Western Identities

Concept art! We're sticking to the western conference for this one.

The same designer who created this logo for the New Jersey Devils has a few ideas for the Nashville Predators.

That's just cool.

And I have nothing bad to say about this one either. I love getting work from talented artists. Just makes the mind wander.

Next up is an idea for a hybrid Phoenix Coyotes logo.

Hadn't considered that before. Also a Los Angeles Kings concept.

Resist the urge to start in with the comments about Sacramento of the NBA. We know.

Lastly, I thought we'd finish up with another wallpaper. Tomorrow will be the big day though — the official start of Wallpaper Wednesdays. You guys liked the Boston Bruins wallpaper so much, the designer's made one for the Oilers as well.

This might also be a good time to drop a hint that the new Icethetics name will be taking over very soon.

LFV Day 2: Amazing Hockey

LIVE FROM VANCOUVER!

Just got back to my hotel from the Canucks game a little while ago. It was unbelievable. Having experienced a long playoff run and a Stanley Cup championship in Tampa, I thought I knew what exciting hockey was. Wow. I didn't know anything.

It's not even the playoffs. It was a big game for the Canucks tonight, but not that big, you know? The atmosphere in that building was incredible. Absolutely unforgettable. I realized that I'd never really been to a hockey game until I went to one in Canada.

I'm sure I sound a little crazy, but for as big a hockey fan as I am, it's just a great feeling to be surrounded by people who feel the same way about the game. Yeah, we don't have that in Tampa. Not to mention, five goals in the first six minutes, that was pretty intense.

Earlier in the day, I walked around Stanley Park and visited the aquarium. Just in general, this city is pretty awesome. Vancouverites, I love your town! Mind if I stay?

Anyway, one more thing before I sign off for the night. Concepts! Got a couple for the Canucks and a bonus for the Nashville Predators, their opponent tonight. First one's my favorite.

Love the logo. Love the green jerseys. Love it all. (I love it so much maybe I'll marry it.)

Another design I've got here incorporates the same cool logo but it just doesn't work well for me, overall.

And we continue this downward tumble with a yellow Preds jersey. No, this wasn't meant to be an in-your-face for the Canucks' big win tonight, it was just all I had.

I really don't like yellow jerseys. Only seems to look good on the Swedes.

And finally, I leave you with a glimpse of the game — specifically the singing of the national anthems — from my particular vantage point in section 329.

Poll: Bruins vs Predators

	vs
Boston BRUINS		Nashville PREDATORS

REMEMBER: You're choosing the WORST logo!

I'm dubbing this the Battle of the Crazy Eyes and Scary Teeth! Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date Mon Feb 11

Poll closing date Fri Feb 15

Poll: Coyotes vs Predators

	vs
Phoenix COYOTES		Nashville PREDATORS

REMEMBER: You're choosing the WORST logo!

Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date Sun Feb 3

Poll closing date Thu Feb 7

Poll: Predators '01 vs Predators '98

	vs
Nashville PREDATORS '01		Nashville PREDATORS '98

REMEMBER: You're choosing the WORST logo!

Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date Mon Jan 21

Poll closing date Fri Jan 25

Poll: Coyotes vs Predators

	vs
Phoenix COYOTES		Nashville PREDATORS

Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date Mon Dec 10

Poll closing date Fri Dec 14

07SCTRN | #1C | PHXvNSH

Art From Music City

Today's concept art is all about the Nashville Predators. Although you might not know it from where I'm starting. Remember all the noise that was stirred up over the summer regarding the possibility of the Preds being sold and relocated to Hamilton? It may be all but out of the question at this point but I've got some artwork that by itself may want to make folks reconsider.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Hamilton Predators.

I have to say that this logo looks so professional that I might have to wonder whether it's been "borrowed." (Let me know if has.) But still, I can't help but love it. And although the jersey set is a recoloring of the Washington Capitals' threads, it's no less awesome looking.

I doubt I'm alone in that opinion. What do you guys think of this concept?

Anyway, we'll move on to some more conservative concept designs. These two really do nothing more than make adjustments to striping patterns. They're nothing special but they aren't terrible.

These next two are a little more unique and perhaps more worthy of an alternate jersey than a primary.

