Making Up for the Week
Monday · Oct 5 · 2009 | 8:49 AM PDTBeing sick is not fun. I'm certainly glad to be back. The good news is that the season has started so most of you probably haven't even missed me.
All right, so since I haven't updated the site in a week, there's a lot to catch up on. I'll try not to overlook anything, but it's inevitable. We'll start with your favorite — third jersey news.
First, another rendering of the Colorado Avalanche's forthcoming third jersey has surfaced.
;)
Avalanche's new third jerseyWhile surfing the web, Icethetics reader Colin stumbled across this graphic, which gives us a better look at the Avs' new alternate. It's not a bad looking jersey, though I am surprised they chose not to try something new.
It's a blue version of the burgundy third introduced in 2001, in service until the Age of Reebok in 2007.
The main difference is the addition of a burgundy shoulder yoke and the lack of any striping around the base of the sweater. The primary logo will still appear on the shoulders.
Still no word yet on when the team plans to launch the new sweater or even make official mention of it in any way. All information about it so far has been coming through the media.
That brings us to the Florida Panthers, who are in kind of the same boat. After a summer of silence, I'm now getting mixed reports on whether they will even have a third this season.
However, various sources have me convinced there will in fact be a new sweater in the Cats' arsenal this fall. For one thing, it's available for pre-order on some web sites.
According to the latest round of rumors, the Panthers are set to unveil the new alternate sweater sometime this month, with its on-ice and store shelf debut scheduled for November. I'll keep an eye and ear out for any new information.
It's all speculation of course, but my guess is they'll be red and feature the stick-breaking panther logo on the front, as seen above. Technically, I live in the Panthers' market so I may even see something on TV.
I suppose the biggest newsmaker of the week would have to be Buffalo Sabres when managing partner Larry Quinn went on the radio and told everyone the club is scrapping their jerseys once again.
Charlie at Sabres Not Slugs has a report, which includes a link to the WGR 550 audio interview in question. In it, Quinn confirms that new uniforms are on the way in 2010.
"We have the 40th anniversary next fall," Quinn says. "We will have a permanent uniform change and a new third jersey."
Of course the word "permanent" is used loosely in Buffalo of a team enduring its fourth uniform in as many decades. However, Quinn assures us that fans will not be disappointed this time around and that a return to the classic look is indeed coming.
He says it "probably won't be [released] until next summer." Icethetics will have coverage.
He doesn't say specifically what they'll look like — whether we should expect versions of the current third or something more like the true vintage worn at the 2008 Winter Classic — but it's a safe bet that the slug is on its way out the door.
As a side note, I would guess that the Canucks might have a similar plan in pushing the 40th anniversary celebration back a year so that they can call it the 40th season (damn lockout). Wonder if they too will make a "permanent" uniform change. So many similarities between Buffalo and Vancouver.
So much news to cover still. Although this may barely pass as news, it's a win for all of you who loathe the Age of Reebok. Slowly their fist of stone is being chipped away. Both the Flames and Senators have done away with the socks whose stripes don't go all the way around the calves.
;)
Senators get new socks
Icethetics reader Ryan has provided this side-by-side comparison (right) of Jason Spezza last year to this year.
Notice they've even changed the design of the stripes. I thought last year's worked better because of the similarity to the stripes in the "O" patch on the shoulder.
As you can see, real stripes are back in. This leaves just a single team wearing those other socks — my team, the Lightning. Oh well, it works for them. (What else can I really say?)
And since we're on the topic of socks, my previous report on the Calgary Flames came merely from a video game — NHL 10 to be precise.
It's time to take a look at the real things in action. Look no further — here are the Flames in preseason action against the Islanders.
;)
Flames get new socks as well
Yes, that is Theo Fleury. Poor guy. (Well, not really.) He's also got that laughable 30th anniversary patch on his shoulder there.
