Links in the chain of tradition: why "zakenim" and not "shofetim""?

In the course of a discussion on the Judaism Reclaimed Facebook page, one of the participants in the discussion (Nate Lite) asked a good question about the chain of tradition of the Oral Torah from the Giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and ending with the Men of the Great Assembly (Avot 1:1). The chain of tradition passes through Joshua to the Prophets via the zakenim (literally "elders"). These zakenim are understood to be the Judges. Nate Lite's question is this: if the chain of tradition passed through the Judges, why does Avot 1:1 refer to them as zakenim and not as shofetim (the normal word for "Judges" in this context)?

A possible answer might be that the term "shofetim" has a somewhat negative connotation. This is apparent from commentaries on the opening verse of the Book of Ruth ("In the days when the judges judged...). Zakenim has no such  negative connotation: the word is treated as a notarikon of the Hebrew words Zeh koneh chochmah ("this person has acquired wisdom").

Another possible answer is that the shofetim were not entirely an unbroken sequence, which might suggest a break in the chain of tradition.

Any other suggestions?