Predators acquire Paul Gaustad from Sabres

In a late move, the Nashville Predators have obtained the services of 6'5" center, Paul Gaustad from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the Predators' first round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The Preds also will be receiving a fourth round pick 2013 NHL Entry Draft in the deal.

Gaustad adds plenty of bulk up front for the Predators who really appear to be gearing up for a long playoff run. In 56 games this year he has scored 7 goals and added 10 assists. Other than his size, Gausatad adds skill in the face-off circle and penalty killing ability to the Preds as he has won over 56% of his draws this season.

The big center is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and has indicated that if he were traded that he might be interested in re-signing with the Sabres during the summer.

Make the jump to see the full release from the Predators...



NASHVILLE PREDATORS ACQUIRE PAUL GAUSTAD, DRAFT PICK FROM BUFFALO
-Send 2012 first-round pick to the Sabres -

Nashville, Tenn. (February 27, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired forward Paul Gaustad and a fourth-round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft from Buffalo for a first-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft.
         
Gaustad, 30 (2/3/82), has 17 points (7g-10a) and 70 penalty minutes in 56 games for the Sabres this season, in addition to ranking 10th in the League in face-off efficiency (56.8 percent) and eighth among forwards in average shorthanded ice time (2:52). The 6-5, 220-pound center has finished among the NHL’s Top 10 in face-offs each of the past two seasons (third in 2010-11, 59.8 percent and sixth in 2009-10, 57.4 percent). In 479 career games with Buffalo, the Fargo, N.D., native has amassed 181 points (71g-110a) and 585 penalty minutes. The seventh-round selection (220th overall) by Buffalo in the 2000 Entry Draft also has eight assists in 38 playoff games.

The Predators look to finish off their final extended homestand of the season on a high note when the L.A. Kings make a stop in Smashville tonight (7 p.m., FS-TN, 102.5 The Game, Dollar Dog Night). The Predators then hit the road for the rest of the week, making stops in Carolina on Tuesday (6 p.m., FS-TN, 102.5 The Game) and Florida on Saturday (6:30 p.m., FS-TN, 102.5 The Game), while the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament takes over Bridgestone Arena. Limited tickets are available for remaining Nashville Predators home games; to purchase, visit nashvillepredators.com, ticketmaster.com or call 615-770-PUCK (7825).


More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass