Sunday, September 30, 2007

Rbk EDGE Review: Coyotes

Part 7 of 30. All 30 NHL clubs have unveiled new jerseys under the new Rbk EDGE Uniform System for the 2007-08 season. Here at the NHLToL, we're going to review every one of them. Read up and then rate the new sweaters. We'll do a full ranking after completing all of the reviews.

Rbk EDGE Uniform System

Phoenix Coyotes


New Uniforms

Old Uniforms

The Unveiling
Saturday, September 15. The Coyotes unveiled their jerseys at CoyotesFest in Phoenix.

Home vs. Road
Home: Brick red. Road: White. The two sweaters are essentially mirror images of each other but for the shoulders and both feature secondary logo patches on the left shoulder.

The brick red home jerseys are completely solid in color except for three white stripes around each elbow. The middle stripe is about twice the thickness of the other two. White laces hang from the collar and the primary logo serves as the crest.

The white home jerseys feature a brick red shoulder yoke and three brick red stripes around each elbow. The middle stripe is about twice the thickness of the other two. White laces hang from the collar and the primary logo serves as the crest.

In The Details
The shoulder patch featuring the secondary logo is found only on the left shoulder of each sweater. The same numbering and lettering style has been retained.

New & Old
The biggest differences in the new jerseys are the lack of stripes around the waist and the addition of the shoulder yoke to the road sweater. One minor change seen here is that the shoulder patch has switched sides. It was previously worn on the right shoulder.

Standard FAQ
Numbers on the front? No.
Laces at the collar? Yes.

NHLToL Editorial by Chris
I have to say that I was always among the fools that loved the original Coyotes jerseys. They may have been a little busy, but boy were they unique. They looked like no other team on the ice. I especially liked the old logo as well. I'm not nearly as fond of the new one. Still, it's simplicity that works. I like the addition of the shoulder yoke to the road jersey and I think the "PHX" patch is top-notch. As a uniform, I won't say it's among my favorites, but I respect it. 3/5



View the photo gallery

Buy your new Coyotes jersey!

Sharks, Here's How You Fix It

Speaking personally, I'm a fan of the San Jose Sharks' new logo and uniforms. So I don't see a need for "fixing" it necessarily. But others have complained that the modern logo design clashes with the more traditional jersey design.



One alternative to the stripes they currently wear would be something more along the lines of what the Florida Panthers do. I guess those designs match a little better. But for my money, I'd go with white piping over the orange on the home sweater.

Other complaints deal with not being able to move past orange gaining more prominence on the jerseys. Here's a solution.



I like this one because it looks like there are shark fins under wavy water on the sleeves. I think it works a little better on the white. But here's hoping the Sharks consider something of the like for a future third jersey. Speaking of the whole "fin" element, here are a bunch of ideas, seen with orange versus silver.



What I really like is the black jersey. Perhaps that would serve as a better third jersey as it has the last few years for the Sharks. But what do we think of it with the current striping pattern?



I know I said I like how the San Jose sweaters are now, but I'd be lying if I didn't say these were pretty awesome too. I guess it's hard to go wrong with the Sharks. So if they need fixing, there are plenty of ways of doing it.

Next up: Philadelphia Flyers.

BIG NEWS! Vote On The Minor Leagues!

Hi everybody! As you may know, I've had plans in the works to set up a site where we can hold tournaments for other hockey leagues such as the AHL and ECHL. Well the wheels are in motion. Introducting the Tournament of Hockey Logos!

I'm launching it officially tomorrow, but you can get your first look at it today and vote on which league will get the first tournament. Check out the link below.

Check out the Tournament of Hockey Logos!

The first logo tournament to be held at ToHL will be either the AHL or ECHL but it will be up to you guys to decide which. The other reason I'm announcing this site today is that I want you guys to help me to start generating interest in the site with fans of other hockey leagues. Post the link on blogs, message boards, or wherever you think would be suitable.

