Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville


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By: Adam Gretz

The Nashville Predators made two of the biggest trades on Monday, and after picking up Andrei Kostitsyn from Montreal earlier in the day, they also landed center Paul Gaustad and a fourth-round draft pick from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a first-round draft pick.

The first-round pick was the rumored asking price for much of the day, and the Sabres were able to find a team willing to give one up.

Gaustad was one of the most talked about players heading into the deadline, which should have given us an idea as to how quiet Monday would be, and gives the Predators a big body down the middle that can play a number of different roles. The most valuable asset he brings to the team might in fact be his ability in the faceoff circle as he's one of the best players in the league on draw, consistently near the top of the NHL. That fills a pretty big need for the Predators as they are currently one of the worst faceoff teams in the NHL.

It's certainly a high price to pay for Gaustad, an unrestricted free agent after this season, but it's also a clear sign that the Predators are going for it this season. Over the past week they've added Gaustad, Kostitsyn and Hal Gill to go to a team that already has two of the best defensemen in the NHL (Shea Weber and Ryan Suter) and one of the top goalies in the league in Pekka Rinne.

For more hockey news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnHockey and @agretz on Twitter.

Since: Feb 15, 2008	Posted on: February 28, 2012 6:24 am Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville Part of the Suter deal is the commitment to putting a contender on the ice. Suter has said many times, as well as Weber that they like Nashville, but want to have a shot at the cup. What player worth their salt does not. The question I have is this enough to prove to these guys that the commitment is there? Nashville is already a top ten team with no moves. They are young in key areas and the need for a "top six" forward is real, but real for many teams as well. It will be interesting come July......
Since: Jun 25, 2009	Posted on: February 28, 2012 12:33 am Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville If Weber, Suter, and Radulov are with the Preds in the coming years, it will have been worth the extremely high cost. That's the problem and the 100 million dollar question. Let's forget about Radulov for a second and just focus on Weber and Suter. What's going to happen with those guys in the near future? Suter is an UFA after the season, they haven't come to an agreement with him yet and I have a very difficult time believing Suter isn't going to wanna see what's out there on July the 1st. I've read some posts from Nashville fans in the past that believe Suter really wants to stay in Nashville, and maybe he does. But he would be a very highly sought after free agent this summer and the offers he's likely to get are going to be incredible. He's "only" making 3.5 million per season right now and when you look at the dmen in the NHL right now making 4.5 to 5 million dollars that aren't nearly as good, you have to wonder what market value is going to be for Suter. And if you think you've figured that out you probably have to add about 20 percent to that number since there is likely to be a bidding war. And then of course they only have control over Weber for one more season and then he's an UFA as well..... This next calendar year is pretty huge for the Predator's franchise, I'm curious to see how all of this plays out.
Since: Jul 1, 2010	Posted on: February 27, 2012 11:43 pm Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville It's expensive to make a trade these days if you have to convince some players to sign long term deals and if you want to convince a highly talented Russian to come across the pond. If Weber, Suter, and Radulov are with the Preds in the coming years, it will have been worth the extremely high cost.
Since: May 11, 2007	Posted on: February 27, 2012 9:07 pm Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville Trading a first round pick for a third line center is never a good move. Goose has great faceoff stats but don't lose sight of the fact he is generally on the ice with other third and fourth line centers. When he takes key late game draws he's good but not great. He's also has scored a gigantic bagel in 38 playoff games.
Since: Jun 1, 2009	Posted on: February 27, 2012 8:41 pm Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville The Preds are legit. They have drafted well for years and their system grooms players constantly. We already have a lot of prospects in our system. This should be a win/win for both sides.
Since: Jan 2, 2007	Posted on: February 27, 2012 8:09 pm Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville Some of those boys go down to Nashville and actually like it. I half expect that Goose will re-sign with the Preds. I'll add two thoughts: 1) I actually cannot believe that Regier extracted a first round pick for a rent-a-player. Nashville must really feel that they're close. Of course, I hope that they're dead wrong and the Buffalo's pick is in the middle of the round. 2) Just about everyone will miss the Goose in Buffalo. It would be sweet indeed if he were to come back in July! (Just do not count on it.)
Since: Oct 24, 2006	Posted on: February 27, 2012 5:43 pm Paul Gaustad traded to Nashville Hurry back to Buffalo July 1st Goose

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