Player Profile: #28 Paul Gaustad

Name: Paul Gaustad
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 229 lbs.
Birth date: 2/3/82
Age: 25
Hometown: Fargo, North Dakota
Acquired: drafted in 7th round (220th overall) in 2000 draft by the Buffalo Sabres

Background

Gaustad played three seasons of Junior Hockey with the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western League before joining the Rochester Americans for the 2002-2003 season.  He played three seasons in Rochester before becoming a fixture in the Buffalo Sabres lineup in the 2005-2006 season.

Scouting Report

Gaustad has turned into a solid third or fourth line player for the Sabres.  He has not put up the same ammount of penalty minutes he did in juniors or with Rochester but he will not back down from physical contact.  He is not afraid to battle in the corners and he thrives on creating traffic in front of opposing net minders.

Performance

06-07 Regular Season: 54GP-9G-13A-22P 74PIM
06-07 Playoffs: 7GP-0G-1A-1P 2PIM

Future

Gaustad will be asked to take on a more important role for the 2007-2008 Sabres after the loss of Chris Drury and Daniel Briere.  He will be a third or fourth line center and will probably benefit from more ice time.