Craig Rivet: 2010-2011 Report Card

by Zachary Zielonka on Jun 7, 2011 9:00 AM EDT in 2010-2011 Report Cards

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2010-2011 season for the Buffalo Sabres. Here is a complete report card of every single player that played any amount of time with the Sabres this season. The journey began with Luke Adam and will conclude in a month with Mike Weber. Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

It's now time for the former captain

Craig Rivet

#52 / Defenseman / Columbus Blue Jackets

Height: 6-2

Weight: 207

Born: Sep 13, 1974

+/-

PIM

2010 - Craig Rivet (Buffalo)

Craig Rivet (Columbus)

-5

-7

Introduction: The much maligned captain of the Buffalo Sabres saw his tenure with the team end mercifully as he was claimed on re-entry waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before then, Rivet was benched for much of the season as he lost a step or two and the pressure from the younger defensemen that were sitting was too much to keep Rivet in the lineup. Rivet never lost his captaincy until he was waived by the Sabres, something that coach Lindy Ruff didn't want to experience again after the same situation happened to him.

Rivet did end up playing in 23 games for the Sabres and did score three points for the Sabres in those games and managed to score three points in those games. After Rivet was claimed by the Blue Jackets in March, he played 14 games for the team and managed one goal.

Rivet's main question now is whether he will continue to play hockey or hang up the skates after a rather dismal season on the ice.

Key Stat: Rivet's four points were the lowest career amount since he scored three points in 26 games in the 2000-2001 season with the Canadiens. The 37 total games was the lowest since the 2006-07 season with the Sharks,.

Thumbs Up: Rivet's play certainly was not something that was a thumb's up at all, but I do have to give Rivet credit for the way he handled his situation this season. He didn't create a situation in the media and handled his benching as a captain of a team would, without as much distraction as possible.

Thumbs Down: Rivet's play on ice was downright dismal this season. He finished the season with a -12 in the plus minus department and a -6 in the relative Corsi department. Rivet just didn't stop chances on goals and didn't contribute much on the offensive end either.

Voting: On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, grade Craig Rivet on his season according to the expectations you had for him. If he met them, give him a five or a six. If he eclipsed them, aim for a seven or beyond. If he failed to meet them, give him a lower number relating to how poorly he missed the target.

Topics of Discussion: Does Craig Rivet play hockey again and if so, where?

Poll

What rating does Craig Rivet deserve for the 2010-2011 Buffalo Sabres season?

10

3 votes

9

0 votes

8

0 votes

7

0 votes

6

1 votes

5

2 votes

4

12 votes

3

31 votes

2

56 votes

1

46 votes

151 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I gave him a one

It is pathetic to see athletes who can’t except the fact that they have lost their skills and should gracefully retire. I lost all respect for Rivet last season.

by Geolover on Jun 7, 2011 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

All Respect?

The dude was put in the press box for most of the season and didn’t complain to the media or pout around or make a scene. In 09-10 Rivet had 15 points in 78 games, yes he was hurt but his season wasn’t a reflection that he couldn’t do it anymore. He had surgery during the off season that was suppose to correct the problems with his shoulder. It didn’t.. Are people just suppose to walk away when they hit a certain age? As soon as you aren’t good as you once were you’re just suppose to stop trying? Seriously, your skewed view of the world is laughable.

Rivet did what we want people to do when they get benched. Yes he was frustrated and you could tell he wanted to be out there. But he kept it in the locker room and behind closed doors. The team obviously had a lot of respect for him giving him his chance to play by letting him go.

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"

by FloridaBuffalo on Jun 7, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I am a pragmatist

First, I don’t think Rivet, in his heart , ever was a Sabre. It was obvious in his first year with the Sabres that he resented being traded to Buffalo form San Jose. In my opion, which I know is shared by others, he did not play committed hockey for the Sabres with the intesity as he had played with the Sharks. He did enough to get by, but not enough to be a game changer. I think Ruff finally realized this and thought that making him Captain would give him the incentive to become a real Sabre. Last season, Ruff realized that no matter what he did to try and ingraciate Rivet to the team, it was a useless exercise.

Second, it is my opinion…….admidttedly, I live in New Jersey and don’t get to see too many games…….. Rivet never wanted to be a Sabre or to live in Buffalo, This attituded, in my opinion, affected his play and his commitment to the team. It is because of this that I question his professionalism and personal integrity. I think he deserved to uncerimoniously dumped in the manner the Sabres chose to sever his relationship with the team.

by Geolover on Jun 7, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

He was named Captain during his first training camp...

Not sure how he could have displayed “enough to get by, but not enough to be a game changer” at that point.

Second, it is my opinion…….admidttedly, I live in New Jersey and don’t get to see too many games…….. Rivet never wanted to be a Sabre or to live in Buffalo, This attituded, in my opinion, affected his play and his commitment to the team. It is because of this that I question his professionalism and personal integrity.

So in other words, you’re making stuff up because you just don’t like the guy for whatever reason?

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jun 7, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

And I have no idea how one becomes a "real Sabre"...

Is it like becoming a “True Yankee”?

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jun 7, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

All he does is make stuff up and talk in circles. Now he admits he doesn’t match very many games.. SHOCKER. We couldn’t tell that with all the incorrect statements he’s made…

by FloridaBuffalo on Jun 7, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Call me crazy

But I kind of see Geolover’s point here. He did admit that he never wanted to play for Buffalo, but that he warmed up to the city when he got traded. How genuine you take that statement is up to you, but I myself am skeptical – what’s he going to say to the local media “I don’t want to play for your crappy city but I will because I’m getting paid a shitload to?”
As for him being named captain, I don’t put that much stock in it. Unlike Geo, I won’t question Rivet’s heart on the ice. He was also the veteran presence on a team that was sorely lacking it, which is I’m guessing why he was brought in in the first place. He was captain by default.
I gave Rivet of 2. We heard so much about his shoulder and the promise of how he could play when it was feeling better. In my mind, he never lived up to it. Acquiring Rivet, in hindsight, was not a good move, but I honestly don’t fault Darcy too much for it.

by Philaster on Jun 8, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

He didn't have to say anything at all.

If he really hated it in Buffalo he could have just given a stock line like “You have to realize this is a business but I’ve heard nice things about Buffalo.” Instead he was honest that at that stage of his career, he wasn’t really looking to move but once he got to Buffalo, he realized it’s a nice place to play.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jun 8, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

3/10

I was expecting points or top pairing minutes from Rivet.
I was expecting a positive +/- and a guy who would clear the front of the net, lay down some decent hits and play with a sense of badassness in about 14 mins a game. I didn’t see any of that with any kind of consistency.

by JSCoope on Jun 7, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Why are we grading Rivet?

by ComeOnNow on Jun 7, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

I haven’t noticed a player drop off this quickly this fast

by billsfan26 on Jun 7, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Age affects different players in different ways

Some players can remain exceptionally productive into their 40s and beyond. Look at how well Selanne played this year when pretty much everyone, including myself, thought he was done. Others start to fade noticeably in their early 30s. You are never sure just what you’re going to get when players get older and the body starts breaking down with the years of punishment that has been inflicted on it.

I don’t disagree with the decision to sign Rivet and while I do disagree with the decision to make him captain I think he handled his diminished playing time with a great deal of class and integrity. His skills just deteriorated so quickly because of age that he was no longer an effective player. That happens and it is not always easy to predict just how quickly it will happen or to what extent. Frankly, I’m surprised we got as much as we did from the Jackets for him.

It is not that I don’t think Rivet tried. He’s too much of a professional for that. He simply ran out of gas.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Jun 7, 2011 8:48 PM EDT reply actions