On the left we see the old third jersey logo on white instead of gold. Personally, I was always a fan of the gold jersey that critics have called "baby puke yellow." While I think that's funny, I don't think it's all that accurate.

The design on the right is the new fossil logo on black accented with dark blue. While this design isn't as neat as it could be, if cleaned up, I bet that would look like a killer sweater.

And finally, our last Nashville concept of the night basically deals with some altered colors. How about red and gold instead of blue and silver? It's not a common color combination in the league, but I definitely think there could be worse.

As always, feel free to leave your comments below. I enjoy getting feedback from you guys.

Poll: Predators vs Rangers

	vs
Nashville PREDATORS		New York RANGERS

Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date Sun Nov 11

Poll closing date Thu Nov 15

07TJTRN | #1G | NSHvNYR

Third Jersey Concepts

In honor of the new Third Jersey Logo Tournament, I've got a fitting theme for today's concept art post. Check it out.

One cool suggestion for a Hurricanes alternate sweater could be achieved by going all black. I say change the black sweater cuffs to red and you've got yourself a winner. As for the Habs, this may not be perfect, but it's pretty damn close. I'm a big fan of this design. I'm curious to see what it would look like on the ice.

But back to black third jerseys, consider these.

I actually like this. But I was a big fan of the black and red days of the Sabres. They never looked better — especially in those red third jerseys.

And what about the Predators? Obviously, this design was created entirely based off of the Bruins' new sweaters, but it's not bad. I sort of like the 3D sabre-toothed tiger head, myself. But my preferences have never really been on par with most people. And I'm okay with that.

Finally, based off the idea of teams going with a retro look for alternate jerseys, how about something like this for Phoenix?

It's not like I hate the current look of the Coyotes, but I always thought they looked awesome in brick red and green. You have to admit, though, this jersey is pretty sharp looking.

But you probably disagree with me about something. Tell me about it below in the comments.

UPDATE (6:36 PM): Well our lovely designer Michaela got right on it with my suggestion to add red to her Canes concept above. Check it out.

I think it looks great with that small touch. Thoughts on that?

Just To Freak You Out XIII

It's lucky number 13 tonight on Freak Out Friday. Hope you guys get weirded out by what I have to share here.

I don't quite know where to begin.

Wow, I don't know what you did to deserve that, but it must've been pretty bad. Now if you're thinking that looks somewhat familiar, consult a post from last month.

And the hits just keep coming. Flames, take a clue from the Thrashers. This is how you do it up if you really want your provincial/state flag on your jersey. The scary part is that half of it is what seems to be the Confederate flag. Yeah, 'cause rednecks and hicks just dig hockey.

All right so let's head up north where they can really claim the sport. Scary thought alert. Imagine the Rangers and Flyers swapping colors.

On second thought, don't. It's too horrible. Speaking of horrible, check out this Rangers jersey concept.

That's what scary is. I know the new EDGE jerseys are supposed to have larger crests, but somewhere a line's been crossed.

Anyway, let's head west. Here's a color combination that doesn't work on a jersey.

The Nashville Predators are a hockey team, not a figure skating team.

Right?

Yikes! That logo. And while we're on the topic of bad logos, consider the following.

Oilers fans, you think you've got it bad now with your half-a-stripe elbows and practice-jersey looks. What if this happened? Don't even think about it too much. Your head will explode.

We'll wrap things up in California now, if you don't mind. And sometimes you have to reintroduce a winner — like the 1996 Mighty Ducks third jersey. Only the Ducks have new colors now.

That is something.

What we're finishing the night off with might be hard to look at. Remember the old Lightning third jerseys from the mid-90s? They had the rain pouring down, lightning bolts down the arms and — the selling point — the wild waves of the bay around the bottom. Well Sharks live in the water.

The waves have been stolen. And so has what little dignity might've been left in the new Florida Panthers uniforms when an attempt to create a San Jose concept went horribly awry. This is what happens when folks have too much time on their hands.

Well I hope you all got freaked out enough on this Freak Out Friday. If not, accept my apologies. Better luck next week. Until then, I'm waiting to see what you guys have in store for me next in terms of crazy artwork. Email it along.