Johnny Canuck

Folks in Vancouver have been hard at work putting together concept art for their team. I'll share some of it with you now.

When the Canucks unveiled their new uniforms a few months ago, I was of the belief that they'd planned to introduce a completely new look and a brand that could last a very long time. Well, that's where this team seems to be really challenged. They need an identity and this logo — among the new marks unveiled this season by the club — could've have been just the thing. I really do hope it makes its way onto a jersey one day.

Even one just like this. Although it does stink of Whalerness. Maybe not so much with the silver or something. I don't know.

Or we could just go all out with the old Johnny Canuck logo.

Personally, I prefer that "V" logo. It's just killer. Oh, and where's the green? Perhaps you ought to just revert to the '80s colors.

That's a heck of a jersey. And 08 as a sweater number? Weird. This barely escaped the clutches of Freak Out Friday.

And lastly, there's this.

What say we just go nuts with the crest and wrap it completely around the sweater? That would be interesting if teams started experimenting with something like that. Remember those original Mighty Ducks third jerseys from the '90s? On second thought, maybe not such a great idea.

More later, perhaps.

Oh yeah! Don't forget to get your votes in on the Vintage Logo Tournament final if you haven't done so yet. It ends tonight!

Tomorrow I'll have lots of big announcements on TWO new tournaments beginning next week. That's right, two! Should be exciting! Be sure to check back.

Just To Freak You Out XIII

It's lucky number 13 tonight on Freak Out Friday. Hope you guys get weirded out by what I have to share here.

I don't quite know where to begin.

Wow, I don't know what you did to deserve that, but it must've been pretty bad. Now if you're thinking that looks somewhat familiar, consult a post from last month.

And the hits just keep coming. Flames, take a clue from the Thrashers. This is how you do it up if you really want your provincial/state flag on your jersey. The scary part is that half of it is what seems to be the Confederate flag. Yeah, 'cause rednecks and hicks just dig hockey.

All right so let's head up north where they can really claim the sport. Scary thought alert. Imagine the Rangers and Flyers swapping colors.

On second thought, don't. It's too horrible. Speaking of horrible, check out this Rangers jersey concept.

That's what scary is. I know the new EDGE jerseys are supposed to have larger crests, but somewhere a line's been crossed.

Anyway, let's head west. Here's a color combination that doesn't work on a jersey.

The Nashville Predators are a hockey team, not a figure skating team.

Right?

Yikes! That logo. And while we're on the topic of bad logos, consider the following.

Oilers fans, you think you've got it bad now with your half-a-stripe elbows and practice-jersey looks. What if this happened? Don't even think about it too much. Your head will explode.

We'll wrap things up in California now, if you don't mind. And sometimes you have to reintroduce a winner — like the 1996 Mighty Ducks third jersey. Only the Ducks have new colors now.

That is something.

What we're finishing the night off with might be hard to look at. Remember the old Lightning third jerseys from the mid-90s? They had the rain pouring down, lightning bolts down the arms and — the selling point — the wild waves of the bay around the bottom. Well Sharks live in the water.

The waves have been stolen. And so has what little dignity might've been left in the new Florida Panthers uniforms when an attempt to create a San Jose concept went horribly awry. This is what happens when folks have too much time on their hands.

Well I hope you all got freaked out enough on this Freak Out Friday. If not, accept my apologies. Better luck next week. Until then, I'm waiting to see what you guys have in store for me next in terms of crazy artwork. Email it along.

Recolor This

Today's concept post will deal strictly with recoloring things. Yes, that's right. For instance, let's suppose the Florida Panthers had opted for the more traditional red home sweater over the blue one they actually went with.

Not bad, but despite the fact that I loath the Stinkin' Panthers, I prefer the blue. The old red sweaters were nice, but I don't care much for this one pictured here. But that's just me.

Speaking of me being a Lightning fan, someone remade the Sharks' and Habs' sweaters with Bolts colors.

I don't know. No. They'll always be a teal team. That's just who they are. Don't question it. As for the Habs, you can't have that jersey in anything but red. Even blue would be weird.

Here's something else that might make you question whether this is the Freak Out Friday post. Not quite yet. Just a misguided attempt at giving the Canucks new colors.

