Oodles Of Rbk EDGE Jersey Concepts

All right now, I know this is exciting stuff but please try to contain yourselves. A great reader to whom I'm enormously appreciative sent links my way for the jersey artwork you see below. PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE IT WITH ACTUAL OFFICIAL DESIGNS. These are merely the work of an artistically-inclined hockey fan pondering on the future of the NHL's aesthetics.

To enlarge an image below, just click on it. The designer of these went through the painstaking task of creating three different design schemes for 17 different teams, one of which doesn't even exist. It's worth noting that the NHL has said there will be no third jerseys this year during the transition to the new Reebok sweaters. Though I don't know who created them, these designs are just for fun. I'd implore you to avoid the urge to post a comment about how they aren't real, lest you lack the reading skills of a third-grader. (In which case nothing I write would matter.)

For your pleasure, I'll go through each of them one-by-one.

CONCEPTS #1
Not much to speak of with regard to the Canadiens designs. It's basically what they wear now with more curvy lines. The Penguins designs are interesting, if for no other reason than the alternate is a throwback to the days when the club wore blue. The Rangers concepts update the name running across the front while keeping Statue of Liberty logo on an alternate jersey. Personally I'm of the opinion it would make a great crest on a jersey worn night in and night out. But it's not my call. What's interesting to note here is the jersey number placed on the bottom corner of the front of the alternate.

Then there's the Bruins concepts wherein we realize this must be the musings of a fan as the Bruins have already unveiled their jerseys which look nothing like this. I'm a little creeped out by what appears to be a lion head on the alternate. (Don't try and tell me that's a bear.) Beneath that is a series of Sabres jerseys with a fun throwback as an alternate. Don't count on seeing that on the backs of Buffalo players anytime soon.

CONCEPTS #2
First off, the team on top, the Kansas City Scouts, haven't existed for the better part of three decades. Let's not let that stop us though. With all this talk about KC becoming an NHL market in the near future, who wouldn't wonder? But I doubt seriously they'd go back to that old gem. It is interesting to look at though. The Stars are rumored to be foregoing the traditional crest for the word "DALLAS" across the front of the road jerseys. Is this the NBA now? Let's not have any cheating refs, at least. As for the other two designs, I'm partial to the green.

I like the minor upgrades made to the Maple Leafs logo but the design could use some work. We'll waive straight stripes in place of curvy ones for the Stars yet not the traditional Leafs? The silver is a nice touch, however, on the alternate. A twist on the stick-in-rink Canucks logo doesn't improve it in my eyes. But I do like the colors. And as for the Senators design, it's basically an Rbk EDGE twist on the current sweaters. The Sens should be getting a new logo though, so I wouldn't count on seeing this on the ice.

CONCEPT #3
The hockey world seems to be taken with this Sharks logo thought to have been leaked by the club itself. Personally, I'm skeptical but that's my nature. And while I don't love it, I'm a big fan of that color scheme. I wouldn't mind seeing players wearing something like that. The white and blue Lightning jerseys I've posted before. The black one is kind of cool and I wouldn't mind a design like that on my team. The logo is growing on me a little. But the team hasn't made an official announcement yet so take it for what it's worth.

The Blues design is cool. I like the light blue alternate and even the name written across the chest doesn't bother me that much. The Avalanche concepts are very sharp. They should be so lucky as to be wearing something like that this fall. My praise, however, falls short on sight of the alternate. No, no, no. I applaud the effort, but still... no. As for the Hurricanes design. In my mind, it would be hands-down best in the league. It's the best concept I've seen so far this summer for any team!

CONCEPT #4
The Red Wings designs are simple enough. Perhaps a little too simple. And the maroon and red of the alternate clash in a way that hurts my brain. I like the Islanders concepts as well. The slanted bars on the alternate are especially cool and I don't think any Isles fans would complain if their team went with something in this neighborhood.

And there you have it. Now that you've got my opinion on all 17 designs, tell me yours! Comment below!

