Oilers Take Pre-Orders; Plus Concepts

The Edmonton Oilers have joined the Philadelphia Flyers in making their new Rbk EDGE uniforms available for pre-order prior to their unveiling. There's now an animation on the front page of their site.

Similar to other teams, they're trying to cash in on their heritage and tradition by saying, "the evolution of the Oilers jersey continues." The following information regarding the pre-sale comes directly from the Oilers' web site.

August 25, 2007

Pre-Purchase the all-new Oilers jersey!

The Edmonton Oilers will debut an all-new jersey for the 2007-08 season. We can't give you the exciting details of when and how the jersey will be revealed, but stay tuned here for details.

In the meantime, you can pre-purchase the Oilers jersey by clicking the link below. And best of all, if you purchase before September 7, you can have your jersey crested in time for pre-season.

So, not even date is provided. However, various sources have reported September 16 or 17. A source I trust more says th 16th and that's why that date is in the countdown.

In the meantime, you can always count on me for concept designs and I've got a few to share for the Oil.

This design was emailed to me by Josh. It's based a lot off of this year's all-star jerseys. Not too bad, though, if you ask me. They could do a lot worse. You might notice the old NHL logo on the collar. Not sure if that was done on purpose or not.

Another reader went all old school on us with this design he put on a piece of paper. I think the nameplate would be found in the blue area above the number on the back.

Very interesting though. Once again, they could do worse. I know a lot of you have been unhappy with most of the designs of the new Rbk EDGE jersey — save for the Bruins — but they're not all bad. It's definitely an intriguing time for the NHL and I'm kind of excited to be a part of it.

To see these and other Oilers concept designs, be sure to check out the Concepts Gallery!

UPDATE (3:23 PM): I meant to post this initially. It's caused quite a stir among Oilers fans. The photo you're looking at comes to us by way of LetsGoKings.com and features new Oiler Sheldon Souray practicing with members of the Los Angeles Kings.

Apparently, what's got everyone in Edmonton in a tizzy is the pants he's wearing. They're saying the copper stripes are a new feature and may be an indication of what to expect for the new uniforms. Personally, as a non-Oiler fan, I couldn't even tell you how the old pants looked.

Anyway, there it is. Many of you have emailed me this image and I appreciate that but I also wanted to acknowledge that I have it and I've seen it. And now the rest of you have as well.

Pens Uniforms Coming September 5

I received an email from Matt at Faceoff-Factor.com regarding the unveiling date of the new Pittsburgh Penguin Rbk EDGE uniforms.

Chris, just thought I'd let you know that I have breaking news on Faceoff-Factor.com regarding the unveiling of the Penguins uniforms. If you use the information, please link to my site within the post.

The story reads:

"The Pittsburgh Penguins have chosen to keep their new uniforms under wraps, going so far as to not even announce a date for an unveiling.

But, I have learned through a very reliable source within the organization that the team will unveil its new uniforms Wednesday, September 5.

This is the same day the team's prospects camp will begin in Kitchner, Ontario.

At this point, my source was only able to disclose the date.

There is no word yet on what type of ceremony, if any, will accompany the public unveiling.

I will be sure to post any further updates as I receive them."

Thanks so much, and keep up the great work with your blog!

Matt
Faceoff-Factor.com

Thanks to Matt for the tip. The date has been added to the sidebar countdown.

As a reminder, we got a look at some alleged leaked images of the Pens' new jerseys back in July. One way or another, September 5 is the day we should find out for sure.

You Know The Drill; More Canucks Leaks

It seems like the neverending story with the Vancouver Canucks. Now just three days out from the official unveiling — which will take place on Wednesday at GM Place — more items have been leaked bearing the alleged new logo. See for yourself.

The funny thing is that each logo is colored differently leading me to wonder whether the new Canucks uniforms will feature different logos for the home and road jerseys. The logo with the white "ice" shows up better on a dark background while the logo with blue "ice" stands out more on a light background.

Anyway, we'll find out from the team itself at long last on Wednesday. But you know me, if more stuff gets leaked prior to that, you know I'll have it here for you. Enjoy what's left of your weekend!

The New Concepts Gallery Is Open!

Hey all. I know I've been light on posts this weekend — save for the Lightning, of course. But the reason is that I've been hard at work on a new feature I'm rolling out today!

One of the things you all seem to enjoy about this site is the many concept designs I post on a daily basis. Over the past few months, I've posted hundreds of fan-created artwork for all 30 teams. Finding them all would be quite a task. So to make things easier, I'm compiling all of the concept art I've posted — and some I haven't — all in one simple image gallery.

If you click on that screenshot of the gallery, you can go look at it for yourself. It is divided up by team and I also threw in a couple of bonus categories — including Vintage.

As a side note, if any of the work posted there is yours and you would like credit, please email me at nhllogos@gmail.com. Let me know what you want in the caption — your name, a web link or a description. Conversely, if your work is posted there and you would like it removed, let me know and I'd be happy to oblige.

Enjoy it, everybody! And please let me know what you think.

Suggestions For Atlanta

You asked and I was listening. You want Atlanta Thrashers concepts? I've got them. Let's dive right in!

I'd imagine this design to be the one most Thrasher fans are hoping for. It keeps the light blue and the "ATLANTA" down the sleeve. It's pretty sharp. But based on what we've seen so far, don't get your hopes up.

I was also sent this jersey. But don't worry, this would probably be a little too much for Reebok. Very colorful, that's for sure.

