Preds Confirm Plans for New Sweater
Friday · Feb 25 · 2011 | 2:35 AM PST
Predators announce new jersey / Seth WrightThe Nashville Predators have confirmed to season ticket holders that a "newly re-designed jersey" is in the works — and they can have one for free.
Icethetics reader Seth Wright has written in with some solid information. Back in January, he was first to provide a photo of the white version of the Preds' blue third jersey — which was the subject of speculation regarding a new road sweater. The team has since refuted that theory via social media.
Now Seth is sharing some marketing materials sent to Nashville season ticket holders. Specifically, this:
Free Newly Re-designed Jersey
Be the first in "Smashville" to own the new look Predators home jersey to be debuted for the 2011-12 season. This jersey is exclusively available for season ticket holders and those that choose to upgrade to full season tickets by March 19th.
First of all, they reference the "new-ness" of the jersey about five times in that little paragraph, so it's probably a safe bet we're not looking at a promotion of the third jersey. This will be an entirely new sweater.
Second, there's nothing about a new road jersey, though if we pay attention to Reebok, we should be expecting one. But the away uniform isn't necessarily a selling point for your home crowd so why mention it to season ticket holders? We should also probably assume that the third jersey will remain the same.
And finally, let it be said that this note serves as official confirmation from the team that there will be a new home uniform beginning in 2011-12. Will the NHL's uniform changes in the Age of Reebok never end?
Season ticket holder renewal booklet / Seth WrightThe big question remains: What will this new jersey look like? Seth contends that the color of the marketing materials seen here (left) may be an indication. They're yellow.
Paired with last week's report from a fan, via his ticket agent, that a new mustard-colored sweater was being considered, maybe we're on the right track. Or maybe not.
It's obviously too soon to guess at this point and all the "evidence" we have is inconclusive. Still, it's worth noting that this Season Ticket Holder Renewal booklet does not feature the third jersey logo — but rather the same primary mark that's always been in use. It seems the logo won't be changing.
Based on all this, any guesses as to what's cooking in Smashville? Is it okay that I called it Smashville?
Reader Comments (31)
"Will the NHL's uniform changes in the Age of Reebok never end?"
Probably not until all the initial Edge jerseys are replaced. Lets face it, Reebok completely butchered the league in 2007-08 which is why you're seeing so many of those designs be replaced. By next season, ten teams will have replaced their initial Edge jerseys... in only 5 years!
Why are they calling it Smashville? When did that start?
Haha, i call it "Trashville." nah though really, i'm beyond excited to see what these jerseys will look like.
It is stated in the Reebok style guide that the Alternate is remaining the Alternate while introducing a new home and away jersey. It has been known since they began sending the book out.
Yes, Chris. It is okay that you called it Smashville! Excited to see what the new look will be like. It would be interesting if we had a yellow (home) white (road) and alt. (navy) jersey set.
Actually Matt, Reebok also said the Predators would have a new home and road jersey in the same retailer information a year ago. It never happened. So it is news that the Predators are now saying it themselves. Reebok isn't the end all, be all when it comes to these things. The teams are.
Makes sense that they're keeping their logo and colors as I noticed that this season the preds were wearing the same pants and helmets as their home jerseys. To clarify, previously they wore pants with their new NP logo and the helmets has match logo as the jersey. Additionally, last year on their website, their backgrounds were of players in the 3rd jersey, however this year they have returned to their current colors.
I think it was reeboks plan to launch jerseys only to have them replaced in a couple years. New jerseys means more sales. Then it also means you need to buy up the old jerseys before they gone as well both sales go up. Anyway i was thinking that a yellow jersey with dark blue would look really good for smashville. Like the white specialty jersey we saw a couple months ago only switch the yellow with the white.
Smashville is what i've been calling it for years... I remember a 0-0 game in calgary where we were all cheering for smashville.. this was probably about 6 years ago. Its a great name... its exactly how the team plays.
As for jerseys, i would love to see a well done Yellow jersey. I hated the mustard colour they used before. But a nice yellow with the dark blue would look good. I like the striping of the alternate, and would be cool if they had something similar to that. They just need to try and stay simple and elegant.
@JER
They've been calling it Smashville when referring to the Preds for years now. It's all over their tv casts, website and arena.
I for one, welcome and highly anticipate a new Preds jersey, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a gold/yellow/mustard of some kind.
I don't care what you say, that old Mustard jersey was awesome, and I'm so glad I bought it while I could. Though I have to ask, did anyone else notice how much heavier than any other jersey it was?
@IAN K
Thanks man, I had no idea.
Can you tell me why? Is it supposed to be a reference to "smash-mouth hockey" or something like that?
ok, take the old mustard-y jersey & add a little bit more navy, put the current logo on it & change the neck to a RBK tie up instead of the silly shape it was before & there you go, instant re-design!! heh, i should apply to RBK, cos this job is SO easy!!!
I'm definitely not a Nashville fan but I love the fact that all you Preds fans love your mustard jerseys. Personally i don't love em or hate em but im glad you guys dig them when the rest of the league says they're ugly.
I support the return of mustard!!!
