Just To Freak You Out XXX

LIVE FROM VANCOUVER!

Unfortunately I didn't have time last night to post the 30th Freak Out installment. So here it is a little belated. And I've got to start out with something just downright ridiculous. As you know the Quest For The Worst ended this week with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks' third jersey logo taking the cake. It faced the Boston Bruins' secondary logo from the '70s and '80s. Imagine those two logos getting together.

Pretty horrific, eh? (When in Canada...)

Anyway, we've got all American team artwork for this Freak Out post today, by the way. We continue on with the ultimate American team — the Rangers. Where do they play again? Could it be the... "big apple"?

It's the logo I'd envision for a team made up entirely of elementary school teachers. And skylines across jerseys never seem to work.

And they have a better Statue of Liberty logo than that. See previous.

Up next: the St. Louis Blues who happen to be in town tonight facing the Canucks. Couple of really freaky concepts here.

Yet another yellow jersey.

And a sweater which uses old colors and an even older logo.

I'll finish things off with a logo that I debated posting here. On the one hand it's an abstract, unique design. On the other hand, it's abstract... very abstract.

Very abstract.

And so ends another episode of the Freak Out series — live from Vancouver. I've got a couple more days left here in town. We went up to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain today. Best day of the trip by far!

LFV Day 3: Possible Sens Preview?

LIVE FROM VANCOUVER!

My Vancouver trip is nearly half over as of tonight. Makes me kind of sad. By the way, the comments in the last post are absolutely hysterical. And I do mean that in every sense of the word. If you're looking for a good laugh, allow me to direct your attention there.

Anyway, on to the real subject of this evening's post. I got an email from a reader wondering whether we might have a preview of a possible Ottawa Senators third jersey on our hands. He sent me the photo along with the following email.

Hey Chris, hope you are enjoying your canadian getaway, lets get down to business, I happen to have a brother who has a friend who playes "AAAA" hockey at the Bantam level, and his team is the senators...interestingly enough the teams jerseys are gold with "Senators" across the front a la Rangers. Here is a picture of these jerseys, and judging from your "rumor" these might be similar to the new Ottawa jerseys. I am in the midst of putting this onto an RBK template so you can get a better look at it.

Now here's the picture he's referencing.

Obviously, this isn't the real thing, but perhaps it's a hint of what's to come? Only time will tell for sure, but even if you just look at it as nothing more than concept art, it still paints an interesting picture.

And while we're on the subject of alternate Sens jerseys, here's another gold one.

That's all for now. I'm going out to dinner tonight so I've got to get ready. I might have some more concept art for you when I get back.

Live From Vancouver!

I landed in Vancouver a few hours ago. I'm pretty sure I never want to leave. Anyone know if anybody's hiring or any good apartments? Anyway, I wrote this post up while I was on the plane just so I'd have something for you guys tonight. I'm pretty beat. Seven hours on a plane isn't something I'd want to do on a regular basis.

So it's all about concept third jerseys, as it happens. With the rumors swirling over what all the new sweaters might look like, many of you have sent in your work. Let's look.

First up, the St. Louis Blues have discussed plans to introduce a navy sweater with a new logo incorporating the Gateway Arch. Well I've been sent a handful of various attempts at such a design.

That one's simple enough. Oddly, these next two are based off the Vancouver Canucks striping pattern.

Both of those are quite unique. This one as well.

One of my favorites is this one. I like how silver replaces the yellow. That's what a third jersey should be if you ask me.

I'm not so sure about all the text on it, however. But this isn't all about the Blues. We've got the Thrashers and Hurricanes too.

Also the Minnesota Wild.

When I first read it, I didn't like the idea, but that particular jersey design doesn't look half bad.

This last design isn't based on rumor so much as just wishful thinking by a Senators fan.

That's all I've got for tonight. I'll try to get something posted tomorrow afternoon, but the likelihood is it won't be until after the game tomorrow if at all. Going to see the Canucks and Predators down the street at GM Place.

Note: The time stamps will be Pacific time as long as I'm in Vancouver.

Canada IV: Vancouver

Last of the Canada posts here before I start my journey to the Pacific Northwest tomorrow. Naturally, I've got Canucks concepts.

This is a nice, simple set. Same logo on both jerseys, sans the VANCOUVER across the top of the chest.

