Maple Leafs vs Flyers

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		FLYERS
1-8		4-8

The Aesthetics
These are a couple of classic example of NHL logos. Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs won't win this point because of the words inside the leaf silhouette. I happen to like the leaf, though, I just think there's more they can do with it. The Flyers logo may be limited on color, but at least it uses more than two.
Flyers

The Nickname
I'm not sure a Maple Leaf could deal a blow to a Flyer of any sort.
Flyers

The Analysis
It's finally been time for the Flyers to shine today. I've always liked the logo; I've just liked others better. And I really do like the maple leaf silhouette but it just doesn't work for me with the team name in the middle of it. The Flyers logo, alternatively, is solid and classic, despite the fact that it was obviously designed in the 1960s. What sells it for me is the "P" for Phildelphia attached to a wing. And we have a sweep.
Flyers

WINNER

3-0

 

Kings vs Ducks

	vs
KINGS		DUCKS
4-5		1-8

The Aesthetics
All three California teams are getting play today. Need I say anything beyond that the Ducks are still using a wordmark as their primary logo? They don't get this point. They don't deserve it. Plus, the crown is just cool like that
Kings

The Nickname
The King rules all the land. A Duck is an insignificant bird.
Kings

The Analysis
While I applaud the unique colors of the Ducks logo, the Kings colors are equally unique and are featured in a logo that is not letters. Plus, I like the subtle hockey sticks and the suns on either side of the crown. The Kings logo is a cool one that I could see sticking around for a long time, unlike their half-dozen previous logos. The Ducks just need to go with the webbed "D" or design something new altogether. This really isn't working.
Kings

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Blue Jackets

	vs
AVALANCHE		BLUE JACKETS
8-0		5-1

The Aesthetics
I hate it when I have to pit two really great logos against each other. And this is just such a case. They're a little similar in color and overall shape, actually — the curves, the points. As far as colors, the Blue Jackets red, white, blue and silver are somewhat overused in this league. I feel like it's appropriate here though because the team name comes from American history and the colors come from the Ohio flag. And I never liked the electric green. Believe it or not, this is a Blue Jackets point.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
Being a Union soldier, a Blue Jacket probably wouldn't be trained to survive an Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Analysis
I'm going to forego the babbling here. The Blue Jackets win this point for the Ohio flag being draped around the star. The Avalanche logo doesn't really managed to reference Denver or Colorado in any way.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Devils vs Penguins

	vs
DEVILS		PENGUINS
9-1		2-5

The Aesthetics
The Devils logo is simpler compared to the Penguins, in which hockey equipment is prominently featured for no good reason. We should already know its a hockey team. They've had a lot of matches lately and every time I talk about the fact that I like the '90s logo better as a primary crest. Anyway, Devs win the point.
Devils

The Nickname
All-powerful evildoer. Small, flightless bird. Devil beats Penguins.
Devils

The Analysis
This category looks at the logo for its appropriateness (is that a word?), references to the home city, and use of subtle elements among other deeper things. That should tell you right there Devils get the point. The "NJ" is cool but the hockey stick, gloves and skates worn by a pissed-off penguin just look silly. That's the second sweep in as many days for the Devils.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Thrashers vs Bruins

	vs
THRASHERS		BRUINS
4-5		3-2

The Aesthetics
These are two very different logos. But on straight-up looks and color combinations, I'm a fan of the Bruins logo. The changes they made recently make a big difference in my eyes and I've never liked the hockey stick in the Thrashers logo.
Bruins

The Nickname
A Bruin would kill a Thrasher with his thumb. If he had a thumb. Instead he'll just have to use his giant teeth or something.
Bruins

The Analysis
This is where the Bruins lose the point. And you could say I'm being spiteful when I tell you the sole reason I'm taking this point away from them is that there's not a bruin to be seen in this logo. I like the one on the new shoulder patch. But what can you do? Also I actually do like the Thrashers color combo.
Thrashers

WINNER

2-1

 

Jersey Design Concept For Lightning

So I thought I was finished with that whole "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series but it turns out there's more. After the possible leak of what may be the new logo for the Tampa Bay Lightning, a fan had some fun designing a uniform based on it. I honestly can't remember where I found it, but I'd have to guess ModSquadHockey since that's where I originally came across the logo itself.