Keep the yellow to a truer colour of yellow or gold, personally I didn't mind the mustard jersey either but for the sake of other complaining about that colour. Besides it can't be as bad as what the Lightning did.
They're going with yellow home sweaters and simplifying their current logo. Bank on that.
am i the only one that finds this really, really stupid? their blue thirds and white limited editions are amazing! clean, classy, and some of the league's best if u ask me. i've always considered the preds the blandest team in the NHL, with the worst jerseys/logo. i find the decision to add a mustard jersey and keep the current primary incredibly poor. does anyone else agree?
@ JER
I think they're just trying to emphasize the contact in hockey. I have the center ice cable package, so I watch a ton of games from out of market (I'm in Winnipeg, and apparently my market is Calgary and Edmonton, so the hell with that).
Back on point, anytime I see a southern market cast, like Atlanta, Nashville or Florida, the promos are all about how hard hitting hockey is. I assume they're trying to bring NFL fans over to the game.
Not all teams will be changing their Edge jerseys anytime soon... after all, there are some teams that got it right the first time. The Red Wings, Blackhawks, Canadiens*, Rangers, and Devils made their classic designs work, and the Bruins came up with a nice look in '07.
*I do have a minor beef with Montreal's Edge design - the whole "curve-the-sleeve-stripes-to-conform-to-the-curved-elbow-section" thing just doesn't look quite right, because the stripes are too big on the back of the elbows. The other minor beef is with the collar striping, and their failure to port the blue-white-blue design from the pre-Edge jerseys; if New Jersey could make the transition, why couldn't Montreal? Or, instead, why didn't they just go back to the lace-up design? Instead, we get a 2/3rds-white collar with a blue edge that looks particularly odd to me on the white jersey. Oh, and I wouldn't mind seeing them revert to the pre-Starter numbers on their white jerseys, like they wore in the Heritage Classic.
Sorry, I had to get that off my chest. As far as Nashville, at this point, I'm just about numb to whatever they do to their jerseys. I just about don't care anymore.
@ Ian: wasn't it made with two layers of fabric or something? Yellow mesh over a gray background or something like that?
Either way, I don't quite agree with you. I think it was an ugly jersey, and had an awful logo.
@ Jeff P - You can get a look at the inner layer in the pictures here: http://www.classicauctions.net/Default.aspx?tabid=263&auctionid=52&lotid=748
I think that, if they hadn't done that dark inner layer, it might not have looked quite so... dingy. But, the Preds' first third introduced two other things I don't like - the curved tail (which stuck, thanks to Edge), and the straight-across collar (which, thankfully, did not stick).
First, the logo isn't any indication, as of now. Any promotional material currently put out by the team would still have what they're using now.
Second, if Nashville moves to yellow home jerseys, replacing their navy blue ones, watching their home games will become an aesthetic nightmare, as you'll have two bright colors on the ice simultaneously. Want proof, watch the 2010 Winter Classic again. I had trouble watching it the first time, largely because I don't see yellow as a "dark" color.
@Ian K.
Thanks again man!
....there's NO mention on a road jersey because the YELLOW home uniform WILL BE THE AWAY as well......all they'll do is wear Yellow helmets on the road, blue helmets at home, since there is NO OTHER "yellow" team in the NHL it's a cheap way of minimizing costs, ala Milwaukee and their Baby blue home/road job, (their farm team no less). I'm already wishing the Preds would just go away already to Canada...annoying as f*&^ (shoulda went with the 3rd, white vesrion road woulda been awesome compared to the shit that's coming...
The Nashville Predators have a great looking third jersey and the white version is even better. Just stick with those. Leave the tacky yellow in the past.
James, you have no way to substantiate your logic. First, the Admirals have light blue, dark gray and black jerseys. Second, anyone that pays attention to the frequency in which professional sports teams change their jerseys know that this is not a cost cutting measure, but a great way to generate revenue. If your anti-Sun Belt argument is true, and the Preds are looking to save money, then they would roll out three all new jerseys in order to sell more merchandise. The mention of a "redesigned home jersey" may not need to be looked into any further than you are...the team may want their season ticket holder (who will primarily be attending home games) to wear a home jersey.
"But, the Preds' first third introduced two other things I don't like - the curved tail (which stuck, thanks to Edge),"
That jersey was made by KOHO according to the pic
Inside the arena, the "Renew Your Season Tickets" graphics on the screen are featuring the newer streamlined logo, dark blue, and yellow.
I am not happy. The 3rd Jersey is a cash cow. It sells. It look like a hockey sweater. It has some identity to it. The matching white one looks just as good. WHY ARE THEY NOT USING IT?
I will never understand. Dark Blue, Light Blue, hint of red, Black. Those are the colors of this city's teams. And they work fine. Understated and simple will outsell tacky anyday of the week.
Dan, you realize the Preds were in Nashville before the Titans, right? No other team wears those colors in this city.
Haha, Dan said, "This city's teams..
It seems we might be getting somewhere with the yellow. Yellow towels and yellow shirts seem to be taking over the Pro Shop
Yep, they had a "Yellow-out" at the game yesterday vs. Vancouver. If they don't have a yellow home jersey next year, I will be shocked AND upset. I am so glad they are getting away from the dark blue/light blue fad in the NHL.