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  Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 5-11"
Weight: 210
Birth Date: 10-10-72
Place of Birth: Kiev, USSR
Jersey Number: 44
Compensation: $2,500,000


The Finesse Game
Zhitnik has shored up some of the weaker points of his game, developing into a solid all-around defenseman who could be a top four on almost any team in the league. Being able to work with Buffalo assistant coach Mike Ramsey has helped him progress. Zhitnik has a bowlegged skating style that ex-coach Barry Melrose once compared to Bobby Orr's. Zhitnik is no Orr, but he was born with skates on. He has speed, acceleration and lateral mobility. Zhitnik plays the right point on the power play to open up his forehand for the one-timer. And he likes to rush the puck and shoots well off the fly. He uses all of the blueline well on the power play. He has a good, hard shot, and keeps it low for deflections in front. A player who sees the ice well and is a good playmaker, Zhitnik can snap a long, strong headman pass or feather a short pass on a give-and-go. He can also grab the puck and skate it out of danger. He plays a smarter game now and is less of a defensive liability. He still likes to think about going on the attack and will occasionally make the risky play. If the Sabres could find a good stay-at-home defenseman to play with him, Zhitnik could really cut loose.

The Physical Game
Zhitnik has paid close attention to his conditioning in the past year or two; now that he is in better shape he is more willing and able to play a more physical style. Where he once made rather wild checks, he knows when to step up for the hit. He plays sensibly and doesn't take bad penalties. His lower-body strength is impressive. He can really unload on some checks, as he did on Mike Sillinger in the playoffs. Zhitnik takes pride in his game and competes hard most nights.

The Intangibles
Dominik Hasek is still the best defenseman on the Sabres, but Zhitnik is an underrated member of the club's defense corps. We haven't see his best yet.

Projection
Zhitnik gets prime ice time and will net another 45 to 50 points as Buffalo's top-scoring defenseman.


Season Team/League GP G A TP PIM +/- PP SH GW GT Shots Pct
1989-90 SOKO/USSR 31 3 4 7 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1990-91 SOKO/USSR 46 1 4 5 46 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1991-92 CSKA/CIS 44 2 7 9 52 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1992-93 LOSA/NHL 78 12 36 48 80 -3 5 0 2 0 136 8.82
1993-94 LOSA/NHL 81 12 40 52 101 -11 11 0 1 1 227 5.29
1994-95 BUFF/NHL 21 2 5 7 34 -3 1 0 0 0 33 6.06
1994-95 LOSA/NHL 11 2 5 7 27 -3 2 0 0 0 33 6.06
1995-96 BUFF/NHL 80 6 30 36 58 -25 5 0 0 0 193 3.11
1996-97 BUFF/NHL 80 7 28 35 95 10 3 1 0 1 170 4.12
1997-98 BUFF/NHL 78 15 30 45 102 19 2 3 3 2 191 7.85
1997-98 RUSS/OLYMP 6 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1998-99 BUFF/NHL 81 7 26 33 96 -6 3 1 2 0 185 3.78
NHL TOT 510 63 200 263 593 -22 32 5 8 4 1168