Just To Freak You Out XXVII

It's Friday and despite the fact that I'm waist-deep in boxes and half-dead from packing them, I have Freak Out art. And lots of it. So much so that I'm saving some of it for next week. But let's get to the good stuff.

Please don't ask me what that's supposed to be. I think I get the buffalo and the swords. But I'm not sure I understand the raccoon reference found around the eyes there. Perhaps it's just me, though.

But while we're on the topic of indignities...

No, the guy wearing the crown isn't Mark Messier. But good guess. And to the right there, the ultimate Vancouver Canucks jersey. How do you improve upon perfection like that?

Couple more oddities.

I like those colors on the Islanders jersey. And I know how you guys love the asymmetry on that thing — the original coming from the actual Thrashers jersey, not to be confused with the one on the right which is a recoloring of the Hurricanes sweater. The striping is weird. Yeah.

Sticking to the irony tack, here's an idea no one ever considered for the Anaheim Ducks.

And now you know why no one ever considered it.

We're developing of list of things the Flames need.

Also on that list: trading Jarome Iginla.

And finally, with the recent introduction of the new Stanley Cup playoffs logo, one reader got to work on new East and West logos — only what if they reverted back to the old conference names?

Despite the creativity, and I have to give a lot of credit for that, they're just messing with my brain so bad. Nice work, but über freaky!

Hope you enjoyed your Freak Out Friday. If I'm unable to update the site tomorrow, just know that's it's because I'm moving to a new apartment this weekend, not that I'm lazy. Not that I'm not lazy. It's just that's not the reason. Did you follow all that?

Islanders vs Maple Leafs

	vs
ISLANDERS		MAPLE LEAFS
2-11		1-12

The Aesthetics
A real battle of the titans here on the final day of the tournament. More text-filled logos in this match. Unfortunately, the Islanders logo commits the other sin of incorporating and blatant hockey stick and puck combo. I'm not impressed. This one will go to the Maple Leafs logo.
Maple Leafs

The Nickname
A Maple Leaf logo is thin and flimsy. An Islander could easily crush one under his fishing boots.
Islanders

The Analysis
To put it plainly, I believe a logo should serve as a symbol for a team therefore making redundant the use of the team name in said logo. I get tradition and all that and quite frankly can't see either of these logos being drastically changed. The Islanders tried that once and fans revolted. Still, I have to pick a winner. I'm going with the Maple Leafs because the leaf logo is iconic. There is no need for all the text. Shame it'll only be their second win in my tournament. Time for you guys to decide which logo is best. Come back on Sunday and start making your voices heard!
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Lightning vs Rangers

	vs
LIGHTNING		RANGERS
6-7		3-10

The Aesthetics
Well the text abounds here on the final day of the qualifying tournament. Since both logos use it in excess, we'll just have to look past the text. And call me biased (and I may well be), but I think the Lightning logo is a little more dynamic (though perhaps not as old as the Rangers'). At least there's more to it than just a shield. Maybe one day they'll take my advice and go full on with the Lady Liberty logo.
Lightning

The Nickname
Rangers work way up high in those elevated ranger stations where they are very prone to strikes of Lightning. Or something like that.
Lightning

The Analysis
Since its the last day of the tournament, we'll make this easy. The Rangers logo has the staying power of like a hundred years or something. The Lightning logo has needed an upgrade for the last 10 years. Finally, it's going to get it, though. Maybe then I'd be more apt to give it this point. Still, they sneak by with the win and finish the tournament even.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Maple Leafs vs Penguins

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		PENGUINS
1-11		3-10

The Aesthetics
Penguins fans, you're in luck for your team's final match of the tournament. Maple Leafs fans, not so much. Sorry, no way to please everybody. And tradition has never affected my judgment as far as this competition goes if you've read any of these before. The bottom line: I don't like text in logos. It defeats the purpose, doesn't it? It's supposed to be a symbol for the team. Here, we should already know who the text culprit is.
Penguins

The Nickname
I'm sorry but we're talking about a Maple Leaf. Even a Penguin could crunch one of those under its little foot.
Penguins

The Analysis
What says Canada more than a giant maple leaf? Not much can really fit that bill. At the same time, I'm not sure a gold triangle really screams Pittsburgh to anyone not familiar with the area. Having said that, both logos are appropriate to their teams, even if they could use a little work here and there. Ultimately though, the penguin in the hockey gear continues to bewilder me. Still, the Pens pull off a win in their final match of the tournament.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Senators

	vs
THRASHERS		SENATORS
7-6		7-6

The Aesthetics
This match will serve as the finale for each of these teams. Is it weird they're both facing the same direction? I'm not bothered, I guess. What I am bothered by is the stick the bird is holding. Why? It's so unncessary. It's a cool-looking logo, but that stick takes a lot away in my eyes. Let's go with the Sens.
Senators

The Nickname
Senators set aside special reserve land decide whether or not the Thrasher is worth adding to the endangered list. So they've got some power over the little bird. And I think that's all the evidence I need.
Senators