Stars vs Canucks

	vs
STARS		CANUCKS
4-4		4-5

The Aesthetics
These are both decent logos. Neither is bad, nor very good. Just average. For this point, I've always liked the Canucks' logo. Word is it's gone after this season, but as far as aesthetics, I think it's one of the best out there. The Stars logo spells out the name and that's too easy and uncreative. It also hurts the logo from a design standpoint.
Canucks

The Nickname
A Star is a giant, all-consuming ball of fire as we've noted, and I don't think they've lost this point yet. A Canuck has no chance against a Star.
Stars

The Analysis
Stylistically, both logos are very appropriate for their teams. The giant "lone star" practically screams Texas while the Haida-style orca points right to the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, what's lacking in the Canucks logo is ... a canuck. Even the coolest logos have their problems and this is a big one. It will cost them this point.
Stars

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Hurricanes

	vs
SENATORS		HURRICANES
4-4		8-0

The Aesthetics
The Hurricanes logo has been unbeatable to this point in the tournament. It's a strong logo that's simple and sharp. The Senators logo gets a bit bogged down in detail and probably won't even be in existence much longer.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
Mother Nature tends to leave a path of destruction in her wake when a Hurricane is involved. Even Senators aren't safe.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
Neither logo makes an effort at representing their home city. The Hurricanes name, though, at least gives you a hint to the geographical region. Plus, I'm a big fan of the puck used as the eye of the storm. Chalk up another sweep for the 'Canes.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Coyotes vs Sharks

	vs
COYOTES		SHARKS
3-3		5-6

The Aesthetics
I continue to be disappointed by the lack of color in the Sharks logo and eagerly await tomorrow's unveiling of a new logo. The Coyotes logo at times looks awkward to me, but I certainly feel the action while looking at it. You can almost hear it howling.
Coyotes

The Nickname
This is one of those situations where I don't know why a Coyote and a Shark would ever come face-to-face, but my money is on the Sharks for sheer power.
Sharks

The Analysis
My first question is always, does the logo match the team name? Here, we do in fact see a coyote and a shark. Next I look at home town representation. Here, there's nothing obvious but the team names are good indications. An Arizona team named for a desert animal. And a California coastal team named for an underwater predator. Now I'm looking at features like the broken hockey stick in the shark's mouth. It's unnecessary. We should already know the logo belongs to a hockey team. This point goes to the Coyotes.
Coyotes

WINNER

2-1

 

No Big Changes In Store For Avs

Any Avs fans looking for jersey info? A reader just pointed me the way of this post which seems to indicate we shouldn't expect any big changes for the Colorado Avalanche when they unveil their new Rbk EDGE uniforms. A retailer called Altitude Authentics put the following in an email.

The Avs jersey will not be drastically different, same logos and looks. The main difference will be the material of the jersey. We will have these in stock sometime in mid September.

As with anything, take it how you will. Of course we haven't gotten any word from the team yet, so all we know is what retailers say they've heard.

As it happens, I also recently came across a fan-made design to share with you. But don't expect to see anything in this vein if the quote there proves to be true. This looks nothing like what they currently wear and more like (as a few readers might point out) the 2007 all-star jersey with some colors swapped out. Take it for what it is.

While we're on the topic, I also ran across this design for the Chicago Blackhawks. Once again its the all-star uniform template with some colors and logos changed. But if nothing else, it's something to stare at for a spell while we await official announcements league-wide.

Briefly I'd like to once again extend my thanks to the readers who have been sending in information. It's been extremely helpful and the more I know, the more I can post. So if you've seen any cool (or uncool as the case may be) designs, feel free to send them my way. I'd love to see them.

Canucks Fans, Prepare Yourselves

A link to this blog was recently posted on the Vancouver Canucks' message board. Most of you over there seem to like the site. A handful of you are skeptical as to where I procure my information, specifically the bit about the August 1 unveiling date for your team. I don't blame you.

First, I should tell you I was hesitant about putting that date in the countdown. It comes from a retailer who spoke in an article printed in the Vancouver Sun. Consult this post for further details on that. Second, all of the information I post here is secondhand. I don't intend to pass myself off as an authority on the subject, merely an information-gathering resource. I surf the web and find a lot of nonsense and I try to parse it for factuality. Obviously things will slip through the cracks but then take from this what you want.

