A Third Jersey For The Wings?

The third round of voting on the Third Jersey Logo Tournament will begin on Wednesday so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, I've managed to break away from Super Mario Galaxy (80 stars) if for only moments to share with you some Detroit Red Wings concept art. This, of course, coming on the heels of the Motor City being named the most dangerous city in America. Kudos on the whole gas station owner feud thing.

Crazy.

All right, so moving right along into the hockey stuff now. We'll begin with what you'd probably consider your basic throwback alternate.

I don't think many Wings fans would lodge a lot of complaints over something like this. It's still got that traditional look and feel but at the same time it's something new.

For a change of pace, how about a new logo entirely? Get it en-"tire"-ly. I should stop that now.

Personally, I'm not the biggest fan but it's definitely got the old-time hockey feel.

Now, if it's something completely and totally different that you're after, look no further. I've got you covered there as well.

The designer described his work this way: "As you can see, the skyline wraps around the base of the jersey. I'm sure you're wondering about the logo. It is an image that has been familiar with Detroiters for decades. It's a statue called the 'Spirit of Detroit.' If you google it I'm sure you'll find a good photo. I think it's a great representation of Detroit that many Detroiters would appreciate."

So Detroiters, how do you feel about these? I'm interested to get some feedback here.

But just so you guys don't think I've gone completely crazy, I've got a couple of very conservative redesigns as well.

So now let's hear it. Could any of these pass muster for a potential Red Wings third jersey? Or is Hockeytown destined to never join the alternate sweater club? Post comments below.

Just To Freak You Out XV

We were a little thin in terms of new Freak Out art this week, so forgive me if today's post is a little light. Still, nothing pleases me more than trying to freak you guys out with some crazy concept art.

As many of you know, the NHL unveiled the 2008 All-Star Game sweaters this week. Reader reaction here was not great. In fact, I got some very Freak Out-worthy concepts based off of those jerseys.

John sent those in along with a few others. You'll be able to find them in the Concepts Gallery this weekend.

We'll keep things moving with the Pittsburgh Penguins next. Each concept here imagines a drastic change. For instance, the first example suggests renaming the team the Pirates — a club that once existed in Pittsburgh during the early years of the NHL.

And the second suggests that the team keep the name but move to Russia.

That silly penguin even looks Russian.

And then, this goes out to all the folks from Quebec. It just doesn't look right. At all.

We'll keep things in the Western Conference now. With all the vanity in the world these days, you had to see this coming.

It seems even the Chicago Blackhawks' Indian head wanted a facelift. Either that or he got the Botox. And don't think I'm ignoring the Bears reference in there.

Next we'll head to Detroit where I'm quite concerned.

I think the grey jersey is an interesting choice, but I don't think an octopus will ever be anything but scary on a Red Wings concept. That tradition should stay off the sweater. Having said that, as a logo itself, it's not bad. But I'm still very, very concerned.

And finally, with Christmas just 39 days away, I thought I'd start my decorating now.

Ho ho ho!

If you've made or run across any concepts you think might be worth posting for Freak Out Friday, don't be shy. Send them along! You can email me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

Guess What! Concepts!

There's no new poll today and I couldn't very well go without a single new post, now could I? Naturally, I have reader-submitted concept art to share. Let's begin in Pennsylvania.

On the left is a great option for a third jersey — we've been told to expect one as early as next season for the Flyers. In fact, the team itself said so. On the right is an example of be careful what you wish for — because sometimes you get it.

I really like the added use of gold on that Penguins jersey, little flightless birds don't have horns so a redesign would be required here. Next up is the Edmonton Oilers.

Not a bad idea for third jerseys, but those elbow stripes have got to go!

We'll finish with a concept logo for a team that will never change its logo, of this I'm sure.

It would never pass a professional sports logo, but if the Wings had/have some sort of foundation or something, it might make a good logo for that. Of course it's entirely possible I don't have a clue what I'm talking about. Wouldn't be the first time.

