Mixed Messages

The rumors have been flying the last few days over the status of the Calgary Flames' forthcoming third jersey. The main question now being: Will there even be a third jersey this year?

Obviously we're at a point in the summer where everything is speculation. The last official word we heard was a year ago when Ken King said it would be a black sweater with an entirely new logo. Now it seems that's changed and the Flames may be more likely to look backward for an alternate jersey — this being their 30th anniversary season.

More recently, I've started hearing from various retailers that a Calgary third jersey may be off the table completely for 2009. But those reports have mostly be unsubstantiated. What can I say? We live off of gossip around here at this time of year.

However, a little more evidence to support a throwback third popped up this morning on the Flames' official web site. (Thanks to Drew for the link!) As part of the 30th anniversary, the team will be giving away a $30,000 shopping spree at a local mall to a lucky fan. Many other prizes will also be available including one that caught Drew's eye.

Four (4) weekly qualifiers will be randomly selected from all eligible ballots and will receive a pair of tickets to the Flames Home Opener on October 1, 2009 as well as a Calgary Flames vintage jersey. 

This isn't proof that there will be a vintage third jersey — only that vintage jerseys will be available to fans this season. Having said that, it's not a huge leap to think the Flames have indeed decided on a more traditional-looking alternate sweater. I'm committing to nothing.

Anyway, just a little something to chew on as we wait for more official information on the subject. While we wait, why not hold a poll?

Should the Flames stick with that brand new black third jersey sans the Flaming C that Ken King talked about last year? Or should they go with a throwback from their earliest days in Calgary? And if you like the idea of a throwback, should it be red or white? Don't let logistics get in your way either. The Maple Leafs' white third works just fine. Go with your gut!

Cast your vote and we can get an idea of what Icethetics fans in general are hoping for.

Update on Tuesday · Sep 1 · 2009 | 4:28 PM PDT by Chris

As several commenters have pointed out, the Flames have in fact removed the word "vintage" from the prize description. However, someone accidentally left an extra space in there between "Flames" and "jersey" — proof to those of you first seeing it now that I didn't just make it up.

You can click the image to enlarge it.

It again brings us back to wondering whether the Flames will even have a third jersey at all this fall. And surprisingly, the vote between throwback vs. totally new is nearly even. Interesting.

Flames Leak 30th Logo?

Got some Calgary Flames news for you this afternoon on a couple of topics — their 30th anniversary and their brand new third jersey.

Icethetics reader Cody has sent in information on this first subject. According to Sportsnet.ca, the Flames aren't supposed to unveil their new 30th anniversary logo until September. However, it seems to have appeared briefly on the team's web site on Tuesday. An intentional effort to net a free but unsuspecting focus group or a simple mistake?

It is rumoured that the Calgary Flames will wear a new logo on occasion this year to commemorate its 30th NHL season.

The logo was expected to be officially unveiled in September, but it appeared on the team's web site on Tuesday. It is unknown for what games the new logo will appear.

Flames' 30th anniversary logo?The logo in question is apparently what you see here to the right.

There's no way to know at this point if this will be the 30th anniversary logo or if it's even a final version. If it is, I think it's safe to say the Oilers beat them on 30th logos — by a mile.

That's really all I have on that. This logo has been making its way around Flames fan sites and message boards since Tuesday but no one seems to have any definitive information.

Personally, I'm curious about that last line in the Sportsnet story. "It is unknown for what games the new logo will appear." If it's an anniversary logo, it should simply be a patch on the uniform for the whole season. I certainly hope there's no plan to put this on a third jersey.

Which brings me to the third jersey news. Last September, I posted this story — which appeared in the Calgary Sun. Basically, it was Flames president Ken King talking about the team's third jersey plans. King all but confirmed the new sweater to be black with a new crest — not the Flaming C — and that it would debut for the 2009-10 season. At the time he said it was 95% complete.

I'm now hearing from a couple of sources that this design is being replaced in favor of a retro look from the team's early days (no word if the Atlanta Flames logo will make a reappearance). It's possible the team is working on a white sweater devoid of any black. Those were the days.

I'll continue to follow these stories but keep in mind that we're less than a month away from getting some official news — which I always prefer anyway. Meantime, Calgary fans, were you wary of another black jersey? Excited about a vintage look? What about this 30th anniversary logo?

