The Problem with NHL 11

Every year EA Sports turns out an updated edition of its popular NHL video game series. And every year, a handful of Icethetics readers scour their brand new copies for uniform "leaks." I get a lot of emails, some with information that turns out to be true and some that doesn't. The same is true this year with NHL 11.

"But Chris, EA is a licensed partner of the NHL and they have access to every aspect of every NHL uniform," you say, "why shouldn't we trust them?"

Leafs jersey in NHL 11This is why.

A reader recently sent in this photo from the game, showing Tomas Kaberle in the new Toronto Maple Leafs road jersey. Only problem is that the shoulder patch is the vintage third jersey logo — not the new patch unveiled this summer.

Will this be corrected in a software update? I don't know. But it just proves to me that while EA is good at making video games, they are not necessarily an accurate source for jersey news.

Now, having said that first, another reader wrote in about a change to the Minnesota Wild's road jersey in NHL 11. According to the game, they're getting a new shoulder patch.

Wild jersey in NHL 11So how accurate is this alteration? We won't know for sure until the team says something official or until the new season begins in October.

Of course if there is something new, we may get a sneak peek later this month when preseason action gets under way. In any event, this patch does match a new logo recently posted to one of our favorite sites, SportsLogos.net.

They're usually pretty good about accuracy, but the site says nothing about this being a shoulder patch. We'll keep an eye on it as the season gets started.

This patch would replace the script logo which has been in existence since the team's name was first revealed more than 10 years ago. It was designed by Rob Leuschke who was featured in a blog post back in October.

Loose Threads: Canada to SoCal

In today's edition of Loose Threads, I've got jersey news, ice painting news, and some other stuff. I always know to start with the jersey news and for now that means Calgary.

Flames: Retro Edge Jersey Revealed

Flames retro Edge jerseyAn Icethetics reader sent in a photo of the Calgary Flames vintage sweater in its new Reebok Edge cut.

Last season, the Flames re-introduced their original threads as an alternate uniform as part of their 30th anniversary celebration. Then in March the team announced that the classic sweater would be back for at least another season, but as a Reebok Edge jersey. Last season's version was made out of the standard pre-Edge jersey material.

The design remains mostly the same but for an alteration in the collar. The Flames have said this jersey will be worn up to 15 times this season. Last year, it saw action in only five games. Thanks to Mitchell for sending in this photo.

Maple Leafs: Center Line Gets Patriotic

Leafs paint new patriotic center lineThe Toronto Maple Leafs have overhauled their center ice design at the Air Canada Centre.

A string of Canadian flags now forms the center red line on their rink. But there's a twist. The leaf you find within those little white boxes that run the 85 feet from dasher to dasher is not quite what you'd find on the flag. It's actually the Maple Leafs' logo painted red. Not ground-breaking, but pretty cool.

Close-up of Leafs' new red lineHere's a close up. But if these photos aren't enough for you, the Leafs have you covered. There's an entire photo gallery on the website that shows the process of painting the logos before the ice goes down. Thanks to Brad for that.

Also, I haven't yet mentioned it on the site, but I did link to it on Twitter last week. We recently got a look at the the Leafs' new home sweater in action at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase. Click here to see it.

Kings: Look Out for Legends Night

Kings to celebrate Legends NightFinally, we have some new details on what the Los Angeles Kings are calling Legends Night this season.

Icethetics reader Curtis S. recently received his season ticket package and had some information to share. He says the Kings have branded several games as Legends Night.

Not sure what that means but the games are denoted by an emblem that features the Kings' retro logo. The team will be wearing a retro sweater this season, so this is probably indicative of that.

We already know the Kings will relaunch the classic threads on Oct. 9 against the Canucks. Curtis tells me that other Legends Nights include Jan. 15 vs Edmonton, Feb. 24 vs Minnesota and Mar. 19 vs Anaheim.

Too bad those games are all at home. What a sight it would be to see the Kings and Oilers both in their brightly-colored retro sweaters — no red, black or navy blue to be found.

By the way, the Kings are holding Hockey Fest '10 this Saturday. They haven't said anything about unveiling their retro jersey at this event, but it would be a good time, so I'll keep an eye on it.

Sabres Jerseys Now Leaked

Sabres third jersey leakedSo this is funny. Just hours after I debunked a fake leak, the real thing is here — with 11 days until the unveiling.

Seems someone secretly snapped photos of the Buffalo Sabres' new road and alternate jerseys.

The three photos in this post are making the rounds. And while these images are new to me, I have seen the Sabres' new sweaters and this, in fact, what they look like. And if these are fake, someone has gone to a lot of trouble to mislead us. A lot.

Sabres third jersey leakedThe royal blue third jersey you should find as described in the September edition of JerseyWatch 2010, right down to the strange striping.

While the script across the chest was almost certainly inspired by that of the old Buffalo Bisons, careful observers will note that it is actually different — perhaps a simple modernization?

You'll also note the 40th anniversary logo beneath the script mark — the classic Sabres logo with 19 and 70 inside the blue circle. That leaves the door wide open for the Sabres to keep this jersey in their arsenal for years to come.

Sabres new road jersey leakedThe new road jersey also started making the rounds today. It is, as stated, a white version of the new home sweater — formerly the alternate uniform. And as some have asked, it does appear that the "silver armpits" and piping will carry over.

It also appears that neither sweater will have a shoulder patch. And neither these pictures nor the ones I saw had numbers on the jerseys which means will still don't know how they will be placed, especially on the third.

Before I wrap this up, it's important to point out that while I mistakenly used the word "confirmed" on Twitter earlier today, nothing is confirmed or official until the team makes an announcement. There's my disclaimer.

As always, check back here for jersey updates as the season gets under way.

Sabres "Leak" Debunked

Time again to debunk another Sabres rumor. And this was a good one.

Looks like over the weekend, an image started spreading, as these things do. It was believed to show the Buffalo Sabres' new road jersey, unlocked in someone's copy of NHL 11 from EA Sports. In an effort to keep Icethetics readers a step ahead of everyone else, I quickly got on Twitter and let you know it was a fake.

By the way, if you want to see the image, you have to click here. If I display it here in the post, I worry some visitors won't bother reading the text and make inaccurate assumptions.

How do I know it was fake? A couple of reasons, but that's not important. What you want to know is how the actual jersey is different from the ruse. Most important, the stripes around the waist are reversed. Gold should be in the middle, with blue/silver above and below. It is different from the original '70s jersey in that regard.

Also, while there is thin silver piping running up the sides of the sweater, it's not nearly as heavy-handed as what you see in the viral image. And of course the image is blurry, as you would expect for something of this nature. So I can't see whether it has the silver stripes around the waist and sleeves. The real thing does, just like the new home jersey.

Also, some have asked about the silver "armpits." I haven't seen that part of the white sweater so I can't answer that. My guess would be that it mirrors the blue one, so it probably will.

Any other questions I can answer for you guys? This jersey will probably be unveiled in 11 days along with the new thirds. I've gotten some concept art based on the descriptions I posted. I'll try to get that on the site soon.