JerseyWatch: The Aftermath
Thursday · Mar 25 · 2010 | 10:58 PM PDTWednesday's JerseyWatch 2010 update was one of the most-commented posts in recent Icethetics history. Glad to see everyone enjoyed it. But now I have a few things to mention in the aftermath.
First, let's clear up a rumor that was born out of that post. A few sites that picked up on an alleged "leak" of the Buffalo Sabres' new third jersey from the SportsLogos.net message boards.
Just some concept art!Come on now. This image (right) shows up not 24 hours after my original post and it's meant to be the real thing? We know better than that. Let's be honest and call it what it is: a concept based on a description someone gave to Icethetics — just like one I posted the other day.
Now as far as concepts go, it's a pretty sharp one. The script is taken from the logo of the old Buffalo Bisons, a team that played in the American Hockey League from 1940 to 1970. Is it likely they'd dig that far back into Buffalo hockey history? Maybe not. But then I didn't think they'd use a script on a third jersey in the first place.
We'll just wait and see. And for the record, I'm not trying to tell anyone what to think. Just trying to guide you in the right direction when it comes to jersey news. It's why I'm here.
Speaking of which, one thing I failed to mention in Wendesday's post is that while the list I had came from Reebok, it could be subject to change.
They say that the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders are among the teams not making any changes for next season, but some of you will swear up and down that's not true.
You could be right. That list is not the end all, be all of hockey sweaters. It could grow and change over the summer and into the fall as more details become official. It's still early so just take it day by day. Your team may not completely let you down.
In other news, the Los Angeles Kings have said that they will be wearing their black third jerseys during the upcoming playoffs.
The announcement made on the team's website also said that the players made this decision. Interesting if they actually did. More likely it's a marketing ploy to get you to buy a jersey. I mean, if the players like it, then you just have to have it!
I've also heard that the Flyers are planning to carry their Winter Classic sweaters into the playoffs. Not sure if it's true, though.
Reader Comments (30)
What's the standard NHL policy on wearing alternate sweaters in the playoffs?
To be honest with you, that Buffalo third jersey just does not look good... And I hope that all the teams that are contemplating gong back to retro and who have nice retro sweaters (ie. EDM, NYI, CAL, PHI, BUF, STL) all just go to retro in full force and completely forget their current sweaters... And I also think Ottawa really missed the ball on their jerseys, they really need to go back to their original concept. Take care.
Like the new Sabres look, but PLEASE dump the numbers on the front of the jersey. It just looks dumb...
I agree with GloveSave. Numbers do not belong on the front of NHL jerseys. Please keep them on the back and sleeves only! Only captain/alternate identifiers and special patches belong on the front above the logo/workmark. Dallas looks like a high school JV team to me.
What's next? Numbers on the pants?
THANK YOU...front-numbers are the worst. So college
This is the BEST decision LA can make. This is what the Ducks did in 2005-2006. They played with their black jerseys at home before switching up the next year. Of course they had new ownership and they where going for a overhaul but my point is that LA will do the same.
Its not announced yet but I believe they will make the current 3rd the home and bring in a new away jersey (white version of the 3rd). All the stars are lining up for this to happen. They obviously are going in a different direction with the franchise and why not aplly the nicest duds in the league full time.
The only thing I can think of stopping this is the gang problem they had in the 90's. The Kings and Raiders Jerseys where becoming a trade mark for gangs. This is why they change to the current colors.
Cool Fact.
If they can get away with it DO IT.
Still think the Sabres jersey belongs in a JC Penny catalog. Just make a white version of the third and let it be done. As for alternates in the playoffs, I like them if they are vintage and the team hasn't been successful since they wore that jersey as a primary. Good call by Philly and LA...Are you listening Buffalo?
I agree with GloveSave. Replace the numbers with a sabres logo, and that jersey is more or less a win.
Also, is the Sabres are going to make a white version of their current thirds and use that as a set, I hope they get rid of the piping and the silver under the arms. A Navy jersey with the yellow and silver striping they have would look very sharp I think.
Are teams not regularly allowed to wear their third jersey during the playoffs? I remember something a few years ago that the Sabres were making news by saying that they would wear their third jersey during a potential playoff run, but my memory is foggy.
Hopefully this is true about the Kings. I don't exactly hate the black primary jersey, but as someone who goes to 41 games a season, I prefer seeing the alternate. Because of the white and silver trim, it looks better from the upper bowl, and it just looks great altogether in a way that I can't really describe.
In the playoffs, you can only have 2 jersey sets. Wether that be your regular home and roads, your alternate and roads, on in the Flyers case, homes and alts. You cant use 3 jerseys in the post-season.