This is what he came up with. It's pretty cool. I'm a big fan of switching to blue for the home jerseys. The black has gotten old. And despite there being a number of other teams that wear blue (the Thrashers, Rangers, Maple Leafs, Blues, Predators, Oilers, Blue Jackets and Canucks...) I still think the Lightning could pull it off. And should.

Obviously, it's not the offiicial design. If you consult the sidebar, you'll see we still have 38 days to wait for the big announcement and unveiling by the Bolts. Personally, I can't wait. I'm on pins and needles.

By the way, as a complete side note, I would like to thank those of you who drop by here on a regular basis. A while back I mentioned hitting a record of over 300 hits in a single day. That was surpassed yesterday with 514. I'm kind of surprised, actually. Incidentally, we're already over 400 today at it's not even 5 PM. It'll be interesting to see if we can beat yesterday's record.

Once again, thanks for dropping by.

Islanders vs Devils

	vs
ISLANDERS		DEVILS
1-8		8-1

The Aesthetics
How many of my silly rules can the Islanders possibly break with one single logo? Most of them is right. The Devils, however, have so much I like. Simplicity at its finest. I see horns, a pointy tail and a subtle "NJ." That says Devils like almost nothing else could.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil's a pretty nasty guy. Islanders are just pathetic humans to him.
Devils

The Analysis
I'm a big fan of the outline of Long Island in the Islanders logo, but it's not better than the Devils. I'm sorry but it's true. The team name spelled out. The hockey puck, the stuck (as cleverly placed as it may be), maybe the Isles will get this point against another team. Not the Devils. It seems like sweeps are the order of the day.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Red Wings vs Wild

	vs
RED WINGS		WILD
3-6		8-0

The Aesthetics
I feel like the detail in the Red Wings logo is a little too heavy-handed and unnecessary. However, I don't see any upgrades coming for it in the near future. People in Detroit love their team and their traditional logo, in 80 years, we've yet to see even a secondary logo that veers from this design. Anyway, that forest scene in the Wild logo gets cooler every time I look at it.
Wild

The Nickname
There may be a bird in the wild with Red Wings, but the Wild is an unforgiving place with plenty of predators.
Wild

The Analysis
I've given this point to the Red Wings on many occasions for the wheel attached to the wing, signifying Detroit as the Motor City. But what better scene could you have to portray Minnesota? Plus the name itself gives you a clue as to the teams geographical location. I can't really think of how you could improve upon the Wild logo. Hence the sweep.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Penguins vs Rangers

	vs
PENGUINS		RANGERS
1-5		2-8

The Aesthetics
Throughout most of this tournament, I've been bad-mouthing the Penguins logo, ignoring the fact that I actually like it. Granted, I like the '90s logo better, but this one is kind of cool. Despite what you may think, I actually am a fan of retro, just not when retro sucks. Anyway, for not using their entire name to make the logo, I award this point to the Penguins.
Penguins

The Nickname
Perhaps there's an arctic wildlife preserve somewhere where a Ranger keeps tabs on a bunch of Penguins.
Rangers

The Analysis
I've said it enough times but both of these teams have and currently use logos that would make better primaries than the primaries they actually use. Did that make sense? Read it again if it didn't. Anyway, I may not like hockey sticks and equipment in what are meant to be hockey logos, but more than that I hate words in them. Words are not symbols. Well, they are, but in a different way. Plus, there's actually a penguin in the Penguins logo. Kudos for that.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Blackhawks vs Avalanche

	vs
BLACKHAWKS		AVALANCHE
2-9		7-0

The Aesthetics
I hate to say it, but look at the records, this may be a really easy one. But the tournament is winding down for the Blackhawks. Just two more matches left after today. So let's get to it. As I discussed with a reader in the comments a few days ago, I counted eight different colors in the Blackhawks logo. It desperately needs a more defined color scheme. The Avalanche logo, on the other hand, is one of those all-around sports logo classics.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't care how tough Chief Blackhawk thinks he is, even an Avalanche would do him in.
Avalanche

The Analysis
You could say both logos do a decent job of being logos. As much as I complain about the Blackhawks logo, there are no words or hockey paraphernalia in it. I just can't get past the colors and overall design. There are bigger and better things you can do with a name like Blackhawks. The Avalanche logo has great colors a cool design and subtle elements like the puck at the bottom end of the avalanche itself. I'm also a fan of the bigfoot secondary logo but I know this competition isn't about those.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0