Update on Thursday · Aug 20 · 2009 | 2:20 PM PDT by Chris

Got a quick follow-up on the 30th anniversary logo thanks to the guys at the Calgarypuck Forums, specifically a user called alltherage. He's allegedly got a screenshot from the web site before the logo was removed. However, I can't vouch for the legitimacy of this image, so I post it with some hesitation.

As you can see, it's right there above Kiprusoff's head, but it's placed in such a way that would've made it easy to add later. That being said, the image was posted on Wednesday afternoon so it may well be real.

Did anyone else happen to see it before it was removed? Anyone else have a screenshot to share?

Update on Thursday · Aug 20 · 2009 | 6:23 PM PDT by Chris

One last update to this post before I put this topic to bed. Apparently, we have all seen this logo before right here on Icethetics and only Jared noticed. He pointed out that it was in a preview image I posted of the Flames' new web site almost a month ago. It just slid under the radar.

Early version of Flames' web site redesign

Turns out it was Photoshopped right into the rafters and I never even noticed. I think I was distracted by the burning hockey players. So there you have it. End of subject.

Sabres Wow With Web Remake

If you've been following Icethetics on Twitter, then you know I'm tracking the league-wide web site makeovers. Teams are adopting a new template that's closer to NHL.com. This is good news because that old template really needed to go.

Today, the Buffalo Sabres became the latest team to make the transition and I can't stop looking at it. I've got a screenshot, but I highly recommend you take a trip to sabres.nhl.com on your own to fully experience it.

It's just a phenomenal look, something we're not used to seeing on NHL team sites, generally speaking. The way the vintage logo is so prominently placed in the banner certainly indicates a shift in the way this team is being marketed — to actual fans! But mostly, it's the gold sabers running up and down the page. Is there anything more attention-grabbing? I'm way impressed.

To be fair to the other teams, the Sabres aren't the only ones who got this redesign right. Seven others have already made the switch and none has disappointed. The Avalanche and Coyotes were the first. Both, solid.

The Oilers, Thrashers and Blues followed. I think one of the elements making these sites more visually appealing is the attention to detail in the background images. It goes a long way. All three of these teams, along with the Avs, rotate multiple background images, primarily featuring different players.

The Panthers too, and along with the Predators are two of the most recent members of the makeover club. The Preds make use of a really cool sweeping view of the inside of the Sommet Center on game night.

I mean that's just cool.

There are also a handful of teams who are currently in the process of making the change and I can offer you previews, courtesy of Tim. The Flames, Flyers, Stars, Kings and Bruins have redesigns in the pipeline.

For the Bruins, not a big change, although Zdeno Chara does figure in prominently. The Flyers are loading down on the orange. And the Kings still prefer black to purple. The Flames and Stars seem to be most worthy of an advanced preview.

Calgary has taken to lighting their players on fire for the sake of the internet. Even the players' equipment hasn't escaped the blaze. However, I really like the background depicting the roof the Saddledome. You get a good look at all those banners hanging from the rafters.

The Stars will offer a sneak peek into the locker room with their background image.

The thing that struck me was the ad, a version of which can be seen on their current web site. It looks to me like they've colorized the jerseys to make them green. And they look spectacular. But here's an idea: Why not actually wear green home jerseys?!

No idea when these teams will make their official switches, but I'll keep an eye on it. In fact, I think this is definitely something to watch throughout the summer as each team makes its transition to the new NHL web format. Might even be the subject of a tournament at some point in the future. Who has the best web site?

We'll see. In the meantime, what do you guys think of the new site templates being employed across the league? Like 'em? Hate 'em? Indifferent? Comment.

Update on Tuesday · Jul 28 · 2009 | 7:35 PM PDT by Chris

Got a couple of things to add tonight. As mentioned, the Flyers launched their brand new site today and were the first team to go with a three-column format. It means the rotator on the left side of the page has been shrunk greatly, reducing the aesthetic the other sites share with NHL.com.

A little disappointing but still better than it was two days ago.

I've also got a little treat — a sneak peek at the Canucks' new web site. As I've been saying it's the background images that are really making these sites something to see, and Vancouver does not dismay. Have a look.

The only unfortunate thing is that most of the logo isn't visible because the banner itself is such a small area.

Still, a great image that will really give the Canucks a unique look online. I don't know exactly when it's supposed to go live, but I would expect it within the next week.

