HF&P, Part 6: Ottawa Senators

The "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" trudges along, today with the Ottawa Senators fake new uniforms.

Actually, not bad. We appear to have a decent artist all over this conjecturing. I do like the use of the Peace Tower logo but what's with incorporating elements of your rival's emblem? Personally I prefer the more stylized Spartan head.

Yesterday, we talked about people taking issue with horizontal stripes mysteriously not working on the new Rbk EDGE jerseys. But look, it does. Oh my. I know there's special stretchy material on the sides and under the arms but that does inhibit dyes from working.

I like the lettering and numbering used in this design, but ultimately I'd like to see something different for Ottawa — not that this isn't a good idea. But there's nothing that exciting here. No sweeping changes like in other designs that I've posted.

In fact, if you want to see sweeping changes and fan artwork that will blow your mind, you definitely will want to come back tomorrow and get a glimpse of what some people think is coming for the Washington Capitals. We'll have lots of images and lots to say. Be sure to come back.

HF&P, Part 5: Montreal Canadiens

The "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series continues with Les Habitants. Le Tricolore. Le Bleu-Blanc-Rouge. The Habs.

When it was announced that the new uniform changes would be league-wide, ultra-traditionalists freaked. They went crazy talking about how the horizontal stripes would have to go and that was the worst thing that could ever happen. Personally I think global starvation is the worst thing that could happen, but whatever.

This design tries to show that horizontral stripes can work on the new uniforms. Well, this is a bad example. Don't cut the stripes off in midstream guys, seriously. Anyway, this design also assumes the front-shoulder numbers will be adopted league-wide though there is not yet evidence to prove that theory.

All in all, I would say it's not that bad. It's better than the graphic you see here to the right. This isn't that much different, but it shows how too much stripage can hurt rather than help. We don't like that.

Once again before I go I want to acknowledge the work of the designers behind these renderings. Again, it's not my work, I'm just re-posting what I've come across. If any of the designers would like to get in touch, drop a line via the comments. I'd love you hear from you regarding your work.

Coming tomorrow: the Ottawa Senators.

HF&P, Part 4: Los Angeles Kings

As part of my continuing coverage of "Hockey Fans & Photoshop," today we get a glimpse at one fan's renderings of possible Los Angeles Kings uniforms for the new season. Don't ask, it won't happen. These aren't official league-approved designs. They're just the result of artistically-inclined hockey fans in need of a creative outlet.

Check it.

So there it is. First of all, you're not seeing things. There is no color. And that I do not understand. This particular designer seems to really like throwback uniforms. That's cool but I think the addition of purple to the Kings' black and silver was as welcome change back in the late '90s. Seeing these uniforms without the purple bothers me.

On the other hand, I'm a fan of the alternate jersey design. Remember the '96 third jersey the Kings wore briefly? Well I liked them. A lot. Right down to the creepy looking king head. I wouldn't even mind seeing that as a primary logo. But it's not my call and I guess that's a good thing.

Coming tomorrow: the Montreal Canadiens.

HF&P, Part 3: St. Louis Blues

In case you missed Tuesday's post, I've started a new post series here on the blog in the weeks leading up to the opening of the tournament. HF&P stands for "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" and has to do with the fact that this series features potential uniform designs consistent with the new Rbk EDGE unis to be used next season. No NHL team has yet officially unveiled their uniforms, but hey, fans can dream right? None of it is my own work, merely re-posting of other people's handiwork that I found around the net.

Today we get a glimpse at a potential design for the St. Louis Blues. This designer is a lot like me in that we feel like change is good. Style and design are fluid things that are constantly changing with the times. I like the idea of toying with the old secondary logo. In my opinion, it better personifies the team nickname than the musical note with a wing attached. Still, its interesting. My only change would be adding that dark shade of blue that the team currently dons. We like the two-tone Blues.

For those of you wondering, these are obviously not official NHL designs. To say their fake would be a misnomer. They're real inasmuch as you can see them. But I'm afraid they haven't been commissioned by the league. The way you can tell is that Gary Bettman has said that the NHL will temporarily drop the third jersey program while the teams adjust to the completely new uniforms. Also the secondary logo in the graphic isn't very clean.

Anyway, kudos to the designer, as always. And feel free to make yourself known if you wish. I'd love to have you on the blog to talk about your work. Speaking of which, this graphic to the right comes from a separate designer who is incorporating the front shoulder number being used by the Buffalo Sabres this season. It uses the all-star uniform design with the current Blues color scheme.

