Time To Get Your Blackhawks On

All right, if you've been reading my nonsense in the tournament matches, I have good news and bad news. The good news is, today was the last day of that. Reader voting starts Sunday. The bad news is somebody else, it turns out, thinks the Chicago Blackhawks could use a logo upgrade. (See, I'm not the only person who doesn't think it's the best in all of sports.)

Now I'm not saying this design is totally the way to go. I think it's a good start, but also that it could use a little work. Sneak a peek.



Don't freak out! It's just fan-created concept art. It's not a real 'Hawks logo by any stretch.

But that, I'm a little more impressed by. I still think a team's logo should be dominated by its primary colors (here: red, black and white), but this wouldn't be all bad. Well, at least as far as I'm concerned, it wouldn't. What do you guys think? Should I take the advice of John Tortorella and shut my yap on this subject or could we have something here? While you consider, check out these jersey designs.




Oh, and just to freak you out a bit, somebody emailed me this concept.



Now lay it on me. I can take it.

Wild, Lightning Fan Art

Like I said, it's a light day. Sorry about that. Things are going to get interesting this weekend though. I hope everybody drops in to start voting on Sunday. I need you all to decide which team has the best logo. Not me.

Here's a different sort of design for the Minnesota Wild.



It sort of steals the whole text across the chest thing from the Avalanche — who stole it from the Rangers. I'm not sure how Wild fans will feel. Probably won't be "wild" about it. Get it? Okay, stop. That's enough. Kind of like the "State of Hockey" logo on the shoulder. Thoughts?

This design is a reimagining of this one I posted the other day. It's kind of funny. Not to worry though. Don't expect anything like this to ever seen the light of day.

But wait, I have more. I was sent a few designs for the Tampa Bay Lightning. See the following image.



That blue might not be quite the right shade, but I've often wondered what the Bolts would look like in blue. The infamous third jerseys from the late '90s were mostly blue and I sort of liked those. As for the laced collar, I'm not sure that would work well for the Lightning.



There were also these two designs. A lot of people have commented that a gray third might be the way to go for the Bolts. I'm not so sure, but I guess it would depend on the overall design so I don't really know how I'd feel about it.

How do you all feel about these designs? You think something along these lines would be the way to go for these teams or should we let it be handled another way?

Mailbag: Some Radical Jersey Concepts

Um... it's a slow day so I apologize in advance, but this is pretty much all I have to offer. Forgive the image and design quality, but I was emailed this fan art. I'll try to find some good stuff before I call it a night.



For those who haven't deduced it, this is a radical concept for the Toroto Maple Leafs. It's interesting. Can't think of much to say beyond that. It looks like it makes use of the leaf on the Canadian flag in place of the team's logo. I like the extra silver, but on the whole, what do you guys think?

The next one is another radical concept for the New York Islanders.



Many of the Isles concepts we've seen have incorporated a lighthouse in some way and I'm a big fan of that. I don't think we need to lose the classic crest from the jersey, but could it hurt to add a secondary on the shoulder?

This next design is pretty far out as well.



If you hadn't guessed, that would be a concept for the Dallas Stars. You've got a starry night scene set in the forest inside the outline of the state of Texas. It's a very interesting concept but Texas doesn't seem to me like a forest state. Those trees make this feel more like the Minnesota Wild logo.

Why don't we take a look at less-radical idea. I kind of like the notion of the Stars going with "DALLAS" written across the crest on the road jersey. These are backwards if that's the case, but it's interesting to look at nonetheless. What do you think of the green jersey in the middle? Too North Stars or should Dallas adopt something in that vein veering from the black?

Anyway, hopefully I'll have more to offer later. I know this isn't spectacular artwork, but still worthy of looking at I thought.

Islanders vs Maple Leafs

	vs
ISLANDERS		MAPLE LEAFS
2-11		1-12

The Aesthetics
A real battle of the titans here on the final day of the tournament. More text-filled logos in this match. Unfortunately, the Islanders logo commits the other sin of incorporating and blatant hockey stick and puck combo. I'm not impressed. This one will go to the Maple Leafs logo.
Maple Leafs

The Nickname
A Maple Leaf logo is thin and flimsy. An Islander could easily crush one under his fishing boots.
Islanders

The Analysis
To put it plainly, I believe a logo should serve as a symbol for a team therefore making redundant the use of the team name in said logo. I get tradition and all that and quite frankly can't see either of these logos being drastically changed. The Islanders tried that once and fans revolted. Still, I have to pick a winner. I'm going with the Maple Leafs because the leaf logo is iconic. There is no need for all the text. Shame it'll only be their second win in my tournament. Time for you guys to decide which logo is best. Come back on Sunday and start making your voices heard!
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Canucks

	vs
SHARKS		CANUCKS
5-8		5-8

The Aesthetics
Water-based creatures bearing teeth are prominently featured in these two logos. And they're both breaking things. The shark is breaking a hockey stick and the whale is breaking through ice. But as far as the overall look, I have to go with the Canucks. It's always been one of my favorites. As for the Sharks logo, while the recent change was an upgrade, they could've done better.
Canucks

