Making Up for the Week

Being sick is not fun. I'm certainly glad to be back. The good news is that the season has started so most of you probably haven't even missed me.

All right, so since I haven't updated the site in a week, there's a lot to catch up on. I'll try not to overlook anything, but it's inevitable. We'll start with your favorite — third jersey news.

First, another rendering of the Colorado Avalanche's forthcoming third jersey has surfaced.

Avalanche's new third jerseyWhile surfing the web, Icethetics reader Colin stumbled across this graphic, which gives us a better look at the Avs' new alternate. It's not a bad looking jersey, though I am surprised they chose not to try something new.

It's a blue version of the burgundy third introduced in 2001, in service until the Age of Reebok in 2007.

The main difference is the addition of a burgundy shoulder yoke and the lack of any striping around the base of the sweater. The primary logo will still appear on the shoulders.

Still no word yet on when the team plans to launch the new sweater or even make official mention of it in any way. All information about it so far has been coming through the media.

That brings us to the Florida Panthers, who are in kind of the same boat. After a summer of silence, I'm now getting mixed reports on whether they will even have a third this season.

However, various sources have me convinced there will in fact be a new sweater in the Cats' arsenal this fall. For one thing, it's available for pre-order on some web sites.

According to the latest round of rumors, the Panthers are set to unveil the new alternate sweater sometime this month, with its on-ice and store shelf debut scheduled for November. I'll keep an eye and ear out for any new information.

It's all speculation of course, but my guess is they'll be red and feature the stick-breaking panther logo on the front, as seen above. Technically, I live in the Panthers' market so I may even see something on TV.

I suppose the biggest newsmaker of the week would have to be Buffalo Sabres when managing partner Larry Quinn went on the radio and told everyone the club is scrapping their jerseys once again.

Charlie at Sabres Not Slugs has a report, which includes a link to the WGR 550 audio interview in question. In it, Quinn confirms that new uniforms are on the way in 2010.

"We have the 40th anniversary next fall," Quinn says. "We will have a permanent uniform change and a new third jersey."

Of course the word "permanent" is used loosely in Buffalo of a team enduring its fourth uniform in as many decades. However, Quinn assures us that fans will not be disappointed this time around and that a return to the classic look is indeed coming.

He says it "probably won't be [released] until next summer." Icethetics will have coverage.

He doesn't say specifically what they'll look like — whether we should expect versions of the current third or something more like the true vintage worn at the 2008 Winter Classic — but it's a safe bet that the slug is on its way out the door.

As a side note, I would guess that the Canucks might have a similar plan in pushing the 40th anniversary celebration back a year so that they can call it the 40th season (damn lockout). Wonder if they too will make a "permanent" uniform change. So many similarities between Buffalo and Vancouver.

So much news to cover still. Although this may barely pass as news, it's a win for all of you who loathe the Age of Reebok. Slowly their fist of stone is being chipped away. Both the Flames and Senators have done away with the socks whose stripes don't go all the way around the calves.

Senators get new socks

Icethetics reader Ryan has provided this side-by-side comparison (right) of Jason Spezza last year to this year.

Notice they've even changed the design of the stripes. I thought last year's worked better because of the similarity to the stripes in the "O" patch on the shoulder.

As you can see, real stripes are back in. This leaves just a single team wearing those other socks — my team, the Lightning. Oh well, it works for them. (What else can I really say?)

And since we're on the topic of socks, my previous report on the Calgary Flames came merely from a video game — NHL 10 to be precise.

It's time to take a look at the real things in action. Look no further — here are the Flames in preseason action against the Islanders.

Flames get new socks as well

Yes, that is Theo Fleury. Poor guy. (Well, not really.) He's also got that laughable 30th anniversary patch on his shoulder there.

But despite all the bad Calgary Flames news, there's some good as well. The 2009-10 NHL season opened this past Thursday with the Flames taking to the ice against the Canucks looking like they haven't in 15 years!

It was the debut of their new retro jersey — which only sees action in four more games this season — one of which is tomorrow. Now this is a hockey jersey!

They're not just celebrating a goal — they're happy about their jerseys too

I like they there were no compromises with either the socks or pants. Flames fans, as I said, you have four more chances to see these in person. If I were you, I wouldn't miss them.

I'm sure there are things I've missed, but I will get to them this week. This should hold you over for now.