But despite all the bad Calgary Flames news, there's some good as well. The 2009-10 NHL season opened this past Thursday with the Flames taking to the ice against the Canucks looking like they haven't in 15 years!
It was the debut of their new retro jersey — which only sees action in four more games this season — one of which is tomorrow. Now this is a hockey jersey!
;)
They're not just celebrating a goal — they're happy about their jerseys too
I like they there were no compromises with either the socks or pants. Flames fans, as I said, you have four more chances to see these in person. If I were you, I wouldn't miss them.
I'm sure there are things I've missed, but I will get to them this week. This should hold you over for now.
Reader Comments (38)
I'm gonna guess that the Sabres new third will be the vintage royal blue, and the Home-Away will be the navy-blue jersey they are currently wearing for their third.
Take it for what it's worth but, the Panthers have a third jersey in NHL 10.
1. Colorado thirds are okay... They need waist striping and they'd look much better with a lighter color helmet/pants. Why are teams so afraid to wear light color helmet and pants these days? Bottom line is that they are better than the current reebok mess they wear, when their original old jersey with the mountain hem was on the verge of being a classic NHL sweater.
2. I'm loving the secrecy of the panthers third. There's an unlockable 3rd slot on NHL10, so the EA guys have something that will be made available when they release the third jersey code.
3. Good news from Buffalo, I just hope they go full classic design and ditch the reebok piping. I want the sabres in the old uniquely striped socks too.
4. I didn't even notice the new Sens socks. Good to see them heading in the right direction after their big step backward in '07.
5. The flames sent a chill down my spine. Those red uniforms are just perfect and they look perfect even in modern equipment. Love that they arent using the reebok template too.
EA Sports and their NHL lineup of video games have been pretty accurate with their depictions of uniforms, and since the Panthers do in fact have a third jersey slot, I'd say thats pretty accurate info to go on.
The only thing EA Sports hasn't done right is the Lightning's uniforms, and its pissing me off! We have numerals on the front of our black home sweater!!! Have had it for two years now!! But EA Sports cant get that through their skulls!
According to Dater's Mail Bag at DenverPost.com, the Avalanche 3rd jersey will be revealed in mid-November.
I prefer the Avs jersey I designed a few months ago over the real thing. Though I'm sure the real one will grow on me once it is debuted.
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/6476/avs3rdrgb09concept.jpg
More details on Colorado's 3rd from the previous mentioned mailbag.
"Yes, the Avs will officially unveil the third jerseys to the public in mid-November. The Avs won't say which game they will be unveiled yet, only that it will be a "mid-November home game." A day or two before the actual game, there will be an unveiling of them at a press conference. The only "mid-November" home game the Avs have is Saturday, Nov. 14, against Vancouver -- a game that will be on "Hockey Night in Canada," so that would seem to be the likely date they'll be shown to the world.
They will be worn 11 times during the season. As far as the pics of them go, the Avs are very sensitive about this. I ran pics purported to be of the new design in a blog a while ago, and the Avs officially had no comment on whether they will look like that or not. I believe they will look a lot like that, but we'll have to wait and see for sure. "
Taken from Dater's Mailbag
That Avalanche 3rd actually looks pretty nice. I like that they're going with a blue jersey, which they haven't had since Quebec.
If the Flames don't make that retro jersey the regular home jersey next season, with a white version as well, I'm gonna be pissed.
Kind of off topic, but going back to that "new" Panther's logo you spotted and wrote about, Chris, the NHL Network has started using the legless panther with the wordmark as the Panther's logo before their highlights.
Also, pictures don't do justice for the Flames retros. Anyone who saw the game on TV knows what I mean, they look unreal in action and probably even better in person. Also, notice how the bottom is cut straight across...kind of like how every jersey should be.
What's so special about the Flames retro jersey? Why does everyone like it so much? It's really not that nice and the colours are pretty bright for hockey jersey. I don't hate it, I just think it's pretty average.
