Concept Jerseys For Everybody

I may be playing with fire here, but I've decided to make an Rbk EDGE jersey template available to anyone interested in trying their hand at a creating a uniform concept. God knows I'm not hurting for content, but a lot of people have been asking where to get a template, so I thought I'd try to be helpful for once. If you want to download it, you'll find it toward the bottom of the sidebar on the right.

Having said that, I too decided to try my own hand at a concept for my Tampa Bay Lightning. I put only about 10 minutes into it so the quality and overall design might be poor, but I just wanted to show that anyone can do it.

It's not much, but it works in the "leaked" new logos we'll likely see unveiled a week from today at the St. Pete Times Forum. I have a background in graphic design having worked as a newspaper ad designer for about six years (but you might not know it based on that). I know my way around Photoshop, but it is quite expensive and I am quite cheap. So I have to deal with what little I do have.

What I really wanted to do was see how the Bolts' home sweater might look in blue. I've always thought that would be a neat direction to go. Again, very basic and simplistic, but that's been the Lightning's style. I'm rather anxious to see what they've come up with. What would you all think of a blue Tampa Bay uniform? Too much like the Leafs?

So if you've never made a concept, now is your chance to take a stab at it. I mean, just go nuts. And if you think there's something to it, you've got my email address. Send it along.

UPDATE (8:41 PM): Just noticed an oversight on my part. No numbers on the sleeves. Oops.

Sens, Sharks Uniform Fan Art

We've seen the new logos (unofficially for one) but we've yet to see the new uniforms that go with them. So why not muse on the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks briefly?

I like the red Senators jerseys a lot, but the black doesn't look half bad. Though in reality, odds are highly in favor of the Sens wearing the red at home this fall. The teaser pic on their web site seems to suggest that. Could be misleading, but I doubt it. I like the larger shoulder patch. More teams should do that. It looks really good.

The only problem I see with these two jerseys is the placement of the numbers on the sleeves. Way too low. Needs to be above the elbows. But wait! There's more!

Consider these concepts for the San Jose Sharks.

They're pretty sharp, if you ask me. They could do a lot worse. The new logo looks very good on these. I'd like to see a bigger shoulder logo a la the previous Ottawa concepts. But otherwise I don't have a lot to complain about. Though from everything we've read and heard, I'd lean more towards expecting less curved lines and more straight lines. However, I'm not sure how well that would go with this logo. It's quite curvy.

Anyway, it all remains to be seen. The Sharks have yet to announce a date for unveiling their jersey, but the Sens have said August 22 will be their release date.

Before I leave you to your own devices for the evening, though, I have a couple of alternates from the same artists who came up with these designs. I know the NHL is dropping the third jersey program for this season, but we can dream, can't we?

Enjoy the rest of your night and don't forget to vote on the Senators-Rangers poll tomorrow morning!

Getting All Conceptual On Logos

One of my favorite things is seeing the ideas people have come up with for new team logos. I always like to start off with the most outrageous stuff. So Montreal Canadiens fans, prepare to gouge out your own eyes (because I know you will).

That's an idea someone came up with to update the Habs' logo. Personally, I think it's interesting but that it doesn't outdo what they have now.

I'm sure the Montreal faithful have lost their lunch, but I'm all right with that. But in all fairness, what do you guys think? Is it really that bad, or would this be the way to go if things needed to change?

This next concept logo comes from designer Ian Baker. He worked on an idea for the New Jersey Devils.

It's interesting, I kind of like it but again I'm not sure it would be much of an improvement on what they currently wear. I really like the Devils logo. It's one of those logos that will live on as an NHL classic a century from now.

It turns out the same ad agency who designed the first Tampa Bay Lightning logo I posted on Wednesday, came up with another idea. More of a word mark, but here it is.

It's pretty cool. I don't like the puck in it, but that's just me.

And finally, I'll leave you with a design that I feel would actually be an improvement for the Washington Capitals. I don't really like their new logo. I was a fan of the bronze and blue. But even if they had to switch back to the red, white and blue, what about keeping the logo. Something like this?

If you've got any thoughts or comments on these designs or any others, you know where to put them. Right down there in the comments section.

