CBS Beats NHLToL To The Punch

I'm not sure how prudent it is to go promoting your competition as such, but I've never been one for prudence so here goes. I got an email today from Jeff who pointed out an interesting new feature at CBS Sports' web site.

Well crap, they even thought of a better name than I did. Sweater Showdown. And here's their bracket.

My guess is they just started within the last few days judging by when each voting period ends. So since I won't be doing a head-to-head jersey competition for some time — if ever, at this point — I don't mind sending you guys over there to cast your jersey votes with CBS.

However, if you'd like to rate the individual jerseys for the ranking I'll be publishing next month, go ahead and continue voting here at NHLToL. And if you guys want me to, I don't mind doing a head-to-head sweater tournament here as well.

Just drop me a line and let me know how you feel about it. And let me know what you think of the setup over there at CBS Sports. Do you like voting on one round all at once they way they have it, or do you like how I post a new poll every day? I'm all ears.

Bolts Add Numbers At Home

I made reference to this in the Rbk EDGE Review for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but I thought I'd do a separate post to keep everyone up to date.

After the jerseys were unveiled initially, the Lightning were the only team to have numbers on the front of one jersey but not the other. In this case, the white road sweaters had them but not the black ones. Seems the team has changed their mind though. The numbers are now on the front of the black jerseys too.

You can see that in this picture from Thursday's opening night game against the New Jersey Devils.

Speaking as a Lightning fan, I kind of like them as a design element by themselves. With the white shoulder yoke gone, the jerseys would've looked very plain up there for guys who don't have an "A" to wear. Anyway, just thought I'd share that.

Reworking Some EDGE Jerseys

I've gotten some pretty decent artwork this week I feel like sharing today. We've got a handful of various Rbk EDGE jerseys that have been modified. I wouldn't necessarily categorize them as "fixes" but they're worth a look.

I actually like this one, but probably only because the elbow stripes go completely around the arm and don't stop inexplicably. But it could be anything.

It's a recolored Canucks jersey, obviously and the stripes aren't proportional to what the Oilers typically wear. Not that that's a bad thing entirely, but I'm not really a fan.

Otherwise, the Edmonton jersey's odd piping and lack of, well, anything visually appealing makes anything an improvement upon the present.

So it should be clear how I feel then.

Had to laugh at this one. Imagine the Devils reintroducing the green.

And then imagine them putting it on a Minnesota Wild jersey. It's definitely one of the more interesting concepts I've posted here. But it looks horrible if we're talking about the New Jersey Devils. That does not look like them at all.

I do like Christmas though. So maybe I can find a way to use this in my favor. It needs a Santa Claus logo on the front. I wonder what that would look like.

Then some minor league team could wear it as a specialty jersey for a holiday game.

This San Jose Sharks concept is only interesting because it does away entirely with the orange in the jersey. And I have to say, I don't really like it. I think the orange is all right. It really works.

I did like the old jerseys but I like that striping pattern better for those colors than this one. This one needs brighter colors.

This design also features dark cuffs that extend down from the elbow stripes vis-a-vis the Canucks' new duds.

Finally, it's the Dallas Stars we're going to take a look at. Their whole marketing thing was "black is the new green." But what if, as some of you believe, Reebok hadn't brainwashed team management into going all black with no logo?

Might it look like this?

It might. I actually like that a lot. But as one of you humorously stated — the NHL has banned jerseys that aren't white, black, red or blue this season. (And while you could argue the Sharks aren't blue, I'd argue that they're more on the blue side than the green side. Beside the point.)

I like the new Stars' uniforms the way they are and there's nothing wrong with that. But this isn't bad either. Perhaps something to consider for a future third jersey.

So now's your turn to tell me what you like and don't like. Leave me a comment.

New Sabres Logo Concept

Got some interesting artwork from a reader trying to redesign the Buffalo Sabres logo. Personally, I think John Slabyk has the perfect design which could never be improved upon — but then my opinion isn't the only one that matters. Shockingly.

Seriously, though, check this out and see what you think.

He even put it on a jersey for us.

Leave your comments as I'm sure he'd like to hear what you think.

UPDATE (5:14 PM): By the way, just so as not to confuse anyone, Slabyk did not design the logo posted here. This was sent in to me by a reader of the blog. Just wanted to clear that up.

Just To Freak You Out IX

It's time for another Freak Out Friday! Let's not waste time.

I've had this Buffalo Sabres concept for some time now. I think the idea is that this text would run down the front of the jersey, just like the Rangers.

Cracks me up though. But, hey, nothing says "Buffalo" and "Sabres" more than the city on a skewer. Anybody else getting hungry?

No? Just me?

Moving right along then to one of the scariest bits of artwork ever to grace my inbox.

Aptly titled Thrash Bling, this image frightens me to my very core. What you can't say, though, is that it isn't creative. The things people come up with.

I think the Anaheim Ducks missed an opportunity.

That is one pissed off duck. I think someone splashed him.

You might have to enlarge this next one to grasp its full scope.

I get the octopus thing, but where does it stop exactly? I'm voting for the purple one. Speaking of scary Detroit Red Wings art, look at this.

