Chrome Logos for Stadium Series
Tuesday · Nov 12 · 2013 | 9:09 PM PST
Effected logos to represent seven participating teams
Today, in a bizarre move, the NHL unveiled a collection of what it calls "chrome-treated" logos for the seven teams participating in the 2014 NHL Stadium Series. In essence, it was the result of someone goofing around with Photoshop — a fact eluding exactly no one. But there were some interesting revelations to discuss.
First, a new version of the New York Islanders primary logo was added to the mix — without the map of Long Island, the wordmark or the classic blue circle. The team has never used the NY on its own before. But check out the graphic posted on the front page of the Isles' website today.
It shows us that the new logo — un-chromed — was designed to sit on a blue background. So it appears we should be anticipating a blue jersey for the Isles' Stadium Series appearance.
By the way, said jersey is now on sale to Islanders' season ticket holders — sight unseen, no less. I'm not sure I could bring myself to part with that much money to buy something I've never seen.
The chrome logo for the New Jersey Devils re-introduces an old color palette. Green is back! But does this mean the Devils will simply break out the throwback jerseys they've been wearing in recent years for St. Patrick's Day? Based on what I've been hearing, I'm not so sure. Read on, I'll explain.
The Isles and Devils will both face the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium in late January. And while this chrome-ified shield would indicate a Blueshirts throwback to the 1970s, I understand this logo will be little more than a shoulder patch.
The Rangers are known for the diagonal text across the front of their uniforms, and it may well be "NEW YORK" on the chest rather than the club's nickname — not unlike their Heritage Jersey, which debuted in 2011. Something to keep an eye on as we wait for the unveiling.
Speaking of which, the Rangers' own press release tells us the league will reveal all of the Stadium Series jerseys together "in the coming weeks." When that is exactly is anyone's guess.
The Los Angeles Kings are going back to the crown for their Stadium Series logo. But note the conspicuous lack of purple. Perhaps a sign the Kings could sport a Gretzky-era look? Maybe, but again I'm not so sure. Stay with me here.
The Kings' Dodger Stadium foe will be the Anaheim Ducks. But didn't we hear recently that Mighty Ducks might be making another appearance this season? Not if we assume this logo is the crest of the team's new sweater. On the other hand, I do still expect it to be orange. This would allow the Kings to wear black or white.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins will wrap up the Stadium Series on March 1 at Soldier Field. But their fancy chrome logos give us nothing. They're exactly the same as their existing primary marks — you know except for all that fancy chrome stuff.
I swear I did a logo treatment like this for Icethetics several years back. I'll have to try to track that stuff down. It didn't last long because you guys told me it looked terrible. And it did. Guess no one told them.
Stadium Series aesthetics will not be inspired by tradition
Since 2008, we've become accustomed to outdoor NHL games requiring a certain historical aesthetic. It's right there in the name. The Winter Classic. The Heritage Classic (double there!). Teams wear throwback jerseys and the whole event is designed to evoke feelings of the game's origin out there on the frozen pond in a world that could barely imagine our immense 20,000-seat arenas.
But there's a reason they didn't call this the Stadium Classic Series. (And it's not just the extra syllables.) The word "classic" conjures old-time hockey thanks to the Winter and Heritage Classics. It's my understanding the NHL is going in the opposite direction for these events. In a way, the goofy chrome logo treatment is to get fans out of that retro mindset.
It's right there in the Rangers' press release, actually.
The NHL also unveiled today the NHL Chrome Collection, chrome-treated team logos specifically designed for use in connection with the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™. The Chrome logo designs are unique to the NHL Stadium Series and inspired from the chrome details on the NHL shield, bringing a dynamic and modern perspective to conventional team identities.
We might be wise to read a little more into that last line. Bringing a "modern perspective to conventional team identities." Likely a frightening thought to the traditionalists among us, but probably an important idea to consider.
In fact, someone with knowledge of the Stadium Series jersey designs recently described them to me as "futuristic." Later, another source told me the NHL and Reebok took the lead designing them. The teams were merely "consulted" as opposed to being directly involved.
Think about that as we wait for the league to finally unveil the jerseys. What sort of futuristic ideas could you imagine Reebok incorporating into these new uniforms?
Reader Comments (57)
I'll wait to see the sweaters before I react too harshly to this. I love old school traditional sweaters, but jersey sales were always supposed to be geared towards kids. Kids aren't as passionate about traditional looks as us older guys are. The NBA has come out with some wild design ideas over the past few years, and their jersey sales are through the roof. As a Pens fan, anything should be an improvement. I'm excited, just not sure Reebok can pull it off.
As a Devils fan I cannot imagine Lou going along with a "futuristic chrome plated logo" on a Devils jersey. Even for one game.
I'll believe it when I see it.
@KEVIN I am a young guy and I'm passionate towards traditional looks. :p I see where you're coming from and you are completely right. A lot of younger people like me want crazy, ridiculous looks. You don't have to look any further than College Football or the NBA. I like seeing teams try new things once in a while and I like seeing younger franchises trying unique things such as the Hurricane Stripes and the Mighty Ducks jerseys but there is a point when it becomes ridiculous like the Sabres new disaster and the idea of chrome logos. If the NHL screws this up, thankfully, the jerseys won't last for long. Since these are Outdoor Games, I can't see them being too crazy but hey, you never know. I am also unsure if the NHL and Reebok can pull it off. Hopefully, these will turn out to be really nice.
