Thursday, August 2, 2007

Jersey Ideas For The Big D

Further proof that this Dallas Stars jersey I posted a few days ago was a fake comes by way of another piece of work from the same designer. As a side note, he also created this Lightning concept jersey.

What gives it away here is the "Big D" logo with the star in the bottom corner of it. Have a gander.



So what do you guys think? It's a little reminiscent of the old North Stars with a touch of cool in the logo. Speaking of which, am I the only one who likes that concept for the logo? Anybody else out there? I thought it was a huge improvement over what they've been using.

I also came by another fan-designed concept to put out there.



I don't think I really like the lack of black here. Don't put too much stock in either of these designs. Based on what little we've heard, we should expect to see home and road uniforms with two different crests. It may even be that the road jersey says "DALLAS" across the chest like in some of the other fan artwork we've seen.

Anyway, that being the case, what do you guys think about what you're seeing here? I'd also like to hear from some Stars fans as well if any are reading.

Mailbag: Any Thrashers News?

Now that I have a new email address posted for the blog, I've been getting emails from people on jersey- and logo-related topics. It's stuff that used to end up in the comments. So to get it posted for all to see, I'm starting a new feature called Mailbag where I respond to an email for all to read. Here goes.

Hey Chris,

I really enjoy your blog, and I wanted to say thank you for the work you are doing to bring us new information regarding the new reebok jerseys. However, Atlanta fans, like myself, have been starving for some news about the changes we might expect to our home and road apparel next season. We know that we are sticking with the blue as our home color, but there are still a lot of questions. Will our road jerseys mirror the blue ones (with the "Atlanta" down the sleeve)? Will we have to deal with ridiculous excessive piping like Nashville? etc.

So, like I said, I really appreciate your work, and I'm hoping you can dig something up for those of us down here in Blueland. Thanks!

Jesse

Thanks for the email Jesse. This post is for all those readers from Blueland out there.

I'm sorry to say despite searching far and wide, high and low, I unfortunately have nothing really to show for it. All I can do is post the rumors that have been making the rounds. So here's what you should be able to reasonably expect for the Atlanta Thrashers this fall.

The light blue jerseys were so popular that the Thrashers just made them the regular home sweaters last season. They dropped the red/dark blue ones altogether. Expect to see light blue home jerseys again this season. But one element of that jersey that fans seem to like may be difficult to achieve with the new Rbk EDGE cut. And that is the "ATLANTA" written down the sleeve. I think that's such a cool element of those jerseys and while it's not impossible, it doesn't seem likely that we'll see that on the new unis. Keep your fingers crossed.

As for the road jerseys, I'd expect to see more light blue, possibly along the shoulders. That's been a very identifiable color for the Thrashers the past few years. But this may all just be wishful thinking. Which reminds me, if anybody out there has seen any concept art for new Atlanta Thrashers jerseys, please don't hesitate to send it my way so I can share it with the rest of the class.

Just for reference, here are the current Atlanta uniforms which can be found at NHL Uniforms.com.



So again, I'm sorry to disappoint, Thrashers fans. But as always, if I hear or see anything, I'll post it right here.

If you have a question or comment you'd like to submit by email, you can reach me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

A Wild Design!

Check this out, Minnesota Wild fans. Some among you seem to think your team can break from the pack and wear something other than white at home. Outrageous! Seriously, though. Check out this fan-created concept.



We have heard that the Wild will be converting their red third jersey to their permanent home jersey, dropping the greens altogether. But this design suggests using the wheat color on the road jerseys. A radical concept to be sure, I think it would be great! All that white... it blends into the ice, you know?

Actually, I like both of these designs a lot. I think they would be among the best in the entire league if the Wild go with something in this neighborhood. But I want to know what Wild fans think. Do you prefer the red or green at home? And would you like white or wheat for the road sweaters?

Jersey For New Jersey

How many times do you think I'll be able to make that joke as we get information about the New Jersey Devils new uniforms? Anyway, today I have a fan-made graphic to share. It comes from a Devils fan message board.



It's not the actual jersey, of course. I mean let's not fool ourselves here. It's merely a manipulation of the Boston Bruins' road jersey which was unveiled back in June. It just gives us an idea of what can be done if the team were to keep its current uniform design on the new Rbk EDGE jersey cut.

I'm not sure I like the collar laces, though. What do you guys say? Should the Devils keep what they've got or go with something completely new in the vein of, say, the Predators?

Panthers vs Sabres


vs
PANTHERS
SABRES
10-1
6-4


The Aesthetics
I wonder if the Panthers logo might just be the most fear-inspiring in the league. I almost said scary. But it's the "Buffaslug" that's scary. But as far as it being a good sports logo, it's a tough call — even though Sabres fans hate it. But come on, is there realy a question here?
Panthers

The Nickname
In the hands of an experienced swordsman, a Sabre is rather dangerous, even to a Panther.
Sabres

The Analysis
Look, the animals in both logos have red eyes. Creepy. Anyway, panther? Check. Sabre? Sort of, check. It's been pointed out there's a very subtle blue sword extending from the horn on the buffalo which doubles as the sword's handle. I kind of see it. But the Panther is much cooler.
Panthers


WINNER
2-1

 

Blue Jackets vs Stars


vs
BLUE JACKETS
STARS
10-1
6-5


The Aesthetics
Both of these logos have five-pointed stars as a primary element. You could even say the Stars have two stars — a gold one and a green one. Ah, but the Blue Jackets logo has the most when you count the 12 in the Ohio flag. So I'll give them this point for that and the fact that there are no words in it. A logo is a symbol in my book. (And don't start in with how words are symbols too. I don't want to hear about it.)
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
I don't think the Blue Jackets win this war. A bayonet doesn't stop a Star from burning. Not even a little bit.
Stars

The Analysis
This is a difficult decision. Both of these logos are appropriate. I've talked about the big "lone star" in the Stars logo a number of times. The Ohio flag almost forms a "jacket" around the silver star. But I like the Stars logo's Texas reference. It's clever.
Stars


WINNER
2-1

 

Lightning vs Bruins


vs
LIGHTNING
BRUINS
6-5
7-3


The Aesthetics
The Bruins have a logo that despite only minor changes, is significantly improved. The Lightning logo spells out the team name. And if the rumors of the new logo hold to be true, at least one of those words will be removed. Anyway, no point for the Bolts here.
Bruins

The Nickname
Not even a Bruin could withstand getting struck by a bolt of Lightning.
Lightning

The Analysis
At least there's a bolt of Lightning in that logo. There's no bear in the Bruins logo. But that can't be the only factor for this point. The Bruins logo is just much bolder. I think it makes a better logo. Maybe the Lightning can make an improvement when they unveil theirs later this month.
Bruins


WINNER
2-1