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SENATORS | COYOTES |
Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!
| Poll opening date Sat Nov 10 | Poll closing date Wed Nov 14 |
It's the end of another work week and we all know what that means — Freak Out Friday! A series, which by the way, has become very popular. So as long as you guys keep sending in crazy crap, I'll keep posting it every week. I'll start things off tonight in New York.
I felt I couldn't properly begin a Freak Out Friday without involving the Buffalo Sabres somehow.
See? This is what happens. What is that anyway? Somebody call Paul Bunyan. We found his ox. Yay.
Easily the most maligned logo in the NHL, imagine the "Buffaslug" on what's been one of the most maligned jerseys here at NHLToL. How much do you guys love this concept right here?
Not that much? Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse. Anyway, while we're on the subject of the Atlanta Thrashers, see if you can endure this monstrosity.
I know that wasn't easy, but don't worry, it's over now. Let's not let this happen again, all right?
Gradients on jerseys is a personal pet peeve of mine. Who was it that thought these looked good?
Oh yeah, those guys did.
Have you ever tried to use red, blue and black together? Here's why you don't.
And here's another reason.
Finally, I'll leave you this evening with one simple concept and a profound statement.
Only you can prevent forest fires.
Until the next time, try not to freak out too much.
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WILD | AVALANCHE |
Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!
| Poll opening date Fri Nov 9 | Poll closing date Tue Nov 13 |
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STARS | OILERS |
Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!
| Poll opening date Thu Nov 8 | Poll closing date Mon Nov 12 |
One last post for today. It's Connecticut Day over at the Tournament of Hockey Logos blog. Reason being the state's two AHL franchises are going head to head in the AHL Tournament of Logos today. Head over and vote!
Meanwhile, I figured I'd draw in The Nutmeg State's NHL connection — the Hartford Whalers. Got some concept art, of course.
It's a peek at what the Whalers might've looked like had they made it to the Rbk EDGE era — and hired the same designer as the Calgary Flames. Notice the shield from the state flag on the shoulders.
I do like the designer's choice of thin lines on this jersey. I bet it would look killer on the ice. Too bad we'll never find out.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed Connecticut Day. Perhaps one day soon will be Pennsylvania Day. I've got a ton of Flyers/Penguins artwork.
The concept art has been flooding in over the last several days, so it's time to share a bunch. We'll begin with the team whose uniform finished second to last in the NHLToL's Uniform Ranking. The Edmonton Oilers.
Starting with my personal favorite, here. They're much busier in comparison to the current sweaters, but it would be a welcome improvement. Perhaps I speak for myself, though. Let me know. I just think that the Boston Bruins hit it right on the nose with their new sweaters. Why shouldn't other teams have a shot at something similar?
Especially the Oilers.
Another sharp design that was submitted seems to be based off of the Columbus Blue Jackets. See what we're getting at here? The Bruins and Jackets finished #1 and #6 respectively, in the Ranking. That has to say something.
Finally, it's not so much a jersey concept I wanted to share, but a logo.
I don't like it as a primary mark, but certainly something similar would be nice on the shoulder as a secondary. Of course you'd have to get past the whole Houston Oilers logo in there. But a little imagination would solve that problem.
So kudos to the artists on all these designs. Really top notch work! Keep it coming, everyone!
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FLAMES | SABRES |
Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!
| Poll opening date Wed Nov 7 | Poll closing date Sun Nov 11 |
While I'll admit to the fact that the NHL's new web site system seems to be hurting the overall design of the individual web sites — and that's coming from a graphic design perspective only — as far as content, I couldn't be more pleased. Hey speaking of which, anybody interested in a team web site tournament? I think that would be kind of funny.
Let me know what you think of that in the comments. In the meantime, here's the article from the AP.
November 2, 2007
Judge refuses to block NHL from taking control of Rangers' Web site
Associated Press
NEW YORK — A judge refused to block the NHL from taking control of the New York Rangers' Web site despite claims that the league is acting like "an illegal cartel" by controlling team promotions.
U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska said Friday that the NHL seemed on solid legal ground when it decided to take control of its clubs' Web sites to strengthen the quality of its Internet relationship with fans and advertisers.
She said in a written opinion that her conclusion was "bolstered by the fact that MSG has shown no harm whatsoever to consumers, especially in light of the facts that the team maintains control over most of the content of the new Web site and fans can still get access directly to the Rangers site through newyorkrangers.com."
Preska also said evidence showed that fans prefer the league's new Internet strategy over one that left more control in the hands of the individual clubs.
The ruling said the league had decided it was necessary to create a league brand with centralized control of team sites to compete with other major sports entertainment providers.
Although the judge hasn't yet heard all of the evidence in the case, she refused to block the NHL in its efforts while the litigation proceeds, a process that could take months.
She said it seemed unlikely that MSG would succeed in claims contained in a September lawsuit.
In a statement, MSG promised to appeal, saying it still believed the Rangers will be irreparably harmed if the Web site is left in the NHL's hands.
"This decision is only one step in what will be a very long legal process and we look forward to having the opportunity to present the facts, which support our position," MSG said.
Earlier this year, at the start of hockey playoffs, MSG said it increased its competitive offerings by making Rangers-branded merchandise available through the Rangers' Web site rather than a catalog, and by making games available to subscribers on its Web site.
The NHL forced MSG to withdraw the plan by imposing a $100,000-per-day penalty. When the company refused to pay the fines, the league withheld $200,000 from third-party payments due MSG, MSG said.
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FLYERS | BRUINS |
Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!
| Poll opening date Tue Nov 6 | Poll closing date Sat Nov 10 |
In honor of the new Third Jersey Logo Tournament, I've got a fitting theme for today's concept art post. Check it out.
One cool suggestion for a Hurricanes alternate sweater could be achieved by going all black. I say change the black sweater cuffs to red and you've got yourself a winner. As for the Habs, this may not be perfect, but it's pretty damn close. I'm a big fan of this design. I'm curious to see what it would look like on the ice.
But back to black third jerseys, consider these.
I actually like this. But I was a big fan of the black and red days of the Sabres. They never looked better — especially in those red third jerseys. 
And what about the Predators? Obviously, this design was created entirely based off of the Bruins' new sweaters, but it's not bad. I sort of like the 3D sabre-toothed tiger head, myself. But my preferences have never really been on par with most people. And I'm okay with that.
Finally, based off the idea of teams going with a retro look for alternate jerseys, how about something like this for Phoenix?
It's not like I hate the current look of the Coyotes, but I always thought they looked awesome in brick red and green. You have to admit, though, this jersey is pretty sharp looking.
But you probably disagree with me about something. Tell me about it below in the comments.
UPDATE (6:36 PM): Well our lovely designer Michaela got right on it with my suggestion to add red to her Canes concept above. Check it out.
I think it looks great with that small touch. Thoughts on that?
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