Getting You Involved

I keep a hit counter on the blog so I can get an idea of how many people visit on a regular basis. Yesterday hit an all-time high of 321 page loads for a single day. I figure it had something to do with the "leaked" Sharks and Lightning logos I posted, but regardless, you all seem to be somewhat interested in the site.

My hope is to one day get this blog to the point where I no longer do the deciding on which logos are best. Rather, I'd like the readers to do the deciding by holding votes. Right now I'm just trying to gauge interest. Since you're reading this post, I'm directing this question at you. If I were to switch to a format where fans and readers got to pick the best (or favorite) logos, would you actually cast a vote?

If you'd like, you can comment and let me know what you think. Either that or you can vote in the poll on the sidebar to the right. Thanks!

Devils vs Capitals

	vs
DEVILS		CAPITALS
5-1		4-2

The Aesthetics
The Capitals logo is really not much more than a wordmark and it may be solely for that reason that the point here goes to the Devils. However, the Devils have a pretty killer logo and we'll say that's why they get the point.
Devils

The Nickname
Is the Devil even on the same level as a Capital? He could swallow the entire place into pit of fire.
Devils

The Analysis
This Capitals was just introduced less than a month ago by the team. I think it still needs work. Still, its one redeeming quality is the three stars above the word Washington. They represent the D.C. flag. However, they get a little drowned out by the blatant and unnecessary use of a hockey stick and puck. I'm all for tradition and remembering where you came from, but this is just bad. Regardless, I'm still loving the "NJ" that makes up the red devil in the Devils logo. I'm not saying it can't use an upgrade or "modernization" but it definitely wins this match.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Canucks vs Blackhawks

	vs
CANUCKS		BLACKHAWKS
3-5		2-8

The Aesthetics
I like the proportions and shapes of these logos but I think the winner in this category is plain to see. With cool colors a simple, unique design, the Canucks take it.
Canucks

The Nickname
Chief Blackhawk and his savage ways. A Canuck wouldn't stand a chance.
Blackhawks

The Analysis
In this category, the first thing I look at is whether the logo properly fits the team's name. Here, the Canucks logo features an orca. Not quite what I had in mind. I then look to see if the logo in any way references the team's home city. There's a case to be made that the whale references the Pacific northwest region while the "C" could not only stand for Canucks, but Canada as well. In fact, three of the six Canadian teams have logos built from the letter "C." It might be a stretch to give the Canucks this point, but there's just too much going on in the Blackhawks logo.
Canucks

WINNER

2-1

 

Flyers vs Thrashers

	vs
FLYERS		THRASHERS
4-7		3-3

The Aesthetics
You can tell these two logos come from very different eras. Both of are strong hockey logos but when it comes to the look and use of color, the Thrashers beat out the Flyers in that area despite the blatant use of a hockey stick.
Thrashers

The Nickname
You could say a Thrasher is a Flyer. But the Thrasher sounds much fiercer.
Thrashers

The Analysis
This is where the Thrashers logo gets in trouble for its hockey stick. At the same time, its where I give credit to the Flyers logo for the "P" that does Philly proud. I also like the simplicity in the Flyers logo but the sharp, tapered points in the Thrashers logo work in its favor. Still the Flyers have one of those classic sports logos that will be around forever, I'm sure.
Flyers

WINNER

2-1

 

Stars vs Red Wings

	vs
STARS		RED WINGS
3-2		2-6

The Aesthetics
The Stars logo is mostly made up of the team name with the "A" in Stars making the tip of the star. In comparison, the Red Wings logo may be more detailed but is cleaner and better-looking as logos go.
Red Wings

The Nickname
As usual, giant ball of fire versus anything yields a predictable result. The Star burns up the Red Wing.
Stars

The Analysis
This one is actually a bit more difficult to decide than it may seem. While both logos obviously portray the name well, its the way they symbolize where they're from that grabs my attention. The wheel attached to the wing references Motor City but at the same time, the big "lone star" in the Stars logo makes me thing Texas. It's kind of a toss-up but ultimately those 11 letters in the Stars logo will be the detrimental factor for it.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Possible New Lightning Logo?