The Nickname
Canucks are people and by and large, people are not impervious to Sharks. In fact, sometimes they lose limbs to big fish.
Sharks

The Analysis
Even though there isn't a "Canuck" in this logo, per se, I'm willing to give them a pass on that this time around. I love the Haida-style art and you can't say an orca in ice has nothing to do with Vancouver (which I may or may not have previously said). So here's why they're still getting beat by the Sharks. Call me slow, but I just found the "SJ" hidden in the Sharks' new logo and it's awesome! If you want to find it, check out the black in the fins. Look hard. You have to really want it. It's the last day of the tournament, so it's the final match for each logo.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1

 

Lightning vs Rangers

	vs
LIGHTNING		RANGERS
6-7		3-10

The Aesthetics
Well the text abounds here on the final day of the qualifying tournament. Since both logos use it in excess, we'll just have to look past the text. And call me biased (and I may well be), but I think the Lightning logo is a little more dynamic (though perhaps not as old as the Rangers'). At least there's more to it than just a shield. Maybe one day they'll take my advice and go full on with the Lady Liberty logo.
Lightning

The Nickname
Rangers work way up high in those elevated ranger stations where they are very prone to strikes of Lightning. Or something like that.
Lightning

The Analysis
Since its the last day of the tournament, we'll make this easy. The Rangers logo has the staying power of like a hundred years or something. The Lightning logo has needed an upgrade for the last 10 years. Finally, it's going to get it, though. Maybe then I'd be more apt to give it this point. Still, they sneak by with the win and finish the tournament even.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Revisiting Some New Uniforms

The designs in this post are for teams that have already unveiled new uniforms so, like the rest of the concepts I post, it's just for fun. Hey, I can't post artwork the caliber of that Anaheim stuff everyday.

Here is what one fan thought the new Columbus Blue Jackets jerseys should look like.



I really like the curved stripes. Very interesting. I'm a big fan of the real Blue Jackets uniforms, but these aren't bad either. Maybe the team could consider something in this vein for an alternate once that program is reinstated in a year or two.

Then I also had a few ideas for the Florida Panthers emailed to me.



We've never seen that kind of gold on a Panther jersey. I wonder how it would look on the ice. I feel like the Panthers have always been more associated with red than blue, which is why I thought it was strange their home Rbk EDGE jerseys are blue. Then there's these two.



The white jersey seems really familiar and the red is almost how it should be. Speaking of red, one fan based a red jersey off of the new ones just released last month.



They also tried wrapping the elbow stripes completely around the sleeve as opposed to just halfway. I think it makes a world of difference. But I don't really mind the elbow stripes the way they are. I just know there are a number of people who are annoyed by it.

Any thoughts on these designs? Remember, if you would like to send in a design or you own or one you've seen elsewhere on the web, you can submit it at nhllogos@gmail.com.

Mailbag: Sens Fan Concepts

With the news today that the Ottawa Senators will be unveiling their new jerseys in a couple of weeks, one fan has mused on some concept designs. These were emailed to me and I thought I'd share them.



This black jersey makes use of one of the club's secondary marks. It's a nice logo but I can't imagine it being the primary. What do you guys think? Could it work or should we stick with what we know?



We've seen a few concepts with the old-time Sens design but this one is slightly different. Instead of stripes going the length of the sweater, this one goes more along the lines of the Canadiens. Definitely an interesting look.

Comments can be left below if the spirit compels you.

It's Official: Expect New Sens Unis August 22!

According to the official web site of the Ottawa Senators, we can expect to see new uniforms on Wednesday, August 22. So get excited!



The team doesn't specifically cite the new logo we've been seeing around, but I'm sure it will be unveiled along with the jerseys. We'll wait and see at 6:15 PM on VIII/XXII/MMVII as their graphic puts it.

Sens fans, are you excited?

Kings vs Sharks

	vs
KINGS		SHARKS
7-6		5-7

The Aesthetics
These two logos both have rather unique color schemes. You don't really see them anywhere else in the league. The Sharks recently introduced a new logo and this is its first time in the tournament. It's certainly an improvement over the previous logo, and even though sharks are grey, not teal, I like the extra color in the logo. What's unfortunate is that they kept the broken stick in the logo. The Kings logo is a good example of how you work in a hockey stick if you absolutely cannot help yourself. Make it subtle!
Kings

The Nickname
As powerful as King may be, if he took a dip in Shark-infested waters, he'd become lunch and nobody would be able to do anything about it.
Sharks

The Analysis
Despite getting an update, the Sharks logo still leaves a lot to be desired. I think the Kings logo is stronger and hey, what says California more than the suns on either side of the crown? Now, if you can, try and resist the urge to tear apart my reasoning. It's flimsy and would never stand up to it. Come back on Sunday and vote for yourself!
Kings

WINNER

2-1