|
|
Sharks acquire Craig
Rivet
SJ deals Gorges and a 1st round pick to
Montreal
2/25/07 - By Mike Lee
 |
| Craig Rivet |
The Sharks sent young defenseman Josh Gorges and a 1st
round draft pick to the Montreal Candiens on Sunday in exchange for veteran
defenseman Craig Rivet, in an attempt to shore up a
defensive corps that has struggled of late. Rivet, a veteran of 12 NHL seasons
was Montreal's longest tenured player. The 32-year-old defenseman has 653 NHL
games under his belt, and another 39 playoff appearances, all for Montreal. The
Sharks will also receive a 5th round draft pick from Montreal in 2008.
San Jose sends Montreal a 1st round pick that was acquired from New Jersey and
defenseman who had found himself in the doghouse as of late.
"We
acquired that pick for this purpose," said Sharks GM Doug Wilson. "I would
rather get exactly what we want and pay a price than to have to chase your tail
and get something that maybe doesn't fit as well."
Rivet has missed
the last two weeks, due to a bout with pneumonia, but should be ready to go as
soon as he arrives in San Jose.
"Craig may have been in the lineup
(Monday) night after an absence of two weeks, so you'd expect it will take him
a bit of time to find his game shape and to be comfortable and productive
again," said Canadiens GM Bob Gainey. "The Sharks look like they're locked into
a playoff position and they can allow him the time to get his full form back."
The move didn't come as a surprise to Rivet, who has had a well
publicized disagreement with Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau, after he was
scratched from a game on 16th against Vancouver.
"It was something
that I was preparing myself for," the North Bay, Ont., native said. "It's
something that's difficult because I've been in Montreal a long time.
"I have a lot of roots here. But at the same time I kind of saw the writing on
the wall. I was thinking in my mind that change would be good. I feel great
about it."
The Sharks deal a green defeneseman in Gorges, in
exchange for a seasoned veteran who should provide a calming affect to one of
the youngest blueline's in the NHL. Rivet becomes the oldest player on the
Sharks roster.
"We were looking for a Mike Grier-type player to play
on our back end," Wilson said. "Mike Grier has had a big impact up front and we
look to get that from Craig on defense. He's obviously been well-coached coming
from the Canadiens' organization."
Gorges was signed as an undrafted
free-agent in 2002 when he was with the Kelowna Rockets. Gorges served as the
Rockets team captain and won a Memorial Cup with them in 2004. He was a
surprise roster addition for the Sharks in 2005-06 after a strong training
camp. The 22-year-old struggled this season and was a frequent scratch.
Profile: Craig Rivet
 |
| What did you think of
this article? Post your comments on the
Feeder Forums |
|
|
|
| |
|
