Bruins vs Capitals

	vs
BRUINS		CAPITALS
5-2		4-5

The Aesthetics
If you were keeping track, this is the first time in the tournament where two brand new logos have met. And the letters abound. The new Capitals logo, in my opinion, is definitely a downgrade. I like the colors all right, but then I was one of the few who though the blue and bronze worked really well. Anyway, the Bruins redesign was definitely an upgrade. While the difference may not be noticeable to most people just looking at it quick, it's light years ahead of what they team had been wearing.
Bruins

The Nickname
The headline would read: "Bruins terrorize Capital!"
Bruins

The Analysis
Both logos are made up of letters so we'll have to consider that. I really do like the bear used on the Bruins shoulder logo. That should be the primary. Put the spoked "B" on the shoulder. Speaking of which, does anyone happen to know the significance of the spokes? Or is that just a design element that happen accidentally and has lasted half a century? The hockey stick and puck in the Capitals logo, while more cleverly designed than in the '70s logo, are superfluous on any NHL logo if you ask me. But I think the three stars put it over the Bruins logo for this point. It's at least making a good effort at referencing the region.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

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!

Bruins vs Islanders

	vs
BRUINS		ISLANDERS
4-2		1-9

The Aesthetics
There certainly are a lot of circles before us today. And within said circles are letters. Were I to go about this arbitrarily, I'd say the logo with the fewest letters contained within the circle should get this point. But to be arbitrary is wrong. The Bruins logo gets it because the Islanders logo features more than a few of my aesthetic pet peeves, such as a hockey stick, puck and the team name written out.
Bruins

The Nickname
Islanders and Bruins are both known for doing in fish, but one-on-one, I think the larger bear has the upper hand.
Bruins

The Analysis
Often I've awarded this point to the Islanders for the outline of Long Island found in orange in the background of the logo. That'll continue today as what annoys me about the Bruins logo is its lack of an actual bruin. The scary bear on the new shoulder patches would work, but that's not in competition here.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Bruins

	vs
THRASHERS		BRUINS
4-5		3-2

The Aesthetics
These are two very different logos. But on straight-up looks and color combinations, I'm a fan of the Bruins logo. The changes they made recently make a big difference in my eyes and I've never liked the hockey stick in the Thrashers logo.
Bruins

The Nickname
A Bruin would kill a Thrasher with his thumb. If he had a thumb. Instead he'll just have to use his giant teeth or something.
Bruins

The Analysis
This is where the Bruins lose the point. And you could say I'm being spiteful when I tell you the sole reason I'm taking this point away from them is that there's not a bruin to be seen in this logo. I like the one on the new shoulder patch. But what can you do? Also I actually do like the Thrashers color combo.
Thrashers

WINNER

2-1

 

Bruins vs Senators

	vs
BRUINS		SENATORS
2-2		4-2

The Aesthetics
So while most teams have are at least halfway through the tournament, these two aren't. The Bruins actually have the fewest overall, this being only their fifth. So we'll be seeing them a lot in the final weeks of the competition. As far as aesthetics, the Bruins logo is simple and strong. Though it may not seem like it, the recent update makes a big difference. I hear a new Senators logo is in the offing and I wouldn't be sad to see this one go.
Bruins

The Nickname
Bruin mauls Senator. That would be an interesting newspaper headline.
Bruins

The Analysis
This is where the Bruins are unable to sweep. I see a "B" there which could stand for Boston or Bruins, but nowhere do I see an actual bruin. For that, you have to look to the new shoulder patch, which personally, I'd rather see on their crest. The Senators is as close as we'll come to logo that's appropriate to the name.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

Rangers vs Bruins

	vs
RANGERS		BRUINS
2-4		1-2

The Aesthetics
We've got a couple more Original Six teams here and neither comes in with a great record. The colors, shapes and designs of these two logos are very different from each other. But that doesn't mean they can't be compared. The drawback of the Rangers logo is the 14 letters that spell out the team name all over it. It needs an update... just like the Bruins logo got recently. It's pretty sharp-looking now, if you ask me.
Bruins

The Nickname
Don't tell me, back to the old park ranger bit again? Yes, but with a twist. If he's not careful the Ranger could get mauled and eaten by a Bruin.
Bruins