As far as differences between the two sites, you probably won't find as much content there as you will here. I'm more of an NHL fan personally, and I'll take all the help I can get with the minor leagues. You'll also notice that the layout and design is similar but for some changed colors and fonts.

Hopefully the Tournament of Hockey Logos will be as big a hit as this site has been. Thanks to all of you for your support and feel free to post any suggestions or comments here or over there at ToHL!

We Like Concept Art

Yes, we do. And concept art loves us. First off I just want to thank everyone who sends in their cool and crazy work. I love opening my email everyday to see what surprises await me.

One such surprise was this New Jersey Devils uniform concept. If I'm to understand right, the logo seen here is one of the original designs that never made the final cut.



The Christmas colors don't work. If you want to see how to make green and red work together, see the Minnesota Wild.

Here's an interesting Nashville Predators design that was actually a little too good to be considered for the Friday Freak Outs.



I say "good," but not necessarily on the level of the NHL. If not as a Preds third jersey, I could totally see something like this passing in the AHL or ECHL. I like the white swipes across the sleeves. Need to find a different font for the wordmark, though. That one doesn't work.

And then I have this San Jose Sharks concept which I think I'm only posting because the orange seems to annoy Sharks fans to no end. And I like a little ribbing now and then.

I was going to try to say this isn't that bad of a design, but it really is. The teal works too well for the Sharks. No need to go playing up the orange when you already have the best color in hockey. I would like to see more silver come back though.

They need to bring that back. Moving right along now.



This Anaheim Ducks design is a bit of a mix between concepts I've posted here in the past. While this jersey looked great with the flying duck logo, I can't honestly say it looks horrible with this one. I know it's a Disney cartoon, but they do some of the best animation work in the world, so let's not knock them there. And despite the fact that they're similar to the Dallas Stars, I think these colors would serve the Ducks well. Maybe use the logo on a third jersey, though.

That's enough out of me. What do you guys thinks of these? Are they total duds or do they have some redeeming qualities?

Mailbag: For The Habs' Shoulders

I got an interesting email the other day with a new concept logo for the Montreal Canadiens. It wouldn't replace the primary, but rather serve as a secondary.



I don't think it's a necessary addition to the Habs' look, but I still like it a lot on its own merits. The designer, Gary, had this to say about it in his email to me.

There's two motivations behind it. One is political, the fleur de lis within the maple leaf clearly shows Quebec as a part of Canada, and not a seperate entity. However, using it as the base of the maple leaf is symbolic of the fact that the true Canadian identity requires a strong Quebec. The other reason is to honour Quebecs former NHL team, the Nordique, who proudly displayed the fleur de lis on their jerseys. Despite the rivalry between the Nords and Habs, NHL in Quebec City was great for the province and country.

I've had the idea for a long time but never tried it out. Your blog/website gave me the motivation to give it a try today while I should have been working.


We appreciate his work and he even went the extra mile to show us how it might look on a couple of jerseys.



I have to say, I don't hate it and it goes rather well with the logo and uniform. My only problem is that when I look at it all I see is Nordiques. And I'm pretty sure they don't exist anymore.



So what do you guys think? Love it? Hate it? Have any suggestions for improving it? Comment away.

Poll: Kings Logo History


1967
1988

1998
2002


With the Ducks and Kings opening the season with the NHL Premiere in London this weekend, I'm opening logo history polls for this two teams. The Anaheim poll was opened yesterday and the Los Angeles poll is opening today.

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
Sep 30 @ 8:57 AM
Poll closing date
Oct 7 @ 11:59 PM


07BONLH | LHLAK

Result: Blackhawks Logo History

BEST ALL-TIME
1964

68% 2,740 votes



4,019 total votes



1937
14% 579 votes


1955
13% 518 votes


1935
5% 182 votes




Poll opening date
Sep 22 @ 10:26 AM
Poll closing date
Sep 29 @ 11:59 PM


07BONLH | LHCHI