Thursday, August 23, 2007

Canadian Team Unveiling Dates

Yes, I have just a little more Canada for you guys. I almost forgot about this. With the Senators having released their new Rbk EDGE jerseys, that leaves five other Canadian teams left to do so. Only the Canucks and Flames have made official statements. Vancouver will do the deed on August 29 and Calgary on September 4.

The Oilers, Maple Leafs and Canadiens have yet to announce official dates, but I've been told of likely dates for unveilings for those teams that I've added to the sidebar countdown. Apparently, Montreal will go on September 4. Toronto shows off their duds on September 13 — this according to CBC. And Edmonton will supposedly unveil theirs on September 16.

Once again, those three dates are speculative until the teams make official announcements. But the sources seem reliable enough to add the dates to the countdown.

And all right, Canucks fans, I won't leave you out. I mean, how could I in good conscience share Nordiques and Jets concepts and not Canucks?



One fan designed this concept based on the teaser photo on Vancouver's official web site. Have a great night, all!

Wild Make Unveiling Date Official

All right, I know I promised to be all about Canada today, but official news beckons.

The Minnesota Wild have stated on their web site that their new Rbk EDGE uniforms will be publicly unveiled on September 7 — a date I first posted on Monday. They even released a teaser image of the new uniform. As expected, it's red, complete with a lace-up collar and everything.



They also have a countdown graphic on the right side of the page to when the jersey will be available for purchase. Think I have a case to sue them for stealing my idea? (No, I'm totally kidding.)

Anyway, there it is. Wild fans? Cause for pause? Or will this jersey kick all the other jerseys' asses?

Hey, Canada! Part 4

You know, one of the things I hate about living in Florida is that an occurrence like the one that arose yesterday in Canada would never happen here. Right there in the first block of the 6:00 news, CBC reported on what fans might expect for the new Toronto Maple Leafs uniforms.



First, let me be clear in saying that this is neither a leak nor an official unveiling by the team. This is a concept produced by good people of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, acting on information they'd received about what the Leafs' new Rbk EDGE jerseys might look like.



Look at that! A news reporter holding a picture of a speculative hockey jersey. I have a special dislike for Florida. Those vertical stripes you see going up the sides are silver, by the way.

In case you wanted one more look at the uniform design they came up with, I offer this. It better shows the thin vertical stripes going up and down the sleeves.

It's really something. I need to make a trip up to Canada one of these days. Just to bask in the hockey fever. It's not very contagious around these parts.

So now you should be able to understand my plight and why I spent the whole day today taking a pretend trip across the Great White North. You guys up there, you don't know how lucky you are. (Or maybe you do.)

Before I forget: Leafs fans, what do you think of these developments? Do you like these designs or does the team need to go in the horizontal stripe direction of the Bruins and Red Wings?

Hey, Canada! Part 3

I'm heading to Quebec for the next stop on my trek across Canada today. The only team there today is the Montreal Canadiens. So let's start with them. I was emailed a concept design that is rather unique.



Interesting choice with the striping. What do you Habs fans think? Do you like the bars across the chest?

I got a really cool piece sent to me recently, as well, for a team that now exists under a new moniker in a new city. This designer contemplates what the Quebec Nordiques might look like in the "new NHL."



Gets you all nostalgic, doesn't it? Speaking of nostalgic, let's "jet" on over to Manitoba and muse on what the Winnipeg Jets might hve looked like in Rbk EDGE jerseys, had they not moved to Phoenix.



Talk about a trip down memory lane. Feel free to leave a comment about any of these designs. I'm sure their creators are interested in your responses.

Still to come today: A preview of the new uniforms of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hey, Canada! Part 2

My Canadian road trip today continues with some interesting artwork out of the province of Alberta. So as not to offend anyone, I'm flipping a coin. Heads, Oilers. Tails, Flames.

... flipping ...

Heads. Okay, first up is the Edmonton Oilers. I was emailed these concepts based off of the new Florida Panthers uniforms.



It's all dark blue and copper here. But if what you seek is a revival of days gone by, I have a treat for you. WHA/Gretzky-era Oiler fans, eat your heart out.

One reader emailed me this concept design based off of the all-star game template I posted in the sidebar. Not too shabby. Good ol' blue and orange.

And remember the extremely orange fan creation I posted last week? I was sent a logo based on that concept. You can see it below along with a recolored version of the oilman logo — which we've heard is not long for this earth. The Oilers will likely go without a shoulder patch this season, but they also might get a completely new one. We'll just have to wait and see.



But that's not all. I also promised some fan-created artwork for the Calgary Flames. See that below.



That jersey is on fire! But like the oilman logo of the Oilers, this horse logo will likely become part of the Flames' history this summer. Word is a new secondary logo is on the horizon. With that in mind, let's look at an Rbk EDGE template.

Very, very red. What is it with all the red anyway these days? That's the most popular color in the NHL. But I know, it's the Flames. Red is one of their obvious colors. All I'm saying, is that the black jersey might look good with a red flaming "C." In the alternative, a black flaming "C" would be the only way to go on a red jersey.

Any thoughts, Albertans? Please don't bicker. Lively back-and-forth, I can deal with. Resist the urge to pick on your fellow countrymen if you can.

Hey, Canada! Part 1

All right, my friends north of the border, today is going to be your day, by my own official decree. I've got Canadian team content up the you-know-what today. (Pardon.) I'm going to start out in your capital. (Sounds wrong now, doesn't it?)

We all know the Ottawa Senators just unveiled their new logo and uniforms last night to much fanfare. Response — at least here at NHLToL — has been widely mixed. Some love it. Some hate it. Some want it to go sit in the corner and think about what it did. Some are indifferent, too, or whatever.

Having said that, I have a rather eager reader interested in gauging your feelings on a concept design he came up with. Behold.



I'd have to say it's pretty nice, if I'm being asked to share an opinion. I always thought the black third jerseys were the best they ever came up with. And I like the side-view logo which we all thought was going to be unveiled last night. It wasn't so I'm led to believe it will be a possibility for an alternate uniform when the league reinstates that program. But that's just me saying that. I have no idea if it's true.

But wait, Sens fans, I have more. A lot's been made of the new shoulder patch that harkens back to the days of the Silver Seven, so what it if they took it a step further? This concept was sent to me and it's quite something.



I don't really have the words for that. Do you have any? Leave me a comment.

Too Tight?

This makes me laugh to myself.

Poll: Kings vs Red Wings


vs
Los Angeles
KINGS
Detroit
RED WINGS


Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date
Aug 23 @ 4:27 AM
Poll closing date
Aug 30 @ 11:59 PM


07CHTRN | #W1F | LAKvDET

Result: Flames vs Blackhawks

Chicago
BLACKHAWKS

57% 7,054 votes


Calgary
FLAMES

43% 5,351 votes


12,405 total votes


Chicago Blackhawks
Advancing to Quarterfinals to face Blue Jackets or Oilers


Calgary Flames
Eliminated




Poll opening date
Aug 15 @ 4:24 AM
Poll closing date
Aug 22 @ 11:59 PM


07CHTRN | #W1B | CHIvCGY