New! NHL JerseyWatch 2010
June Edition This is the fourth update to JerseyWatch 2010 this summer. Everything is rumor until it becomes official but the following information is believed to be as accurate as possible. Teams are listed alphabetically. ⇒ denotes new information; ◊ denotes update.
◊ Anaheim Ducks
New alternate jersey The Anaheim Ducks have apparently confirmed plans to launch a new third jersey for 2010-11. On June 27 at the Select-a-Seat event for season ticket holders, Ducks GM Bob Murray said the alternate uniform would be released on November 26.
Thanks to James for this information. He points out that Anaheim hosts the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks that night. He did not specify whether "released" meant the jersey would be unveiled that day or simply worn for the first time — it could be both.
Murray did not detail any design elements so all we'd have is speculation at this point. The home and road sweaters will remain unchanged.
Boston Bruins
Speculation only The Boston Bruins are not among the teams noted by Reebok as changing their uniforms for the 2010-11 season. That includes the third jersey.
However, the Bruins have worn their gold Winter Classic jerseys three times since the big event. This has led to speculation that the Bs could be pushing toward making it a new alternate in the near future.
Buffalo Sabres
New home, road & alternate jerseys The Sabres will be undergoing big changes to celebrate their 40th anniversary season. Their current third jersey — a throwback with some modern updates — will take over as the home jersey, as has long been rumored.
Reebok lists the Sabres' road sweater as TBD, but it will most likely be a white version of the current alternates. I also understand they'll be adding an entirely new third jersey, but I'm told it may be only for the 40th anniversary season.
Sabres 2010 third jersey conceptIt will be royal blue with BUFFALO in a white script across the front, containing the vintage logo with the player's number underneath. The concept here to the right is my own rough rendering of the description I've been given. I've added the traditional striping and colors.
Obviously this jersey design isn't exact. But based on what I've been told, it's probably a good estimation. We'll have to wait until this summer to find out for sure.
◊ Calgary Flames
New alternate & specialty jersey As the Flames have already announced, they will be bringing back the red retro jersey that was worn for a handful of games this season. The major difference is that it will be adapted to the Reebok Edge cut. The striping will remain as is.
The home and road sweaters will not change. The rumored black jersey that was previously in the works has likely either been tabled for a few years or scrapped entirely. We may never know. Unless Flames president Ken King gets chatty.
On June 22, the NHL confirmed that the Calgary Flames would host the Montreal Canadiens in the 2011 Heritage Classic, an outdoor game to be played at McMahon Stadium on February 20. Shortly before the announcement, King said that a special "heritage uniform" was in the works for this game, and that it "will be tied to the history of Calgary long before the Flames arrived."
◊ Columbus Blue Jackets
New alternate jersey & anniversary patch The Blue Jackets have not made an official announcement, but the Columbus Dispatch confirmed earlier this month that a new third jersey is in development and will be used in the 2010-11 campaign. This is corroborated by Reebok.
According to the newspaper, a cannon will be the central feature of the crest on the new uniform. The jersey will be publicly unveiled in November 2010.
Additionally, the Blue Jackets unveiled their 10th anniversary logo on June 22. It will be worn as a patch on the front of the right shoulder of each player's sweater.
Dallas Stars
Road & alternate jerseys swapped Reebok confirms that the Stars will officially switch their road and alternate jerseys next season. Both jerseys are white. Currently, the third is a white version of the home jersey, which features DALLAS arched above the sweater number.
As of the fall, the white DALLAS jersey will become the primary road sweater. The one crested with the Stars' primary logo will become the alternate.
◊ Los Angeles Kings
New specialty jersey Rich Hammond, a blogger affiliated with the Kings' official website, recently stated that the team will don purple-and-gold throwback uniforms for at least one game, and as many as four, next season. Specifics about the actual design of the jersey were not discussed.
Hammond said the sweater would be worn against the Vancouver Canucks and referenced their 40th anniversary. So what is the significance of the Kings in Canucks history? Many have speculated that it has to do with Vancouver playing its first ever game against Los Angeles in 1970.
To lend further credence to this rumor, the Kings gave a throwback gold-and-purple jersey to first round pick Derek Forbort at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, which they hosted on June 25.