I'm going to join the chorus and sing the praises of the Flames' gorgeous throwbacks as well. How can anyone, with a straight face, say the current ones are better? I never understood the "flaming" black 'C', anyway. Ridiculous.
No stupid piping, no black-for-black's-sake, and even the diaper hem is gone!
The Flames unis are amazing! Now we just need an Oilers white retro to match. BACK TO THE 80's, BABY!!!!! Not really digging the Avs concept, though.
I hope the sabres keep this third as the primary. I love this jersey! I think it is the perfect blend of retro and rbk era. Perfect jersey. I own one myself and if a white version comes out you can bet i will get that one too...
BD that design you made is amazing... if only there was a way to get it to whoever does the designing there.
Flames new jerseys are pretty awesome. I didn't even know they were planning on wearing them until I turned the TV on and there they were. Look awesome in action.
Thanks Andrew. I went for a Quebec Nordiques feel.
I tried contacting Jean Martineau, but no luck.
This is just me, but I don't get why people are ok when a team simply writes the name of the team across the jersey. So unoriginal and lazy, if you ask me.
- I'm loving the coloring on the Avs jerseys. These are Colorado's colors and no one else's. But c'mon, put some effort in your jersey designs. How does it take a team so long to unveil such an ugly design.
- I'm glad about Buffalo changing their look again. All signs point to the classic logo returning. I love the retro jerseys they wore for the 2008 Winter Classic and can live with them making a home and away jersey on that. With the originality in this league, I bet their third will simply write "Buffalo" and that's it.
- I remember the beautiful, rumored yet pictured new thirds for Ottawa with the big O and the striping behind it. I remember looking at those and saying "Those are hockey jerseys". My fantasy has the Sens wearing a home and away jersey based on that design.
- The Flames retros also look fantastic. I watched the game and I couldn't get over the beauty of those uniforms. I also watched the Oilers and Isles home openers and thinking the same thing about their jerseys. I just wish these classic teams keep their classic looks. I'd follow the example given by Detroit, Montreal, and Rangers who, no matter what, stayed true to their legendary looks.
So many teams' looks, logos, and third jerseys are a joke these days. Someone needs to give these teams some kind of integrity when it comes to their jerseys.
Kevin Y, as a Canucks fan, I am WITH YOU 100% regarding the Flames vintage unis. Just how many teams have to wear red and black?? What makes the Flames vintage uniforms so great is that they are colourful, yet simple, with traditional trimming on the sweaters and on the pants. Their vintage whites were also sharp. When my Canucks wore their beautiful home yellows, the uniform matchup between Vancouver and Calgary, yellow vs red, was awesome!
Speaking of my Canucks, I hope they will do as what expansion cousin Buffalo will do next season. Either make the current thirds the full-time look or better, go with the full-body Johnny Canuck as the primary crest.
To Habitant, G-Man, and Glen - Your posts are dead on.
I'm not liking the Avs new jersey. Just like the 2001 version. They're not the Rangers!
Come up with something genuine for God's sake.
The Flames new alternate is actually the nicest jersey they always wore..... until they turned the 'C' to black, and then added a flaming nostriled horse! I'm so proud of the franchise for even ditching the diaper hem for the real hockey look. Bravo.
Now the teams with lame uni's need to jump on board and get this league back to where it was.
This may be one of the more exciting seasons to watch hockey in quite some time.
Calgary needs to wear that retro more often as their 3rd.
For the Sabres, I would be the third becomes the new home jersey. A white version of the jersey will become the road jersey. As for the third, I would not be shocked to see the B with the Sabre through it make its way from the shoulders to the front of a jersey. Everything from the season tickets to the website, the Sabres use the third jersey logo or the B with the Sabre through it. The Sabres use the slug as little as possible.
