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BUF interest in Chayka Hints To Possible Frontrunner, Bill Zito. Fri's Buzz

April 28, 2017, 1:16 PM ET [40 Comments]
Eklund
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Following up on reports today and I may have uncovered a bit of a clue regarding the Sabres GM search. There are many, many names being mentioned and being interviewed by the Pegulas and the Sabres.. Our own Garth, very connected in Buffalo, has listed several candidates including Norm Maciver, Tom Fitzgerald, Pat Verbeek, and even Dean Lombardi...Others have mentioned even the possibility of Brian Burke....but one name mentioned really stands out...and according to at least one well-placed source at the NHL, should be considered among the frontrunners...

That name is Bill Zito, assistant GM of the Columbus BlueJackets. Many consider Zito "The epitome of the new era NHL GM because he understands all aspects of the sport from talent evaluation to contracts and management..."

"Billy is considered one of the hot upcoming talents," another source said, "Many teams are very interested in him and know him well already from his time as a "tough but fair" agent.....as a brilliant hockey guy. Word is that Pegula is interested in putting together this team in a way to set them up for years to come with smart people at the helm. Look at his interest in Coyote's GM John Chayka. Pegula is thinking outside the box."

On Bill Zito....

Zito is a very sharp hockey man and Yale graduate with a law degree (he also played hockey at Yale). Three years ago Zito took a major paycut and left his highly successful player agency "Acme World Sports" (Kimmo Timonen, Brian Rafalski,Tukku Rask, Tim Thomas, and more) to become the Assistant GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, saying at the time he wanted to be part of a Stanley Cup Champion.

And here is another fact that Western New Yorkers/Eastern Ohioers will like about Zito...

Last season Columbus trusted Zito to take over as GM of their AHL affiliate:The Lake Erie (Cleveland) Monsters. Zito turned the team around drastically, taking the team to an improbable Calder Cup run with the most dominant playoff run in recent memory. The Monsters Swept 3 of their 4 series including the Semi Final and Final, going a remarkable 15-2 in the playoffs.

The current Jackets team is the youngest in the NHL, and had a highly successful season behind the strength of several of the former Calder Cup Champion Monsters....NHL teams are taking note, so its not surprising Zito's name keeps coming up.

The Sabres are also talking to Mike Futa, assistant GM in LA....another sharp business guy...the Pegula's search is quite extensive


What say you???



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