The Analysis
As far as representing the team name graphically, neither does a very effective job. In the Bruins logo, where's the bear? At least we have a "B" but that could stand for "Boston" or "Bruins." With the Rangers logo, I'm not sure why they don't switch to Lady Liberty on a full-time basis. This point is difficult to award because neither logo earned it. The Rangers logo takes it by a very slight margin.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Bruins vs Panthers

	vs
BRUINS		PANTHERS
1-1		3-1

The Aesthetics
This isn't really a hard point to award. The Bruins logo might have a better chance if it somehow incorporated an actual bruin. A bear as fierce as this cat would sure make for some stiff competition.
Panthers

The Nickname
Panther versus Bruin. Who wins? I think the bear has the upper hand what with its size and all.
Bruins

The Analysis
The only relevance the Bruins logo has to Boston is the spoked "B," although that could just as easily stand for Bruins. What I like about the Panthers is the name itself conjures the home town. All in all, the Panthers logo does a better job of representing its team.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Bruins vs Maple Leafs

	vs
BRUINS		MAPLE LEAFS
0-1		0-3

The Aesthetics
The new Bruins logo makes its debut appearance in the tournament today against the Leafs and I like what I see. The changes are minor but big. Look at the two logos side by side and you'll see what I mean. As for the Maple Leafs logo, the full name is still being spelled out in what would otherwise be a great silhouette logo.
Bruins

The Nickname
I suppose if a Bruin was hungry enough, he could eat a Maple Leaf. At the very least, a wave of his claw would send it to pieces.
Bruins

The Analysis
To this point in the competition, neither of these teams has won a match. That will obviously end today for the Bruins. The question is whether they can complete the sweep. I'm disappointed to say that for a team named the Bruins, the lack of a bear in the logo is conspicuous. At the same time, if the spoked "B" was ever relieved of duty, Bostonians would riot in the streets. The Leafs get the point for at least using a leaf in the logo.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

More Potential New Unis

Today is Draft Day and that means each team has to break out the "07" jersey to throw on the backs of their new draft picks. But this year every team is getting new jerseys and the only ones we've actually seen at this moment are Boston and Washington. For a refresher, these are them:

Now for what you haven't seen yet. At least not here, that is. While scouring the internet as I do I came across possible designs and mock-ups for both the Dallas Stars and New York Islanders. Let's start with the latter.

This appears to be a cell phone photo taken possibly covertly. But now the world has it via the wonderful internet. Now as with anything I post that isn't official, do take it with a grain of salt. I'm not anymore connected than you are reading this. The jerseys hanging here definitely have some color issues. I can't say I'm loving all the striping but so far I haven't really loved any of the new Rbk jerseys we've seen. That includes the Bruins and Capitals — although I did like what they wore at this year's all-star game. Am I too picky? Usually I like change, but I haven't been wowed over yet. Yet being the operative word there.

There's also this which might be better off the Hockey Fans & Photoshop series I just finished running a week or so ago. In fact the design even looks a little bit reminiscent of what I posted for the Dallas Stars during that series. Even if this is the team's actual design, it's not half bad. I don't hate it and I like the creativity with the crest on the dark jerseys. However, that in itself indicates a possible change back to the days when the home team wore white.

Don't you just love all this speculating. God knows I do. So that's that for now. Tune your sets to Versus tonight at 7 for coverage of the draft. We'll see if we get any sightings of new jerseys tonight. I'm sure we will. I'm also looking out for the possibility of new logos. I'm desperate for a new one from the Lightning and still expecting changes for Dallas, San Jose, Ottawa and Toronto.

More later tonight.

Bruins Unveil New Logo!

All right, here we go. We have the first of the official new logo unveilings as the Boston Bruins unveiled this:

My first instinct was a dislike of the black outlining of the "B" in the center, but after having stared at it for about 10 minutes, it's growing on me. Anyway, the logo barely changed as you can see. It's a minor update but it was what's required at this juncture. Anything drastic would have sent Beantown fans overboard. We'd have the equivalent of another Boston Tea Party on our hands, to be sure. (Oh come on, you know I had to do that joke. It was just too obvious not to.)

And then there's these gems. For your viewing pleasure we have the home and road Rbk EDGE uniforms for the 2007-08 Boston Bruins.

Proving once and for all to all those frightened ultra-traditionalists out there that these new uniforms can in fact deal with horizontal striping. Not that losing it would really hurt anyone.

But I'm grown up enough to move on.

I also felt like it was worth posting this. It's the secondary logo — or as their calling it, the "vintage crest" — which will be worn on the shoulder. It's pretty cool. I'd even like it as a primary but we can't have everything, can we?

For those of you following along in the tournament, the Bruins have had one match already, against the Flyers in which we used what is now the old logo. Their next match is June 25 and will feature the new one. In case you were wondering.