Oodles Of Rbk EDGE Jersey Concepts

All right now, I know this is exciting stuff but please try to contain yourselves. A great reader to whom I'm enormously appreciative sent links my way for the jersey artwork you see below. PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE IT WITH ACTUAL OFFICIAL DESIGNS. These are merely the work of an artistically-inclined hockey fan pondering on the future of the NHL's aesthetics.

To enlarge an image below, just click on it. The designer of these went through the painstaking task of creating three different design schemes for 17 different teams, one of which doesn't even exist. It's worth noting that the NHL has said there will be no third jerseys this year during the transition to the new Reebok sweaters. Though I don't know who created them, these designs are just for fun. I'd implore you to avoid the urge to post a comment about how they aren't real, lest you lack the reading skills of a third-grader. (In which case nothing I write would matter.)

For your pleasure, I'll go through each of them one-by-one.

CONCEPTS #1
Not much to speak of with regard to the Canadiens designs. It's basically what they wear now with more curvy lines. The Penguins designs are interesting, if for no other reason than the alternate is a throwback to the days when the club wore blue. The Rangers concepts update the name running across the front while keeping Statue of Liberty logo on an alternate jersey. Personally I'm of the opinion it would make a great crest on a jersey worn night in and night out. But it's not my call. What's interesting to note here is the jersey number placed on the bottom corner of the front of the alternate.

Then there's the Bruins concepts wherein we realize this must be the musings of a fan as the Bruins have already unveiled their jerseys which look nothing like this. I'm a little creeped out by what appears to be a lion head on the alternate. (Don't try and tell me that's a bear.) Beneath that is a series of Sabres jerseys with a fun throwback as an alternate. Don't count on seeing that on the backs of Buffalo players anytime soon.

CONCEPTS #2
First off, the team on top, the Kansas City Scouts, haven't existed for the better part of three decades. Let's not let that stop us though. With all this talk about KC becoming an NHL market in the near future, who wouldn't wonder? But I doubt seriously they'd go back to that old gem. It is interesting to look at though. The Stars are rumored to be foregoing the traditional crest for the word "DALLAS" across the front of the road jerseys. Is this the NBA now? Let's not have any cheating refs, at least. As for the other two designs, I'm partial to the green.

I like the minor upgrades made to the Maple Leafs logo but the design could use some work. We'll waive straight stripes in place of curvy ones for the Stars yet not the traditional Leafs? The silver is a nice touch, however, on the alternate. A twist on the stick-in-rink Canucks logo doesn't improve it in my eyes. But I do like the colors. And as for the Senators design, it's basically an Rbk EDGE twist on the current sweaters. The Sens should be getting a new logo though, so I wouldn't count on seeing this on the ice.

CONCEPT #3
The hockey world seems to be taken with this Sharks logo thought to have been leaked by the club itself. Personally, I'm skeptical but that's my nature. And while I don't love it, I'm a big fan of that color scheme. I wouldn't mind seeing players wearing something like that. The white and blue Lightning jerseys I've posted before. The black one is kind of cool and I wouldn't mind a design like that on my team. The logo is growing on me a little. But the team hasn't made an official announcement yet so take it for what it's worth.

The Blues design is cool. I like the light blue alternate and even the name written across the chest doesn't bother me that much. The Avalanche concepts are very sharp. They should be so lucky as to be wearing something like that this fall. My praise, however, falls short on sight of the alternate. No, no, no. I applaud the effort, but still... no. As for the Hurricanes design. In my mind, it would be hands-down best in the league. It's the best concept I've seen so far this summer for any team!

CONCEPT #4
The Red Wings designs are simple enough. Perhaps a little too simple. And the maroon and red of the alternate clash in a way that hurts my brain. I like the Islanders concepts as well. The slanted bars on the alternate are especially cool and I don't think any Isles fans would complain if their team went with something in this neighborhood.

And there you have it. Now that you've got my opinion on all 17 designs, tell me yours! Comment below!

