The reaction to the Sabres' new locker room at First Niagara Center has been "universally positive, with players smiling and staring wide-eyed at the pictures, logos, lights and nods to history that the Sabres' design team created," according to John Vogl of the BUFFALO NEWS. Sabres G Ryan Miller said, "It's above and beyond. You can get lost in this place, it's so big. [Owners] Terry and Kim (Pegula) put a lot of thought into it, and we really appreciate it." The new rooms "don't contain a trace of the team's old locker area." A circular room "has replaced the rectangle, allowing players to see each other and communicate easily." By contrast, the new visiting dressing room "is a long rectangle, and chats between players on opposite ends will be next to impossible," and the benches and stalls "are wood-grained rather than blue vinyl." Vogl noted, "The Sabres' walk from the room to the ice was designed to give them a sense of purpose and pride. Six words -- belief, commitment, character, discipline, trust and, in larger type, excellence -- are written above the exit door. From there, the players enter a hallway that is an ode to team history." The left wall has "the names and photos of every member of the Sabres Hall of Fame," while the right wall features large plaques "with the numbers and names of the six Sabres who have their uniforms retired" (BUFFALO NEWS, 10/11).
