Zhitnik

http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20031015/1045393.asp

Don't know about you, but I'm sure glad we held onto this guy. A legit #1 d-man and vastly underrated IMO.


Other notes:

Ruff said Tuesday the Sabres are planning to bring all three goalies - Biron, Ryan Miller and Mika Noronen - on the team's 13-day Western swing.

Ruff added that forward Eric Boulton, who Monday had the cast removed from his broken left thumb, also will travel with the team when it leaves town this afternoon.

The concussion that prospect Derek Roy suffered over the weekend while playing for Rochester is considered "mild," Ruff said.

I agree. I just wish we'd find a RD partner for him. Why? Case in point vs. the St*rs was when the Sabres were trying to clear the puck, and Zhitnik had to clear the puck with his backhand because he's lefthanded on the right side of the ice. The puck stayed in because he couldn't use his forehand, like a RD would. St*rs didn't score, but they kept possession for a minute after that.

I agree. I just wish we'd find a RD partner for him. Why? Case in point vs. the St*rs was when the Sabres were trying to clear the puck, and Zhitnik had to clear the puck with his backhand because he's lefthanded on the right side of the ice. The puck stayed in because he couldn't use his forehand, like a RD would. St*rs didn't score, but they kept possession for a minute after that.

I found it amazing that during a power play against the Islanders, Lindy had two RD out there, Delmore and Patrick ... ugh! At least put out one of each (a LD and a RD)!

You get a better shooting angle with a RH shot on LD, but it is tougher to pinch and keep the puck in on the off-side. I would prefer to have Delmore paired with Z or Campbell on the PP myself.