Senators 3rd Jersey Sked

The Ottawa Senators have scheduled 10 home games in which they will wear their black third jerseys for the 2009-10 season. The new alternates were introduced last season.

The information comes from the Sens' official web site. Thanks to Dante_X for the tip! Mark your calendars:

• Saturday, Oct. 31 - vs Thrashers
• Thursday, Nov. 10 - vs Oilers
• Saturday, Nov. 21 - vs Sabres
• Thursday, Nov. 26 - vs Blue Jackets
• Wednesday, Dec. 30 - vs Avalanche
• Tuesday, Jan. 5 - vs Bruins
• Thursday, Jan. 21 - vs Blues
• Thursday, Feb. 11 - vs Capitals
• Saturday, Mar. 6 - vs Maple Leafs

The Canucks and Thrashers have also released third jersey schedules for this season.

Senators 3rd Jersey Poll

Current 3rd Jersey

Heritage Jersey

Ever since it appeared in a video on the Ottawa Senators' official web site, Jacob Barrette's Heritage jersey, has been getting a lot of press. Now Icethetics wants to know what you think about it all!

Which jersey do you like better? After introducing it just last year, should the Sens hang onto their new "SENS" jersey? Or should they send it to the scrap heap and go with Jacob's Heritage look? Vote now!

And after you've voted, if you'd like to sign the petition to get the Senators to adopt the Heritage jersey, click here.

Sens Hint at New 3rd Jersey?

An Ottawa Senators-centric blog called The 6th Sens picked up on a story tonight I'm sure a lot of Icethetics readers will be interested in. It has to do with the question of whether the club is contemplating a new third jersey for the near future.

The Sens introduced their infamous "Sens" jersey just last season, marketing themselves as "Back in Black," but recent renovations at ScotiaBank Place have us wondering whether that particular sweater is long for this world.

Instead, what about this?

It's a concept that has been floating around the web ever since the Senators introduced the new "O" logo in 2007 — maybe even before that.

I think at one point there was even a petition on behalf of Senators fans to get the team to adopt this jersey. Could their wish be coming true?

In an interview with SensTV's Gord Wilson, COO Cyril Leeder talked about a new addition to the arena called The O Store — he said it's a nod to the old days when the Sens wore that big O on their chest.

But it's not so much what he said in the video as it was the artist renderings that were shown. They depicted this very jersey design on the shelves of the new store.

Previewing the new O Store at ScotiaBank Place

As you can see, not only is that exact jersey on the self, but also the vintage "barber-pole" style similar to one of the classic sweaters the Canadiens wore last season. Here's another shot.

That awesome O jersey is all over the place

It makes you wonder whether this was some secret plan all along. But that's for conspiracy theorists. For the rest of us, it's a nod toward a very exciting possibility that Ottawa might at last have one of the best jerseys in the NHL — not long after unleashing one of the worst on us.

Here's the video in case you're interested in seeing some of the other renderings.

If for some reason that doesn't work for you, here's a direct link.

This isn't official and it may turn out to be nothing at all, but it's sure interesting to think about nonetheless. Thanks to Paul for the tip.

Update on Monday · Aug 10 · 2009 | 12:41 PM PDT by Chris

You guys and your silly comments. You never learn. Your loss.

Anyway, I did hear from Jacob, the designer of the now famous black "O" jersey, and he says while he has not been in contact with the team, he has spoken with the Ottawa Citizen. Perhaps the local media could be of some help in getting the the Senators into such a well-designed jersey one day.

In the meantime, you can always do your part by signing the petition.

Update on Monday · Aug 10 · 2009 | 10:03 PM PDT by Chris

The Ottawa Citizen now has a great article on this very subject. Definitely worth a read for Icethetics fans. Here's a brief excerpt.

Jacob Barrette is passionate about putting a new face on the Ottawa Senators, but it has nothing to do with whether Dany Heatley returns to the lineup or not.

For Barette, it’s all about old-time hockey, or at least the look of the good old days.

Barrette wants today’s Senators to dress more like the Senators clubs that won 11 Stanley Cups between 1903 and '27. He has 900 names on a petition asking the Senators to adopt a throwback look featuring a stylized "O" on the front of their jerseys with broad stripes behind it.

"I just think it’s a good way to promote the history of the team and its roots in Ottawa," says Barrette, who owns a graphics design company and teaches graphic design at La Cité Collégiale. "I think they’ve done a good job of promoting the team towards kids, but I think they’re lacking a bit in celebrating the heritage of having an NHL team in Ottawa."

