Rivet, 33, scored five goals and 35 assists in 74 games with the Sharks this past season.

Boston College's Nathan Gerbe had two goals and two assists Saturday night in a 4-1 victory over Notre Dame for the NCAA's men's hockey championship before 18,653 fans in Denver's Pepsi Center.

Gerbe had three goals and an assist in Boston College's 6-1 semifinal win Thursday night over North Dakota. Had Hobey Baker Award voting been done after the Frozen Four — and why shouldn't it have been? — Gerbe probably would've been chosen college player of the year. He led the NCAA in goals (35) and scoring (68 points) in 43 games.

Sabres management says young players and a lack of leadership are reasons why the team did not make the playoffs. And in the front office, managing Partner Larry Quinn says he still puts a lot of faith in general manager Darcy Reiger and coach Lindy Ruff.

Included among the first 17 players announced by the governing body are Patrick Kane and Lee Stempniak, both Buffalo natives, along with Jason Pominville, Drew Stafford and Paul Gaustad of the Buffalo Sabres.

For every blunder, the front office found a bright spot. Despite going from the NHL’s top team to a 10th-place squad that missed the playoffs, they wanted to make it clear they feel they’re doing the right things in HSBC Arena.

After building a club that made consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference finals, general manager Darcy Regier has more time to restructure his suddenly mediocre Buffalo Sabres. He should use it wisely.

From 2005-07, nothing kept the Sabres off track - not a rash of injuries, not a losing streak, not a strong conference from top to bottom. But this season, little seemed to work.

Not to mention the hockey club itself, which will miss out on estimated revenues of more than $500,000 a game. The Sabres have said in the past that the club breaks even on the regular season and needs playoff receipts to turn a profit.

Miller, who was the most-worked goaltender in Sabres history, had a lot to talk about as the players wrapped up the 2007-08 season. He spoke about his workload, his mental focus, his successes and failures, and his teammates.

For the first time, Amerks and Knighthawks President Steve Donner on Tuesday said the deal to buy out current partner Walter Turek and Randall Latona "is essentially done. But until it's approved by the league, nothing is officially done."