The Sabres are expecting young defensemen Andrej Sekera and Mike Weber to become versatile, dependable pros. So they got Craig Rivet to help teach them.

Buffalo acquired Rivet from San Jose on July 4 in exchange for their second-round picks in 2009 and 2010. Rivet is a 12-year veteran who was an assistant captain for the Sharks last season.

"You look at some of the young guys that we have coming up, whether it's Sekera, Weber, in hopes that they make our hockey club, I think that the blending of the experience and the youth going forward is going to be a very good for us," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said.

The Sabres wanted to add a tough, established defenseman through free agency. But they couldn't sign their targets, so they dealt for Rivet. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder had five goals and 30 assists last season. Rivet is signed through the 2010-11 season and is the Sabres' highest-paid defenseman at $3.5 million for each of the next three years.

"We think we've accomplished filling a very important need for the hockey club," Regier said. "Craig brings tremendous leadership, character. He's a proven veteran and a very good player. So when I think you put him in with our hockey club he'll make a very significant contribution to this team."

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.