In the meantime, everything I post I try to explain. Whether it's artwork designed by a fan or rumors or an official announcement from a team, you can trust me when I tell you I'm not going to make anything up out of thin air. What would be the point? Still, take everything I post here with a grain of salt. As I keep saying, until teams make official announcements, all we have is speculation.

Now then, as a thank-you to whoever noticed the site and decided it was worth mentioning, I have a treat for you. Well, actually that depends on how you respond to this little gem.



Now, don't be fooled, Canucks fans. What you're looking at will only make its way onto the ice they day you ride a unicorn to games. But I thought it was an interesting design, with colors we haven't seen before. I came across it on the Miami Herald's Florida Panthers blog while looking up information I posted earlier today.

It's like a tougher version of Johnny Canuck inside the orca "C." The designer also placed the current orca logo on the shoulders (backwards on one side for some reason).

Once again, don't freak out. It's not something that's been leaked by the team (or I'd hope not). It's obviously artwork designed by a fan and clearly not the work of a graphics professional (no offense to the person who came up with the idea). Having said that, what do you think of it? Would you like to see something similar on jerseys for the fall?

Bruins vs Islanders

	vs
BRUINS		ISLANDERS
4-2		1-9

The Aesthetics
There certainly are a lot of circles before us today. And within said circles are letters. Were I to go about this arbitrarily, I'd say the logo with the fewest letters contained within the circle should get this point. But to be arbitrary is wrong. The Bruins logo gets it because the Islanders logo features more than a few of my aesthetic pet peeves, such as a hockey stick, puck and the team name written out.
Bruins

The Nickname
Islanders and Bruins are both known for doing in fish, but one-on-one, I think the larger bear has the upper hand.
Bruins

The Analysis
Often I've awarded this point to the Islanders for the outline of Long Island found in orange in the background of the logo. That'll continue today as what annoys me about the Bruins logo is its lack of an actual bruin. The scary bear on the new shoulder patches would work, but that's not in competition here.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Coyotes vs Red Wings

	vs
COYOTES		RED WINGS
3-2		3-7

The Aesthetics
Visually, I'm more a fan of the Coyotes logo mainly because of its color usage. The red and white of the Red Wings logo often seems flat to me. Beyond that, it could use an upgrade.
Coyotes

The Nickname
A Red-Winged bird (or a bird of any sort) would be wise to keep itself airborne when in danger to avoid the clutches of a predator like the Coyote.
Red Wings

The Analysis
The wheel attached to the wing in the Red Wings logo has often won this point for that team. And it should be no different here as the Coyotes logo doesn't really make any reference to its home city. The desert colors and feel are nice, but what's to stop anyone from assuming New Mexico or even Las Vegas as the team's locale?
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Devils

	vs
SENATORS		DEVILS
4-3		10-1

The Aesthetics
The Devils logo is simpler but the additional color in the Senators logo gives it extra layers. This is not meant to take away from the clever design of the Devils logo but rather to highlight how using more than two colors can be effective.
Senators

The Nickname
The Devil is one evil son of a bitch. A Senator doesn't have anything on him.
Devils

The Analysis
It's the subtle "NJ" making up the devil that will help give the Devils this point. As far as the Senators logo, it's nice but it could be better. I do like the third jersey version better and rumor has it that an updated version of that will be donning the crest of the Sens new unis this season. Until we find out for sure, this point is not for them.
Devils

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Oilers

	vs
SHARKS		OILERS
4-6		1-9

The Aesthetics
The Sharks logo goes heavy on the detail and light on the color which is not a good combination. It has a hockey stick in it and if you notice, the tape doesn't go around the entire blade. It needs work. Good thing is, in just two days, it's getting the help it needs when the Sharks unveil a new logo. The team name being written out in the Oilers logo still isn't making me happy, but its a better-looking logo when compared with the Sharks. If you ask me.
Oilers

The Nickname
Suppose an Oiler is out working on an ocean rig. Were he to fall off with hungry Sharks lying in wait, he would no doubt be lunch.
Sharks

The Analysis
All we really have to look at in this match is whether the logo is a good symbol for the club's name. Here, the Sharks logo works well while the Oilers logo leaves a lot to be desired. I'm a fan of the shoulder logo they currently wear despite its heavy-handed detail. The third jersey logo would work as well but what do I know? I see a shark.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1