Melrose to visit The Rock

Guess who's coming to Newark? Yup, ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose is going to attend the Devils' game Friday night against Washington. From what I've been told, he's going to get the royal treatment from Devils principal owner Jeff Vanderbeek and Newark Mayor Cory Booker with a tour of the building and the city's improving areas. Maybe Booker will give him the key to the city.

Why are Vanderbeek and the Mayor falling over themselves to accomodate Melrose? It was only last month that Melrose knocked Newark and the area around Prudential Center, saying, it's a "beautiful new building", but, "Don't go outside if you have a wallet or anything else, because the area around the arena is just horrible."

Well, Vanderbeek and Booker took the bait and fired back at Melrose, giving his comments far more attention than they would have received if they had just ignored him -- like ESPN mostly ignores the NHL. Melrose apologized, claiming he was only trying to be funny, and then admitted he'd never been to the arena.

Now, Vanderbeek and Booker will try to charm him into saying something nice about the city and the building.  At least, there should be a decent crowd because it will be Scott Stevens Hall of Fame Night.

Comments

[Arrrgh]

To be fair, the TV media got hold of the comments first. Once they come to you and ask you something, it's hard to say "no comment." Especially if the statement runs counter to the image you're trying to build up.

I mean, Fox5 led with it. And now they get another story if it's a slow news day.

I thought the worst thing about that clip was that the production crew couldn't be bothered to spell "Ottawa" correctly.

[Bill]

I've gotta take my hat off to Vanderbeek again though because his retort to Melrose was priceless. Something along the lines of, "That would be like me talking about what it's like to have a mullet."

Vanderbeek rules!

[wkmaier]

This is being handled perfectly, even give props to The Mullet for coming to town.

[Danofan355]

So they'll show Barry a great time and he can go on ESPN for 10 seconds and say how terrific the arena/area is. It'll be the first time anyone other than devils fans and people who live in Newark have something nice to say about it. Every week on the news you see a shooting or some other terrible news come from there so it will be nice to see something positive come out about Newark for once.

[Kevin Todd]

This game will be a sellout according to some Devils officials I spoke with at the game last night. Lets show Barry what we are all about.
As for decent crowds I think we have been doing fine for weekday nights, between 14-15k. The Isles are giving away tickets and couldnt crack 11k.

[jules]

Eh, we’ll see. I’m sure that Melrose will predictably say something about how he was wrong, blah blah. I’m more interested in seeing the Devils continue their winning ways.

I was surprised too that Jeff V. and Booker said anything, but at least that shows that they’re serious about improving Newark’s image.

And it seems that we’re outdrawing the Nets, who are literally giving tickets away (on ticketmaster), even with the revamped Izod Center.

[TG]

If Booker and Vanderbeek don't respond, Fox has no lead story. You can't build a lead news story simply around one comment from Barry Melrose.
I do have to give Vanderbeek credit for his wit, though.

[Steve Lepore]

Hey Tom, at least he's not here every night bad mouthing the team, the attendance and the arena...like Mark Everson.

[Tommy from Elmwood Park]

Vanderbeek and Booker only responded after Melrose's comments were circulating all over the news. They did the right thing and sticking up for the City of Newark and the arena area-which is so much better than outsiders portray.

Barry is a good hockey guy and I will shake his hand if I see him and welcome him to The Rock. I am hoping for a jam packed sellout like opening night.
I will be there in Section 214 in my Stevens jersey.

[Danofan355]

I'll be in 233 with my Rasmussen jersey. (It's a game worn so darn it, I'm wearing it! Those shoulders hit quite a few people last season)
Just an FYI for all the great people who post on here, Triple A and the Devils fan club have great game offers for a few games a month. $65 dollar seats for $38 (sometimes $32). It's how my mother father uncle and I get to the games.
LET'S GO DEVILS!

[Brandon from Sayreville]

I mean, let's not be blind and turn our back to the actuality of Newark. My retort to Barry would be that, like many cities, venturing into random areas IS dangerous. HOWEVER, going to a Devils game isn't. So, in summation .. Is the whole city of Newark safe? No. Is going to a Devils game safe? Absolutely.

[Zavior]

I went to my first game at the Rock on Sunday and it was great. The area is safe and the police presence was excellent which is required these days were large amounts of people are present. Using the subway and path train took me less than a hour and it was much safer than going to the port authority which had it's share of shady and unpleasant people. And almost verytime I went there, the cops had someone in handcuffs for pick pocketing for fighting.

Get out and chance a Devils game at the Rock, you will be pleased.

Zavior

Also, does anyone know where I can find the "Tastes of Newark" food stand at the Rock during a Devils game?

[Mike M]

Upstairs, The concourse behind the goal that has open view of the ice. The other end isn't open.

[Bill]

And they finally labeled the Tastes of Newark stands. Now you know which one is Jimmy Buffs, Hobby's, etc.

[Jersey Mike]

every city has its problems , kinda like Barry's hair
I'll be up in 228 with my Claude Lemieux jersey on

GO DEVILS !