NASHVILLE -- It's easy to turn the focus away from the bottom six forwards in Nashville's lineup. The top line has been one of the most productive in the league, five of the top six forwards already have double-digit point totals, and Filip Forsberg has been at the center of that spotlight. It's only when the bottom six, more so the fourth line, makes an egregious mistake that the attention is shifted over to them.
Over the last two seasons, Predators forward Paul Gaustad has been under a fair amount of scrutiny from both critics and fans, who were hoping to see more from the 32-year-old forward who is making $3.25 million this season and the next before his contract expires. A player that had the makings of being a prototypical Barry Trotz forward when he was traded to the Predators from Buffalo prior to the trade deadline in 2012, Gaustad has been Nashville's go-to guy for faceoffs in the defensive zone.
Granted, while he could be used and deployed differently, defensive zone starts and shorthanded situations are what Gaustad thrives on. With a defensive-minded coach in Trotz out and offense-first Peter Laviolette in, communication has been key on what is needed out of Gaustad from both coaches.
"[Trotz] was a great communicator as well. He did it in a different way, but he was pretty clear on my role and what they wanted from me. It comes to the player of trying to execute that," said Gaustad. "I think [Laviolette] was clear of what my role is and everybody's role. For me, it's just executing what they want me to do is important. Everybody has that job to do the best that they can."
Laviolette's approach to hockey has always been a hard and aggressive offense-first mentality. With his system solidifying itself in Nashville, the Predators are seeing more offensive-zone starts than they have in previous years, something that may not fit well to the style of a player like Gaustad. For the Fargo, N.D., native, it's clear that he's adjusting well to what has been expected of him.
"The system's been great. The role and the responsibilities they've given me is within my strengths. The things they've been asking me to do, penalty kill and defensive zone draws, really suits my strengths. I think it's been a good fit so far," said Gaustad.
Another factor of Gaustad's abilities on the ice has been his consistent presence on Nashville's penalty kill. Struggling early in their first 12 games of the season, only killing off around 70 percent of their penalties taken, Gaustad has been one of the primary reasons for their resurgence over the past month.
Nashville's penalty kill jumped up eight percent during November. Not only are the coaches taking notice of what Gaustad brings to the table night in and night out, but his peers as well.
"He's got the size. He's got the faceoff ability. He's got the ability to get under teams skin because of the way he plays. He's just always in your face. When he leans on you, he is heavy. That can wear guys down," said Predators forward Eric Nystrom, who has been one of the primary wingers alongside Gaustad on the fourth line. "There are some big forwards in the league and they're not used to playing against a centerman that's that big that leans on you. He's so conscious defensively. I think all of those elements really make him a different type of player."
Nine games into the 2014-2015 season, Predators forward Rich Clune, who had served as Nashville's primary agitator and played alongside Gaustad on the fourth line, was waived to make way for recently-activated forward Matt Cullen. Demoting the person most likely to answer the bell for Nashville on the ice, Gaustad has unassumingly been the one to fill that role in his absence.
Not unknown for dropping the gloves occasionally, Gaustad participated in a total of four fights last season; one in the preseason and three in the regular season. This year? He's already matched that total. It almost seems as if the role of de facto enforcer was thrust upon his shoulders.
"It hasn't been pushed, but it's something where sometimes fights happen more often than other times in the season. Sometimes it's stepping up for a guy and defending; sometimes it just happens," said Gaustad. "It's not something where I'm going to look out for more [fights]. The system we play is fast and hard. We're not a fighting team, but we stick up for each other around here. Whether it's fighting or getting in and helping another guy out."
Gaustad found himself with dual fighting majors against Toronto in Nashville's 9-2 blowout victory. It was the first time Gaustad had been in multiple fights in one game since March 27, 2009. While playing with the Buffalo at the time, Gaustad recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick along with an extra fight and helped the Sabres take down the same Maple Leafs by a score of 5-3.
"It's been a long time. It's happened. It's part of my game and part of my role. I don't have a ton of [fights] throughout the year, but every once and a while I have to stick up for a teammate," said Gaustad.
Changing from one coach to another can sometimes be a very difficult transition, especially if the player isn't sure what his role is or if it could change from one coach to another. In the case of Gaustad, it's been a smooth transition under Laviolette. One might even say that the difference in system has helped Gaustad perform better with the Predators.
Slowly becoming one of the unsung reasons for Nashville's success, it's not often a fourth-line player will be heralded for their performance. It only helps to have Gaustad actively contribute in all areas of the game. He's perennially one of the top 10 face-off winners in the league and has remained one of Nashville's more positive and outspoken players in the locker room.
The leadership that Gaustad delivers may not translate into a letter stitched onto his jersey, but his presence resonates in Nashville's locker room. That's not something that can be quantified as a statistic to be measured and analyzed.
"He's a vocal leader. He's always got a good attitude and he's positive," said Nystrom. "Sometimes these games are tough in the situations we play and you get frustrated, but he's done a great job of keeping a positive attitude and being a leader."
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