Mailbag: Very Sharp Sabres, Oilers Concepts

Since I've started soliciting jersey concepts from readers, I've gotten a lot. Really. A lot. But sometimes I get designs that really stand out from the rest. Today, I'm sharing a couple of those.

Let's start with the Buffalo Sabres. Some fans were ecstatic over the idea of returning to the traditional blue and gold. They were then left horrified by the "Buffaslug" (I just love writing that). With all that in mind, one talented fan artist came up with an idea that works the past back into the present. Have a look for yourself.

I think it's really cool. The crest logo seems a little busy to me. I think the crossed sabres overlapping the blue circle would be fine. I'm not necessarily sure it needs the buffalo in it — especially with the buffalo logo on the shoulder. What do you think? Is it just because I'm not from Buffalo?

Then we also have a very interesting idea for the Edmonton Oilers. Check out Ryan Smyth in some orange.

Wow. That is orange. Very orange.

But after staring at it for a while, it's started to grow on me. What I really like are the silver accents, especially the silver circle around the Oilers logo crest. It's a very sharp color combination and it would certainly stand out on the ice.

Though just for the heck of it, I'd be curious to see what a blue jersey would look like in that same design.

What do you guys think? I'm sure our very talented artists would love your feedback, good or bad.

Stars, Bruins Concept Art

A while back I posted this idea for a redesigned Dallas Stars jersey. Well, another fan put a twist on that design by doing a little reworking of the current Stars logo.

The 3D effect in this version of the logo is pretty cool, though personally I'd prefer to see a complete overhaul of the Stars logo. Keep the colors but come up with a new symbol for the team.

I also have some Boston Bruins concept art to share. These sweaters were designed after the B's unveiled their new logo back in June.

Not too bad, but I'm a big fan of the Bruins' new Reebok uniforms. I can't see any reason to alter them. Classic. Regal. The same designer also came up with an alternate in yellow.

As usual, if you've got an opinion on any of these designs, feel free to post them in comments area.

A Few Ideas For Bolts

As is probably more than painfully clear, I am a huge Tampa Bay Lightning fan. So when artwork for my Bolts gets submitted, naturally I'm more than eager to post it. First off, as a reminder, this is allegedly the Lightning's new logo.

Anyway, today I have lots to share. We'll start off with the cream of the crop.

This pair of Lightning logos was designed by a local advertising firm, apparently. I was an overall fan until my girlfriend pointed out that the hockey sticks look more like golf clubs. Now that's all I can see. But if the sticks could look more like sticks, I think this would make for a very strong shoulder patch. Not a great primary, but definitely an awesome secondary. I like the skyline in the one on the left.

Moving along, though. Another designer emailed me some ideas for a new Lightning logo.

Everything there seems like it's about to fall over. I'm not sure why it all needs to lean so far to the right that way. I also can't speak very highly of the secondary mark, which appears to be drawn by hand. I applaud the effort in trying to make the "B" in "TB" look like a lightning bolt, but I don't think it's working out.

And finally, another fan designer sent in these concepts. How about a Lightning jersey in gray?

Same artist also came up with a design borrowed from the Vancouver Canucks' previous third jersey. Have a look at that one.

Any other Lightning fans out there? What do you think of these ideas? Anything worth considering in here or should we tie it all to a kite in a thunderstorm?

Revisiting The Senators

On Monday, we got a preview of the Ottawa Senators' new logo set courtesy of Canada's government trademark web site. They were black and white on the web site, so we had to imagine how the coloring might work (at least for the secondary mark).

The image I posted had the outer circle in gold. Here's how they might look in red or white.

As for the primary logo, one fan ran with that on a jersey concept. See below.

Not sure how I feel about the striping across the chest. Certainly an interesting choice, though. Thoughts on that?

For the part of you that persistently resists change, one fan designer altered the new logo to mix in some of the old.

Truthfully, I'm not a fan. Until we get to the shoulder patch. I think that is pretty cool. I like the old-time stripes and the contrast in that logo, which you'd think would be hard to achieve, is excellent.

Sens fans, what do you make of all this here? Good? Bad? Ugly?

Canucks, Pens Fan Concepts

When I don't have real news, I invent news. That should be my slogan. No, this isn't news. This is just fun. The fan concepts keep on rolling in. Let's start with the Vancouver Canucks.