No Big Changes In Store For Avs

Any Avs fans looking for jersey info? A reader just pointed me the way of this post which seems to indicate we shouldn't expect any big changes for the Colorado Avalanche when they unveil their new Rbk EDGE uniforms. A retailer called Altitude Authentics put the following in an email.

The Avs jersey will not be drastically different, same logos and looks. The main difference will be the material of the jersey. We will have these in stock sometime in mid September.

As with anything, take it how you will. Of course we haven't gotten any word from the team yet, so all we know is what retailers say they've heard.

As it happens, I also recently came across a fan-made design to share with you. But don't expect to see anything in this vein if the quote there proves to be true. This looks nothing like what they currently wear and more like (as a few readers might point out) the 2007 all-star jersey with some colors swapped out. Take it for what it is.

While we're on the topic, I also ran across this design for the Chicago Blackhawks. Once again its the all-star uniform template with some colors and logos changed. But if nothing else, it's something to stare at for a spell while we await official announcements league-wide.

Briefly I'd like to once again extend my thanks to the readers who have been sending in information. It's been extremely helpful and the more I know, the more I can post. So if you've seen any cool (or uncool as the case may be) designs, feel free to send them my way. I'd love to see them.

Avalanche vs Blue Jackets

	vs
AVALANCHE		BLUE JACKETS
8-0		5-1

The Aesthetics
I hate it when I have to pit two really great logos against each other. And this is just such a case. They're a little similar in color and overall shape, actually — the curves, the points. As far as colors, the Blue Jackets red, white, blue and silver are somewhat overused in this league. I feel like it's appropriate here though because the team name comes from American history and the colors come from the Ohio flag. And I never liked the electric green. Believe it or not, this is a Blue Jackets point.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
Being a Union soldier, a Blue Jacket probably wouldn't be trained to survive an Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Analysis
I'm going to forego the babbling here. The Blue Jackets win this point for the Ohio flag being draped around the star. The Avalanche logo doesn't really managed to reference Denver or Colorado in any way.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Blackhawks vs Avalanche

	vs
BLACKHAWKS		AVALANCHE
2-9		7-0

The Aesthetics
I hate to say it, but look at the records, this may be a really easy one. But the tournament is winding down for the Blackhawks. Just two more matches left after today. So let's get to it. As I discussed with a reader in the comments a few days ago, I counted eight different colors in the Blackhawks logo. It desperately needs a more defined color scheme. The Avalanche logo, on the other hand, is one of those all-around sports logo classics.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't care how tough Chief Blackhawk thinks he is, even an Avalanche would do him in.
Avalanche

The Analysis
You could say both logos do a decent job of being logos. As much as I complain about the Blackhawks logo, there are no words or hockey paraphernalia in it. I just can't get past the colors and overall design. There are bigger and better things you can do with a name like Blackhawks. The Avalanche logo has great colors a cool design and subtle elements like the puck at the bottom end of the avalanche itself. I'm also a fan of the bigfoot secondary logo but I know this competition isn't about those.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Ducks

	vs
AVALANCHE		DUCKS
6-0		1-7

The Aesthetics
The Avalanche logo is one of those sports logo classics that I feel will be one of those icons that lasts forever. It certainly has the potential. The Ducks logo needs a change and fast. Perhaps it can lose the words and just stick with the duck foot "D." I'm assuming that's what they're going to do this summer, but until they announce it, we're stuck with this version.
Avalanche

The Nickname
If a Duck got caught in an Avalanche, he'd be toast.
Avalanche

The Analysis
The great thing about the Avalanche logo is that I can't actually envision anything else in its place. What would be a better logo for the team than that? There's nothing. Meanwhile, the Ducks need help and I'm going to say flat out that they're losing this point because the logo is nothing more than a wordmark.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Coyotes vs Avalanche

	vs
COYOTES		AVALANCHE
2-0		5-0

The Aesthetics
Brick red and burgundy. Not your common logo colors, but they make for some strong, cool-looking logos. And both logos represent the team name well. You've got a howling Coyote on one side and an avalanche falling down a mountain shaped like an "A" on the other. Who to choose? So I'm going to look at it from a classic perspective. I see the Avs with the same logo in 50 years. The Coyotes? Not so much.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't think Coyotes live in the mountains or even cold climates, but if one found himself amidst an Avalanche, it would surely do him in.
Avalanche

