Is This It For Third Jerseys?
Saturday · Nov 29 · 2008 | 10:09 AM PSTAll the new third jerseys are out. The ranking has been released. But is this really it for third jerseys?
No. We'll get to start this all over again next year but on a much smaller scale. I can tell you there are at least two teams that are working on alternate sweaters for 2009. The Minnesota Wild are to have a green (finally!) third jersey for their 10th anniversary season and the Calgary Flames already have a final design in hand — though I can't tell you what it looks like.
Thought I'd get those seeds planted early. As far as the other 10 teams, I'm hoping for third jerseys from the Rangers, Ducks and Panthers next season. I don't expect anything from the Devils, Red Wings or Canadiens. So to sum up...
- 3rd introduced in '08 // Thrashers, Bruins, Sabres, Hurricanes, Blackhawks, Stars, Oilers, Kings, Islanders, Senators, Flyers, Coyotes, Penguins, Sharks, Blues, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Canucks
- 3rd expected in '09 // Flames, Wild
- 3rd status unknown, but hopeful // Ducks, Avalanche, Panthers, Predators, Rangers
- 3rd not expected anytime soon // Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Canadiens, Devils, Capitals
Quick note on those teams categorized as "not expected anytime soon." I didn't just pull that out of thin air. Blue Jackets and Capitals management have both publicly said a third jersey is not in their near future. The Canadiens still have a couple new Centennial throwbacks for next year (who knows, one may turn into a third jersey in the future). And the Red Wings and Devils have historically never had a third jersey. I wouldn't expect that to change without warning.
That should cover everybody. Just wanted to keep you guys updated. Speaking of updates, lots coming over the course of this holiday weekend. I'll let you know what's new via the blog.
Reader Comments (21)
As long as Lou Lamoriello is the GM/President/CEO of the Devils, they will not have a 3rd jersey.
A new flames third? Awesome! Can't wait!
If I remember correctly, there was a post on the old Icethetics that somebody close to the Anaheim Ducks said there were no expectations for a new alternate jersey any time soon. I think that can be moved to the next list.
The Wild need to make their third similar to the green jersey the All-Stars wore when the game was there in Minny.
Looking forward to the new Wild jersey! They have one of the best logos I've ever seen and I LOVED the green jerseys they used to wear. There's not nearly enough green in the NHL.
Glad to hear that the Rangers might get one. As for the Wild and Flames, I'm excited to see those next year.
If I am not mistaken the wings had a third jersey several years back when the NHL first promoted the concept of a third jersey. It was basically the white jersey but instead of being white and red, it was black and red...
Honestly, the Ducks don't need a third. I mean, what color would it even be? Orange? Gold is obviously out of the question. Unless they did something like Nashville with their metallic material. I just don't see a good way to come up with an alternate for the Ducks.
i personally would love to see new jersey in green
fcb51
no, the jersey you are thinking of is one of the "fashion jerseys" that was released around that time. you can also find a gray wings jersey as well as a light blue. others i have seen from that release: navy blue penguins, yellow blackhawks, baby blue and navy blue avalanche.
check out www.nhluniforms.com, if it's not on that website, there's a 95% chance it didn't exist.
for the record, the first third jersey was the penguins 1984 "sunday" gold jersey, the first official set of third jerseys were vancouver (checkmark jersey), boston (bear), los angeles (burger king "toga" jersey), pittsburgh (fading logo stripes became their away until 2000), anaheim (wild wing).
detroit DID technically introduce a third jersey in the 1991-92 season, the 75th anniversary of the league, for special throwback games along with the rest of the original six. it's the many-striped DETROIT jersey that you'll see occasionally at wings games. the new winter classic jersey also falls into that category, especially because it is not a direct throwback (they added a lace-up collar for the first time in their history, and the red wings logos on the shoulders didn't exist at the time this sweater was worn). otherwise, that's it. but detroit has never officially had a third jersey.
