Flames vs Canucks

	vs
FLAMES		CANUCKS
9-1		5-6

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos are made from the letter "C." One forms a Haida-style whale while other emits fire. I like the simplicity of the Flames logo but also the color scheme of the Canucks logo. Since word on the street is that these colors aren't long for this earth, I'm going to give them this point.
Canucks

The Nickname
Flames burn everything, Canucks included.
Flames

The Analysis
Looking at the Canucks logo, I'm continually confused by the whale. This isn't to say that I believe the orca has no connection to the Canucks as a team (as opposed to the organization), but I really like the design John Slabyk came up with. You know the one. Anyway, they can't win for the "C" (symbolizing "Canucks" and "Canada") because the Flames have one of those too. Plus, how can you improve on a logo for a team called the Calgary Flames, anyway?
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Wild vs Coyotes

	vs
WILD		COYOTES
11-2		5-4

The Aesthetics
Well this is it for the Wild — last match of the tournament. They're going to be the first ones finished. And for that, we're going to milk this forest scene for all its worth. If you don't see how cool it is, then I'm convinced you're blind. That coyote just looks awkward to me. But then again I didn't hate the original Coyotes logo from the late '90s.
Wild

The Nickname
The Coyotes live in the Wild, true. But so do bears.
Wild

The Analysis
I've said it all before about the Wild logo. I'm not sure what else I can add. It's really a great team icon. But just one more time for posterity: Inside the outline of a bear's head you've got a beautiful forest scene featuring trees, mountains, a river, a sunset and — wait for it — the north star in a fitting tribute to the history of The State of Hockey. Anything I missed? I think the Coyotes logo is designed well but it doesn't have nearly the depth of the Wild. And that's that for the Wild in this tournament.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Wild vs Blue Jackets

	vs
WILD		BLUE JACKETS
11-1		7-1

The Aesthetics
These are the league's two youngest teams, part of the most recent expansion. As far as aesthetics, this is one of the most difficult matches to judge. This incarnation of the Blue Jackets is simply the best ever devised. At the same time The Wild logo is pretty awesome. Some may not necessarily agree, but they really have to want it to see it. I don't know who to choose. I'm tempted to flip a coin. But since I can't do that, I'm going with the Blue Jackets for reasons unknown.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
A Blue Jacket should know his way around the Wild, but if he were to face a bear, I don't know that he could necessarily hold his own.
Wild

The Analysis
A clever forest scene of Minnesota versus an Ohio flag wrapped around a silver star. How do you decide? Somebody really knew what they were doing when they designed these. However, while the Wild logo could befit any forest-laden locale, the Blue Jackets logo is very specific to Ohio. My love for the Wild logo will have to be overtaken. I'm sorry to say.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Wild vs Avalanche

	vs
WILD		AVALANCHE
11-0		9-1

The Aesthetics
I've been dreading this match. How do you decide between two of the league's best logos? And while not everyone will agree with me, for now I'm the one having to decide. I'm going to go with the Avalanche logo but I can't really explain why. Just accept it.
Avalanche

The Nickname
If we assume the Wild is a forest and all the life that's part of it, then an Avalanche has the upper hand. The falling snow would completely take out everything.
Avalanche

The Analysis
This is where the Wild can truly earn a point. It's impossible to look at that logo and not see something different every time. You've got so many different things going on that it makes for a logo that's always interesting to look at — not to say that the Avalanche logo doesn't, but you can't expect to sweep a logo that looks that cool.
Wild

WINNER

2-1

 

Stars vs Wild

	vs
STARS		WILD
5-4		10-0

The Aesthetics
These two logos seem to share a few colors. It makes the red in the Wild logo really stand out. But as far as who takes the point in this category, I think you already know who I'm going to pick. I really do think there are was of improving the Stars logo if you remove all the lettering from it. I like the star itself, though I admit it would look a little bare on its own. I've heard tale of a new Stars logo to be unveiled this summer. So we'll wait and see what happens.
Wild

The Nickname
What seems to keep working for the Stars is the fact that one is a giant ball of fire that you couldn't possibly imagine up close. Even the Wild would be consumed by its ferocity.
Stars

The Analysis
Now this one is harder for me, because it could almost go either way. The big "lone star" has Texas written all over it (I say that despite Dallas actually being written right there). The Wild logo continues to amaze me with all of its ingeniously combined elements. I wanted to give the Stars logo this point, but I can't in good conscience take it away from a logo this good. It's even got the "north star" as a tribute to Minnesota's hockey history. It was a close one, though.
Wild

