The Caps Unveiling Party

This evening the Washington Capitals had their big draft day party in D.C. where they unveiled the uniforms to fans. Check out all the cool smoke and stuff.

Ex-Bolt Ben Clymer is seen here modeling the brand spankin' new Caps duds. They're sharp uniforms. I still hate the logo though. I don't mind the shoulder logo with the eagle in the form of a "W." Anything but a logo made out of the team name.

I do get nostalgia and throwbacks and stuff, but come on. Put that on the shoulder or something. Anyway, it's not up to me and I'm not even a fan of the team. I'm just hoping the Lightning come up with something cool this summer.

We're all waiting on the "EDGE" of our seats. Come on! You don't like puns?

No New EDGE Jerseys At The Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks just took Patrick Kane as the first overall pick of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. The jersey they gave him was the standard jersey and not the new Rbk EDGE jersey. So perhaps we can expect more of the same from the rest of the league tonight. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop if you aren't watching on Versus right now.

UPDATE (7:41 PM): We've had three picks so far and everybody's handing out the "old" jerseys. It's like the all-star game all over again when we all were hoping to see the new uniforms then. Looks like we'll have to wait indefinitely this summer for each team to announce as they feel like it. By the way, the old Caps logo is still on the draft board. We'll see if they give their pick (#5) the newly unveiled jersey.

UPDATE (7:50 PM): The Capitals had their new jersey on hand to give to Karl Alzner as the fifth pick.

UPDATE (8:46 PM): We're nearly halfway through the first round of the draft and only the three teams that have previously unveiled their new Rbk EDGE uniforms have doled them out to their newest players tonight. Doesn't seem like anyone will be unveiling here tonight. For the record, those three teams are the Capitals, Bruins and Blue Jackets.

Blue Jackets Jerseys Unveiled!

And here it is. No real shock. It's what we expected. Just wanted to post it in photographic form. The draft is going on now. We'll get to see some more new uniforms I'm betting.

UPDATE (7/21 6:43 AM): I just realized I had some better images of the new Blue Jackets uniforms which were unveiled in Columbus on draft day. Thought I'd post them in case you hadn't seen them yet.

They look sharp and this new logo is far better than what they have been wearing. Incidentally, as a funny side note, I recently read on a message board somewhere someone calling the shoulder logo a "rebel hat." Clearly this person is out of touch with American history since those of us who aren't know that the "blue jackets" were the Union soldiers. I got a chuckle out of it.

You can't really see it well in the photos, so for a better look at the logo I'm referring to, check it.

More Potential New Unis

Today is Draft Day and that means each team has to break out the "07" jersey to throw on the backs of their new draft picks. But this year every team is getting new jerseys and the only ones we've actually seen at this moment are Boston and Washington. For a refresher, these are them:

Now for what you haven't seen yet. At least not here, that is. While scouring the internet as I do I came across possible designs and mock-ups for both the Dallas Stars and New York Islanders. Let's start with the latter.

This appears to be a cell phone photo taken possibly covertly. But now the world has it via the wonderful internet. Now as with anything I post that isn't official, do take it with a grain of salt. I'm not anymore connected than you are reading this. The jerseys hanging here definitely have some color issues. I can't say I'm loving all the striping but so far I haven't really loved any of the new Rbk jerseys we've seen. That includes the Bruins and Capitals — although I did like what they wore at this year's all-star game. Am I too picky? Usually I like change, but I haven't been wowed over yet. Yet being the operative word there.

There's also this which might be better off the Hockey Fans & Photoshop series I just finished running a week or so ago. In fact the design even looks a little bit reminiscent of what I posted for the Dallas Stars during that series. Even if this is the team's actual design, it's not half bad. I don't hate it and I like the creativity with the crest on the dark jerseys. However, that in itself indicates a possible change back to the days when the home team wore white.

Don't you just love all this speculating. God knows I do. So that's that for now. Tune your sets to Versus tonight at 7 for coverage of the draft. We'll see if we get any sightings of new jerseys tonight. I'm sure we will. I'm also looking out for the possibility of new logos. I'm desperate for a new one from the Lightning and still expecting changes for Dallas, San Jose, Ottawa and Toronto.

More later tonight.

Rangers vs Panthers

	vs
RANGERS		PANTHERS
2-2		2-0

The Aesthetics
One is arguably too detailed and one is arguably too simplistic. My argument is the Rangers logo utilizes 14 letters and I'm not a fan of that as you well know. This point goes to the Panthers.
Panthers

The Nickname
It's nice to be a park ranger in a league filled with animal mascots. The Ranger protects the endangered Panthers and their habitat and so has the upper hand in this relationship. Count it.
Rangers

The Analysis
When looking at a logo for the Rangers, a shield of some sort is probably the smartest choice. But times have changed and this logo desperately needs a rejuvenation. It has one if you check the shoulder of the team's third jersey. In fact, check the crest on that jersey and let's just go with that one. But more than that, the Panthers logo is cooler than almost anything.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Ducks

	vs
PREDATORS		DUCKS
2-2		0-3

The Aesthetics
You know, despite having won the Stanley Cup this year, the Anaheim Ducks sure have one lame logo. I love the colors, but ditch the wordmark you have plastered all over the front of your jerseys. The Predators, on the other hand, have one kick-ass logo. I wonder who wins if they go up against the Panthers.
Predators

The Nickname
The Predator eats the Duck. Any questions?
Predators

The Analysis
The Predators have a very appropriate name and a rather fierce logo. But the Ducks could use some help. I'm all for losing the "Mighty" from the name but let's do something with the logo, already. Even the duck foot in the form of a "D" would be better than what they have now. Another sweep against the Ducks here.
Predators

WINNER

3-0

 

Wild vs Kings

	vs
WILD		KINGS
2-0		1-2

The Aesthetics
Don't let their record fool you, the Kings have a very strong logo. Unfortunately, it could use more color and a little less minute detail. So by a slight margin, the point here goes to the Wild.
Wild

The Nickname
The King may rule the land, but out in the Wild, he has no say. Bears would eat him.
Wild

The Analysis
If we look at the history of the Kings' logos, I'd say the best was the one just prior to this one. But this competition is about the current logo and ultimately it says "king" more than anything possibly could. It's a crown. The Wild by no means misses the mark in this category, though by the slightest of margins, they lose the point.
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

It's Official: Caps Unveil New Logo!

There it is, posted right on their official web site this morning. The official announcement and ceremony doesn't come until tonight. It's true. The Washington Capitals will actually be wearing that this fall. I'm not even sure about the shoulder logo there — except to say that its a million times better than what's on the front of the jersey.

I feel bad for Caps fans. Hey, unless they like it. And then I'm just a jerk.