Looking To The Future

The NHL Tournament of Logos is winding down but don't worry, it won't be over even when it's over. There's still the Championship Tournament where we'll pit the best of the East against the best of the West. That will be the ultimate decider of whose logo is really the best. Who will be able to stand up to the stiff competition in this marathon tournament.

I see a handful of you have voted in the poll I recently placed on the sidebar. I'm glad to see that. I'm also glad to see that no one has voted "no" so far. That's appreciated. Just so you know — if you're interested — I am working on a plan to implement a polling system for this site.

It likely won't be sorted out until after this tournament ends, but just so you know, there will be plenty to come. In future "mini-tournaments" I'll take random logos (secondaries and third jersey logos included) and place them in 16-team elimination grids and determine overall winners in a Stanley Cup playoff style competition (except not best-of-seven as that would not work). I may even go back in time and grab logos from teams that no longer exist. The sky's the limit, right?

Anyway, those are just some ideas I'm throwing around at the moment. If you have any suggestions for me, I'd love nothing more than to hear them. Drop me a line in the comments section and I'll certainly respond.

As a side note, it has come to my attention that I have a typo — I put "wade made" instead of "was made" — but unfortunately once votes have been cast I cannot make any changes to it. So there my typo will stay until I take the poll down. It pains me deeply but it is sadly out of my hands.

Wild vs Flames

	vs
WILD		FLAMES
7-0		8-0

The Aesthetics
This is going to be hard to watch. Two completely undefeated teams. And somebody has to lose. Here, though, you can't deny the beauty of the Wild logo. Great colors and a rather unique design.
Wild

The Nickname
The Wild cannot stand up to a wildfire. Flames can engulf a forest and leave nothing but ashes in its wake.
Flames

The Analysis
I'm convinced the Minnesota Wild logo is one of the most under-appreciated in the National Hockey League. How can you not admire it though? Not that it should take away from the Flames logo at all. I'm not sure how you could make it any better. I was one of the few, however, that liked the flaming horse logo from the third jersey. Still, that's not in competition here. So when comparing these two logos, the Wild has to win out.
Wild

WINNER

2-1

 

Canadiens vs Thrashers

	vs
CANADIENS		THRASHERS
6-2		4-4

The Aesthetics
As far as looks, I think the Thrashers have a great, strong logo. Unique color scheme. The hockey stick turns me off, though. The Canadiens logo, on the other hand, is very bold. It just stands out. And the bleu, blanc et rouge? Don't question it.
Canadiens

The Nickname
I feel like we've had a similar incident before, but say a Thrasher is flying in the air. It would be very easy for him to lay a "bomb" on the head of an unwitting Canadien.
Thrashers

The Analysis
First off, you'll notice that while the Thrashers logo actually features a bird, the Canadiens doesn't truly symbolize what it's meant to. But then the question is what does a "Canadien" look like anyway? So I guess the "C" is appropriate. It's well-designed and pays homage to the past in an aesthetically-pleasing manner. But enough talk about that. The Thrashers logo has some rather cool colors, but that would've earned it credit in Aesthetics above. Here, you gotta have something deeper. And the Habs have it. (That mysterious "H.")
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Oilers vs Kings

	vs
OILERS		KINGS
1-8		3-5

The Aesthetics
Well it's been a full two weeks since we've seen the Oilers in action. And at that time they were way ahead of everyone in matches played. Today, they're pretty much on par with the league. Unfortunately, they still have the same logo made up almost exclusively of the team name. The Kings on the other hand, are still looking as good as ever.
Kings

The Nickname
A King rules the land. An Oiler digs in it.
Kings

The Analysis
I feel like the Oilers logo missed the boat. The current shoulder logo isn't all bad and the third jersey logo is epic (after all, it was created by a comic book writer). Put this one on the shoulder. And that is all I have to say on the matter. The Kings hit the nail on the head with this logo. I like the purple shield they used in the late '90s but a crown is so much more effective. Add in the subtle hockey sticks and the suns on either side and you can call this a sweep of the coolest kind.
Kings

WINNER

3-0

 

Lightning vs Penguins

	vs
LIGHTNING		PENGUINS
3-4		0-5

The Aesthetics
Both logos have simple color schemes. The Lightning logo lacks the movement seen in the Penguins. The hockey stick gives it a demerit but the Lightning logo goes all out with the team name. That doesn't win points.
Penguins

