Sabres C Gaustad undergoes thumb surgery

Sep 30, 2008 - 3:56 PM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Buffalo Sabres center Paul Gaustad will miss up to the first four weeks of the regular season after having surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Gaustad, entering his fourth NHL season, was hurt during a fight in Buffalo's 2-1 preseason shootout loss to Minnesota on Sunday. He has one goal in two games this preseason after signing a four-year, $9.2 million contract in the offseason.

Last season, Gaustad recorded 10 goals and 26 assists, appearing in all 82 games.