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.

Islanders Unveil New Uniforms!

Today, the New York Islanders made their new Rbk EDGE uniforms official. We got a first look from Newsday yesterday.

Here is Isles goalie Rick DiPietro donning the blue home threads for the cameras.

We've also got Brendan Witt posing in the jersey alongside a surf board. I'm not really sure what I should be looking at here. Jersey or surf board? That reminds me, did any of you watch "John From Cincinnati" on HBO this summer? I know it's not hockey related but the surf board reminded me. Weird show but it was awesome.

Anyway, moving right along here. If you needed a reminder of what the road jersey looks like. See left.

By the way, I'm adding these photos and more to the great big Rbk EDGE uniform photo gallery. If you've got any photos that I don't that warrant being in this gallery, feel free to send them along. The more the merrier, I always say.

Finally, huge thanks to all the people who sent in pictures and links to me. You guys are awesome and you're why this site works so well! Thank you!

Bolts Promo New Logo, Uniform

The Tampa Bay Lightning have officially announced on their web site they will be holding ICEfest on August 25 where they will unveil the new logo and uniforms.

I believe this is the first time the team has actually referenced a new logo — even though we've apparently already seen it. But not to worry, despite the fact that I now live 120 miles away from Tampa, I'll be there next Saturday to get video and pictures of my own to bring back and post right here. Can't wait!

Newsday Makes Isles Unis Official

I'm still trying to gather more information, but apparently, Newsday posted a photo yesterday of Rick DiPietro in the New York Islanders' new road jersey.

Even though it doesn't come from the team directly, it's safe to say we can confirm this as the real deal. I'm adding it to the sidebar, making the Isles the ninth team to show off their new duds. If you guys find anymore info or photos, please let me know.

Thanks to the guys that emailed me initially on this photo.

Oh, and yikes. What is going on there? The weird stripes around the shoulders... the sleeves in a different color. I'd definitely like to see some more angles of that jersey. Thoughts?

Wings Rearrange Captains' Jerseys

A reader emailed me a link to this article from the Detroit Free Press regarding the Red Wings new uniforms today. Apparently, today the Wings officially unveiled the jerseys to the public (despite having posted images of it online last week).

Notice anything strange about it?

Traditionally, the captain's "C" is worn on the player's left shoulder — this is true across the league. But apparently, because the tip of the wing logo reaches too high, the "C" would have collided with the confluence of three different types of material. So to avoid that problem, Niklas Lidstrom's "C" will swap sides starting this year.

Here you see equipment manager Paul Boyer showing off the new threads. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

Naturally, this will affect Detroit's alternate captains as well. Just like the "C," the "A" will also go on the right shoulder now. What do you guys think of the new location? Does it really make a difference?

Flames Post Online Jersey Teaser

The Calgary Flames have formally announced September 4 as the date for their official jersey unveiling. A date I already have in the sidebar countdown.

Unfortunately, the image they posted is merely a teaser and while can't see the finer details of the jersey — such as a shoulder patch — it does appear that the home sweater will be red with a lace-up collar. Pretty nice. Can't wait to see the rest of it.

By the way, big thanks to alltherage for pointing out this information. For a quick link to the order form, check it!

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?