Rivet expected to be ready for camp

Buffalo captain Craig Rivet, who had surgery on his left shoulder in May, is expected to participate when the Sabres begin training camp Saturday.

The recovery time for Rivet's surgery was anticipated to be 4-6 months, but coach Lindy Ruff said Monday that it looks like Rivet will take part on the opening day of camp and be ready to go when the Sabres open their season in Ottawa on Oct. 8.

"We knew going in that with the surgery he should be ready for camp and he's had a good summer," Ruff said. "If it's not full-go right off the bat, he will be ready for the season."

Rivet played 78 games for the Sabres in 2009-10, totaling 1 goal and 14 assists despite wearing a brace and battling the injury throughout the season. He had 1 goal in the Sabres' six-game loss to Boston in the opening round of the playoffs.

"I think any time you go through a year like he did -- you're playing with a bad shoulder, you're playing with a harness on -- you look at those situations and you go through the surgery in the offseason, and he's got enough where he wants to have a real good year," Ruff said.

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