If you thought the San Jose Sharks logo I just posted was bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. This gem was posted on the same web site and I just saw it on Boltsmag and needed to post it here.

It's not the best I've ever seen. The city is still there. See that one there labeled "secondary mark" underneath? Love that one! Put it on the front of the jersey! Anyway, there's no official word from the team yet so this may or may not be the real deal. I suppose we'll find out for sure sometime this summer.

Leave your comments below and let us all know what you think.

UPDATE (6:44 PM): According to Tampa Trib Lightning beat writer Erik Erlendsson, the Lightning will unveil their new logo and uniforms at a "fan festival" on August 25. This is the first I'm hearing of an actual date. Incidentally, Erik wrote that he knows of the leaked logos I posted earlier and seems to believe they are in fact the real deal. When asked, the Lightning would neither confirm nor deny their veracity. Regardless, we should know for sure 43 days from now.

Possible New Sharks Logo?

A reader pointed me to this image of a potential new design for the San Jose Sharks logo. As I reported the other day, the Sharks will be unveiling a new logo on July 24.

Now if you want my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. It's a cool update on the current logo, but I think its just an artistically-inclined fan having a little fun on the internet. The way I understand it, the team is going with a complete redesign. It's rumored the new logo will feature an entire shark as opposed to just the front end. Now having said that, anything is possible and we won't know for certain for another 11 days, so check back here then.

In the meantime, feel free to leave your comments. What do you think it will look like? What do you think it should look like? What do you think of this design?

UPDATE (4:55 PM): Just came across this version of the Sharks logo. It actually shows the entire shark as I mentioned earlier. But its a wordmark, so it probably wouldn't be the crest.

What do you think of it? Great? Not great? Personally, I'm a little indifferent. It's an improvement on their current logo but I think they can do better.

Blue Jackets vs Blues

	vs
BLUE JACKETS		BLUES
4-1		4-4

The Aesthetics
Sometimes you can feel action in a still logo and I feel it in the Blue Jackets logo — in a good way. It's a very smart logo with appropriate attention to detail. I like the two-tone blue in the Blues logo but its not quite enough to steal this point away.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
A Blue Jacket carries a bayonet. A Blues man carries a sax. Do the math.
Blue Jackets

The Analysis
The Blue Jackets name leaves little room to screw up the logo, although you wouldn't know it based on previous logos. This one just makes sense. The Ohio flag more than references the home state of the team while the Blues logo is really little more than a musical note with a wing. I don't really get the wing, but that's not why they're getting swept. The new Blue Jackets logo is just that good.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

3-0

 

Panthers vs Lightning

	vs
PANTHERS		LIGHTNING
7-1		3-3

The Aesthetics
Time to look at a pair of cross-state rivals. The two logos have almost no commonalities. And that works in favor of the Panthers. That being said, this is an easy point to determine. Just so I'm not cutting corners, I won't neglect the explanations. While the Panthers logo is a little more detailed, the words in the Lightning logo do it no favors. I love the bolt across the middle, but it needs more. Good thing for the Bolts, a new logo is in the offing this summer.
Panthers

The Nickname
Like most outdoor creatures, Panthers are vulnerable to a bolt of Lightning.
Lightning

The Analysis
Neither logo makes any effort at referencing their home cities, not that its really necessary as the team name does that for them. The colors are appropriate and cool and its tough to say who deserves this point. Unfortunately for the Lightning, this is one more instance where the 17 letters strewn across the logo will be detrimental.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Kings vs Blackhawks

	vs
KINGS		BLACKHAWKS
2-5		2-7

The Aesthetics
Both logos have a lot of detail but one thing I really like is their unique outlines. Imagine seeing just shadows of the logos. It's a good sign when you can place it based solely on that. More on that another day. Still, though, its the Kings with the obviously better looking logo. Defined and unique colors along with those subtle hockey sticks in the crown tip the scales in their favor.
Kings

The Nickname
I believe it was the King who ran the Indians and Chief Blackhawk out of town. He was a bastard.
Kings

The Analysis
The logos are appropriate for their teams. That's always a good start. The Kings logo, however, goes a step further in reference their home city with the suns on either side of the crown. Nothing really there in the Blackhawks logo. And it has too many colors.
Kings

WINNER

3-0