After comparing every Buffalo jersey and crest to each other, and comparing to those others league wide, I think that the retro crest and jerseys are one of the best hockey sets ever around. It was a classic hockey jersey, representative logo, and nice bright colors. I really think that Habitant has it pretty right on when he alludes to the strength of some of the Original 6 teams' look. Unfortunately, the shift to a 'modern' look to sell jerseys and get jaded fans interested again was a major strategy for all pro sports teams, and continues to be. Some old looks DO need to be revised, but most do not. The third jersey is where I think that teams could create an alternate identity to a team, without losing the classic look and tradition that is associated with an original set, and stick to that plan, or only change the third.
On another note, what I find interesting is the call of many fans for teams to create an "original, traditional" look, but when teams try, those same fans say that the look is "too modern, not classic enough, unoriginal." In my opinion, teams that try to incorporate a classic feel to a jersey or crest will always be borrowing from the few teams that actually existed during the time when the classic look was established. The main example here is the Preds, but I have also seen it for the Avs and the Wild. A lot of folks get on the Preds for having a "modern" look, and were ecstatic when they announced plans to go to a vintage feel. When the jersey was released, many people loved it, but some immediately attacked it for looking like a Leafs jersey. The Avs have a classic hockey, diagonal script to their supposed third, but they are automatically blamed for ripping it from the Rangers (what about the classic Penguins from the 70s and early 90s??? Did they rip it from the Rangers too?) I use these examples knowing that some teams have made beautiful, classic looking primary's or thirds (Blues thirds and Coyotes primary's come to mind). My point here, is that there is a very small pool of "classic" to derive from, and maybe we should be pumped that teams are at least trying to come up with a classic feel and bright colors for a team identity, rather than a logo that is far from the team's look.
Chris,
It's not just your Lightning wearing the bizarre reebok designed socks. Don't forget the Thrashers and Hurricanes third socks!
Holy crap, lot of people here talking about NHL 10, is there an Icethetics League? If not, anyone want to join me in making one? Just let me be the Sharks, please.
Erik...... Yes, the Pens did rip-off the Rangers back in the 90's. Absolutely.
Your point taken..... with a very small classic 'pool', as you say, to derive from..... why grab the look from a team that was the only one to wear a diagonal font for more than 50 yrs, and use it on a relocated team? Where's the originality? Notice how fast the Pens ditched the diagonal look?
May be a bit biased here.... but if you ask most purists, the Rangers are the only team that looks good in that style.
The Avs original logo was perfect for that team. Maybe a color variation of that for a 3rd would work well. Newer teams don't need a classic retro look for their jerseys - Cause they're just too new! Blues 3rds look great...... 40 yr old franchise.
HOW ABOUT SOME CONCEPTS!?
(i know i personally have sent u at least 5 concepts, one being a Preds concept back when the design was first leaked, and another being the above mentioned Panthers jersey - i know i'm not the most skilled artist, but u could at least bring back the Freak Out thread :P )
I absolutely adore the Flames retro throwbacks; but I'm in favour of a limited schedule.
More than 5 games, but not a complete swap out like Edmonton/Buffalo (they need it more..)
Vancouver had the right idea when they had a 'vintage night' for games falling on a particular day of the week.
@ bwayblueshirt:
In no way was I attacking the Rangers, but in relation to the Avs argument, I was noting that the Penguins have worn the diagonal letters twice in their history, but no one seems to bring it up, either that they ripped off the Rangers, or that other teams rip off both (and I grew up in Ohio as a Pens and Hawks fan, so I am not attacking them either). There have also been a handful of collegiate teams that have used it. Is it the Rangers? Absolutely is. Love it.
The Devils are also another relatively newer team that has a great "classic" look. As a hockey fan for the better part of my life, as you and many of the readers of this site are, I am sure that we all have a template of a handful of sweaters, styles and crests that we can cite as a classic ideal in our heads. That is more of where my small "pool" argument originated.
My argument was in no way aimed at any teams, just responding to many of the posts that I have read on sites about logos and jerseys over the years, and noting a patterned way of responses to certain types of jerseys.