Minnesota Wild
New anniversary patch The Wild recently unveiled their new 10th anniversary logo. The team announced it will be worn as a patch on the upper right shoulder of all three jerseys throughout the season, except for their first two games which will take place in Finland.
Aside from the new patch, none of the three uniforms are expected to be changed.
⇒ Montreal Canadiens
New specialty jersey (speculation) On June 22, the NHL confirmed that the Montreal Canadiens would face the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium for the 2011 Heritage Classic on February 20.
While the Habs have made no official statement regarding uniforms, teams typically tend to design special sweaters to commemorate an event like this. The team has worn four unique throwback jerseys in the last two seasons to commemorate their 100th anniversary.
Would they recycle one of these designs, come up with something entirely new, or simply wear their current uniforms? We have only speculation at this point.
◊ Nashville Predators
New home & road; no alternate jersey The indication from Reebok is that the Predators will turn the alternate jersey they launched this season into their new home sweater. The road sweater is listed as TBD but a safe assumption is that it will be a light version of the new dark jersey.
Because of these major changes, the Preds will not wear an alternate uniform next season.
The new home jersey (third, currently) features the same primary logo the team has used since its inception in 1998 but with a simplified color scheme — now navy, steel blue, silver and black. The gold and orange have been removed.
Also, the hats given to draftees at the 2010 Entry Draft on June 25 feature the logo on the 2009-10 third jersey, further cementing the notion that the current version of the primary mark is on its way out.
◊ New York Islanders
Brock Nelson gets Isles' new road jersey
New home & road jerseys On June 25, the Islanders unveiled their new road jersey to fans at a draft day party. It is a white version of the current blue third jersey. The new sweater was also given to draftees at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
John Tavares, Matt Moulson and Trevor Gillies were on hand at the Draft Party to model the new jerseys to fans.
There is no official word from the team yet, but Isles blogger Chris Botta also said last year that the current retro thirds would become the new home sweater for 2010-11.
Recently, a source with the Islanders confirmed to Icethetics that the throwback royal blues will in fact be next year's home sweater.
No word yet on whether the current navy blue home jersey will be switched to alternate status or if it will go away entirely, leaving the Isles without a third uniform.
New York Rangers
New alternate jersey Reebok verifies the news we've all been dying to hear. The Rangers will wear an alternate jersey next season. But will it be the Lady Liberty logo make her glorious return?
Possible Rangers third?Reebok doesn't specify, however, Rangers blogger Greg Caggiano recently claimed to have the inside track on the new thirds. He says he's been told they'll be nearly identical to the current home jersey with NEW YORK replacing RANGERS across the front.
Caggiano doesn't specify a source so it could just be guessing. I think it would disappoint a lot of Rangers fans and Icethetics readers. The Rangers arguably had the best third jersey of the '90s with that Statue of Liberty logo emblazoned on the front.
Those navy blue sweaters were so popular that in 1998 the Rangers even added a white version for a short time. They were used up until 2007 when Reebok took over the league.
The Rangers previously wore a blue jersey with NEW YORK on the front from 1978 to 1987. The team's home and road sweaters will not change next season.
Ottawa Senators
Speculation only According to Reebok, as of February, the Senators had no plans of making any uniform changes. In addition, multiple retail sources confirm the team will in fact be keeping all three of their current jerseys going into 2010-11.
However, rumors have circulated since August regarding the possibility of a new vintage jersey being added to Ottawa's arsenal. It all started when Jacob Barrette's Heritage sweater concept began showing up in artist renderings of the new O Store at Scotiabank Place.
Another rumor was based on markdown sales, which could be more about meeting quotas than selling off existing stock to launch a new product. We'll have to wait and see what news the summer brings.
Philadelphia Flyers
New road jersey The Flyers will don new road threads for the 2010-11 campaign. While Reebok doesn't say so specifically, it is widely assumed they will wear the retro white jersey that debuted at the 2010 Winter Classic in Boston.
The Flyers have worn the jersey on at least one occasion in front of the home crowd since the outdoor game at Fenway Park. Their home and alternate jerseys will remain unchanged.