I think the only problem with these is the giant "VANCOUVER" sprawled across the chest. Kind of unncessary and not aesthetically pleasing. I'm liking the side stripes on the sleeves and pants. They form Vs if you didn't pick up on that.

Anyway, I've also got some Pittsburgh Penguins artwork to share with you all. Check this out.

While you're trying to process that, let me fill you in with some background. The folks over at The Pensblog submitted this idea for a new series of Pens uniforms. For those unfamiliar with the history of the club, their original uniforms were pale blue a la the current home jersey of the Atlanta Thrashers. This, despite the fact that the triangle in the penguin logo was always yellow. But that yellow and the blue worked well together. I'm not too sure about the two-tone blues on the Vegas gold.

Anyway, I mean no offense to the designers as I share my opinion. I think the re-introduction of the blue wouldn't be all bad if done right. What do you guys think on that subject?

While you ponder on that, I'll share with you a design tweak someone emailed me for the much-loved Penguins logo.

Look close at the eyes. He's more pissed off than ever. Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the Antarctic ice shelf. Oh, and he's got a nice new shiny belly. Improvement or not?

Some Snazzy Leafs, Sabres Stuff

It just keeps getting better over here at the NHL Tournament of Logos. Hope you guys are all voting. If you haven't yet, there are three open polls that you can have your shot at.

Anyhow, while we wait for all the votes to trickle in, I've got a few more concept designs to share with the class. Let's start with everyone's favorite Ontario-based team that isn't the Ottawa Senators — the Toronto Maple Leafs. A reader emailed some great designs I thought were cool and different. Behold.

He sent a handful but I felt like these two were the cream of the crop. They're pretty sharp and they do away with that "TML" logo that fans apparently hate with a passion. Personally, I thought it worked. It gave them a 21st century feel without altering a logo that hasn't been messed with for decades.

But what do I know? I'm just that Florida guy writing a hockey blog, right?

Let's cross the lake and see what's going on stateside. I have Buffalo Sabres artwork for you. Have a look.

What do you guys make of this? My belief is that if you're going to use the old logo, you've gotta use the old jerseys as well. I'm not sure this mixing and matching really works. Thoughts?

Plus, from hockey logo and uniform designer extraordinaire John Slabyk comes another look at his all too cool Blue & Gold Project on the backs of a dude in NHL 07 or something like that. It's quality work, really. You don't see that sort of thing every day.

If those were the Sabres' uniforms, stores wouldn't be able to keep them in stock, and not a single hockey fan in the greater Buffalo area would file a complaint — or at least that's my small-minded belief.

Should I stop going on about them now?

Also there's this design which makes us see why the "B" with sword through it should really be left on the shoulders.

I don't hate it, but at the same time, I feel like you could do so much better with the crest.

And as always, there's much more where that came from, but you don't want to spoil your supper now. I'll hang onto it for now... save it for later. Hope you're enjoying the tournament and all the Rbk EDGE speculation.

It fills the empty hours.

NHL Concept Logos, Part 2

You know, it occured to me that two months ago, I posted a bunch of concept logos under a headline that read "Part 1." Well you could've searched all day and never found the second part that supposedly followed — until today. I'm finally just now getting around to publishing that post and it's about damn time.

Have a look at some of the craziest logos you'll ever see.

This logo was designed during the "Mighty" era with the old crummy colors. It's nothing special but I felt like it was still worth posting. The duck goalie mask is definitely a Disney design and would therefore never be used now even if the colors were changed to match what the team wears today. Plus it's just not cool enough.

And there's more where that came from. I know you were wondering.

I know the New Jersey Devils don't really need a change and it would be ridiculous for anyone to suggest that they did, but I've got these to share just the same.

Check out these renderings of possible (or impossible) New Jersey Devils logos. Personally, I'm all for leaving the Devils logo the way it is. No reason to mess with perfection there. But I just thought these might be interesting. Any thoughts?

As a special bonus, we've also got an idea of what the Winnipeg Jets might look like if they were still in Winnipeg and not called the Coyotes.

What do you think of this? As far as logos go, I think this one wouldn't work well because it's too open. There need to be more closed-in areas in a logo. This one is all over the place.

Anyway, feel free to comment on these monstrosities if that is in fact how you see them. Don't worry about ever seeing them on NHL ice. It won't happen.