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.

Flames vs Stars

	vs
FLAMES		STARS
7-0		3-3

The Aesthetics
I really think the Stars logo would be so much improved if they did away with the words in it. Still it's in part the reason why this point goes to the Flames logo.
Flames

The Nickname
Burning hot Flames and a burning hot Star. Now that seems like a draw. But in fact, fire is just part of a star. There's so much more.
Stars

The Analysis
Appropriate logos. Strong colors. I like them both. The Stars logo needs a bit of work. Liven things up. Bring it into the 21st century a little bit. The Flames logo can probably stay like it is forever. Nothing wrong with that. Its staying power will help give it this point.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Maple Leafs vs Devils

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		DEVILS
1-7		6-1

The Aesthetics
The disparity in the records of these two logos is rather apparent. However, look at them and you think hockey instantly. I'd say that they're recognizable to almost anyone on the continent. Still, this point is about looks. I've said over and over again that the Maple Leafs logo would be great if not for the team name in it. That remains true. Perhaps we'll have something new presented to us this summer. No official word from the team yet.
Devils

The Nickname
Those little Maple Leafs keep getting the raw end of this deal. But then we are talking about the Devil. Everything up in flames.
Devils

The Analysis
Here we have classic hockey logos that have been around for decades. That doesn't mean they couldn't use an upgrade, though. The Devils logo is great and though it doesn't really need it, a slight modernization wouldn't hurt. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, need to get their name out of their logo. Otherwise, the leaf silhouette is awesome. Maybe next time.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Bruins vs Senators

	vs
BRUINS		SENATORS
2-2		4-2

The Aesthetics
So while most teams have are at least halfway through the tournament, these two aren't. The Bruins actually have the fewest overall, this being only their fifth. So we'll be seeing them a lot in the final weeks of the competition. As far as aesthetics, the Bruins logo is simple and strong. Though it may not seem like it, the recent update makes a big difference. I hear a new Senators logo is in the offing and I wouldn't be sad to see this one go.
Bruins

The Nickname
Bruin mauls Senator. That would be an interesting newspaper headline.
Bruins

The Analysis
This is where the Bruins are unable to sweep. I see a "B" there which could stand for Boston or Bruins, but nowhere do I see an actual bruin. For that, you have to look to the new shoulder patch, which personally, I'd rather see on their crest. The Senators is as close as we'll come to logo that's appropriate to the name.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

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