Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - The Nashville Predators and center Paul Gaustad have agreed to a contract, just before the veteran would have hit the free agent market.

According to the Tennessean, it's a four-year deal worth $13 million.

Gaustad was acquired by the Predators from Buffalo at the trade deadline in February. He appeared in 14 regular-season games for Nashville and registered four assists, then added a goal and an assist in 10 playoff games.

The 30-year-old North Dakota native was selected by the Sabres in the seventh round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut during the 2002-03 season.

In 493 regular-season games, Gaustad has 71 goals and 114 assists for 185 points. He also has 591 penalty minutes and is known as a strong faceoff man.

07/01 12:45:05 ET