Cool Sens Concept, Bruins Too!

A lot of people responded well to the Islanders concept art I posted yesterday. It came from the artist who also designed the Thrashers concept art from Friday. (NOTE: I updated that post with higher-resolution graphics if anyone's interested.)

Anyway, I have some more work from that same artist who posted his work on Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Community. As a disclaimer, I need to point out that none of this is official team artwork, but I thought it was fun to look at just the same.

This logo set appears to be merely a revision of the current look of the Ottawa Senators. Personally, I prefer leaning more toward the yellow-gold over the beige color seen here. That's not to say that this color scheme doesn't work well, though.

Do you guys like this designs, the current one, or the one rumored to be taking over in the fall?

Next, we have a look at some logos that are irrelevant when you consider the Boston Bruins just changed their logos back in June. But have a gander anyway, if you're inclined.

If you ask me, that's a pretty sweet Bruins logo, setting aside the fact that a drastic change like this would likely send the Boston faithful into a frenzy. I'm not sure how I feel about the re-imagining of the spoked "B" though. It isn't sitting well with me.

I'm loving the bear, though no one's asking me, and wondering whether I like it more than the new one that was unveiled a couple months ago.

And then for those of you longing for the days of the yellow and brown, our talented designer leaves us with this other alternate uniform design.

Fan-Created Canucks, Isles Jersey Designs

I know I've sort of been beating a dead horse with these two teams, but I've got a couple more fan concepts for the Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders. These Canucks uniforms seem to be based off of speculation regarding the new sweaters that we have yet to see. Word on the street is Vancouver is keeping the orca logo but reverting it to the traditional blue and green colors.

Supposedly, the new Canucks jerseys will be officially unveiled later this month. But with no official date from the team at this time, it's difficult to say when we'll actually see them. And from what I understand Vancouver fans everywhere are on pins and needles waiting for word. (Guys, as soon as I know, you'll know.)

Then, from the same artist is this uniform set for the Isles. It appears to be based off that alleged cell phone photo that is now everywhere.

I'm still on the fence about it. It could work, but I think simpler is better in this case.

Remember, if you have any artwork of your own or which hasn't been posted on this blog, feel free to send it along and I'll try to post it at some point. You can submit questions, comments and fan art at nhllogos@gmail.com.

Possible New Blues Jersey?

I've been getting lots of emails the last few days. Among them was this photo (?) which may or may not show the new St. Louis Blues Rbk EDGE uniform.

I don't know why, but it doesn't feel all that... real... to me. Perhaps it's the cynic in me having been drawn out by all the other fictional works we've been treated to lately? I'll say this, though. It does seem an awful lot like this Detroit design I posted Saturday.

What do you think? Will this be the new Blues jersey or are we looking at another fan-created, Photoshop-assisted design?

Mailbag: Flames Concept Logo

I had a reader send in this Calgary Flames logo which seems pretty cool. It gives a new perspective on the recent secondary logo that featured a horse with flames in its nostrils.

Flames fans might also notice the similarities between the flames coming off the traditional "C" and the mane of the horse in this fan-designed concept logo. It's pretty sharp. But can anything really be better than the flaming "C" or should the Flames go in this artistic direction?

As a side note, it also seems that we'll be getting a first look at the Calgary Flames new uniforms at the Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic on September 4. I can't completely vouch for the reliability of this info, but what could it hurt to add it to the sidebar countdown? Check it.

Mailbag: Maple Leafs Concept

A reader emailed me his design for a new uniform for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

We have been hearing we should expect a modified Leaf logo for this season. This concept certainly takes that into account. What do you guys think?

An Abundance Of Islanders Art

Every so often I find myself with just so many images for one team I feel like getting them all posted in one shot. Today that team is the New York Islanders. Remember that Atlanta Thrashers artwork I posted on Friday? Well, I've got more from that same artist (who's apparently been posting his awesome work over at the SportsLogos.net message board.

If you ask me, that's a pretty nice set of logos. Isles fans?

This is the uniform set that goes with those logos and they're just as cool. I really like the lighthouse as a primary element. I don't think you can lose the "NY" altogether because that's just one of those things that's always been there and it really does look good.

The Islanders tried out a lighthouse logo back in the mid-'90s when they switched to the fisherman logo. But nobody liked the fisherman, so they reverted back. I don't know why they didn't keep some version of the lighthouse, though.

In fact, this next design makes use of that lighthouse. Before you look, though, just know that it is a design based off the dreaded all-star jersey template.

I like that its a Mike Bossy jersey. Good stuff. The only problem is, those logos don't really go well together. The waviness of this lighthouse logo just went better with those mid-'90s jerseys. I'm curious to know what Islanders fans thought of those — and this jersey design. Though I think the designer is trying to subliminally mess with your sense of nostalgia by placing Bossy's name on the back.

