Maple Leafs vs Lightning

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		LIGHTNING
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both of these teams break one of my cardinal rules. Spelling out the name in the primary logo. There's no need. It should be obvious which teams these are simply by the elements (i.e.: the leaf and the lightning bolt). That aside, the Lightning gets the edge for its use of color.
Lightning

The Nickname
If Lightning struck a maple tree, all the Maple Leafs would go up in flames.
Lightning

The Analysis
Both teams are very aptly named. The leaf featured on the Canadian flag is used on a different color and Tampa, Florida is deemed by some to be the lightning capital of the world. The Maple Leafs logo has been around forever while the Lightning has only been around 15 years. The Maple Leafs has proved staying power but silhouette logos are too easy.
Lightning

WINNER

3-0

 

Blues vs Red Wings

	vs
BLUES		RED WINGS
1-0		1-0

The Aesthetics
For one thing, both logos incorporate a wing element. So that's interesting. While the Red Wings logo has been around forever, the Blues is a little sleeker. I would almost venture to say that the same guy who designed the Flyers logo had a hand in the Blues. As far as aesthetics, the Blues logo has the edge.
Blues

The Nickname
This will be complicated. The situation here is that both teams have a color as part of their names. To determine which is superior — red or blue — we must look to the American Revolutionary War. Since the British fell, the Red Wings are obviously inferior to the Blues. (I warned you to expect some crazy nonsense.)
Blues

The Analysis
As I mentioned, both logos have elements attached to a wing. In the Red Wings case, it is the primary element, the wheel being there to represent the Motor City of Detroit. In the case of the Blues, the musical note is the primary element. The attached wing — I'm not really sure about why it's there.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Blackhawks

	vs
PREDATORS		BLACKHAWKS
1-1		0-2

The Aesthetics
Looking at the two logos side by side, my eye keeps getting drawn to the Predators logo. Unfortunately, I've looked at the Blackhawks three times in the last four days and nothing's changed. I still feel like it's from the 1940s. And it pretty much is.
Predators

The Nickname
Chief Black Hawk needs a break. First a giant ball of fire and then a deep-sea shark. But I'm rather sure he would be able to take out the Predator with a throw of his trusty tomahawk.
Blackhawks

The Analysis
We know the histories of both logos and while I think the Predators have the advantage, both cities utilize their history well in coming up with a name and logo design. Ultimately, though, it just comes down to which one is better and the Predators have the edge.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Flyers

	vs
SABRES		FLYERS
1-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
The Flyers logo is almost overly simplistic but is a classic. Upgrades are always welcome, however, for logos that have existed for 30 years or more. The third-jersey logo is a good example of what can be done. The Sabres logo features nice colors but no sword.
Flyers

The Nickname
Are we to assume a Flyer is a bird of some type or an informational sheet? Either way, if it were to get in the way of a Sabre, its days would be over.
Sabres

The Analysis
Flyers is one of those generic team names that doesn't mean anything but its long, storied existence strikes fear into the heart of opponents. Unfortunately for them, this game doesn't work that way. Still, the weak logo design for the Sabres gives the Flyers the edge.
Flyers

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Blackhawks

	vs
SHARKS		BLACKHAWKS
0-0		0-1

The Aesthetics
The Sharks use a very nice teal as the primary color in their uniforms, but unfortunately it barely shows in the logo. We see it only in a simple outline of the triangle behind the shark. And while I feel that the Blackhawks use too many colors, at least they use color.
Blackhawks

The Nickname
I've said before that Chief Black Hawk was one tough son of a bitch, but if he ever found himself in the ocean surrounded by Sharks, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Sharks

The Analysis
The Blackhawks name is very fitting for its location and so is the Sharks, with its home city being found along the coast of California. And despite the Sharks logo's lack of color and incorporation of a hockey stick, I still think the fierce-looking shark is an awesome icon. The Blackhawks logo could stand an upgrade.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Canucks

	vs
PREDATORS		CANUCKS
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
I've always thought the Canucks had one of the coolest color schemes in the league. Now I understand they have plans to change it — again. The Predators logo makes use of color well also, but its minute detail loses it another point.
Canucks

The Nickname
Were a Canuck to happen upon a Predator during a walk in the woods, it wouldn't be surprising if he got eaten.
Predators

The Analysis
Aside from its parent company being named Orca Bay, I can't quite work out how a killer whale ended up in the Canucks logo. Frankly, I've never been a fan of any of the Canucks logos as far as symbolizing the team name. The Predators logo does a lot better job with that.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Panthers

	vs
THRASHERS		PANTHERS
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos have very appealing color schemes but the Panthers logo is just a little too detailed for a good embroidery on a hat. The Thrashers logo incorporates a hockey stick which can be irritating in NHL logos. The Panther, however, is a lot more fierce-looking than the Thrasher. It gets the edge there.
Panthers

The Nickname
You might assume that since the Thrasher flies way above the Panther's head, it would easily take the cake. But the bird has to come down some time, perhaps for a worm dinner. That's when the cat gets its bird dinner.
Panthers

The Analysis
The Florida panther is an endangered species. The Thrasher is a songbird. The Panther was an easy choice for the south Florida-based team. But as a Lightning fan, I sometimes wonder why they went with Florida over Miami when naming the team. But then again, their cat is called the Florida panther.
Panthers

WINNER

3-0

 

NHL Concept Logos, Part 1

I've been scouring the web over the last couple of weeks in search of logos designed by fans for their favorite teams. Logos that are cool — or not cool as the case may be — but will never see the front of an NHL jersey.