Thoughts on either of these subjects?

No News is NHL 10 News

After 55 hours without anything newsworthy to post, I've decided to turn to pseudo-news. If you've been following Icethetics for any length of time, you know the one thing I don't like is rumors based on video games. Sadly, I have nothing else to tell you about at the moment.

Eric and Alex both wrote in this week to tell me about some things they noticed while watching preview videos for the forthcoming NHL 10 video game by EA Sports. I understand the game designers really try to get things correct when it comes to uniforms, but I'm always cautious against taking it as gospel.

Still, I write tonight on the subject just in case there's any truth to it.

Let's start with the Calgary Flames. Eric tells me something's up with their socks. Yes, their socks.

When the Rbk EDGE Uniform System was first introduced two years ago, the Flames (and Lightning too) were afflicted with a rather untraditional sock design. From the front, stripes appeared to run horizontally around the leg, but when you got a look at the back, there was a little surprise.

Matthew Lombardi leans in for a closer look at Owen Nolan's shocking socks

The collective reaction to this was a confused WTF? In the last two years, many fans have bemoaned this issue, apparently, onto deaf ears. Or are they? (Deaf, that is.) A screenshot from NHL 10, offered up via EA's official web site, depicts something different.

Dion Phaneuf skates with confidence knowing his sock stripes are no longer afraid of his calf

These stripes wrap all the way around the leg. It begs the question: As a person who's never played the game, did NHL 09 feature accurate stripes, or did they wrap fully as these do? Perhaps someone in the know can assist with the answer so we can better speculate on the state of the real-life uniforms.

While we wait for that, Alex tells me NHL 10 suggests the Flyers may be making a minor change to their orange jerseys. This is by no means reason to stop any presses.

First, we do know that it will be promoted from third jersey to home jersey this season (as the black sweater switches to an alternate role). A noteworthy feature of the sweater is its white nameplate, as seen below.

Flyers break the mold by wearing white nameplate on orange jersey

The nameplate isn't the only thing that sets this jersey apart from the rest of the NHL. (It's also orange. Not blue or red or black or white. Orange.) But another video from EA Sports is making us question whether this nameplate madness is going by the wayside.

Flyers get glue to fix broken mold and switch back to matching nameplate

If they are losing the white nameplate, I hope they learn that white is easier to read on orange than black. Especially on TV (hint). Though it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they ignore this fact.

So there it is. Take it for what's it worth. If it ends up being inaccurate, you didn't hear it from me. If it ends up being true, you heard it first on Icethetics.

While we ride out this newslessness spell, do your civic duty and cast some votes for the IceHL.

Update on Monday · Jul 27 · 2009 | 7:22 AM PDT by Chris

I've got a couple of updates to this post this morning.

As Steve points out in the comments, it looks like the Flames' socks are likely getting a makeover. Not only does NHL 10 have the horizontal stripes (after having used the old version in previous games), but NHL 2K10 also appears have them too.

Looks like we're a go for the confidence-inspiring stripes

So that's one theory I think we can run with. Flames fans, what do you think? Are the folks in charge finally listening?

As far as the Flyers, that part of this post was almost unnecessary. It appears the white nameplates will remain on the orange jerseys in NHL 10, but in a screenshot from a newer video, they will evidently span from shoulder to shoulder, as opposed to simply being the length of the player's name.

NHL 10 goes with white shoulder-spanning nameplates after all

I know it's hard to see, but right in the middle there is No. 6, Randy Jones. If you click on the image, it takes you to the YouTube video where I grabbed this screenshot. Then you can watch more of the Flyers/Lightning gameplay.

Anyway, if you're still questioning my aversion to using video games as uniform news sources, take the Flyers as a prime example. Last year, in NHL 09, the weight of the typeface on the nameplate was inaccurately heavy. Sounds like this year they've fixed that, but now the nameplate itself is inaccurately wide.

The Flyers kick off their preseason in Detroit on September 16, then play as the "home team" in London, Ontario a night later. I expect one of those nights we'll see the orange jerseys for the first time this season and I wouldn't expect them to be any different than they were last year.

Sweater Switch '09, Part 2

First, check out Part 1: Pronger, Havlat, Tavares, Hedman, Ashton

Jay BouwmeesterTonight, we start with the Calgary Flames and their recent addition of blue-liner Jay Bouwmeester. Great picture to the left, by the way.

