Buffalo Sabres could be searching for new captain
The Buffalo Sabres may start looking for a new captain sometime soon, as the club’s current leader Craig Rivet has been struggling and is no longer a staple on the Sabres roster.
So far, this has been a forgettable season for the Sabres. The squad currently sits at the bottom of the Northeast Division and is 12th in the Eastern Conference with 19 points and 12 losses.
Buffalo was expected to come into the 2010-11 season and build on their surprisingly successful 2009-10 campaign, which ended with the club winning the Northeast Division.
But the year has not been kind to the Sabres and the club currently ranks 14th in the National Hockey League in goals per game and 23rd in goals against per game. At the quarter point in the season, it is clear the team needs a change.
When searching for a quick fix, most general managers look to complete a trade, or perhaps call up a player from the minors or fire the head coach. But the Sabres may be able to change the culture of the team without taking such drastic measure. Buffalo
GM Darcy Regier may be able to wake up his roster by changing his captain.
Rivet currently holds the post and it may be time to strip him of the ‘C’ in favour of a more productive and dynamic player.
Rivet is known for his encouragement on the ice and is said to be great in the dressing room. However, the veteran has struggled to remain in the line-up this season and therefore is not getting as much time with his teammates.
In addition, Rivet has never been a stud on the blue line, the defender has spent his career as a fourth defenceman. Last season, Rivet’s leadership may have helped the Sabres to the division title, but his on ice play certainly did not.
The North Bay native only managed one goal and 15 points last season, while going minus-six, which was the fourth-worst rating on the team. The 2010-11 season has not been much better for the 36-year-old, as he has only managed one point and is a minus-six.
In addition, Rivet has also been a healthy scratch for nine of the Sabres games this season.
Their captain’s poor play and his inability to get in the line-up should have the Sabres scrambling for a new leader. At the moment, Buffalo has four assistant captains, Paul Gaustad, Jochen Hecht, Jason Pominville and Derek Roy. Of these four, two can be
considered legitimate contenders to take over for Rivet.
Gaustad was drafted by the Sabres and is in his sixth season with the franchise. The 28-year-old North Dakota native is a hard-nosed third line checking centre and although he does not score many points, he is a constant force when on the ice. Moreover,
the forward is not afraid to get his hands dirty, as he has picked up over 80 penalty minutes for the past three seasons. Gaustad is not going to be a skilled captain, leading by example, but will likely be a leader similar to that of Rivet. Nevertheless,
he brings a strong resume to the table and should be a viable option for Regier when selecting his new leader.
Meanwhile, Roy is the quintessential ‘lead by example’ captain. Not loud on the ice or on the bench, Roy has gone out and done his job for over six years with the Sabres. The 27-year-old has led Buffalo in scoring for the past three season and is on pace
to do it again in 2010-11. The Ottawa native is often Buffalo’s only consistent force up front and while he may not bring a barking voice to the role, he will certainly give it credibility with his skill.
Regardless of who they choose, it is imperative the Sabres make a change if they hope to compete in 2010-11.
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