BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Buffalo Sabres defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, who wants to be paid $2 million per season, said Tuesday he would rather be traded than sign for less money. 
 Zhitnik, one of three veteran not in training camp with the Sabres, has been a free agent since last season. Buffalo has the right to match any offer from another team. 
 "If they want to keep me here, they have to pay me," Zhitnik said. "If not, I will ask for permission to go to another team. If I stay, fine. If they trade me, that's fine, too. But I don't want to sit here." 
 Zhitnik is looking for a three-year deal worth $6 million. The Sabres' last offer was for $1.6 million per season. Zhitnik's agent, Ron Salcer, spoke with Sabres vice president Kevin Billet on Monday, but the two sides were still far apart on an agreement. Salcer described the talks as cordial. 
 "He wants to play in Buffalo," Salcer said. "But if he can't be compensated for what the market value is in the National Hockey League, he'll go somewhere else." 
 Neither Billet nor Sabres general manager Darcy Regier returned telephone calls Tuesday seeking comment. 
 Zhitnik, 25, had his best all-around season last year. He had been criticized for not being sound defensively throughout his five-year career, but he became one of Buffalo's better defensive players in 1996. 
 The speedy defenseman, who had seven goals and 28 assists last year, worked his way into a role killing penalties and was among the NHL's top 20 defenseman in minutes played. With the departure of veteran Garry Galley, he expected to carry a bigger load this season. 
 "It's nothing personal," Zhitnik said. "We have a great group of guys here. I like playing here, I like living here, but this is business." 
 Zhitnik skated Tuesday at one of the Sabres' former practice facilities while his teammates continued training camp. Zhitnik worked out with a group that included holdout Michael Peca and star center Pat LaFontaine. 
 Peca, 23, given the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward last year, has been looking for a contract that will pay him at least $1 million a season. He pulled a four-year proposal from the table last week after Buffalo made a four-year offer for much less money. 
 "We haven't heard from hem," Peca said. "They must have more important things to do. All I know is that they keep forcing the same offer. I just sit here and wait." 
 LaFontaine is still waiting to hear from the team regarding his status after he sustained a serious concussion last season. He was cleared by his own doctors, but not by the Sabres. He cannot join the team until the team's medical staff gives him clearance.