From nhl.com:
The Buffalo Sabres acquired veteran defenseman Craig Rivet from the San Jose Sharks on Friday.
The Sharks sent the 33-year-old veteran and a seventh-round selection in the 2010 Entry Draft to the Sabres in exchange for second-round selections in the 2009 and 2010 Drafts.
Read the entire article here.
Well, the Sharks got their man in Boyle and decided that Rivet was now expendable. This is a trade that works out for both teams. The Sharks acquire a couple picks to make up for what they traded away in the Boyle trade and eliminate any problems their top 6/7 defense corps would have had over ice-time.
On the other hand, the Sabres acquire a steady top-four pairing defenseman who should help stabilize their back-end. Rivet is a solid two-way defenseman, who also brings strong leadership skills to the dressing room. His willingness to sacrifice his body and play in all types of situations should make him an instant favorite in Buffalo.