I'm just about done here. This is another example of a lighthouse-based logo. It doesn't necessarily have to be the primary mark, but I think it would make a good secondary logo. Put it on the shoulder patch or something. This one isn't extremely well-balanced for a sports logo, but I had it so I thought I'd post it.

One last thing and then I'll leave you and the Islanders alone for a while.

Sorry I don't have a larger size, but a reader emailed this logo to me. It's got some neat elements but I'm not sure what it would be for. Perhaps a seal logo for hats and t-shirts and the like.

To sum up, it's a lot of cool fan artwork and absolutely nothing official from the team. Sorry to disappoint, but nobody has been saying anything official these days and I still want to keep posting new stuff on the blog. So the only way is to post fan designs in the interim while we wait. As always, I'll be sure to let you know when something official is announced. Until then, enjoy the fan artwork, and feel free to submit any of your own.

New Stuff For Ducks, Canucks

Got some fun stuff for your Sunday. The first is a jersey design for the Anaheim Ducks that playfully (and pitifully) attempts to look like a "leak." Thought it was funny.

The designer himself said it's a manipulation of the old Nashville road jersey. As far as the webbed duck foot "D" logo, I'm really hoping its what Anaheim goes with this season. I've heard that they will be dropping the wordmark on the uniforms, but we have yet to see anything official from them. Anyway, enjoy this and try not to take it seriously. It's not the real thing.

Looks like another fan came up with this concept for a new Vancouver Canucks uniform.

It seems to borrow from the newly unveiled Florida jerseys. It's not a well-balanced logo, but what do you Canucks fans think? Would you like to see something like this? Or do you prefer the orca logo, which we're hearing will stay on the new Rbk EDGE jerseys (in new colors)?

And for everybody else, what do you think about all this stuff? Don't be fooled. None of it is actual team artwork — just fan-created fun. But do you think it's good work? Or should it have stayed in the minds of these fans and off this site? Be gentle.

Mailbag: "Buffaslug" A Scam?

Ever since I set up an email address for this blog, I've been getting some of the most interesting and strange emails I've ever seen. I'm filing this one in the nutty bin but I wanted to at least show it to all of you. Before I say anything about it, just have a read and then feel free to laugh to yourself for a little while.

the sabres slug was a scam. they are planning on revealing the final logo this september. the new blue and gold project was in on it the whole time.
http://www.newblueandgold.com/photos/i/sabresconfidentialphoto.jpg

That was the cryptic message I received today. Verbatim. And the image to which he linked can be seen below.

Now, for the record, I think the Blue & Gold Project is amazing. I've had a link to it on the sidebar since I started this site. John Slabyk does some of the best work I've ever seen. I was a graphic artist for a newspaper for eight years and every time I think about going back into the field, I see work like that and think twice. (That's why I'm sticking with television.)

Anyway, having said that, it would be utterly ridiculous for us to really put stock in this email. As we know, Photoshop is more prevalent than ever these days and therefore what you see, is not necessarily what you will get. The reason I say it is ridiculous is that there's no way a multi-million-dollar NHL club goes through the hassle of creating a whole new identity, only to dump it after just 12 months.

Forget the uniforms. Think of all the hats, t-shirts, bumper stickers and other merchandise with the "Buffaslug" logo. Think of how much money it would cost to create all new merchandise with a new logo. I'm sorry, I do love the logo Slabyk created and I hope one day the Buffalo Sabres can use it or something similar, but don't hold your breath for this season.

If you have a question or comment you'd like to submit by email, you can reach me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

UPDATE (8/5 6:16 PM): We need to ease off on all the confusion here. I'm reading in some places things that would make English teachers everywhere sit down on the floor and cry. If only people would read.

The image featured in this post, as was stated, is just for fun. But to clear things up, I wanted to add the screen grab in the comments to the actual post as an update. As you can see, there's a very clever watermark in the image proving its lack of authenticity as far as that goes. I'm trying not to spread rumors here, but the trick is reading what gets posted along with the pictures.

Mailbag: Senators Fan Art

I got an email this afternoon from Pat with some neat fan art for the Ottawa Senators' uniforms. They have some slight similarities to work I posted back in June, but nevertheless, it's always nice to share.

Those two aren't in the Rbk EDGE cut, but this next one is. Though some among you will complain about it being set in the template of those now-infamous all-star jerseys, try to deal. It's an alternate harkening back to the original Sens from back in the day.

I think the stripes would drive me nuts. Sharp design for the '20s but I don't think it would go over very well today. Feel free to leave your comments for the designer.

And as always, if you have fan art of your own or would like to get in touch, email me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

Deplorable Detroit Design

Not sure exactly where I first saw this design for the Detroit Red Wings new Rbk EDGE uniform, but not to worry, I'd bet money on it being a fake.

Now you can see why. It is rather ugly. I mean, like, really, really ugly! Scary ugly!

But what do you think? Is it really as bad as I'm making it out to be or would something like this work for the Red Wings?