Just To Freak You Out XV

We were a little thin in terms of new Freak Out art this week, so forgive me if today's post is a little light. Still, nothing pleases me more than trying to freak you guys out with some crazy concept art.

As many of you know, the NHL unveiled the 2008 All-Star Game sweaters this week. Reader reaction here was not great. In fact, I got some very Freak Out-worthy concepts based off of those jerseys.



John sent those in along with a few others. You'll be able to find them in the Concepts Gallery this weekend.

We'll keep things moving with the Pittsburgh Penguins next. Each concept here imagines a drastic change. For instance, the first example suggests renaming the team the Pirates — a club that once existed in Pittsburgh during the early years of the NHL.



And the second suggests that the team keep the name but move to Russia.



That silly penguin even looks Russian.

And then, this goes out to all the folks from Quebec. It just doesn't look right. At all.



We'll keep things in the Western Conference now. With all the vanity in the world these days, you had to see this coming.



It seems even the Chicago Blackhawks' Indian head wanted a facelift. Either that or he got the Botox. And don't think I'm ignoring the Bears reference in there.

Next we'll head to Detroit where I'm quite concerned.



I think the grey jersey is an interesting choice, but I don't think an octopus will ever be anything but scary on a Red Wings concept. That tradition should stay off the sweater. Having said that, as a logo itself, it's not bad. But I'm still very, very concerned.

And finally, with Christmas just 39 days away, I thought I'd start my decorating now.



Ho ho ho!

If you've made or run across any concepts you think might be worth posting for Freak Out Friday, don't be shy. Send them along! You can email me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

Poll: Wild vs Rangers

	vs
Minnesota WILD		New York RANGERS

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 16

Poll closing date Tue Nov 20

07TJTRN | #2C | MINvNYR

This One's All Atlanta

As the title implies, this post will stick to an Atlanta-based theme. We'll start with the team currently in that town — the Thrashers.



A reader emailed in this concept which calls for a return to the days of going heavy on the dark blue and maroon. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's a bad look. I just prefer the light blue jerseys. One of the best in the league, if you want my opinion — which I'm sure many of you don't.

I bet the asymmetry of that blue jersey is causing aneurysms for a good number of you. I think it's a winner. Not really feeling the sleeves on the white jersey, however. I know what's being attempted, but it just isn't working. Thoughts?

Now let's take a blast from the past with the Atlanta Flames.



You might notice Jarome Iginla's name on the back of these sweaters. Try to ignore the Calgary connection. I really am trying to write an Atlanta post. The one on the left is a little plain but I like the city name down the sleeve. The crest is awkwardly large however. What I like is the one on the right which is oversized just right — if that makes any sense.

I think this is a really cool idea. The giant logo basically becomes the jersey design. I think it provides a really cool effect. Not sure how great it would look on the ice, however. But by itself there, I'm a fan.

And finally, we'll top things off with the 2008 NHL All-Star Game which is being hosted by the great city of Atlanta. The jerseys for that game were recently unveiled to the general disappointment of a lot of the readers here. One fan emailed in a couple of concepts for the big game. They're not bad, but they do borrow heavily from the Philadelphia Flyers.



Oh, and before a handful of you start needlessly jumping up and down on the designer, let me point out that we know a design like this prohibits the use of a "C" or "A" on the chest. And I do think the all-star and team logos should be left on the shoulders. Other than that, I think they work. Perhaps we'll see something similar in the future.

Until then, we have what we have.

Poll: Flyers vs Oilers

	vs
Philadelphia FLYERS		Edmonton 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 15

Poll closing date Mon Nov 19

07TJTRN | #2B | PHIvEDM

Poll: Mighty Ducks vs Sabres

	vs
Anaheim MIGHTY DUCKS		Buffalo 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 14

Poll closing date Sun Nov 18

07TJTRN | #2A | ANAvBUF

Atlanta All-Star Jerseys

Don't know if you guys have seen these, but the new All-Star jerseys are out for the 2008 game in Atlanta.



Not too shabby.

By the way, Round Two of the Third Jersey Logo Tournament begins tomorrow so keep an eye out for that. Mighty Ducks and Sabres.

UPDATE (11/14 2:16 AM): My apologies on not providing a source. I think in my rush I just forgot. But as a few people pointed out in the comments, the images are available on the NHL.com Shop. I snagged them from there so I could show you guys and see what you thought. Sounds like most of you just like to be negative but to each his own. It's a hockey jersey, not a Renoir.

Poll: Kings vs Panthers

	vs
Los Angeles KINGS		Florida PANTHERS

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 Mon Nov 12

Poll closing date Fri Nov 16

07TJTRN | #1H | LAKvFLA

Concepts In The Stars

Every so often, I get emailed a concept design that just looks simply amazing. Let me share the most recent piece I'd categorize that way.



Obviously, we're talking about the Dallas Stars today. And while I'm a fan of their new uniforms and the simplicity seen there, I would be among the last to object an overhaul. For instance, I feel a green jersey is exactly the way for this team to go. And while I don't think the logo seen here is perfect, it's a step in the right direction. I really like the secondary logo, though.

Anyway, this is what I like. Sharp graphics and folks getting creative. It almost makes me want to do a concept contest of some sort. The winner would get nothing but bragging rights, but I bet we'd see some amazing work along the way. Let me know in the comments if that sounds like something you guys would be interested in.

Continuing with today's theme now.



This is a nice set. I like the idea of using the bull/consellation logo on the shoulders of the black jersey. The red seems a bit out of place though.

And finally, here's a nice way to improve on the road sweater.



Just a little more color makes the jersey seem a lot less ... white. A bit more interesting to look at, to be sure.

Overall, I like what all of the artists have done here. Top notch work.

Poll: Predators vs Rangers

	vs
Nashville PREDATORS		New York RANGERS

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 Sun Nov 11

Poll closing date Thu Nov 15

07TJTRN | #1G | NSHvNYR

Mailbag: Canucks Logo

I got an email this morning that really made me think.

Hey, love your website,
Do you think that the canucks have a good logo?

That question is so simple yet the answer is so complicated.

Whether you consider the logo to be the orca alone or with the city name arched above it, the long and short of it is I don't really have an answer.



From a personal standpoint, while I do think it is a strong logo, at the same time I feel it could be so much better and so much more representative of the city and the team name.

Having said that, I think the person asking this question would be better served by getting a response from the readership here at NHLToL. For the most part, you guys know your stuff and have very strong opinions. I think they should be heard now.

Let the debate begin!