Gaustad announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Gaustad evidently didn't receive much interest from NHL clubs as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and has decided to hang up his skates instead of pursuing a continuation of his professional hockey career overseas. The 34-year-old forward defied the odds from the start, beginning his career as a seventh-round selection in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, and ending it after 11 productive seasons split between the Sabres and Predators. Gaustad finishes his highly respectable career with a total of 89 goals and 142 assists over 727 NHL games.

Gaustad's first-period goal stood up as the winner in Nashville's Game 7 victory over the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

The Stanley Cup playoffs make heroes out of unlikely candidates, and that is exactly what happened to Gaustad in this one. The fourth-line center potted just two goals in the regular season, but his first point of the playoffs will live forever in Nashville lore as the deciding play of the franchise's first Game 7.

Gaustad (upper body) will play in Tuesday's game against the Stars, Brooks Bratten of the Predators reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gaustad has been sidelined since March 5 with an unspecified upper-body injury, but he will return to the ice Tuesday night. He will skate on the Predators' fourth line alongside Colton Sissons and opposite Miikka Salomaki.

Gaustad will not travel with the Predators on their four-game road trip after suffering an upper-body injury, Adam Vingan of The Tennessean reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gaustad left the Mar. 5 matchup with Colorado after 5:42 of ice time and will stay in Nashville rehabbing. The center has not missed a game since early December, yet he has provide little offensive production over that span. In the 41 games since the 34-year-old was last out of the lineup, he has tallied a measly four points while adding 39 PIM.

Gaustad recorded an assist in Thursday's win over the Jets, his second point in the last four games.

EDGE Analysis

Now with just five points in 38 games this season, Gaustad is on track to post the lowest offensive totals of his career. This should not come as a surprise to anyone, of course, as the 33-year-old spends most of his time centering the Preds' fourth line, taking faceoffs, killing penalties and keeping the opposition's best players in check. In fact, defensive-zone faceoffs are Gaustad's specialty, where he leads the league with an astounding 90.7% win rate.

Gaustad scored a shorthanded goal in Saturday night's 2-1 overtime win over the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first goal all season for Gaustad, but there's no reason to believe that he suddenly has an affinity for the twine. Instead, look for the center to deliver decent hit totals -- he has 62 hits this season -- and be used on the penalty kill, where he's averaging 2:19 of ice time through 30 games.

Gaustad finished the month of December with zero points in 13 games after returning from a four-game absence due to an upper-body injury. He now has just two points in 29 games so far this season.

EDGE Analysis

This should not come as much of a surprise, as Gaustad's primary role continues to be winning faceoffs and killing penalties, and he continues to be very busy in both of those categories. He is currently ranked 17th in the league in faceoff winning percentage (.558) and he leads all Nashille forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:19). Bottom line, while his days of contributing on the scoresheet are long over, Gaustad's fantasy value continues to lie strictly in the aforementioned secondary stat categories.

Gaustad (upper body) has been activated from injured reserve and will play in Saturday night's road game against the Red Wings, Adam Vingan of The Tennessean reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gaustad missed the past four contests due to the lower-body ailment, though he participated in practice Wednesday and is now fit play again. Here's hoping the 33-year-old can finally stay on the ice as upper and lower-body injuries have limited him to just three games since Nov. 7.

Gaustad (upper body) is likely slated to miss Thursday's contest against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Gaustad did take part in practice Wednesday, but was sporting a non-contact jersey while doing so. Barring some updated information confirming otherwise, expect Gaustad to skip Thursday's contest. If that's indeed the case, the veteran's next chance to return would come Saturday against the Red Wings.

Gaustad (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Vingan of The Tennessean reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gaustad suffered an upper-body injury in Wednesday's game against the Sabres, and was unable to suit up for Friday's tilt against Philadelphia as a result. The exact nature of the ailment remains unclear, but it's apparently serious enough to warrant placement on injured reserve. If healthy, Gaustad will be eligible to return to action Thursday against the Panthers.