I'm all for the return of a green team to the NHL, but this is not how that is achieved. No, no, no. I know I'm sounding very negative right now, but just no.

Anyway, here's something I like. The Blue & Bronze Age of the Washington Capitals was my favorite. Even though it fits them perfectly, thematically speaking, the red/white/blue combo is so overused in this sport. Check out the current EDGE unis in the old colors.

It may not be the most brilliant thing you've ever seen, but come on. That's not too shabby. I like the white "capitals." Very sharp, right there, if you ask me. I'd just like to see the black jersey in blue instead. I was more a fan of the blue '90s jerseys for the Caps. I like the black one as a third jersey — not so much a primary home sweater.

And finally, we'll finish off with something a bit different. This is the Islanders uniforms recolored — but for a different team.

Wow, no. I'm sorry, but those sleeves don't look good on any team if you ask me. The more I see it, the less I like it. Granted it looks better in black and orange than blue and orange, but still, I'll pass on this one.

What do you guys think? Any winners here? Or should we go back to the paint bucket?

Flames, Here's How You Fix It

Haven't done one of these in almost a month. Got some good stuff, though. Here are some suggestions for the Calgary Flames on how to fix their new Rbk EDGE jerseys — not that they will.

On the left, we see two simple fixes. One, you drop a stroke around the Albertan flag since blue on red looks bad — but that's only true on TV and computer screens. When looking at the shoulder patch with my own eyes, I think it looks fine. Good, even.

And two, for the piping haters, let's grab the bucket tool and fill in everything below that black stripe. I guess that's preferable to dumping the stripe altogether. But what do I know? On the right is a different idea which involves switching to a black jersey with a red flaming C. It's also got a shoulder yoke that extends to the elbows. Of which, I am not a fan.

So then what about just simplifying? Ease off on all the striping a little. These here, they work. I'm still a little weirded out by the piping thing under the arms. Looks strange there. But I like the more classic feel of the arm stripes.

Anyway, those are just a few of many options for the Flames. But they're on the ice now. Nothing will change at least for a little while.

Sens, Flyers Art

I was contemplating a Freak Out post to celebrate Halloween tonight. But I don't really have enough content yet for that. However, if you want something Halloween-related, the Phantoms' second-round matchup against the Sound Tigers in the AHL Tournament of Logos just went live. Go vote!

Anyway, today I've got a set of concept designs all from a single designer. Ninh Ly submitted a few items for me to share with the group. Despite taking a position as a professed Leafs fan from the other side of the pond, Ninh sure has a lot of Senators art.

I'm of the opinion that the design you see on the left is really what the Sens should be wearing right now. They're a black team, not a red team. But maybe I'm wrong about that. And as for the one on the right, despite it's obvious... issues, I sort of like it. Not the crest. But I think the stripes are all right. Not as hideous as that design would sound on paper.

And finally, another stab at a Flyers third jersey. Very sharp. I could see Philly skating around in those. I do think orange is the way to go for them. Weird how I like black for one team and not another.

Anyway, if you got concept art of your own, you know what to do with it. I look forward to your emails.

Guess What! Concepts!

There's no new poll today and I couldn't very well go without a single new post, now could I? Naturally, I have reader-submitted concept art to share. Let's begin in Pennsylvania.

On the left is a great option for a third jersey — we've been told to expect one as early as next season for the Flyers. In fact, the team itself said so. On the right is an example of be careful what you wish for — because sometimes you get it.

I really like the added use of gold on that Penguins jersey, little flightless birds don't have horns so a redesign would be required here. Next up is the Edmonton Oilers.

Not a bad idea for third jerseys, but those elbow stripes have got to go!

We'll finish with a concept logo for a team that will never change its logo, of this I'm sure.

It would never pass a professional sports logo, but if the Wings had/have some sort of foundation or something, it might make a good logo for that. Of course it's entirely possible I don't have a clue what I'm talking about. Wouldn't be the first time.

So that's that for today. Likely more to come tomorrow so keep checking in. I'm really trying to get done more than a post or two per day, but as you know, I have a Wii. It's pretty addicting.

