Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Prudential Center. Here's what some of the players and head coach Brent Sutter had to say after practice today. Most of them saw it for the first time on Sunday, too. They had hoped to hold a practice there this week, but because their locker room isn't completed yet (word has it that GM Lou Lamoriello has had workers re-do it twice already) and set up for Thursday's arena-opening Bon Jovi concert has already begun, that probably won't happen. That means the first time they'll be on the ice there will be at the morning skate on Saturday.
Brent Sutter: “It’s absolutely beautiful. It’s first class and beyond. Obviously, it’s a beautiful facility and Mr. Vanderbeek has done a great job and Lou in doing what they needed to make it the way they wanted it to be.
Jay Pandolfo: “It’s really nice. Just the size of it, the facilities, the concourse, everything. We’re going to be spoiled down there.”
Brian Gionta: “I think it’s going to be a fun place to play from the ice level to the upper deck. I don’t think they’re far removed from each other as far as being back. Normally when you build it, there’s quite an arc, but here they’re straight up so they’re right on top of you. I think that makes for a fun experience. I know from the buildings I played in in college, when they were right on top of you, it was a lot more fun.”
Martin Brodeur: “It looked pretty cool. The stage for Bon Jovi was (set up), so we didn’t see the ice surface, but just the whole atmosphere with the (video screen on the side of the building) and all the new seats and Devils’ logos everywhere, it was pretty neat. I can’t wait to be able to skate there.”
Zach Parise: “It was awesome. It was something else. I didn’t see the Fire and Ice Lounges, but I heard they are unbelievable. Unfortunately, our area wasn’t done downstairs, but the concourse looked awesome. It’s got those open sightlines from the concourse and I think that’s pretty cool.”
“There’s more of a feeling that the fans are on top of you and I think with the way they constructed it and the way they built it, it will be a lot better than the Meadowlands was.”
Patrik Elias: “A lot of my friends were there and they mentioned that it looks like there might not be a bad seat in the house because it’s kind of built differently. The higher levels are a little more steep, so it seems like you’re closer to the ice surface to watch the game. I think that’s great.”
“The first two or three times I was there you could see that there was construction going on. Now, it’s almost finished. The restaurants, everything is just the top.”
The players wil be psyched when they hear the thunderous roar us fans will give them when the game starts Sat night.
Posted by: Devils Goal | October 22, 2007 at 08:03 PM
I am so excited for the arena I can barely contain myself.
Posted by: 2600 | October 22, 2007 at 10:23 PM
I had trouble sleeping Sunday night after visiting the arena that day!
Posted by: wkmaier | October 23, 2007 at 08:19 AM
Zach Parise is the best devil next to Marty right now. He grinds, he shoots acccurately, he has excellent vision, and is a team player especially with Zajac. In their win against Tampa (3-2) on Nov. 24, he proved it. Do u agree?
Posted by: marty's rocker | November 25, 2007 at 09:00 AM