Sabres Put Their Captain, Craig Rivet, On Waivers

[IPostedWhat]

This needed to happen IMO, and he was never a Captain or leader on the ice.

Rivet, a defenseman, is a 16-year NHL veteran who has seen very little playing time this season, appearing in only 23 games. He hasn't played since Jan. 11, and been a healthy scratch for the past 16 games. He is scheduled to earn $3.5 million this season and also will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Now all the Sabres need to do is get rid of Pommers, Grier, Nieds, Connolly, and Lalime.

 

[sbb122]

This needed to happen IMO, and he was never a Captain or leader on the ice.



Now all the Sabres need to do is get rid of Pommers, Grier, Nieds, Connolly, and Lalime.

What is it with Pominville? He looks like he has all the tools to be an elite forward when i watch him play. Can he just not get it all to click?

 

[IPostedWhat]

What is it with Pominville? He looks like he has all the tools to be an elite forward when i watch him play. Can he just not get it all to click?

I would like to know as well. He has the talent and skill to be an effective goal scorer, but it just never seems to pan out for him year after year. Perhaps he simply needs a change of scenery? That seemed to work out well for Afinogenov and now MacArthur on the Leafs.

All I know is that he's in his 6th full season and he's only passed 30 goal once back in 06-07, and he has yet to get past 25 since 07-08.

5.3 mil is too much to be spending on low production like that.

 

[buffhockey]

Well that didn't take long.

I also think a few of those names should be worried about how long they will remain on the roster.

Portland has a few guys ready to step up.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

This needed to happen IMO, and he was never a Captain or leader on the ice.



Now all the Sabres need to do is get rid of Pommers, Grier, Nieds, Connolly, and Lalime.

I don't mind holding onto Grier at $1.2M given the grinding he does on the PK.

I would however like to add Hecht to your list.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I don't see anyone taking him at that price, so to me this doesn't look like a salary/cap dump as much as a statement that he sucked this year and last.

And Weber has been playing well enough that Rivet was completely obsolete, since he was behind Weber and Sekera on the depth chart.

 

[IPostedWhat]

I don't mind holding onto Grier at $1.2M given the grinding he does on the PK.

I would however like to add Hecht to your list.

Grier is a great guy and a hard working player, it's just that he's past his prime now, and you can tell the game is passing him by now. He has a hard time keeping up throughout an entire game, and at moments is a defensive liability. Not too mention the hands of stone he seems to have when he's on a breakaway going 2 miles an hour.

As far as Hecht is concerned, I wouldn't care one way or another if he leaves.

 

[devs30rko]

never really understood why he was the captain in the first place, and for some reason i have a feeling he is going to clear waivers, i just can't see there being much upside to him at this point in his career, most of the teams in playoffs spots have better options than him, and most teams rebuilding would obviously prefer to stay younger than he is.

poor craig... i guess

 

[IPostedWhat]

Needless to say that it looks bad to have your Captain be a healthy scratch game in and game out. He needed to go.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Grier is a great guy and a hard working player, it's just that he's past his prime now, and you can tell the game is passing him by now. He has a hard time keeping up throughout an entire game, and at moments is a defensive liability. Not too mention the hands of stone he seems to have when he's on a breakaway going 2 miles an hour.

As far as Hecht is concerned, I wouldn't care one way or another if he leaves.

I don't see bringing Grier back next year for the exact reasons you mention (though he's never been a breakaway specialist) but I would let him finish out the season at least.

If the Sabres are serious about a playoff push, he's a great experience guy that can help guide some of the young guys that would come up if they waived some others, and his work ethic would set a good example.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[IPostedWhat]

If the Sabres are serious about a playoff push, he's a great experience guy that can help guide some of the young guys that would come up if they waived some others, and his work ethic would set a good example.

Isn't that the same reason why we picked up Rivet in the first place?

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Needless to say that it looks bad to have your Captain be a healthy scratch game in and game out. He needed to go.

This whole situation confused me though.

I don't understand why they didn't take the C from him when it got to the point that he couldn't crack the lineup anymore.

Pretty dysfunctional.

 

[buffhockey]

I don't see bringing Grier back next year for the exact reasons you mention (though he's never been a breakaway specialist) but I would let him finish out the season at least.

If the Sabres are serious about a playoff push, he's a great experience guy that can help guide some of the young guys that would come up if they waived some others, and his work ethic would set a good example.

Just my opinion of course.

I agree 100% with this on Grier.

 

[IPostedWhat]

This whole situation confused me though.

I don't understand why they didn't take the C from him when it got to the point that he couldn't crack the lineup anymore.

Pretty dysfunctional.

At this point in time I say make Vanek or Stafford the Captain. Why the hell not?

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Isn't that the same reason why we picked up Rivet in the first place?

True. But that move sucked.

 

[devs30rko]

has rob niedermeyer been the headache he was for the devs for you guys?

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

At this point in time I say make Vanek or Stafford the Captain. Why the hell not?

I wouldn't mind Vanek because I wonder if having the C on his sweater would finally light that fire under him so that he actually lives up to his ability each game.

My first choice would probably have been Roy, but with him out I would probably go with Gaustad.

If they decide to give out the C. I would prefer if they don't at this point actually.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

has rob niedermeyer been the headache he was for the devs for you guys?

Headache how?

He's played like crap but I don't think he's caused any problems other than that.

 

[sportfan09]

This needed to happen IMO, and he was never a Captain or leader on the ice.



Now all the Sabres need to do is get rid of Pommers, Grier, Nieds, Connolly, and Lalime.

seriously something had to be done,top goalie in the league and nothing to show for..miss the old flyers sabs games...barnaby and garth snow fights lol good ole days

 

[IPostedWhat]

Rivet asked for a trade because he wanted to play. When no one wanted him, the Sabres put him on waivers.

Tough break.