◊ Pittsburgh Penguins
New alternate/specialty jersey It was widely rumored and confirmed by Reebok in March that the Penguins would ditch their powder blue thirds in favor of a new alternate uniform for 2010-11. The manufacturer did not release any details of the design.
Now, with the news that the Pens will host the 2011 Winter Classic, it seems more likely that the powder blues will stick around as a third for one more season. This will allow them to introduce a new sweater for the outdoor game which could later replace the powder blues.
Tribune-Review beat writer Rob Rossi said in December that blue would be returning in some fashion to the new third jersey — or perhaps Winter Classic sweater? It's probably a safe bet that the Pens will dig into their past once again for this one — likely going with one of the darker blue options.
Recently, a local retailer, House O' Hockey of Monroeville, Pa., reported that the Penguins scrapped plans to replace their current third jersey and will wear the powder blues for at least one more season. This is likely due to the Winter Classic announcement.
The home and road jerseys will stay the same.
⇒ San Jose Sharks
New anniversary patch On June 22, the Sharks unveiled five new 20th anniversary logos, one of which will be used on the uniforms for the 2010-11 season.
The mark, left, will be used a patch, sewn just below the sweater number on the left sleeve. There will also be a sticker on each player's helmet.
◊ Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs unveil new 2010-11 sweatersNew home & road jerseys On June 14, the Maple Leafs unveiled their revamped home and road sweaters.
The changes, first reported by Howard Berger, included the addition of two stripes around the base of the jerseys and the veined leaf shoulder patches. Also, the jerseys now feature tie-up collars.
The retro alternate jersey will remain the same. However, this could be the last season for it, according to the National Post. Leafs COO Tom Anselmi says it could be ditched as early as 2011 in favor of a redesigned third jersey, based on another era in Toronto's hockey past. He says the team has been working with Reebok on changes but wouldn't give up any specifics.
Vancouver Canucks
Speculation only Last month, word from Reebok was the Canucks had no plans of changing their uniforms for their 40th anniversary. Now retail sources are reporting plans are in development for a special vintage sweater.
It's been suggested the Canucks would follow in the footsteps of the Flames, wearing a special throwback sweater for a handful of games during the regular season. This jersey would likely be a replica of the one worn in 1970, the team's debut season, with the vintage stick-in-the-rink logo.
⇒ Washington Capitals
New specialty jersey On May 28, the NHL announced that the Washington Capitals will participate in the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
The team has said that it will unveil a special jersey for the outdoor game on October 2 at the Capitals Convention. Typically, teams look their past for design inspiration but no details have been made available as to what the Caps are planning.
This information is subject to change over the course of the summer and this post will continue to be updated.
Chris
The Canucks unveiled their 40th anniversary throwback sweater on July 7. It will be worn on five special occasions during the season, including opening night. Stay tuned for the July edition of NHL JerseyWatch 2010 for more information.
Reader Comments (21)
I think the Ducks are doing a really horrible job of building excitement and momentum about a jersey. The whole idea of a third jersey is to get people to buy more stuff, right? Well it seems like telling people to forget about it for now isn't the best marketing.
Were the Oilers not supposed to change their striping on the jerseys for this season and change the cut on the away and alternate to match the home sweater? Or have I been misinformed?
Regarding the BUFFALO SABRES: Why would this storied franchise select a plain, script logo to honor its 40th anniversary? An excellent history with photographs is included at the following link. Summary: On Tuesday, July 17, 1956, the Chicago Blackhawks sold the Professional Buffalo Hockey Bisons Club Inc., to Reuben Pastor who had recently acquired a Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Buffalo. According to Mr. Reuben, the team was a way for him to introduce his family and business to the community. The team's logo (then called Buffalo Bisons) was a Pepsi bottle cap with the proposed script logo in the center. (For the jersey and logo buffs, there are also several, albeit small, images from earlier versions of the team dating to 1928.)
Like always great job Chris on this list. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Andrzej that's the first I've heard of that, I'd assume as such it's false.
Hopefully no more pansy powder blue for the Pens. The 2010/2011 season will mark 20yrs for the Pens 1st Stanley Cup, so (fingers crossed...alot of us long time die hard Pens fans WANT this) maybe the Pens will wear the uniform from the 1990/1991 season.