So Thrash fans, you got your wish. What do you think? Do you like these fan-created concepts or should your team go with something entirely different? Comment below.

A Royal Concept

I have a couple of interesting Los Angeles Kings concept jerseys to share today. Remember these pre-Gretzky colors?

That is quite something. Want some more?

I'm sorry, but am I the only person who thinks that's more of a queen's crown than a king's? I think the current one is pretty sharp. But frankly, and I might get fileted for the very suggestion, but I always thought the king head from the mid-'90s third jersey served as a great and fierce representation of the Kings as a team. Because let's face it, without the purple, they've got nothing.

Just, instead of sticking it in the corner and having that weird swoosh thing come down around the shoulder, just make it the primary crest. Thoughts? Am I a crazy nut completely off his rocker?

Lightning Unveiling Video

This video was posted in the comments of today's earlier post. It shows the big unveiling of the Lightning's new jerseys.

The Lightning players you see modeling the home black jerseys are Chris Gratton (#77), Filip Kuba (#71), Johan Holmqvist (#40) and Marty St. Louis (#26). Those donning in the white road sweaters are local TV personalities.

Wearing #8 is NewsChannel 8's Jennifer Leigh. In #9 is Bay News 9 anchor Jen Holloway. Tampa Bay's 10 sports anchor Justin Allen is donning #10. FOX 13 news anchor Kelly Ring is wearing #13. And #28 is being worn by ABC Action News anchor Brendan McLaughlin — in case you were wondering.

Man, I wish I could've been there.

Lightning Unveil New Logos, Uniforms!

The Tampa Bay Lightning officially unveiled their new logos and uniforms today outside the St. Pete Times Forum at IceFest. Take your first look now!

My first impressions: I love them! Well done, my Bolts! I'm buying one the very second they're available. I'm so thrilled with the logos and jerseys. The black one is amazing. Looking at it, I'm so glad they didn't go with blue.

The greatest thing, in my opinion, is the continuation of the stripes found under the arms. See what I mean below.

Those stripes have been one of the major elements of the Lightning's jerseys since their inception in 1992. The way I understand it, Phil Esposito — who designed the original uniforms and logos — said the stripes would serve as a nod to fans for years to come and that every time a player raised his arms to celebrate a goal, we'd be reminded. It culminated with a Stanley Cup championship in 2004 and in every photo of a player raising the Cup, you see those unique stripes.

What do you guys think of that? As a lifelong Bolts fan, I'm thrilled over that feature being kept on these new jerseys.

As far as the logo, I'm all right with it. I'd rather the "TAMPA BAY" be gone entirely, but it's a big upgrade from what we used to have. Overall, I'm happy with what I've seen here.

UPDATE (1:59 PM): The St. Peterburg Times Bolts blog Lightning Strikes had this picture of Filip Kuba in the new jersey — our first photo of a player actually wearing it.

UPDATE (2:55 PM): Forgive me if I'm going overboard with Lightning stuff today, but we've all got our favorite teams right? Today is our day. I've come across a few more pictures worth posting here.

Above, you see Marty St. Louis walking down a red carpet amongst a sea of excited Lightning fans. Below is a group of people including Lightning players Chris Gratton, Filip Kuba, Johan Holmqvist, and St. Louis (in black). I haven't figured out who the rest of them are — except for the guy on the right in the white jersey. That's local news anchor Brendan McLaughlin I believe. He's wearing 28 because that's the channel number of his TV station — the one where I used to work, as a matter of fact.

As a side note, the Lightning's official site mentioned that the road jerseys would feature the number on the front shoulder. These photos indicate that as well. For more photos, check out my official Rbk EDGE photo gallery.

New Source For Bolts Logo Leak?

The Tampa Bay Lightning's new logo may have been leaked back in July but we'll obviously find out tomorrow whether that's true or not. Reaffirming that belief are these photos of a new hat.

The team has responded to the original leak by saying that it's close but not quite how the new logos will look. That seems to be confirmed by the secondary logo seen on the brim of the hat. You'll notice the blue Florida outline is missing. Makes it a very dull logo, doesn't it?

Anyway, I'll save my commentary on the new logo for when it becomes official. And that will be tomorrow. It pains me, but I will not be able to show up for the event. As you know the Lightning are my team and I had planned on attending and shooting my own photos and video to post here as "exclusive content." But unfortunately, my plans have changed. I'll be here and posting images. Sad for me, but good for you guys.

To any Lightning fans reading, I'd be more than grateful to you if you could send in photos and/or video since I can't be there myself.

Until then, you know I always have concept art up my sleeve. I came across these long ago but just realized I have yet to post them on this site.

These are from two separate design sets, but both feature redesigned logos. I don't care for the first one, but I could live with the second.

Any thoughts? Be sure to check back tomorrow. The Lightning are scheduled to unveil the new logos and threads at noon. I'll have photos as soon as they're available.

New Concept Feature Coming Soon

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I'm always coming up with new ideas to implement. Came up with another one today.

I've posted so many concept designs in the last few months and so many more have been sent to me just in the last few weeks. At the moment, it requires a lot of searching around the blog to find them all. So to help in compiling them all in one place, I'll be creating a photo gallery where you can view all of the concept jerseys I've posted — and some I haven't.

You'll be able to find those galleries along with the galleries of the new official Rbk EDGE uniforms being unveiled league-wide.

Just giving you all something to look forward to. I'm going to try and get it started tonight but a majority of the work will probably be done this weekend when I have time. Thanks to everyone for the support both in the comments and by email. You're all awesome!