The Analysis
Neither logo goes out of its way to represent the home town. The Avalanche logo comes closest with the snow-capped mountain but that just means the team was named well. The Coyotes take care of Phoenix with a reference on the shoulder patch but this competition doesn't take that into account. So as you can see, this also is a very difficult point to award. For the subtle puck and clever use of the team's initial, this point goes the way of the Avs.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Sharks

	vs
AVALANCHE		SHARKS
4-0		3-2

The Aesthetics
I truly believe the West has some of the best logos in the league. The colors are even just cool to look at. But only one can take the point. I like the incorporation of the "A" in the Avs logo while at the same time being annoyed at the lack of color used in the Sharks. The graphic is misleading as the only teal in the logo itself is in a thin outline of the triangle.
Avalanche

The Nickname
This is another tricky one. What business would a Shark have on a mountainside during an Avalanche? Unless you make the case that by avoiding the mountain altogether, he's got the upper hand on the snowy slide.
Sharks

The Analysis
Okay, let's dig deep now. You can pretty much guess the team name from both logos though I wish they would've both done more to represent their city, but I'll live. However! There's nothing I hate more than the blatant use of something like a hockey stick (see Sharks) — despite it being eaten by a shark — and nothing I admire more than the subtle use of something like a puck (see Avs). And so as you can see the choice is rather clear.
Avalanche

WINNER

2-1

 

Canucks vs Avalanche

	vs
CANUCKS		AVALANCHE
2-2		3-0

The Aesthetics
This is another one of those tough calls. I like it when they come along. Despite having similar color schemes, the two logos are quite unique. It's nice to see. Both logos stem from a letter but in different ways. And both have action. You see an orca whale leaping out of the ice in one and a puck-led pile of snow falling across the other. It's a tough call to make, but I'm going wth the Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Even a Canuck himself is no match for an Avalanche. Maybe one day they'll find him like the frozen man.
Avalanche

The Analysis
The Avs have the win so we might as well give them the sweep. Actually, they earned it. It's a solid logo that needs not make a fuss over its locale as the team name itself takes care of that. I'm still none the wiser as to the significance of a whale to a team named the Canucks despite the fairly obvious ties to its mother corporation Orca Bay. Make that one more for the 'Lanche.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Kings vs Avalanche

	vs
KINGS		AVALANCHE
1-3		2-0

The Aesthetics
This should be a pretty strong match-up. Both teams have great logos with off-the-beaten-path color schemes. Where else do you see purple and silver or blue and burgundy? But the Avalanche logo is more of a classic with a simpler design. I think it will be around forever. Kings logos seem to come and go.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't care what the King orders, an Avalanche could completely wipe out his kingdom.
Avalanche

The Analysis
A lot is good about both logos and it's difficult to say which is better but such is the task at hand. Nothing says "king" like a crown — which also works in subtle hockey sticks. An avalanche of snow is led down a mountain in the shape of an "A" by a very subtle puck. And you know how subtlety rocks my socks. It was not easy to award this point.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Oilers

	vs
AVALANCHE		OILERS
1-0		1-5

The Aesthetics
The obvious answer here is the Avalanche. This logo has great colors and a classic design that I don't think will ever go out of style. The Oilers on the other hand — stop spelling out the name of the team in logos!
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't know what Oilers are doing in snow-capped mountains, but they would certainly be crushed by an Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Analysis
Both teams are aptly named and have respectable color schemes. However, as far as having a logo that symbolizes your team. There's almost none better than the Avalanche. The Oilers logo has a simple copper drop and the name of the team. The Avalanche logo incorporates an "A" as a mountain down which an avalanche is falling. How do you improve on something like that? The Avs complete the easy sweep.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0