AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: Barry blowing bubbles DATE: 10/10/2006 03:53:00 PM ----- BODY:

Imagine the outrageous nerve of ESPN’s Barry Melrose putting the rap on the Buffalo Sabres’ new uniforms. What does Melrose know about sartorial splendor anyway? He’s been copying Don Cherry for years and obviously hasn’t looked in the mirror lately. His outfits look like they’ve been designed by a tribe of zebras. PATIENCE WITH THE ISLES The easiest thing in the world is to dump on the Islanders after their first two losses on the road (6-3 vs. the Coyotes and 2-0 vs. the Sharks) and there’s no question that the defense needs work. But isn’t it kind of stupid for the league to force an east coast team to open with four straight games in the west? WHY YES! Before anyone gets too panicky about the early Isles let’s not forget that the Stanley Cup champion, Carolina Hurricanes still haven’t won a game (0-2-1) and lost both games – one a shootout – at home. The Isles need at least a dozen contests before we get a good line on them. Tuesday night they are in Los Angeles and Wednesday they are in Anaheim. THE PUCK FOLLOWS PARISE I’m not going to go nuts yet over Zach Parise’s three points in the Devils’ first two games. But I love the kid’s positive attitude and his delightful “ability.” When The Bergen Record’s Tom Gulitti asked the second year left wing whether he was concerned about a “sophomore slump” Zach shot back, “I don’t know if there’s that much slumping to do. I didn’t think I had a very good season last year.” Which proves that the kid is simultaneously witty and accurate. GILLES REMEMBERS Every once in a while a neat story comes my way that underlines a point about hockey players being the nicest guys in sports. This one is about one-time Ranger goalie, Gilles Gratton (one year with the Rangers) who was contacted by Rangers’ fan clubber, Mitch Beck. Beck, from Monroe Connecticut, also is a collector of memorabilia and sent Gratton a photo of the goalie. I’ll let Beck tell the rest of the story in his own words. “Not only did he send me back the picture that I sent him, he also sent me a signed hockey card that I didn’t send him or even ask for. He also sent a signed Rangers sticker and rare Rangers team card from 1977 that I happen to know is worth a few bucks too. “What an incredibly nice thing to do. I was totally blown away. Some of the guys have written really special and super nice things to me on the pictures, Don Maloney, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bower and Gump Worsley come to mind right away. Glenn Healy wrote me, ‘To a great one of a kind fan.’ “That’s the one special thing about hockey players that separates them from all the other sports.” LEETCH A FLYER: It seems almost sacrilege to visualize Brian Leetch in a Flyers’ uniform. That’s why I find it hard to believe the Philly-based reports that the Flyers would like to sign the future Hall of Famer. Leetch facing the Rangers as a Bruin or Maple Leaf was somewhat digestible. Not so wearing the Flyers’ orange and black. I’m convinced Brian feels the same way and that’s why my prediction is that he won’t sign with Bob Clarke.

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Anonymous DATE:10/10/2006 07:52:00 PM Melrose is the man, and seriously, the Sabres' new unis are horrible.

So are the Ducks' new ones for that matter. ----- --------