[Buffalo, NY] - On Tuesday of this week, the Buffalo Sabres traded away two first round picks that they held in the 2004 OTHL Entry Draft. The first deal saw the Sabres trade the #23 pick (OTT 1st RD 2004) along with a 3rd in 2004 and a 9th in 2005 to Edmonton for prospects Alexei Mikhnov and Jani Rita as well as a 4th rd pick in 2005.
In the second deal, the Sabres traded away thier own first round pick in 2004, #13 overall, to Anaheim in exchange for top defensive prospect Mark Popovich.
LW Jani Rita 6'1" 206 lbs - Drafted 13th Overall in 1999
"Rita is a gritty winger with speed and size, and has a plus shot. He is a pretty solid specimen, and can grind it out in the corners with the big men. Rita uses his speed to good advantage on the forecheck, and can make a play at full speed. He does not use his size as a weapon on offense enough, but that will come with experience." - from HF.
LW Alexei Mihknov 6'5" 228 lbs - Drafted 17th Overall in 2000
"Mikhnov is a prototype power forward at 6-5, 200 pounds. His skating is described as being good for his size, and scouts rave about his soft hands and puck handling skills. Mikhnov's size and style of play has inspired comparisons to Dave Andreychuk. Now that he is weighing closer to 230 lbs, Mikhnov has become a force for the opposition defence to handle. Alexei is a scoring power forward in the Russian league." - from HF.
D Mark Popovich 6'1" 212 lbs - Drafted 35th OVerall in 2001
"A skilled puckmover and two-way threat. He has strong offensive tools, such as a hard accurate shot and also has great leadership attributes. He can carry the puck end to end and quickly get a strong shot off. He has worked considerably on the defensive side of the game and is now much more of a complete player then he was before he was drafted. He's also gotten stronger. Popovic could add a more physical element to his game, but either way he is a highly polished blueliner." - from HF.