In what some may view as a surprise move, Lindy Ruff and the Buffalo Sabres have named veteran defensemen Craig Rivet as the captain for the 2008-09 season.  Rivet serves as the first full time captain for the Buffalo Sabres since Stu Barnes held that position from 2001-03. 

Craig Rivet joined Buffalo in the off-season from San Jose, along with a seventh round draft pick in the 2010 Entry Draft in exchange for second round picks in the Entry Draft in both 2009 and 2010. 

Four alternate captains were also named: Teppo Numminen, Jaroslav Spacek, Jochen Hecht and Jason Pominville.

It's good to see the Sabres go to a consistent captain, as opposed to the rotating captain system the team used last season, as well as in 2003-04.  Consistent leadership is needed on a team, and a full time captain should provide that consistency. 

It's a bit surprising to see Rivet named as the captain given that he hasn't even played a regular season game in the blue and gold.  It seems to show that Rivet is not only playing well, but playing with heart - something that was a bit of a concern given his initial reactions being traded to Buffalo.