The Senators clearly believe there’s at least some marketing appeal to the old look. Ottawa players have worn a smaller "O" as a shoulder patch on their uniforms for the past two National Hockey League seasons and a select number of vintage "O" souvenir sweaters have been sold at the club's merchandise store at Scotiabank Place.

Last week, the Senators also announced they would be opening the "O Store" in the second level at Scotiabank Place, where fans could buy a wider selection of the vintage jerseys and souvenirs featuring the club’s traditional gladiator logo.

There are no plans, however, for Senators players to sport the "O" on the front of their jerseys for the 2009-10 season, a team spokesman says.

Take note. No plans for the Sens to wear this one next season. But it doesn't say anything about 2010 and beyond.

Sweater Switch '09: Part 4

First, check out Part 1: Pronger, Havlat, Tavares, Hedman, Ashton, Part 2: Bouwmeester, Ohlund, Walker, Cammalleri, Gomez, Smyth, and Part 3: Gaborik, Mara, Moen, Gionta, Gill, Spacek.

It's been nearly a week since the previous edition, but the summer blog series trudges on with another handful of players who are getting new jerseys this off-season. We'll begin with a picture that's been out there a while.

Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky

Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky were introduced to the Windy City last week after Part 3 was posted and I've been hanging on to this picture ever since. Both players carry over the sweater numbers they used with the previous red Original Six team they played for.

Hossa wore No. 18 for all of the first 10 seasons of his NHL career, which began in 1997, including seven with the Senators, three with the Thrashers and a dozen games with the Penguins. He joined the Red Wings in 2008, but had to swap his digits for veteran Wings winger Kirk Maltby. Hossa will be forced to keep No. 81 in Chicago as his preferred No. 18 has been retired by the Hawks in honor of Denis Savard (a former Bolt!).

Tomas Kopecky played his first NHL game with Detroit in the 2005-06 season, wearing No. 32. The following year saw him in No. 28 for a couple dozen games, and in his first full season he relinquished No. 28 to Brian Rafalski for the opposite, No. 82 — also his birth year — which he's been wearing since. No. 28 is available in Chicago, but Kopecky is opting to keep No. 82.

Enough blocks of text... more pictures!

The Philadelphia Flyers signed a pair of new goalies this summer, and gave them their new sweaters to debut at the announcement of the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park.

Brian Boucher is actually returning to the club that drafted him in 1995 and will return to the No. 33 he first wore as a rookie in 1999. Since leaving for Phoenix in 2002, Boucher has logged a lot of miles. He managed to keep his number there and for three games in Calgary, but lost it in 2006 to Adrian Aucoin in Chicago and then Fredrik Modin in Columbus, where he donned No. 31 and No. 35, respectively. He finally got it back with San Jose two years ago.

Ray Emery made his NHL debut with a few games in the 2002-03 season in Ottawa, wearing the traditional No. 1. He kept it for all of his five season in the capital city before spending a year in the KHL. Now in Philly, Emery has opted for No. 29 since Bernie Parent was honored with the retiring of No. 1 by the Flyers in 1979.

Ian Laperriere with GM Paul Holmgren

The Flyers also added winger Ian Laperriere who's known more for penalty minutes than anything else. Though it's not clear in this picture, Laperriere will wear No. 14. He debuted with the St. Louis Blues in 1994 with No. 22 on his back, keeping it during a brief stint with the Rangers in 1995 and during his nine-season tenure with the Kings. Following the lockout, Laperriere joined the Avalanche where No. 22 belonged to Steve Konowalchuk. He's worn No. 14 since then.

That brings us to one of the most recent free agent additions of the summer. The Ottawa Senators swiped Alex Kovalev from the Montreal Canadiens and they've already put him in front of the cameras with his No. 27 sweater — all three of them, in fact.

Alex Kovalev

From his rookie year with the Rangers, Kovalev has worn No. 27 throughout his 17-season NHL career. He has since played for the Penguins before a brief return to Manhattan, and more recently, he was a member of the Canadiens. No surprise to see him keep the same number.

That's all I've got for Part 4 and I'm a little concerned it may be the last one for a while. We'll see if any other teams get their new signees into new uniforms anytime soon. August may be a slow month. But we've got the return of the IceHL to follow as well as any third jersey-related developments.