I like it but my vote still goes for the V logo that we've been getting a split response over.

And I think I like the green one better. Speaking of green Canucks jerseys...

Yeah so that's really something else.

Sorry for the short post, but I'm ready to go on vacation. I'm sure you'll hear from me this week. If nothing else, I'll try to write about my experience at GM Place on Thursday night. I'm going to see the Canucks play the Predators. Should be a blast!

Canada III: Calgary & Edmonton

Just 46 more hours now until I first set foot on Canadian soil. But before I go, it's my duty to continue to share the concept art that many of you have been so gracious to send in. Continuing with the Canada theme we're visiting the province of Alberta tonight on our way to BC.

So then. The horse with the flaming nostrils. I always liked him. Here he is on red.

It suits his apparent rage. And for a refreshing change of pace, the white Flaming C on a black sweater.

Doesn't really say fire to me somehow.

Nor does it work in white. I'm sorry but I think the Flames by nature have to be a red team.

So with that in mind, here's a new idea based on an old concept.

There are also white and black versions of that design.

And this next one just looks like a hoodie to me.

To finish this out we've got a couple of Oilers concepts. The black around the arms makes this one interesting.

Needs something for contrast around the logo which is outlined in blue. And this final set I thought was really sharp. No reason a professional hockey club shouldn't look that good.

That's a nice uniform. But now I've got to put the final touches on packing, go to work tomorrow and then prepare myself for seven hours of flying across the North American continent. Fun stuff.

Canada II: Ottawa & Montreal

Tonight's all about the Sens and Habs. I've been sent some really nice Ottawa concept art over the last few weeks. Also some really strange stuff. Take a look for yourself.

I really love that 2D logo. I wish the Lightning had a logo that looked that good. Here's a different set along the same lines.

The next design has odd striping patterns in my opinion.

And finally, all the talk about third jerseys brings this black version of the Sens' sweater.

The last two items are Canadiens logos. The first one's pretty self-explanatory to anyone who knows the logo history of the Montreal Canadiens.

This one would work if the Habs were to change their name to the Quebec Canadiens. Or something like that, I guess.

Tomorrow will be Calgary and Edmonton. Tuesday will be Vancouver. In the meantime, I'm almost all packed and more than ready for my vacation. I'll be in Canada in about 65 hours from now. Can't wait!

Canada I: Toronto

I'm probably getting annoying with all the talk about my Canada trip, but can you blame me? I've got concept posts coming specific to Canadian clubs for the next few days leading up to my trip. (I fly out of Tampa on Wednesday morning, by the way.)

Anyhow, tonight we're getting things going with the Toronto Maple Leafs. First up is a simple design that would be acceptable as an alternate sweater.

With the same logo, but on a different tack comes this set.

That's really cool but probably somewhat unrealistic. More on the realistic side is this next set.

But most folks probably won't like the piping. However, I think the shoulder yokes make up for it.

These jerseys are nice. A lot of people will probably complain about the broken stripes around the waist.

I understand that, but it's a unique feature. What I like about the next set, which is similar to this one, are the shoulder logos.

These last two are just for fun. One designer suggests the Leafs use a version of the Marlies logo.

Probably not the best idea. And the last one recommends green for an alternate sweater.

I don't really know what to say about any of that.

But that's it for tonight. Can't wait for Vancouver!

Just To Freak You Out XXIX

Since I leave in four days for my trip up to Canada, I'm going with a Canadian theme here in order to freak you out tonight. So let's start with the most obvious one. The usual "If They Mated" concepts typically mix two and in rare cases three teams. One artist went above and beyond, mixing all six Canadian teams onto one jersey. The result will shock you.

I warned you. And I love how it's on the Lightning's white sweater. Creativity at its finest there, friends.

But back to more familiar territory now. Imagine the Canucks and Flames swapping colors and sweaters. Wait, you don't have to. I've got it right here for you.

The Atlantawa Thrashators, if you will.

What happened to that dude's face? Not to be outdone, ladies and gentlemen, the Edmonton Oilers.

Gotta love the oil shooting out onto the shoulders. But back to the nation's capital, for a small handful of teams the state/provincial outline works well in the logo — Lightning, Islanders and Stars to name the only ones. Here's a good example of why not everyone should try it.

Yeah, I didn't even mention the stripes. Can you believe that?