As is the case with most of these logos, I can't remember where I found them so if you designed any of them, feel free to let me know via a comment. And for the record, great work! Anyway, let's dive right in.

This is a logo designed for the Tampa Bay Lightning. As you can plainly see, the designer makes use of a lightning bolt as the "B" in "TB" for — you guessed it — Tampa Bay. As I've said, I've never been a huge fan of clearly obvious letters in logos, but this one isn't horrible. Still not my favorite though. I feel like there's a way to do it well that's subtle. Look at the New Jersey Devils logo. It features a very subtle "NJ" — so subtle you kind of have to stare at it to see it. That's what I like in a logo. But that didn't stop someone from coming up with a few concept logos for the Devils. I'll have those tomorrow in Part 2.

Until then, I have an Edmonton Oilers logo to share. Basically, the artist has kept the oil drop from the original logo and set it inside a gear — a little like the team's third jersey logo. It's nice, but as far as the colors go, I'm more a fan of the silver and blue in said alternate logo. But who am I to complain? Any Oilers fans out there reading this? What do you think?

Now our feature presentation. It's been widely rumored as of late that the Toronto Maple Leafs have plans to alter and adjust their logo for the new season. Reports have suggested that only minor changes to the leaf silhouette will take place but that the logo will remain in large part much the way it is now.

So turn your attention to the right. The top logo is basically the maple leaf from the Canadian flag turned blue with "Toronto Maple Leafs" written inside. Next we have a maple leaf within a circle — a logo which seems oddly familiar yet for some reason I can't quite place it. NHL All-Star Game logo? Olympics logo? If you recognize it, let me know.

And finally, we're treated to this gem on the bottom. If you want radical, this one is for you. I have no idea what's going on there. It scares me a little. I mean it's way too intricate to ever seen on a uniform which is why I'm not truly worried — but, still, it's weird. In a way I like it and in a way I don't. That's all I have to say on the matter.

And finally, check out this blast from the past. Someone came up with this design for the Minnesota North Stars about 11 years too late. Personally, I never liked the old North Stars logo — I say that knowing that I could be stoned to death for such a remark. It was just too — lame.

Not that this one is much better. But it has a little more something to it, at least.

So there you have it. Six concept logos for your Wednesday. Mull those over and get back to me in the comments. What do you like? What do you dislike? What would you like to cram down my throat? — all right, easy does it. I'm just sharing what I've found. Which reminds me, if you find any cool concept logos around the web or have any on your hard drive, let me know about them in the comments.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow — or whenever I feel like posting it.

Blues vs Ducks

	vs
BLUES		DUCKS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Simplicity abounds in design here. Both teams use a simple but attractive color scheme. The problem is the team is named the Ducks. I don't see a duck. There's a duck footprint in the shape of a "D," but it's drowned out by all the other letters. The musical note, however, is the perfect way of symbolizing the Blues.
Blues

The Nickname
Playing his sax, a jazz man could certainly drown out any quacking Ducks while playing the Blues.
Blues

The Analysis
Cheers to the Ducks for dropping "Mighty" from their name this season, but the logo they turned out was unfortunate. When compared to the Blues, the Blues win it by a landslide in overall design and style. If the Ducks want a better shot, they should drop the words from the logo and at least make the duck footprint the primary.
Blues

WINNER

3-0

 

Penguins vs Capitals

	vs
PENGUINS		CAPITALS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Right off, both logos have a lot of complexities though we find a lot more in the Capitals, obviously. On the other hand, its colors are appealing and used well. The Penguins makes use of only a single color outside of black and white (albeit a good color). Despite the Capitals' use of a script spelling out the team name (and city) within in the logo, it still squeaks by with the point.
Capitals

The Nickname
If we assume the Capitals are lawmakers of some sort, then it's their job to write laws to protect Penguins and other animals. They therefore have the upper hand.
Capitals

The Analysis
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States so the name seems like a rather obvious choice. But as far as the name goes, my question is: What is a Capital? A Penguin is a little ineffectual flightless bird. Regardless, I don't know what relevance Penguins have to the city of Pittsburgh as Penguins tend to live in rather chilly locales.
Capitals

WINNER

3-0