Red & Black

We've got a color theme for this concept post. Check it out.

The most obvious place to start is the New Jersey Devils.

They both offer unique ideas for an alternate jersey. I don't think we'd really want to see the Devils in anything but red on a regular basis. Very interesting how these two different artists came up with something so similar yet so different.

But for something completely different, look no further.

That's a pretty scary logo. Looks like somebody's tattoo.

And here's a team you don't often associate with black.

The ironic part is the Ducks' template on a Red Wings jersey. Just so many things wrong with that. I know the Red Wings are sworn enemies of third jerseys, but I think they should try one out some day. Maybe not this design, though.

Another black and red team is the Ottawa Senators. Here's an example of what they shouldn't do with a third jersey. Ever. And here's another.

Now here's something that would work — even as a full-time road jersey. This 2D Senators logo is quite possibly better than the primary. It's unfortunate it's nowhere to be seen on their uniforms. Rumor was that it would be featured on various bits of team merchandise. If anybody owns anything with that logo, send me some photos.

And while we're on the topic of doctored photos of jerseys, more and more I'm in favor of the black/red/silver color scheme for the Buffalo Sabres — who are presently being conquered by my Lightning (that goes out to all my email hecklers).

Yeah, it's true. My Sabres-fan readers have taken to email trash talk. Well we'll just see how that goes, won't we? It's 2-0, not five minutes into the second period. Hope you're watching.

UPDATE (9:33 PM): Sadly, I may have spoken too soon with regard to the game. It's now tied.

UPDATE (10/28 8:17 AM): Stupid overtime.

Just To Freak You Out XII

Welcome to the 12th installment of the Freak Out Fridays. Hope you enjoy this one. We'll kick things off with one of the craziest things I have ever seen.

Like the designer said, who needs a logo when you've got municipal and provincial art to plaster across your sweater? And I counted well over 50 stripes on each sweater. I love those right sleeves. So much so that I've gouged out my eyes. The rest of this will be written by touch-typing.

Now keeping it in the Western Conference, check this out.

I guess what troubles me the most is that someone has removed the shark's fin. That's just cruel.

Speaking of cruel...

I dare any league to dress any team in that uniform. Make that a double dare! (Actually, I'm half-expecting to see that duck morph into a dolphin.)

But wait, there's more. Say you're a team looking to blend in with your surroundings. Let's say your hunting ducks, for instance. Might this be a good way to camouflage yourself?

I think it might.

And finally, anybody here watch Conan? One of my favorite segments is "If They Mated." Someone sent in a concept that fits into that category well. What if we mated the Boston Bruins and Chicago Bears (of the NFL for those of us who think football is a waste of time and energy)?

Behold the answer.

I just don't know how I feel now. A little dirty. A little freaked. A little worried about the nightmares I'll have tonight.

Anyway, I hope you guys have enjoyed this Freak Out Friday. Looking forward to finding some great content in my inbox this week for the next episode! You can email me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

Gallery Updates

I just added a bunch of graphics to the Concepts Gallery. There are about 50 new images in there. Some have been posted here on the blog and some haven't. Enjoy!

Everybody Loves Buffalo

This should be a strange enough topic for a concept art post. You'll see what I mean in a second. First, here's a jersey for the Buffalo Sabres I think is way better than what they have. I say that not being a fan of the current blue and gold color scheme.

Stop throwing things at me.

So anyway, here's what I was really getting at. People keep sending it concept art based off of the Buffalo Sabres "template," so to speak. Check out this Flyers jersey.

To be fair, it's a pretty cool design. For a jersey everyone hates, there sure are a lot of folks interested in using it for their own team. And I'll tell you what else. I'm curious to see how into this you guys are. Let's see if we can do one for every team in the league!

And if someone wants to scour through the Concepts Gallery to find any others, we'll start keeping a list. I just think it's kind of funny. And I'm sure there are Sabres fans reading here, just giddy over the idea.

Here's a Canucks jersey design.

Interesting new logo concept, right? Well there's more where that came from.

Maybe a nice secondary? Not sure about using it for the crest.

All right, I await your Sabres-based concepts, everyone. Don't let me down.