Flyers vs Rangers

	vs
FLYERS		RANGERS
2-1		1-2

The Aesthetics
Both logos symbolize storied franchises but as I've said many times before, words can kill the aesthetics of any logo. That and I love subtle letters such as the "P" in the Flyers logo.
Flyers

The Nickname
As with any bird, it's the job of a Ranger to protect the Flyer, who therefore has the upper hand.
Rangers

The Analysis
Quite honestly, red, white and blue have never been such important colors to New York City than in the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11. That makes the Rangers colors very significant. Meanwhile, the Flyers logo doesn't go a very long way to symbolize its home city of Philadelphia.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Ducks

	vs
SHARKS		DUCKS
2-0		0-2

The Aesthetics
The Ducks' unfortunate choice to make a wordmark their primary logo may very well be their downfall in this competition. On the other hand, the Sharks logo is good enough to beat out just about anyone. Talk about fierce!
Sharks

The Nickname
A Shark could totally eat a Duck. The Duck wouldn't stand a chance.
Sharks

The Analysis
Ultimately the Sharks logo is nearly perfect for its location of San Jose, and with any California team you would expect non-traditional colors. I think it's great that the Ducks opted to go with the orange and gold after the name change, but a logo with an actual Duck or even just the footprint would be exponentially better.
Sharks

WINNER

3-0

 

Islanders vs Thrashers

	vs
ISLANDERS		THRASHERS
0-0		0-2

The Aesthetics
I've never been the biggest fan of words or hockey sticks especially in hockey logos. It's a little too on-the-nose if you ask me. The Islanders have both and for that reason they should lose the point. But then this logo is supposed to be traditional right? They've used it for a few decades now (minus those couple of years with the Gordon's fisherman). Still, the Thrashers logo is visually interesting and makes great use of color.
Thrashers

The Nickname
If a Thrasher was flying over an Islander, the bird would surely poop on his head. I know, effort.
Thrashers

The Analysis
It stood the test of time even when a mid-'90s mistake couldn't. The Islanders logo may only be 35 years old, but to many hockey fans, it's been around forever. But that doesn't automatically win you a point in this competition. You need to really show something. In this case, the Islanders logo shows a sense of where it's from with the map of Long Island featured. The Atlanta Thrasher? Maybe. But I'm not getting a feel for the city.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Oilers vs Red Wings

	vs
OILERS		RED WINGS
0-3		1-2

The Aesthetics
The Oilers get this point for better use of color and simple design despite the name of the team being in the logo. The Red Wings logo is a little complex.
Oilers

The Nickname
If an Oiler were to accidentally get oil onto a Red Wing, the bird it belonged to would surely be unable to fly.
Oilers

The Analysis
While the Oilers logo is simple, I'm more a fan of the secondary and third jersey logos. They better depict the logo the team should have, in my opinion. On the other hand, the Red Wings logo does a fantastic job of symbolizing Motor City with the wheel attached to the wing.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

I'm A Little Concerned...

Why am I concerned? Folks, this very well may be the new Washington Capitals uniform and logo. And it is not looking good. Now you know me. You know I wouldn't post something I didn't believe to be the real deal where I didn't specifically say it was fan-created. I have a bad feeling this could be it.

Let's hope it's just that though. A bad feeling. And that the Capitals organization has a little more sense than this. And that there's a very Photoshop-inclined hockey fan out there who really hates the Capitals. All right then.

I nabbed this image off of a forum that seems to indicate the Caps may have intentionally leaked the new look. But like I said and will say over and over again, it could all be nothing. Still, I am inclined to post it. We'll just have to wait and see. The official word comes on Friday evening. Do stop by here for that news. You know I'll have it.

Thanks For The Comments

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone — all two of you — for commenting. Just to let you know, I read and respond to all comments and appreciate them more than you can know. It means people actually read this drivel of mine. Makes it all worthwhile.

Seriously, keep reading and as long as you've got something to say, keep commenting!

Blues vs Oilers

	vs
BLUES		OILERS
2-0		0-2

The Aesthetics
We certainly get a fair amount of blue between these two logos. That aside, the circle has always been a classic logo shape, but I've always found odd shapes more interesting to look at. The Blues logo features a musical note attached to a wing. My eye is more drawn to it.
Blues

The Nickname
I guess you might say an Oiler could sing the Blues. But who has the upper hand. Since an oil man is a person, though, he has the freedom of choice. He could sing a happy tune if he wanted.
Oilers

The Analysis
Both teams have been in the league for a lot of years and both, in the past decade, have given upgrades to their logos. In fact, the Blues current logo is more of an improvement on the original. But you could also say that about the Oilers as well. It's a very difficult call to make as to which team gets this point, but as far as logos go, I've never liked ones which spell out the team name. The Blues get it.
Blues

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Maple Leafs

	vs
SENATORS		MAPLE LEAFS
1-1		0-2

The Aesthetics
The Senators logo makes much more use of color than the Maple Leafs. Another thing that detracts from the Maple Leafs logo is, as always, the words spelled out. I believe it was in the '70s or '80s that the Leafs actually donned a wordless Leaf on their uniform shoulders. What ever happened to that?
Senators

The Nickname
If a Senator, walking down a sidewalk, stepped on a Maple Leaf that had fallen from a tree, he would no doubt crush it with a crackle.
Senators

The Analysis
Despite the fact that I like the use of a design similar to the Canadian flag's primary element as the Maple Leafs logo, I always go back to my distaste for logos which spell out a name and/or city. But I'd settle for something even a little more interesting to the eye. The logo used on the third jerseys is a good example of what can be done. And even though I like the Senators logo, it wouldn't hurt if they did the same. They're third jersey crest is one of the best. Ultimately, however, they do get this point.
Senators

WINNER

3-0

 

Rangers vs Canadiens

	vs
RANGERS		CANADIENS
1-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
The blue, red and white abound here. Truthfully, I like the Canadiens logo's blue is better. It's a little deeper and contrasts the red nicely. Unfortunately for the Rangers, the spelling out of the team name and city always makes for an unwelcome distraction. The Canadiens logo not only has a "C" but a subtle "H."
Canadiens

The Nickname
A park Ranger is a big fella who lives in the wilderness. A little French Canadien would get pounded in a fistfight. No chance.
Rangers

The Analysis
For both teams, the nicknames make it difficult to come up with a logo that pushes beyond letters. Both logos come from Original Six teams and so have been around a number of years. Their staying power is impressive but do they really represent their team names? The Rangers logo utilizes a simple shield common in many logos while the Canadiens actually works in a subtle "H" that means something to French fans. For being clever, the Canadiens squeak by with the point.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Blue Jackets vs Flames

	vs
BLUE JACKETS		FLAMES
1-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Here we see two teams with very nice logos. The Flames logo is a great idea if not a little obvious. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, works in a very subtle "C" and other clever elements that make it more visually appealing. But it was a close one.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
The Blue Jackets fighting for the Union were great soldiers, but they don't really stand a chance against Flames. Unless their coats happened to be fire retardant. But they weren't.
Flames

The Analysis
Aside from its Civil War history, Columbus' choice for a team named the Blue Jackets seems a little odd to me. I really like the fact that the Flames kept the name after moving from Atlanta to Calgary. The flames inside the "A" for the Atlanta logo goes very well with the "C" currently used. The "A" is even used today as the alternate captain patch on the ice.
Flames

WINNER

2-1