He was traded by the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jordan Leopold on June 27. Both players were set to become free agents on July 1 but both have since signed deals with the teams they were traded to.

Bouwmeester donned a Flames sweater when he was introduced at a team press conference. His name stretches from shoulder to shoulder across the back of his No. 4 jersey — the same number he wore during his six seasons with the Panthers.

Unfortunately, the article (linked above) doesn't address his reasoning for wearing the number. If anyone can find an explanation, email or comment. I know lots of folks are enjoying the stories behind the sweater numbers.

We continue with the Flames' opponent in their most recent attempt at a Stanley Cup run. The Tampa Bay Lightning added Mattias Ohlund and Matt Walker this summer, both of whom were on hand to meet fans tonight at the Young Guns Camp.

Matt Walker and Mattias Ohlund

They're not wearing their new Bolts sweaters here, as they speak to TV announcer Rick Peckham. However, fan giveaways included a No. 2 Ohlund sweater, seen below.

A fan holds up her Ohlund jersey

This means either Lukas Krajicek will be getting a new number this year, or this is a placeholder for Ohlund. But Ohlund has seniority.

Interestingly, Krajicek and Ohlund played together in Vancouver during the 2007-08 season. For the record, Krajicek wore No. 5 then, which is currently available in Tampa.

Regarding Walker, I believe he wore No. 8 last season in Chicago and No. 28 prior to that in St. Louis. Neither is being used by Lightning players at the moment.

Side note: Am I starting to take jersey numbers to seriously? Really, there's not much else to talk about at this point and I want to keep updating the blog.

Either way, the Montreal Canadiens have an entire article up on their web site dedicated to the jersey numbers of two of their newest members. Mike Cammalleri has worn No. 13 his entire career, with both the Kings and Flames (and even before that), and will continue to do so with the Habs.

Scott Gomez has a longer story. Since normal numbers are getting harder to come by for the NHL's most storied franchise, Gomez could use neither of his previous numbers. He began his career in New Jersey with No. 23 and switched to No. 19 when he joined the Rangers. As the article points out, his current GM and former coach have had those numbers retired. Instead, Gomez will do a reversal and wear No. 91 in Montreal.

The article also mentions that he is the first player in team history to do so, leaving a mere 11 numbers still yet to be used. Sadly, there are not yet pictures of either player in his bleu, blanc et rouge. (Though if you want to see Gomez in red, white and blue, he was just with the Rangers.)

Ryan SmythWe'll finish off Part 2 with new L.A. King Ryan Smyth. Smyth recently posed for pictures with his his new jersey. It doesn't appear to have a number on it, but there should be nothing stopping him from keeping the No. 94 he's worn throughout his career as he heads to Los Angeles.

Smyth actually wore No. 10 for the three games he played for the Edmonton Oilers in the abbreviated 1995 season. Ever since then, he's stuck with the No. 94, including his brief stint with the Islanders prior to joining the Avalanche.

And all that useless information should wrap things up for Part 2 of Sweater Switch '09. I hope to have a Part 3 soon but that will all depend on the speed at which pictures of new free agent signees pop up.

As always, if you see anything, please drop me a line. My email address can be found at the top of the page.

Update on Tuesday · Jul 14 · 2009 | 8:47 PM PDT by Chris

Ryan SmythSeveral people have sent in this photo of Ryan Smyth holding his new No. 94 Los Angeles Kings jersey. I finally got around to posting it tonight.

I'm also finally getting around to possibly having enough content for Part 3 of this series, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

A couple of things to note about this jersey. First, I can't quite tell if it's an authentic or premier, but it does appear to be the real deal. If that is in fact the case, the Kings have made a minor change.

The numbers on the back feature heavier borders than they did last year. It makes the purple look like a lighter shade and gives the appearance that the overall numbers are larger.

Of course this is pure conjecture because who knows who made this one Smyth's holding. Since he's standing in an L.A. Kings office area, I'm assuming it's official in some way, but we'll have to wait for October to know for sure. Just thought it might be worth a mention. 

For reference with regard to the numbers, check out Michal Handzus in the following photo.

It's even possible the same thing has been done to the numbers on the sleeves. I'm anticipating Part 3 to debut on Wednesday or Thursdsay.