What the hell is wrong with Rivet this year? When did he become such a liability on the ice? He was supposed to be gritty, solid with some offensive upside due to a nice shot from the point. I haven't seen much of a shot from him. He hasn't really hit or fought anyone in I don't know how long. He's always a step behind, being beaten to the puck. I mean, it's pretty bad when your Captain is your worst defenseman on the ice.

Ham

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Do you believe yet?

But is it always your best player being the captain of the team?

He may be pretty bad this year, but leadership isn't something this team has, even with Rivet sucking it up, he is a better captain than anyone on the team right now, and that was according to the players when they selected him as their captain.

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Thanks for starting a thread about it, i've thought the same thing one too many times in the past games to ignore it, but was feeling a bit lazy about starting a topic.

The only thing I actually see him doing is standing up for linemates, not in fighting, just in general scrumminess. He almost reminds me of Numminen, who had to rely on poise, smooth moves and awareness to compensate for lack of speed. Unfortunately Rivet is currently lacking the smooth moves. And the poise. And sometimes the awareness.

That's cuz Grier got here a season later.

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mechaphil

Definitely disappointed with his performance so far this season...but I think he's got those oh so important "intangibles"... Hopefully he can pick it up though.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

I think with Grier beating in the forwards and Rivet beating in the rest of the team also we are good on the leadership, same with Goose.

Didn't the team say the Grier/Rivet thing was sorta like the good cop/bad cop thing.

Grier would bash you and be mean and then Rivet would swoop in and be like it's ok?

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No, that was a ridiculously funny blog post by Katebits at The Willful Caboose.

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mechaphil

Oh, I just knew I read something about something then, haha.

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The style that he plays has taken a toll on him.

That, combined with the Sabres' new system with emphasis on speed... It's just not suited for poor Craig Rivet.

I think he's the type of player that will step it up down the stretch though. We'll see.

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Wheelhouse

Rivet probably has some shoulder problems that he just won't be able to play through for the rest of his career. He won't be as physical or fight anymore, that's it. His shoulder can't handle it. Without that part of his game he's trying to rely on skating and moving the puck a little better, which is hard when you're getting up in age. The bigger problem is his partner. Butler is actually the worst d-man (of the top six anyway), and his liabilities fall on Rivet's shoulder's.

So with Rivet having a bum shoulder, slowing down, and picking up the slack for Butler, I think he's done a decent job staying at a -3.

He's serviceable, but old. It's not like he coughs the puck up every other play like Chris Butler.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Led feet and stone hands are a deadly combination for the opposition to try and counter. You don't even know.

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Rivet's constant injuries, and age, not to mention the years of playing tough guy for MTL have caught up to him finally. He's still a great Locker Room guy, and a strong leader, but he's got more mileage on him that your average 34 year old defensive man. He played his first NHL games in 1994, He's been at it just shy of 16 years.

It's sad to see, but he's in the twilight of his career. He's beat up, he's got a history of lower body injuries, and he's just as hard working, but his legs are starting to give out, and that's what kills most hockey players. Even Orr, the greatest of defensive men had to call it quits when his legs went. That's what we're witnessing now with Rivet. He'll be able to play a limited role over the next two years, but he's beginning to fall out.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I agree he's our worst defenseman, but I don't think there is anything that can be done now. He's the captain. This off season there will be some tough decisions, though. In my opinion he's simply shot...it happens, players age differently. Chelios was the anomaly, and Rivet the more typical. He simply isn't a quality Top 6 defenseman anymore.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Although it's obvious to everyone that he's declining, I think it's safe to say that he's out there grinding away giving what he has on a night to night basis.

I'm pretty sure that resonates in the locker room.

Its true, the hunksicle isn't all he used to be, but I think he gave the team a big brother when they needed one most. I think he's benefiting the team in ways we don't know, behind the scenes, and for that, I still like him lots. And he's nice to look at and doesn't make me feel like a cougar because he's within ten years of me.

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

I think more or less its just because he is getting older with each passing day and is unable to just keep the pace, I mean I still support this guy and what not, but he has reached the end of his Career in my opinion... but I still like the guy, he is a good leader and what not, but I pretty much just see him as that, A leader. Nothing More, Nothing Less.

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

It's the same system we had last year, only this year it's working again. Rivet's not even having that much of an off year...everyone else is just playing that much better. He Is getting a little older, but it's not like he's at the top of the hill yet- he's only 34 and he doesn't play the toughest game in the league at all. He plays physical, but there are quite a few people that play harder.

He is fine. Plus, Montador's style is so similar to Rivet's that it makes Rivet look bad, since Montador is having such a good year.

Actually, he's 35 and will turn 36 this September. Many players do hit the wall around this time, particularly those who have had a history of knee problems and were not the swiftest of skaters to begin with.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Rivet has been in the league longer than Montador though and even though they play a similar style, Rivet has been at it for 6 more years than Steve.

It's not a matter of age that is killing him right now, it's how long he's been in the league. Other 36 year olds can play fine, but they weren't playing at age 20 and for 16 years with some or playing as physical.

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