The Analysis
Nothing about the Thrashers logo really says Atlanta to me and that's a shame because it could — and should. The Senators logo just about screams Ottawa and Canada. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out a recent Sens match and you'll understand. Looks like we've got a sweep on our hands today.
Senators

WINNER

3-0

 

Senators vs Capitals

	vs
SENATORS		CAPITALS
6-6		4-9

The Aesthetics
The Capitals logo is a word mark, and with only three days to go in the tournament, you should well know that doesn't work well for me. I don't think we need much more of an explanation than that.
Senators

The Nickname
Somebody recently wrote in wondering how this match would go. Here's how I see it. The Capital is where the Senators convene. If there's no Capital, there are no Senators.
Capitals

The Analysis
Aside from the word mark, all the Capitals logo offers are three stars and a hockey stick/puck. Please. The Senators logo offers up a bunch of cool stuff. It's got a gold "O" for Ottawa and a red "C" for Canada. Win-win. And that does it for the Capitals in this tournament.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Lightning

	vs
THRASHERS		LIGHTNING
6-6		6-6

The Aesthetics
These two logos are very evenly matched at this stage of the tournament. One of the things I hate almost as much as text in hockey logos are things like blatant hockey sticks that serve no real purpose. Take the stick out of the logo and it only improves it. But even with it, I think it's one of the league's better modern marks. And it doesn't have all that text.
Thrashers

The Nickname
If a Thrasher got struck by Lightning, he would then only serve as someone's lunch.
Lightning

The Analysis
Despite its performance in this tournament to date, I think the Thrashers have one of the best logos in the league. The Lightning have one of the worst, which is why I'm glad to hear they're changing it this summer. One game left for each of these teams.
Thrashers

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Rangers

	vs
SABRES		RANGERS
6-7		3-9

The Aesthetics
The battle of New York we've all been waiting for is finally here. Before the ultra-traditionalists come for me, I should preface this with a disclaimer: I try not to let nostalgia and tradition get in the way of determining what a good logo is. That being said, I think the Lady Liberty logo from the third jersey could kick everybody's asses. This one cannot.
Sabres

The Nickname
You don't suppose a Ranger might carry a Sabre, do you? Not if he was a park ranger, I guess. Then he would probably be armed with a rifle with a range better than four feet.
Rangers

The Analysis
I know, this is a problem for the Rangers. What is a Ranger? Are they so unsure they don't bother to put a logo on the front of the jersey? Or is that laziness. I've lamented the fact that a buffalo is serving as a logo for a team called the Sabres, but at the very least, there's a very subtle sword on the back of that buffalo. And we'll call it a day for them. The Sabres finish even.
Sabres

WINNER

2-1

 

Hurricanes vs Bruins

	vs
HURRICANES		BRUINS
12-1		8-5

The Aesthetics
I've always thought the puck in the eye of the storm was a clever feature of this logo. But I just don't know if it necessarily stands up to the Bruins logo. It's a piece of hockey history that despite what some of you may have come to believe, I don't hate. I think the recent changes/updates brought about make a world of difference to it. Kudos the Bruins for refreshing an NHL icon.
Bruins

The Nickname
Hurricanes bring hell on nature. Even a Bruin wouldn't be able to escape its wrath.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
We're right down to it now. One point apiece makes this the deciding factor. It's also the last match of the tournament for each of these logos. Time to analyze. The hub reference of the spoked "B" is excellent. But so is the hurricane, which has proved its greatness in the last 13 matches — at least my opinion (call it what you will). Under normal circumstances, I might've taken this point from the Bruins for lack of a bear in the logo. But I'm feeling generous today and the simple fact is, it says Boston. The same can't be said for the 'Canes logo.
Bruins

WINNER

2-1

 

Bruins vs Canadiens

	vs
BRUINS		CANADIENS
8-4		9-4

The Aesthetics
Ah, old time hockey at its finest. I think the Canadiens could stand a logo upgrade in the vein of the Bruins. Not that there's anything wrong with how it is right now, I'm just in the mood of modernizing logos. It's looked exactly the same for almost 60 years. Anyway, forget that. Don't change it. I like it just the way it is. But the Bruins get this point for being cooler.
Bruins

The Nickname
I would say that a Bruin could eat a Canadien like it was nothing, but I've recently been informed that a number of Canadians are rather rugged folk so I'll have to put my money on them taking out the bear with their rifles and stuff.
Canadiens

The Analysis
I like the symbolism in both logos that alludes to the history and home cities of each club. More than that though, I still keep thinking I'd rather see an actual bear in the logo as opposed to the traditional spoked "B." This isn't to say the "B" has no place on the uniform. Place is on the shoulder. But take the new secondary logo and use it. But the spoked "B" is such a classic. What would the NHL be like without it? It's really a tough call. Anyway, there's no confusion with the Habs' logo. It is and always will be a classic. And that's all there is for the Canadiens in the qualifying round.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1