The Nickname
If a Penguin got struck by Lightning, that would be that.
Lightning

The Analysis
Not only is the penguin in the Penguins logo carrying a hockey stick, but he's donning hockey gear with the gloves and skates. It's cute — if he's in a comic book, not on the front of a jersey. The '90s era logo was an improvement, though I am a fan of the Vegas gold. Fortunately for the Pens, despite all of that, the Lightning logo's use of a '90s era lettering and a flat yet 3-D bolt wins them the point.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Avalanche vs Ducks

	vs
AVALANCHE		DUCKS
6-0		1-7

The Aesthetics
The Avalanche logo is one of those sports logo classics that I feel will be one of those icons that lasts forever. It certainly has the potential. The Ducks logo needs a change and fast. Perhaps it can lose the words and just stick with the duck foot "D." I'm assuming that's what they're going to do this summer, but until they announce it, we're stuck with this version.
Avalanche

The Nickname
If a Duck got caught in an Avalanche, he'd be toast.
Avalanche

The Analysis
The great thing about the Avalanche logo is that I can't actually envision anything else in its place. What would be a better logo for the team than that? There's nothing. Meanwhile, the Ducks need help and I'm going to say flat out that they're losing this point because the logo is nothing more than a wordmark.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Thrashers vs Devils

	vs
THRASHERS		DEVILS
4-3		7-1

The Aesthetics
The Devils have a great-looking logo by most standards, but it's very flat. Despite the hockey stick in the logo, this one goes to the Thrashers
Thrashers

The Nickname
The Devil is evil and powerful. A little bird like a Thrasher doesn't stand a chance.
Devils

The Analysis
Both logos are effective and appropriate and don't lose any points there. So we look to the underlying stuff like the subtle "NJ" in the Devils logo and the blatant and annoying hockey stick held by a bird in the Thrashers. I think you know where I'm going.
Devils

WINNER

2-1

 

Wild vs Sharks

	vs
WILD		SHARKS
6-0		4-4

The Aesthetics
I don't think it really even requires an explanation. The Wild logo just has so much to offer in such a small space. The Sharks logo has a broken hockey stick on which the tape doesn't even go around the stick.
Wild

The Nickname
You can make the case that Sharks live in the Wild. But its still dangerous for them.
Wild

The Analysis
I've talked before about how much the Wild logo manages to work in. The Sharks logo is all right but its not as fierce as it could be. And there's an awful lot of black used. It's a decent enough logo but perhaps it can get this point against another team.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Possible New Senators Logo?

For months we've heard rumors that the Ottawa Senators will be among the teams getting new logos this season. Could this be it?

Now if you feel like you've seen it before, it's really just an upgrade to the logo the Sens currently wear on their home and third jerseys. And it seems like the real deal. But as usual, we won't know anything for sure until the team makes its announcement. There's no word yet on when they plan to schedule such an announcement, but I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled for you.

Incidentally, this image was discovered a while back on an ad for NHL.com's online store. It was likely placed on the web by accident and then quickly taken down. I haven't seen it anywhere myself. You can see that ad in full just below.

Panthers To Unveil New Uniforms July 28

On their web site, the Florida Panthers have announced they will be unveiling their new uniforms on July 28 at the "Year of the Rat" alumni game.

July 13, 2007
Dave Joseph / floridapanthers.com

Jersey Unveiling At Reunion Game

The Panthers will look toward the future while acknowledging its past July 28 at BankAtlantic Center when they unveil their new jersey while celebrating its 1996 Stanley Cup team.

Fans attending the ‘Year of the Rat’ alumni game beginning at 2 p.m., will be the first to not only witness the unveiling of the Panthers new jersey but season seat holders will be the first to order the new item.

Presale order forms for season seat holders will be available July 29 at FloridaPanthers.com. Presale forms will be available to the general public beginning Sept. 1. The jersey will be available at Pantherland Sept. 14 at BankAtlantic Center.

The new jersey features a new cut and lightweight advanced materials to provide increased range of motion, ventilation, durability and comfort. The jersey is also treated with new moisture, repellent technology.

Along with the unveiling of the new jersey, fans will watch favorites like John Vanbiesbrouck, Scott Mellanby, Brian Skrudland, Bill Lindsay, Tom Fitzgerald and Paul Laus from the ‘Year of the Rat’ team play an exhibition game against Panther alumni.

The ’96 Panthers, playing in only in third NHL season, were a longshot to make the playoffs. But before a home game in October of ’95 at the Miami Arena, Scott Mellanby one-timed a rat off the wall after the creature had found its way into the locker room. After Mellanby scored two goals to help the Panthers to a 4-3 victory over Calgary, goalie John Vanbiesbrouck credited Mellanby with scoring the “Rat Trick.”

And the Year of the Rat was born.

After each Panther goal the remainder of the season, fans would shower the ice with toy rats. A few turned into a dozen, and a dozen turned into thousands. By the time the Panthers found their way into the playoffs, the ice was flooded with rats and a local tradition turned into a national sensation.

The Panthers beatBoston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to earn the Eastern Conference championship before losing to Colorado in the Stanley Cup finals.

Panther alumni members participating in the game include Val Bure, Peter Worrell, Jesse Belanger and Trevor Kidd.