And as you know, it's difficult to pull of a yellow jersey that actually looks good. Unlike most of you, I was a fan of Nashville's gold alternate jersey but not Boston's yellow third. Weird, I know. But the Flames should absolutely not try yellow.

That's why. And if they ever decide to look for a new logo, here's what else they shouldn't try.

Balls of fire! And that is all I have to say on the matter.

And with that I'm going to go pack a bag and prepare myself for weather in which a native Floridian can only freeze. But I'll be loving every frozen second.

Odd, Unique Logo Designs

Tonight's post is dedicated to those of you who've used your imagination to create entirely new logos for your favorite teams.

We begin in Anaheim with a neat logo design I featured earlier this month. Prepare yourself. It's very purple.

Next to it is a Sharks concept that probably should never been seen by anyone — ever. But I thought it could at least serve as just one more reason why teams should definitely not do this. I thought it was all right for the Stars as a one-of-a-kind sort of deal. But the all-star jerseys this year worried me.

Moving on to Canada now, here's a Canadiens sweater with an interesting new secondary logo created by a reader some time ago.

It probably needs the fleur-de-lis in white, but otherwise it's a really cool, symbolic logo.

Now to Hartford, where someone has created a new brand for a team called the Whales. (Not to be confused with the Whalers despite the logos seen here.)

Those are some pretty snazzy jerseys. (Yes I said snazzy. What?) I like the "H" logo but the "W" logo is more effective with that hidden "H."

Next is a simply Panthers design.

I'm not really a fan of letter logos in cases like this. Put the "FP" on the shoulders and the panther head on the crest, that's what I say. But what does my opinion really matter?

And finally — you know I've gotta do it — in preparation for my trip to Vancouver, here's a new logo design for the Canucks.

I hate to be mean, but I'll come right out and say I don't like it. Ever since I saw the new Johnny Canuck logo, I haven't been able to imagine another symbol that would work better for that club. Still, no idea's too dumb to put out there, right?

Don't forget to go cast a vote at ToHL for which CHL league goes first when the new tournament begins on March 14. And if you're wondering, I haven't yet decided what tournament will follow the Quest For The Worst here at NHLToL. I'll keep you posted.

A Mass Of Stars Art

I was looking through my inbox and you guys have been sending in a ton of Dallas Stars concept art that I've failed to get posted. So tonight is all about the Big D. There are just so many options as you'll see.

For one thing, a big complaint about the Stars' new Rbk EDGE uniforms has been the word "DALLAS" written across the front of the home jersey, of all things. A simple solution would be to put the crest back.

Now, with all the talk about third jerseys lately, perhaps that design would be better suited as an alternate in, say, green.

Certainly brings a lot more to the sweater. Hell, there's even gold.

All right, yeah that's probably a bad idea. However, I'm liking the star crests on the green and white jerseys. In fact, the complete lack of black is actually pretty cool. Even something like this — which I like less — might well be worth considering.

But in this reality, I don't see the black disappearing anytime soon. So how about this. Save the black for the alternate.

I know they've got the Florida Panthers' elbow stripes going but try to see past that. The Stars really need to return to the green sweaters. Though I know the odds of that are slim.

But let's depart reality altogether and start considering some "different" alternatives. Like a new logo.

I get the shooting star theme, but there are a lot of reasons why those logos wouldn't work. I'm sure you can figure them out. Still, sometimes it's fun to wonder. Here they are on a jersey.

Then there's the whole constellation fiasco. I get it but it just wasn't well executed. Once you start seeing "that" shape, you can't really see anything else.

I don't think dropping the stars from the logo works, nor does turning up the horns. That's just strange. I've gotta say I do like the red, though. Red as part of that black/green/gold combo is quite unique. What about a reworked logo based on those colors?

It could use some work, like for instance I'd lose the puck, but it's something. A step in the right direction, perhaps.

The last two items I have for you tonight are just flights of fancy for the folks missing their beloved North Stars. The old Minnesota logo on the new Rbk EDGE sweater.

Not great. And this last one is more worthy of a Freak Out Friday post.

I think that about covers it. Stars, Stars and more Stars. By the way, just a little over a week now until my Vancouver trip. Can't wait! I'm hoping to be able to write from the road. I probably won't have much in the way of concept art for you. Maybe just stories from my experiences north of the border if anyone's interested. In the meantime, I've got to start packing.