New jerseys receive mixed reviews from fans
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Dmitri Kalinin (45) is pursued by Mike Ryan during Saturday's open practice at the HSBC Arena. Sabres players were wearing the team's new uniforms for the first time. Photo by Mike Lynaugh

Due to extensive Internet speculation and vocalized dissatisfaction with the new Buffalo Sabres logo, thousands turned out this past Saturday to witness the official unveiling of the team's new jerseys.

Fans present had mixed opinions about the jerseys but were all curious to see the actual uniform after so many rumored images popped up on the Internet.

"It's actually grown on me," said Kevin Bruce of Cheektowaga. "didn't like it at all on the Internet, but it looks a lot better in person than online."

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller agreed. "I think they did a good job of designing the jerseys," he said. "I think people overreacted a little about the logo. They're pretty good jerseys." Miller also noted that the enthusiastic interest in the jerseys shows how much the public cares about the Sabres' history.

The new home jerseys are navy blue with a silver stripe on the upper arms and blue and gold on the lower arms. The players' numbers are featured on both arms and in the upper right corner of the front, with the new logo in the center.

The away jerseys are white with navy blue and gold arms.

Several members of Saturday's crowd were positive about the jersey change.

"Change is good," said David Miller of Lancaster.

Pat Dobbes of Amherst said, "The symbol is new. How could it be bad?" though mom Cathy was not so excited about the logo. "I won't say what I think it looks like," she said.

"I like it. It looks meaner," said 12-year-old Colton Anstey of North Tonawanda. Dad Jim agreed. "It needs a sword, though," he said of the logo.

The bone of contention for most fans was the logo, but the change back to the blue and gold was welcomed by many fans.

Bill Denecke of Orchard Park disliked the jerseys because of the logo's "slug-like" appearance. "The blue and gold looks good though," he said.

Vancouver native and current West Seneca resident Grant McLennan went on a 15-year boycott of Canucks merchandise after they changed their uniforms. He noted that he is considering doing the same with the Sabres' new jerseys, while drawing attention to his "vintage" T-shirt.

Another vote against the new logo came from Drew Celestino, webmaster for fixthelogo.com, the Web site with a mission to convince the Sabres to change the new logo.

"It's terrible," he said. "The team looks great in the blue and gold, but the logo is still terrible. It's eerie seeing it everywhere."

While the jerseys were the main topic of conversation, the crowd retained the spirit of last season, cheering as the 2006-07 Sabres took the ice for a practice scrimmage and raised their sticks at center ice before continuing with practice.

"It doesn't matter what they wear," said Depew native Chris Thoms. "Complaining about the jersey makes it seem like you don't support the team and you look like a fool."

New Sabre Jeroslav Spacek voiced what seemed to be the sentiment of players and staff. "The logo is not that bad. I was used to seeing the blue and gold as a kid, but I don't care about the logo. I play for the team."

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com