@ BANNED IN DC
I think the policy is that you have to declare your home/road jerseys before the playoffs, then you have to wear those two jerseys the entire playoffs.
I seem to remember Anaheim doing this a few years ago when they wore those awful black jerseys with the baseball-style scripting.
I believe the rule is that the teams must pick one light away and one dark home jersey that they must wear for the whole playoffs. They are not allowed to switch back and forth. For example, the leafs would have to pick between their pajama white or their third and wear it for every away game.
IIRC, Ottawa wore their "wavy" red, white and black thirds during the whole playoffs a few years back. That jersey then became a primary jersey for them the following year. Didn't Philly do something similar when they first came out with a black sweater? Or, Pittsburgh with the gradient stripe and art deco bird?
I'm as cynical as the next guy about teams trying to push merchandise, but i think it's entirely possible that the Kings players are genuinely sick of wearing black and purple, probably the ugliest color combination in the league. I don't care for the kings' alts, but they are better than the primaries.
Bannedindc,
The Flyers exclusively wore their orange in last year's playoffs, which were alternates at the time, so it's not unheard of.
I don't think the Kings are gonna change their jerseys next season (aside from the fact that they weren't listed in the Jersey Watch 2010 post the other day). I actually like their white jersey as it is. The purple contrasts nicely with the plain white, and there aren't too many tail stripes, like what the Maple Leafs' third jersey has.
I don't see the Kings changing their white jersey any time soon, and since they don't strike me as the kind of team that would have different patterns on their home and road jerseys, I don't see them making their current alternate their full-time home jersey.
Hah.. gotta love how the Kings article explicitly says,
"Players have chosen to wear the Black 3rd jersey ... join them by purchasing your own!"
I don't think this two jersey thing is right. The Rangers in 06 (vs the Devils) wore their primaries for game 3 and went with lady liberty for game 4.
In 2006, Vancouver wore 3 different jerseys in the play offs. Their regular Dark blue/white orca as well as the Blue stick in rink.
As far as the Kings go, their 3rd jersey is my favorite in the league and I would lvoe to see a white away version of it!
@Slam
I don't think that the Leafs have to worry about picking playoff jerseys
that sabres picture is from a guy on the sabresfans.com forum... he made it months ago so don't take credit for something unless you have all the information
As Kevin Y vaguely remembers, Larry Quinn said that if the Sabres were to compete for the cup, it would be in the original logo (3rd jersey in 2006-07.) This was during the playoffs, when they had already worn the Blue Slugs in some games. So, either Larry was confused or you can switch (or my memory is worse than I thought ... which is possible.)
I hope the Kings dont switch to using the current 3rd as the primary home jersey. They need to keep the purple in the mix, its part of thier history. I honestly dont care for thier 3rd, its too commercial, I would like to see them bring back the old purple 3rd back, had more character to it.
I would be the happiest man in the world if next year I could end up wearing a Taylor Hall white retro Oilers jersey. Of course I would be a lot happier if the Oilers actually got Hall and a white retro!
just saw someone point this out over on Puckdrawn, it looks a lot like an old Slabyk concept , and clearly the text references the same thinking.
Oh Los Angeles...
You've been so close, so many times...
I think what LA needs to do is have someone design a new logo for them, with a more simplified logo, but keep it classy. My wish is to see them in Purple, and silver with no black...I really think it would make a good look. If you need the black for contrast (understandable) keep it minimal, as in piping on the sleeve stripes.
no we dont know better, that image was made by a user on sabresfans.com months ago. it did NOT just show up 24 hours after your post, its been around longer.
Actually, Jeremy, I'm not sure what you mean by "no we don't know better," but it still proves my point. Whether the image surfaced a couple days ago or a couple months ago, it's still a concept by a fan and not a "leak" as the emails I'm getting seem to insist upon. That's all I was saying. My apologies if anyone took offense to that.
Front number or not, that Buffalo script is downright hot. I could definitely see Ryan Miller sporting that Reebokified uniform on Versus next year.
Speaking of L.A. and playoffs, I'm surprised the Coyotes haven't tried that marketing scheme this year. Certainly would rake in some of that long-lost postseason revenue.
@ Chris
well whoever said it was a leak is lying obviously
I agree with SHKIII, pretty damn similar to this
I think the playoff jersey thing is more superstition. Generally if a team has made it far enough into the playoffs to have a chance to wear a second home jersey, they don't want to make the change anyways. So if you find a winning shirt, you wear that damn thing until you lose...