Hopefully this will be my last HUGE post for awhile...
What can we expect from other teams who haven't unveiled Third Jerseys?
This is what I see for the Expected teams...
Flames: The Flaming Horse probably won't return, so how about the White Flaming C.
Wild: Either a North Stars Tribute or a White Version of the Home Jersey.
Now for the teams yet to announce anything...
Ducks: All I can see is an orange jersey with the D from the main logo on it.
Avalanche: Either they go with the foot logo or the "COLORADO" jersey they had years ago. As long as we don't see "AVES" I'm fine.
Panthers: I think they should stay away from this, unless they get something that looks better than the Panther with the broken hockey stick in it's paws I don't care.
Predators: They shouldn't venture in this direction but it'll be either the Skull Logo or the 3-D Predators logo on the third.
Rangers: Easy money going with the Liberty Logo. But they could also try a text logo that says "NEW YORK". Or if not any of those, bring in the Shield logo in either a new jersey or a throwback.
Now for the teams that probably won't release a third in the near future...
Blue Jackets: They don't have much choice. If they did they'd use their current secondary logo.
Red Wings: If they ever decide to make a third, for the love of Howe, don't go black! Go with a vintage throwback from the 30s. Either the "DETROIT" one or the Winter Classic jersey. But if they went with a new logo, look at the design on Dominik Hasek's cage mask for some inspiration.
Canadiens: Montreal is a team that really shouldn't go with a solid third. The only one I think would work is the White 1945 throwback. But personally, I think they should choose a throwback every year and use it for 15 games. If not there's always a blue jersey.
Devils: Once again it's the Black Factor Here. But the Devils have always had a good logo. If they decided to make a third, either go with a throwback to the christmas colours throwback or a devil's head like the GFB rebrand...
Hey Chris, Whatever happened to the rebrand series?
Capitals: Probably the one team that should have a Third Jersey that doesn't. If they never use their secondary logo, They've wasted a great logo.
I completely agree with Curtis about the Preds. The 3D logo or the skull are going to make an appearance and they shouldn't. The 3D logo will forever be tied to the mustard jerseys and the skull is a perfectly functional secondary logo. It loses a lot of its appeal the bigger it gets. After all, its just a bunch of bones. I'd love to see them take the team's look in a totally different direction and play with the color scheme a little bit.
Curtis,
that might be the most hockey-smart comment i've seen in a long time. now if only the people at RBK thought more like us...
with minnesota, i'd like to see the return of the green version of their whites...but it's unlikely. knowing the wild, they'll do a good job with whatever.
i think anaheim needs to slowly adjust their sweaters to make the webbed-D from their current logo as the sole logo (hell, the stripes on the jerseys fit that perfectly, idk who screwed it up). i'm thinking they should go vancouver and have a slightly different version of their home jersey with the intent of replacing it
colorado should avoid the random foot logo...i saw a special once where nobody could explain it, it's just there.
i agree 100% with the rest of that
aww I'm a little let down that there won't be a blue Weagle third jersey coming for the caps, I think it would be a great third logo. I hope the statue of liberty makes a return for the rangers, that logo is sick. I hope the flames try something new in terms of logos, and the same with the wild unless they do a north stars tribute jersey.
For the Devils, they should definitely use the red, green, and white jerseys.
For the Capitals, from the moment they started using their black pre-rbk edge jerseys, I have loved that capitol building logo. I really wish they would bring it back in some way, shape or form. Maybe modify it a bit so it doesn't look exactly the same, and definitely recolor it to Red, White, and Blue. I like the weagle, but I don't think it would be that good looking as a primary logo. That's just my opinion though. I think I would much rather see them bring back their original Red, White, and Blue jerseys with the stars down the sleeves as a third jersey before they use the weagle. Maybe the ideas I come up with in my mind for the weagle being on the front are horrible and I'd just have to actually see them do it or see someone make a really convincing concept for me to like it.