I mean it's not half bad as far as that goes, but yikes! I think the wings are swallowing the wheel. Poor wheel.

Apologies for the short post this week, guys, but it was a slow week in terms of "freak out" art. Hopefully you guys will send in more for next Friday's installment. Until then...

Freak.

Out.

Predators, Here's How You Fix It

I used to believe the Nashville Predators were among the clubs with the best jerseys. With the introduction of their Rbk EDGE sweaters, I'm now less than convinced of that. Anyway, it's not horrible, but some folks thinks it needs fixing. Hence this.

Here is one solution. Flyers fans should be able to pick out the design in a heartbeat.

This jersey is in fact based on Philadelphia's. Only the colors and logo have been changed. I do like that blue.

I don't know, though. I'm not sure it's that much of an improvement on what they're wearing now. But it certainly isn't a bad alternative.

Nor is this.

I think it looks an awful lot like the Buffalo Sabres — perhaps a little too much — but there you have it. Count me as a fan though. We'd have to lose the anniversary logo off the shoulders, however, before I'd fully approve. Otherwise, I really like the idea of contrasting the sleeves and torso like that.

What do you guys think? Do either of this fix it? Did it need fixing to begin with? You be the judge.

Coming next: Buffalo Sabres.

How I Feel About Brodeur

I don't know if any of you read my previous blog, Cathode Rays & Power Plays, but I wanted to carry something over from it. (I'm not going to link to it because I don't update it anymore.)

I covered last year's playoffs and every chance I got posted a picture of Devils goalie Martin Brodeur with a puck in the net behind him. It's not that I hate him or anything — well, maybe it is — but I thought I'd continue the tradition over there of posting my favorite pictures of him.

That just makes a person feel good, doesn't it?

Not that you were wondering, but Vinny Lecavalier scored on him twice last night in the Bolts' 3-1 in the season opener. GO BOLTS!

All right, now, just so you guys know, I'm not meaning to be a complete ass here. Just thought it would be funny. I have loads of respect for Brodeur as a goaltender, but he's always been a Lightning killer and so it just brings me so much joy when my Bolts can get a puck by him.

Vintage First Round Match-ups

It's here and it's official! Below are the 2007 Vintage Tournament first round match-ups. Plan your ballots accordingly!

North Stars vs Sabres Poll opens Oct 6 Blackhawks vs Nordiques Poll opens Oct 8 Jets vs Kings Poll opens Oct 10 Rockies vs Penguins Poll opens Oct 12

Flames vs Blues Poll opens Oct 7 Canucks vs Whalers Poll opens Oct 9 Capitals vs Bruins Poll opens Oct 11 Maple Leafs vs Scouts Poll opens Oct 13

In my opinion, the toughest competition will be between the Sabres and North Stars and the Canucks and Whalers. But somebody has to move on right? And soon enough, we'll find out just who that will be.

By the way, these match-ups were chosen completely at random (thanks, Random.org) so don't come whining to me if you don't like them. Blame fate itself.

Also, remember that each of these polls will now be open for five days. Expect to see the bracket posted in the sidebar at some point tomorrow. Enjoy your day!

Tons And Tons Of Votes!

Before I call it a night I just thought I'd disperse some numbers now that the 2007 Championship Tournament has come to an end. In terms of the actual tournament itself, 456,600 votes were cast on our way to determining a champion! Here are some more numbers.

456,600
Votes cast in all Championship Tournament polls combined ending with the Montreal Canadiens' ultimate victory.

142,000 +
Votes cast in all Logo History polls combined to date.

11,700 +
Votes cast in all Rbk EDGE Review polls combined to date.

And the biggest number of all...

610,300 and counting...
That is how many votes have been cast here at NHLToL since I opened the first poll on August 12.

Thanks to everyone who has been voting and I hope you'll continue to vote on each and every poll I post in the future. Remember, as long as you guys keep coming back to vote, I'll keep adding to new polls for you to vote on. Thanks!

Vintage Tournament To Open Saturday!

With the Montreal Canadiens having been crowned the logo champion, we've also got a final tally on the next NHL Tournament of Logos.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 2007 Vintage Tournament will begin with its first poll on Saturday, October 6. Vintage was chosen by an extremely small margin as you can see in the final results on the right. That means Third Jersey logos will probably be up next.

Once again, just as a reminder, here is the Vintage Tournament logo pool. Starting on Saturday, these are the logos you all will be voting on.

Now, the necessary housekeeping. We're going to experience a few differences between the new tournament and one we just completed. For one thing, polls will now be open for five days, instead of eight. The fact is, we just don't need that much time to cast votes. Most of you guys are here every day or every other day and you vote right off the bat. So I'm hoping that will keep up.

Also, the new bracket will be completely random (thanks, Random.org). I already have the matchups as of right now and I'll be posting those tomorrow afternoon, so stay tuned for that. Bet you can't guess who's facing whom in the first round!

If you have any questions about the Vintage Tournament, feel free to leave a comment or email me. Get ready to choose the best vintage logo in the NHL!