting to have back from New York before he acted, so he would maybe have some protection after he acted.
Or maybe he flipped , and that is how he was working both sides. With their children dating, Patsy could get very close to Tony and get enought to put him away for life. And then Patsy could go into the witness protection program.
I kept hearing that there would be a major motion picture to really end everything, so Chase couldn't kill Tony off in the series. But now that Chris is already gone, I doubt there is going to be a movie. So only about 2 hours left.