I'm sorry to all you RBK haters but I am perfectly fine with the whole "Age of RBK." So I think people should calm down a little bit.
But on the subject of the new Avs jersey I think it's quite alright, but they definitely should have made a new logo for it.
Like most Buffalo fans, i hope the Sabres switch to their original jerseys or something very similar.
That Colorado 3rd isn't really bad, but it isn't good either - kind of blah.
Would love to see Colorado use the old rockies jerseys as their 3rd. Can't see that happening for a variety of reasons - one being ,for those old enough to remember, how bad that team was (not sure who owns the rights either - new jersey, the league, ???).
i'd say bring back the nordiques jerseys as a 3rd, but as much as i liked those jerseys, bringing back the nordiques jersey would definitely bring back some hard feelings from many hockey fans.
maybe some original concept incorporating both the old rockies and the avalanche would work? something completely new with the sasquatch/yeti foot or maybe a sasquatch itself? maybe have someone design it that has put more thought into the design than i have to this of the top of my head post? i'm sure many of the artists that contribute here could come up with something 10X in just an afternoon of work.
anything but another damn word mark.
I'm generally in favour of the RBK EDGE jerseys, but some of the jerseys are horrible... Luckily I'm a Wings fan and no one is messing around with anything around here... although I would really like to see those Winter Classic jerseys more often.
And as for text as a logo, I think only New York can use that. Otherwise it's just wrong.
I've never really ever been a fan of Colorado's jerseys, so this one is not that unexpected. What makes it more disappointing is the buildup... you have to wait a whole year after everyone unveils theirs and then BAM!... oh wait, it's just like the other horrible third jersey.
I am impressed with the Flames throwbacks...somehow they look more vibrant than they once used to--maybe lighting, maybe broadcast quality. With the water-resistant materials they don't darken like they used to as well. And that stupid hem is absent! Make it the alternate from now on.
Welcome back, Chris. Being sick does indeed suck.
Why does the Colorado jersey have Pepsi spilled all over it?
What i find weird is how often 'unoriginal' and 'classic' are thrown around here. whats weird is that everyone is now saying classic jerseys are better, but worse because their unoriginal. Yet its also unoriginal to try something different? i really dont understand alot of these comments. bash original jerseys for not being classic, then bash classic jerseys for not being original. are people confusing originality (unique) with original six?
I don't understand the dislike of the Avalanche... "front" (since I can't call it a logo). I'm not defending it, but if you think of the Rangers, you think of one of the better designed jerseys in NHL history. You would think that'd mean you'd want other teams to follow that design, right? So how come the Avalanche third jersey from 2001-2007 gets so much negative response?
I'm just trying to understand other people's views on this. Personally I don't care, and actually liked their old third to a degree because they made it entirely new while using the same color palette. That's something that's hard to do, and few teams have made it work (the Kings, in my opinion, with the obvious exception of the lack of purple on their current third).
It's not just the Flames throwbacks that are phenomenal. The Isles, Oilers, Leafs, Blackhawks, and Sabres all have excellent "throwback" designs. See any vertical striping? These are good minimalist designs and scream "classy".
The league needs to let teams make up their own damn mind about jersey template. get rid of the atrocious reebok edge please.
I really want to see white, full time versions of both the Oilers and Flames for away games. Even if they just wore them when they played against each other...it would be sweet.
See? Dave's Cartoon Was Un-accurate!
Damn! I just bought a new Sabres jersey this summer up in Buffalo!
I live in the Panthers market as well, and a friend of mine has actually seen the elusive thirds. She didn't tell me when, but she went to Helsinki with the other 7 or so Panther fans that had nothing better to do for a week this summer, so it could have been then.
Her description of the jerseys was VERY similar to this http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/2009/03/third-jerseys-headed-your-way.html
And I think we're going to be seeing them in November, when the Penguins visit, if I'm not mistaken.