Playing career

Junior

Gaustad was drafted in the seventh round, 220th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. In the off-season, he lives in Portland, Oregon. He also played for the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Prior to joining Portland in 1999-2000, Gaustad was a Portland Jr. Hawk. Afterward, Gaustad started playing for a Tier II team in Burnaby, British Columbia, of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL). In his three seasons with the Winter Hawks, he registered 135 points (53 goals and 82 assists) before making his professional debut with the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, in 2002-03.

Professional

Upon his arrival in Rochester, Gaustad registered 53 points (14 goals and 39 assists) in 80 games while also seeing his first action with the parent club, the Buffalo Sabres

In the 2005-06 season, Gaustad secured a starting position with the Sabres, where he played mostly as fourth line center and played the power forward/enforcer role, along with teammates Adam Mair and Andrew Peters. Gaustad, who had worn the number 14 in Rochester, had to double his number to 28 in Buffalo, due to 14 being retired in honor of Sabres legend René Robert.

On February 7, 2007, in a game against the Ottawa Senators, Gaustad's leg was cut and his tendon was sliced in a collision with Dany Heatley, an injury which at the time was thought to have ended his season. It was later revealed that the injury could have even potentially ended his career had it been an inch deeper. However, he did recover ahead of schedule and joined the Sabres in their 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs on May 4, 2007, for Game 5 against the New York Rangers at home in Buffalo.

After a productive campaign during the 2007-08 season, in which he registered a solid 36 points while mainly on the third and fourth lines, Gaustad was re-signed by the Sabres to a four-year, $9.2 million contract extension on the eve of the free agency period, which was set for July 1, 2008.

On the ice, Gaustad is known for his teamwork and gritty play making him a popular favorite among fans. He is often in front of the net, capitalizing on his 6'5" frame to screen opposition goaltenders and deflect goals. Because of his size and ability, he typically plays a unit on the power play.

At the 2012 NHL trade deadline, on February 27, Gaustad and a 2013 fourth-round draft pick were sent to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2012 first-round pick.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999-00	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		56	6	8	14	110		—	—	—	—	—
2000-01	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		70	11	30	41	168		16	10	6	16	59
2001-02	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		72	36	44	80	202		6	3	1	4	16
2002-03	Rochester Americans	AHL		80	14	39	53	137		3	0	0	0	4
2002-03	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Rochester Americans	AHL		78	9	22	31	169		16	3	10	13	30
2004-05	Rochester Americans	AHL		76	18	25	43	192		9	6	5	11	16
2005-06	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		78	9	15	24	65		18	0	4	4	14
2006-07	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		54	9	13	22	74		7	0	1	1	2
2007-08	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		82	10	26	36	85		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		62	12	17	29	108		—	—	—	—	—
2009-10	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		65	12	10	22	82		6	0	1	1	8
2010-11	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		81	12	19	31	101		7	0	2	2	13
2011-12	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		56	7	10	17	70		—	—	—	—	—
2011-12	Nashville Predators	NHL		14	0	4	4	6		10	1	1	2	5
2012-13	Nashville Predators	NHL		23	2	3	5	20		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	Nashville Predators	NHL		75	10	11	21	61		—	—	—	—	—
2014-15	Nashville Predators	NHL		73	4	10	14	60		6	0	0	0	22
2015-16	Nashville Predators	NHL		63	2	4	6	46		14	1	0	1	0
NHL totals				727	89	142	231	778		68	2	9	11	64

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2011	United States	WC	8th		6	0	1	1	4
Senior totals					6	0	1	1	4

[ Source: Wikipedia ]