Thursday, June 12, 2008

Post Wednesday Wallpapers

Unfortunately, I don't have time to write up a real post tonight. Instead, I'm going to direct you to someone else's site. This guy's got a lot of cool NHL logo wallpapers you all might be interested in. Click here to check it out. More tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Eastern Identities

Just when you thought things couldn't get better, what with the Wallpaper Wednesdays kicking off today, I have concept logos. And some really great ones too. And since we did the West yesterday, today we're sticking to the East. Dare I say it, some of them even rise to level of Matt's work.

We're starting with the New York Rangers. And before you balk at the notion of rebranding a member of the Original Six, just give it a chance.



If you've been reading this blog a while, you know how much I love the Lady Liberty logo for the Rangers. Here are the uniforms to go with that logo set.



These work exceptionally well and I think that's hard to deny. Now I could go on and on about the quality of this artwork, but I'm more interested in reading what you guys have to say, so comment below.

But first, let's move on to the Ottawa Senators.



It's like a Hulked up version of the new alternate logo. Scary. Very scary.

Got a couple more neat designs before I call it a night, including a secondary logo for the Toronto Maple Leafs.



Or who knows, maybe it would even work as a primary. But I'm smart enough to know you guys don't like messing with tradition.



Then this here is just a Philadelphia Flyers logo incorporating the Liberty Bell.

So we begin and end with "liberty" today, apparently. Weird. Totally unintentional. Seriously though, drop us a line. I really want to read what you guys think of these logos, especially the Rangers. (Take a close look at that secondary mark.)

I hope to have more for you tomorrow.

Wallpaper Wednesday I

As I've mentioned, today I'm launching a new series called Wallpaper Wednesday. In the middle of each week, I'll be showcasing some of the best desktop background artwork that's made its way to my inbox. I've already posted a few wallpapers over the last few days and one of the first was a great Bruins design.

It was created by a reader named Patrick, who is continuing a series based on the original. I've already posted the Oilers and today we have a couple of new ones. First, the Sabres.



I'm sure you Sabres fans love that he used your classic emblem. Also, the Flyers.



Now based on the recent poll, we know that the team with the largest percentage fan base visiting NHLToL is the Vancouver Canucks. So naturally, they've got to be included here. And I really like this wallpaper.



It's designed for a widescreen display yet at the same time compatible with standard screens. To those of you submitting wallpapers, I (and many others) would be forever grateful if you could work with this in mind.



This Thrashers wallpaper is also designed for widescreen, except in this case it's not completely compatible with standard monitors because of where the NHL logo is placed in the corner.

Finally, this one is absolutely stellar and while the focus isn't a logo, I can't pass up the chance to post it.



That's all for this week. If you sent something and I haven't posted it yet, don't worry, I'll get to it eventually. Thanks to everyone who has submitted!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Western Identities

Concept art! We're sticking to the western conference for this one.

The same designer who created this logo for the New Jersey Devils has a few ideas for the Nashville Predators.



That's just cool.



And I have nothing bad to say about this one either. I love getting work from talented artists. Just makes the mind wander.

Next up is an idea for a hybrid Phoenix Coyotes logo.



Hadn't considered that before. Also a Los Angeles Kings concept.



Resist the urge to start in with the comments about Sacramento of the NBA. We know.

Lastly, I thought we'd finish up with another wallpaper. Tomorrow will be the big day though — the official start of Wallpaper Wednesdays. You guys liked the Boston Bruins wallpaper so much, the designer's made one for the Oilers as well.



This might also be a good time to drop a hint that the new Icethetics name will be taking over very soon.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Poll: Luongo vs Turco


vs
Roberto
LUONGO
Marty
TURCO


At last. We're down to the final two masks and somebody's walking away with bragging rights. I decided to wait to post this championship poll because the majority of you guys drop by on Monday night. I figured I'd take advantage of the blog's biggest night of the week.

You'll also notice this poll is open one more day than usual. Get everybody you know to come and vote. It's Luongo or Turco. You decide! Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment about 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
Mon Jun 9
Poll closing date
Sat Jun 14

NHL Fan Base Map

I always like getting interesting emails from readers and I got yet another one today. This guy created an NHL "fan base map" to, I suppose, indicate where the followers of each club are geographically located.



It's different and I thought it was kind of cool.

The map doesn't indicate percentage comparisons in numbers of fans or anything like that, but rather it suggests that the majority of NHL fans in the colored areas might be fans of those teams. I just thought it was something funny and worth sharing.

Don't forget to vote on the final poll of the NHL Tournament of Goalie Masks this week! Luongo vs. Turco!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

The Blackhawks Saga

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you're more than well aware of my aversion to the logo and uniforms of the Chicago Blackhawks. Now it's not that I just dislike them, it's that they're consistently billed as being the best logo/uniform combination in the NHL.

Yet no one has ever supplied a good reason!

I like their uniform design just find but I think their logo is old-fashioned — and not in the good way like the Canadiens. Even the Bruins had the sense to keep their look updated without kissing tradition goodbye.

To that end, I got an email this past week with a great logo set I can't help but feel is an improvement.



There are also jerseys — same design, just with the new logos.



Feel free to tell me I'm wrong and that the 'Hawks should change nothing, but know that I've heard it all before. And if you're among those who believe Chicago has the best look in the league, allow me to challenge you to explain. My position is that they are solid. They're not horrible, but how are they the best?

By the way, when redesigning the look of one of the league's oldest and most storied franchises, here's something to avoid.



Get ready. Monday's coming.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Introducing Some Wallpapers

I've been inundated with wallpapers since announcing the new series. So I'm going to show off a couple of them as we lead up to next Wednesday.

This Bruins design is simple and strictly logo-based.



Then there's this one based on Marc-Andre Fleury but with a twist.



So keep them coming and hopefully I'll be able to make a regular weekly feature out of it.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Taking The Day Off

Hi all! Today is my birthday and as such I'm taking the day off to relax. Not to worry, though, I'll have more stuff for you tomorrow. (Or you can go vote on the new poll at ToHL.)

By the way, I have been reading your comments and I understand you'd like to do a bit of a lead up to Wallpaper Wednesday. I have no problem with that. I'll post some stuff tomorrow. In the meantime, I have birthday pie waiting for me. Key lime.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Wallpaper Wednesdays

A reader recently emailed me with what I thought would be a really cool idea. This blog is all about showcasing hockey artwork so here's one more way to further that. I'm going to start posting desktop wallpaper artwork designed by you guys. Right now, it's just an idea I'm tossing around, but if it goes well, perhaps some contests are in our future.

Preferably, I'd like to start with logo-based designs. Maybe even goalie mask-based. Or whatever. Get creative and just go nuts. The sky's the limit. I'll post the ones I like. And the rest may be consigned to the Concepts Gallery.

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with. So get started on designing your hockey wallpapers and send them my way. Email me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

And just so you know, I had planned to put together a few examples to post today, but I seriously misjudged my schedule and a project I'm working on currently. Hopefully I'll have time soon.

Thanks to Dawson for the suggestion!