Once again I can't figure out why the Edmonton Oilers are not scrapping those hideous pajama Edge uniforms and bringing back the vintage look full time. What the hell is Patrick Laforge/Daryl Katz waiting for? Don't tell me they are waiting for the new arena to be built. I can't deal with looking at those terrible jerseys any longer. Those ugly uniforms are a disgrace to the Oiler heritage and history.
White Liberty for the Rangers would be the best.
It pisses me off to no end when a team debuts a jersey in late November. Unveil it at the beginning of training camp and get some of them sold.
Mark Madden, a Pittsburgh sports radio guru, said that the Penguins will be wearing the 1983 Sunday Gold Alternate "including the gold helmets". Right now, that's the best hint we have. I think it would allow the Caps to Rock the Red, too, because gold-at-home used to be allowed
Derek you are one hundred percent right. The 3rd jersey for the Buffalo sabres is supposed to be in honor of the Buffalo Bisons hockey club. The Blackhawks sold them to someone, i forgot who. But that guy had just purchased a bottling company. He used his new found hockey club as sponsorship and designed the logo to be based off of a cap of an old pepsi bottle. The script off the Logo is rumored to be on the jersey. This team eventually was formed into the now Buffalo Sabres. That is the rumored 3rd. I am from Buffalo, and i heard on the news Larry Quinn speaking about the jerseys and he stated it would pay omage to the past, before the sabres, were what they were today. I love the idea. So no offense Chris but i believe when it comes to the thirds your predicion is wrong
I cannot wait to see the Calgary Flames Heritage Classic sweaters. I was having a pint with a friend in the Flames ticket office, and he mentioned that it will have some thing to do with the Calgary Stampeders (1940's ice hockey team) in order to tie in the fact that the game is being played at McMahon Stadium. Thats over a few beers, so I don't know the truth to it.
Also, I thought Vancouver Canucks were losing the Orca look for the alternates?
Nice sumary. Good work. The proposed Rangers "New York" jerseys were worn on October 7, 2001 in a special game vs. the Buffalo Sabres, who also had special, one-off "New York" jerseys.
All the jerseys were then auctioned off to raise money for the Twin Towers Fund following the 9/11 attacks less than a month earlier.
Link 1 Link 2
Here's the Sabres as well.
Link 1 Link 2
Hey Chris,
Have you heard ANYTHING at all about the Oilers getting a vintage road uniform for next season?
Jared, all the information I have and trust is in this post.
K! I figured....Thanks for responding though....I am praying for the white vintage and an orange jersey down the road....
I'm glad to hear the the Pens might wear the Gold uni's from back in the 80's for the Winter Classic. That was the first jersey I thought of when I heard they were playing in it. It doesn't make sense to wear another version of the blue for the Winter Classic when they already wear it for their third jersey.
I actually have a hockey card with Maxim Afininganov wearing the Sabres "New York" script jersey (JeffB's comment)
Just letting you know: A poster at Allducks.com claimed to have seen the Ducks' new 3rd jersey at the Draft. Take it for what it's worth (I know I don't quite buy it), but according to him, this is how it looks like:
"Webbed D logo (pretty small i wish it would be bigger) on a black jersey with white and gold going up the sides to the armpits then orange filling in to the other side of the back of the jersey.
Same type of design on the arms with it being mostly black and orange.
Same style neck as the home-away jerseys and on the shoulders were my fav part which had the original MD logo of wildwing (i think) patch and had some writing on it that i couldn't make out."
Was hoping the Rangers would put their logo on a jersey featuring the color & striping used from the late 70s to late 90s.
The Sabres should clearly use the AHL Buffalo Bisons old logo (the bottlecap) for their shoulder patch, because this is also the Bisons 40th anniversary of their 5th and final championship (and season) this coming season. They were 5-tme regular season champs, 8-time division champs and 5-time calder champs (10-time finalists). How the Sabres organization forgets/refuses to honor that legendary team is just beyond me...
Somebody start a petition! Heck, the last petition helped kill the "slug" logo, so why not give this one a shot?