WINNER

2-1

 

Ducks vs Flames

	vs
DUCKS		FLAMES
1-10		8-1

The Aesthetics
Is it wrong of me to keep hating on the Ducks logo? I like the colors but the wordmark just rubs me the wrong way as far as crests go. Meanwhile, the flaming "C" continues to impress... me. Let's clean things up on the Ducks side and make the duck foot the primary and lose the rest of the letters. Then maybe they'll have a real shot in this competition.
Flames

The Nickname
What do you get when you cross a Duck and a Flame? Dinner. (You knew I was going there.)
Flames

The Analysis
For many teams, I understand it's a difficult task to find some way to represent the home city visually in a way that would be universally recognizable. Anaheim and Calgary are two such cities I would lump in that category. So instead, I'm looking at the basics. Do we see ducks and do we see flames? In fact, I do see flames attached to a "C" meant to do its best job of representing both Calgary and even Canada. As far as ducks, all I see is a footprint, meaning that duck was there. Or it's just a duck foot indicating to me what was left after the stew was made.
Flames

WINNER

3-0

 

Canucks vs Ducks

	vs
CANUCKS		DUCKS
4-6		1-9

The Aesthetics
This is easy. The wordmark the Ducks are claiming is a logo... isnt. Meanwhile, the color combination in the Canucks logo is cool, not that the Ducks colors aren't — but they need a better logo.
Canucks

The Nickname
If he was a good shot, a Canuck might be able to successfully hunt a Duck.
Canucks

The Analysis
Aside from the "C" formed the logo itself, the Canucks logo doesn't do much to represent the very team name it's meant to — but neither does the Ducks logo. A webbed duck foot in the form of a "D" isn't enough of a saving grace for this logo. And it gets swept again.
Canucks

WINNER

3-0

 

Wild vs Predators

	vs
WILD		PREDATORS
9-0		7-4

The Aesthetics
These are two teams still working on their first decade in the NHL — though if certain billionaires have their way, the Preds won't make it beyond ten years. The most noticeable thing about these two logos is their similarities in shape. There are very distinct triangles make up the heads of some rather vicious animals. I think they are two of the league's best and that shows in the standings. Still, I think the Predators logo could use a little less minutia and final a real focus for the color scheme. The Wild logo already has all of that.
Wild

The Nickname
You might say a Predator is the king of the Wild, catching prey and dispatching of it.
Predators

The Analysis
By now, you already know the story of how the Predators got their name. Unfortunately, there's no sign of the city of Nashville in the logo, so it will be very easily transferred to Hamilton, er Kansas City, er... screw it. Anyway, I've also already talked in length about the greatness of the Wild logo in its ability to work in so much in such a small space.
Wild

WINNER

2-1

 

Avalanche vs Blues

	vs
AVALANCHE		BLUES
8-1		4-6

The Aesthetics
It's been hard for any team to beat the Avalanche in this category but the Blues logo serves as stiff competition. I'm a fan of the two-toned blue in the Blues logo but with that subtle puck at the end of the Avalanche logo, I'm tempted to lean more in that direction. It's a tough call but it's gotta be made.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Not only would a Blues musician be inconsequential to an Avalanche, but you could argue that a trumpet if played loud enough could cause one. You'd have to be in a Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoon, but you could.
Avalanche

The Analysis
I'm still none the wiser as to the reason for a wing being attached to a blue musical note in the Blues logo. I get it in the Flyers logo but I don't get it here. Don't misunderstand, I think it's a great logo but it leaves me with questions which must be asked in this section. I can hardly think of a single complaint or question for the Avs logo. It's that good. What's sad is I don't know how the Blues logo got swept in this match.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Stars vs Canucks

	vs
STARS		CANUCKS
4-4		4-5

The Aesthetics
These are both decent logos. Neither is bad, nor very good. Just average. For this point, I've always liked the Canucks' logo. Word is it's gone after this season, but as far as aesthetics, I think it's one of the best out there. The Stars logo spells out the name and that's too easy and uncreative. It also hurts the logo from a design standpoint.
Canucks

The Nickname
A Star is a giant, all-consuming ball of fire as we've noted, and I don't think they've lost this point yet. A Canuck has no chance against a Star.
Stars

The Analysis
Stylistically, both logos are very appropriate for their teams. The giant "lone star" practically screams Texas while the Haida-style orca points right to the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, what's lacking in the Canucks logo is ... a canuck. Even the coolest logos have their problems and this is a big one. It will cost them this point.
Stars

WINNER

2-1