Sigh...long overdue for commenting on this but...
My, my, what a strange, and somewhat pleasant surprise we have here. For one thing, I sure hope these aren't exactly what the jersey logos will be. As in, I hope that chromified texture stays everywhere but on the sweater. But really, I think it's safe to say that these will be the front logos that will be on the Stadium Series jerseys. This just gets me excited that we are nearing the point of finally seeing what they'll be wearing, or at least an idea of it. As it gets closer, we find out more information...
The Islanders one here is the most interesting to me out of the group, followed by the Devils and Kings. This is really, really out of left field. I never expected this to happen at all, ever. Though it probably would have eventually made sense to take the "NY" out and use it as a separate alternate logo (maybe use it for minor things like on the programs, on the website, on the helmets and/or pants, etc.). In any case, I hope they use it from now on. But undoubtedly, we're going to see it at least used for this event. I recall seeing a tweet sent to you, Chris, about this having to do something with the Isles' move to Brookyln. The lack of Long Island and the word "Islanders" in the logo might suggest something, since it takes away all of the identity having to do with Long Island, minus the name itself. All of which might change some time in the future...but who knows? I'd hate to see a classic identity such as the Islanders' drastically change to the point where the only thing left is the city name. Heck...they might even change the name to Brookyln. Wouldn't make sense to call 'em the Brooklyn Islanders, now would it?
The Devils' logo here is something I'm happy to see. I love their old red and green identity. In fact, I'm awfully surprised they did not wear the Edge cut of their classic 80's red uniforms as an alternate by now. Maybe they want to stick to the tradition of not having a full alternate yet...but that tradition will break soon, I think. And I don't know about the whole modern-style thing...though, if all teams are making modern designs for this, so be it. I have no objection, I'd love to see unique, uninspired designs for this.
The same goes for the Rangers. If the theme for this is what we will see on the front of the jerseys, then this brings up an interesting point. The Rangers have never worn their iconic logo on their crest since the late 70's, which was an overall design that was brought to the Jets later when he moved to that team. The look was controversial from being different than the traditional, so-thought untouchable design. Having the logo on the front of the jersey feels...weird...though, I don't think it's something I'd totally mind. But, but, they need to wear their traditional white and blue jerseys for as their home/away, always. I wouldn't mind seeing something else on the front of a Rangers jersey, like the Liberty logo, for example, but the traditional unis need to stay as they are.
Now, the Kings. Okay...I'm not surprised one bit of the lack of purple, or use of the crown. As it has been well-established by now that the Kings would not be using purple, or any other color than black, white and grey, more specifically, in their color palette forever...or at least for a long while. Ever since they used the monochromatic jerseys as the home/away, the black and white crown has been seen all over the place, beside the primary logo, of course. I'm missing the purple, but I'm long accustomed to the Kings not using it anymore. It's fine, I like that they're paying tribute to the Gretzky era, those were some fine jerseys (and also a very subtle hint at the inaugural logo). Though, it'd be kind of a step back to see the crown on the front of the jerseys again, as it's been that way since the mid-2000's to just a year ago.
The Ducks...well...it's not the Mighty Ducks, but at least it's not the wordmark. And whatever wacky design they could be using with it should be fine by me. This suggest even more for unique, never-before-used designs for the SS.
The Blackhawks classic logo...just chromified...nothing to see here. Might just be a unique, modern-inspired alternate, of which was never done before by the team. It'll be interesting to see how it looks, if the theme persists.
And now...the Penguins. sigh My first reaction was sadness from the fact that we won't be seeing this beauty again anytime soon... Oh well, I'll just have to be patient and wait for the triumphant day to come in the future.
Overall, there's both all and nothing to say from these. They've increase speculation, especially the Islanders', which is completely out of left field. I really don't think the chrome is significant in any way. Teams can chromify their logos for any use at any time, particularly on TV broadcasts, on the jumbotron at the arena, on game programs, etc. This is kind of a pointless move by the marketing team(s?). They were promoting the chrome as the prime factor in the releasing of these logos, whereas the true significance is the logos themselves. They should have just released them as the "logos the teams will be using for the Coors' Light NHL Stadium Series", or something of the sort. Anything like that is better than, "Oh, look, we spiffed these logos up in Photoshop, look at how pretty they are. Oh, and these are somewhat related to the Stadium Series thing, but that's not important." Just...really, this could've been done a lot better.
...
But whatever, they're released and that's what matters. Only thing to do is wait for more info to be released.
MLB's old "Future" night might not look so bad now. Is someone going to be from Pluto?
Check my name link for the Mercury Mets uni (photobucket)
Looks like the Team LA store has released a new logo of some sort on a t-shirt. Possibly a secondary shoulder patch? Maybe even the primary? But it looks too simple:
http://teamlastore.com/products/los-angeles-kings-stadium-series-ligature-logo-t-shirt
With these logos being released, it seems like the flyers 3rd jersey from 2002 (the chrome "3D" logo) would fit in nicely!