I'm very upset to hear about the Caps not bringing a third jersey on...
So far only two confirmed teams for next year, but I do believe there will be more as we get closer to the conclusion of the 08-09 season. Curtis, GREAT post, it was an interesting read. I agree with Washington needing a third, whether the Weagle or the Capitol building. You have a really good grasp of what to expect. Heck, even Chris should look at your guess! As always, can't wait to see what uptates are coming for the site in December.
The team that needs the "North Stars tribute treatment" is none other than the team itself, Dallas. I'd like to see the green and yellow make a reappearance.
The Ducks should get an orange third, make it their first, and build a bonfire to burn the drab black crap they have now.
I can see Calgary's third next year being black with the old school white flaming C, maybe the same jersey design as the home and away. Again, another black jersey, but what else would Calgary do, yellow?
Whatever the Wild do, as many have said, it'll most likely look good. I can't believe it's already been ten years. They've flown by.
The Ducks should try orange. If so, they'd most certainly have to change the colour of the D. Those colours would not blend well at all. Maybe make it white with a black outline.
The "random foot logo" is the foot of Bigfoot, the mythological sasquatch. Most false Bigfoot sightings have been in the group of states near Colorado as well as in the state. I don't think the logo should still be with the team seeing as how Bigfoot has nothing to do with an Avalanche. Or than again, maybe it's a Yhetti foot. They live on mountains, after all. But if they're planning on a third, blue would be nice.
I certainly hope the Panthers don't just return to the blue jersey. I'm not saying I don't want blue, but at least use another logo or something. Maybe just the panther's head. No stick.
The Predators, well...what colour DO they have to use? Yellow obviously didn't work. No silver please. Hopefully not white. Maybe just another blue. Hopefully they can create a new logo that works.
New York should definitely consider using the shield logo. Such a clean logo and it hasn't been used on a jersey for quite some time. I seriously doubt they'd try red, so I'm guessing another blue jersey, maybe navy.
Seems like blue will be the new black next year. And I honestly don't mind.
Columbus should consider a red jersey, but then again, they are called the Blue Jackets.
Washington should take advantage of such a nice logo in the Weagle and make a - yes - blue jersey. Use the same jersey design, just switch around some colours and BAM! You've got yourself a great looking jersey.
Detroit could possibly adopt the Winter Classic jersey as their third, but I think that will be determined based on the jersey's sales.
I'd love to see a Devils throwback. I don't see why Lou would mind that seeing as how he's old. Lol.
The Habs wont do anything in the way of thirds next year because they're wearing a pair of vintage jerseys to continue the celebration of their centennial season(s). How long did it take for the team to start, two years?
Chris, I agree with one of Leafers' points. For a team that has so much trouble in the sales/marketing arena, you would think the Devils would join the fray and adopt a vintage Christmas third for the holiday season. Even to wear the jersey from late November through January 10 or so would seem like a logical choice, and i'm a Ranger fan !!!
Chris, any chance a Penguins-like fluke occurs with the Blackhawks, and they get the type of league / fan response that warrants that becoming their third, as you astutely said should be the case???
G-man makes a good point, also, which is -- it should be the Stars who should honor their past. It seems like they're doing everything to distance themselves from it. I understand forging your own identity, but I think when teams honor their past (such as what the Flames do with their A and how the Nucks honor the Millionaires with the scrolling 'Vancouver' font).
Chris -- thanks again for all the excellent work. An idea -- what about a blog / discussion on not what teams are thinking of thirds next year (you've touched on that), but what teams should make maneuvers and turn a current into a permanent home or away (and perhaps, therfore, leave room for another third)
Calgary is (should) not go with a black jersey. Why? Other than the fact the black is a lame default for all third jerseys, the Flames' whole marketing campaign is "the C or RED".
It will most likely be a retro (another third default) 'orange-ish" red jersey with a white "C". Of course, I could be totally wrong and the Flames' organization has something completely new.