By the way, I open the floor to anyone who has worked on jersey designs in their spare time. I'd love to hear from you and I'm sure the few readers here would too. It's great work. We're all looking forward to the unveiling of all the new designs this summer.

Coming tomorrow: the Los Angeles Kings.

HF&P, Part 2: Washington Capitals

In case you missed yesterday's post, HF&P stands for "Hockey Fans & Photoshop." It has a lot to do with the fact that this series of posts features potential uniform designs consistent with the new Rbk EDGE unis to be used next season. No NHL team has yet officially unveiled their uniforms, but hey, fans can dream right?

By the way, I didn't do any of these designs so don't let me take any credit. I'm just re-posting someone else's handiwork that I found kind of cool.

Today's graphic is for the Washington Capitals. The Caps previously announced plans to return to a red, white and blue color scheme so this fan took it a step further and came up with a new logo — a modernized version of the old '70s logo. The graphic features an "alternate" design and as one reader pointed out yesterday, the league has said it will be shelving "third jerseys" for a while as the teams adjust to the sweeping uniform changes.

If it makes any difference, I really like the "DC" star logo. Put a graphic design firm on that to touch it up and we may have something there.

Coming tomorrow: the St. Louis Blues.

Hockey Fans & Photoshop, Part 1: TBL

I'm sure that by now, everyone who's interested has seen the fan-made artwork, predicting the potential new looks for teams all over the NHL next season. The introduction of the Rbk EDGE uniforms has propeled that, and just in case you haven't seen it, I'm going to re-post all of the images here over the next few weeks in a series I like to call — "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" — so I hope you enjoy it. And if you've already seen them, well good for you.

Without further ado, I present to you — the Tampa Bay Lightning, of course. I have to get things started with my team, you know.

I'm a big fan. I thoroughly hate the current Lightning uniform and this rendition is miles away from that. I would like a new logo, however. The whole lightning bolt in a circle just isn't doing it for me.

Hey, while I'm thinking of it, I've got something for you. See that goofball pencil sketch to the right? That pathetic chicken scratch was my feeble attempt at showing what could be done with the logo. Ignore the hockey stick in the background though, I don't think it really works. But notice how I worked in the "T" and the "B" all subtle-like? Yeah, clever, I know.

Anyway, maybe something a little different is what my Bolts need for better aesthetics. I won't buy a jersey until we get a good one. New logo, new uniforms, and I'd even add another color. I like the blue, black and silver — but what about tossing in a dark green or a yellow or something. Liven that sucker up! That's what I say!

But who cares what I say right? More tomorrow.

FanFic Canucks Jerseys

Okay, people, we're down to less than a month before the tournament begins but that doesn't mean this site is useless until then. Everyday (hopefully), over the next several weeks I'll be posting information regarding new logos and uniforms. So keep checking back. You know you want to.

First, I have to start out by scolding myself for forgetting the name of the blog where I found this image. With regard to the coming announcement about new uniforms and logo adjustments, a Vancouver Canucks fan had a little fun with Photoshop.

Quite honestly, I don't hate the design they came up with. On the other hand, I'm fairly sure the final product won't be anything close to this. Plus, I've always been a fan of teams using different logos on their home and away jerseys. I want to say Atlanta was the first to do that when they entered the league, but Washington would've been pretty close. Currently, Ottawa does that as well. In the case of the Sens and Caps, though, the dark jerseys are former third jerseys that have been promoted.

Anyway, just wanted to share that tidbit with you tonight. Like I said, keep checking back for more every day.

FanFic Caps Unis Making Rounds

a Cathode Rays & Power Plays cross-post from May 3, 2007

First off, of course they're fake. Everybody keeps posing the ridiculous question: Are these real? Are you for real?

As is evidenced by the web address where the images are located, the handiwork comes by way of a graphic artist — from Baltimore, Maryland. (Clearly either a Caps fan, or friends with one.) If he's just hosting it on his site, I'll be very surprised.

Anyway, the design mixes the old with the new in that it keeps the dull (instead of bright) colors and elements of both the old logo and the current one. Note the "Capitals" script with the dome element above it. The grey star beneath it is interesting but it doesn't work on the white jersey. As I've said, I've never been a fan of NHL logos wherein the team name is blatantly spelled out. That's not what a primary logo should be.

That's all for now. Remember, the Washington Capitals unveil their actual new logo and uniforms on June 22.