So that's that for today. Likely more to come tomorrow so keep checking in. I'm really trying to get done more than a post or two per day, but as you know, I have a Wii. It's pretty addicting.

Red & Black

We've got a color theme for this concept post. Check it out.

The most obvious place to start is the New Jersey Devils.

They both offer unique ideas for an alternate jersey. I don't think we'd really want to see the Devils in anything but red on a regular basis. Very interesting how these two different artists came up with something so similar yet so different.

But for something completely different, look no further.

That's a pretty scary logo. Looks like somebody's tattoo.

And here's a team you don't often associate with black.

The ironic part is the Ducks' template on a Red Wings jersey. Just so many things wrong with that. I know the Red Wings are sworn enemies of third jerseys, but I think they should try one out some day. Maybe not this design, though.

Another black and red team is the Ottawa Senators. Here's an example of what they shouldn't do with a third jersey. Ever. And here's another.

Now here's something that would work — even as a full-time road jersey. This 2D Senators logo is quite possibly better than the primary. It's unfortunate it's nowhere to be seen on their uniforms. Rumor was that it would be featured on various bits of team merchandise. If anybody owns anything with that logo, send me some photos.

And while we're on the topic of doctored photos of jerseys, more and more I'm in favor of the black/red/silver color scheme for the Buffalo Sabres — who are presently being conquered by my Lightning (that goes out to all my email hecklers).

Yeah, it's true. My Sabres-fan readers have taken to email trash talk. Well we'll just see how that goes, won't we? It's 2-0, not five minutes into the second period. Hope you're watching.

UPDATE (9:33 PM): Sadly, I may have spoken too soon with regard to the game. It's now tied.

UPDATE (10/28 8:17 AM): Stupid overtime.

Rbk EDGE Review: Red Wings

Part 18 of 30. All 30 NHL clubs have unveiled new jerseys under the new Rbk EDGE Uniform System for the 2007-08 season. Here at the NHLToL, we're going to review every one of them. Read up and then rate the new sweaters. We'll do a full ranking after completing all of the reviews.

Rbk EDGE Uniform System

Detroit Red Wings

New Uniforms

Old Uniforms

The Unveiling
Wednesday, August 8. The Red Wings unveiled their new jerseys to no fanfare via their official web site.

Home vs. Road
Home: Red. Road: White. The two sweaters are essentially mirror images of each other with slight differences on the sleeves.

The red home jerseys feature a thick white stripe around the elbows as well as at the bottom around the waist. The collar is red and the primary logo serves as the crest.

The white road jerseys feature red sleeves with an indentation at the shoulder where a white shoulder yoke would end. A thick white stripe wraps around the elbows and a thick red stripe wraps around the waist. The collar is red and the primary logo serves as the crest.

In The Details
The captains' letters on the front of the sweater have been moved from the left shoulder to the right since the tip of the wing rises so high on that side. The Red Wings are the only team to wear the letters on that side. The same numbering and lettering style has been retained.

New & Old
Aside from the league-wide collar change and the adaptation to the new Rbk EDGE cut, the Red Wings have made no major alterations to their jerseys.

Standard FAQ
Numbers on the front? No.
Laces at the collar? No.

NHLToL Editorial by Chris
In my book, tradition and history don't win you anything by default. It still has to be earned. The Red Wings are the only team that can pull off the monochrome uniform and still look good. Despite my curiosity of what a new logo and uniform might look like, I wouldn't ever want to see it really changed. It's great the way it is. It's not perfect though. Because it hasn't really evolved over time, it's stale. The Bruins proved that minor yet marked alterations in striping style can result in turning a good jersey into a great one. Overall, I like it. 4/5

View the photo gallery

Buy your new Red Wings jersey!

Just To Freak You Out IX

It's time for another Freak Out Friday! Let's not waste time.

I've had this Buffalo Sabres concept for some time now. I think the idea is that this text would run down the front of the jersey, just like the Rangers.

Cracks me up though. But, hey, nothing says "Buffalo" and "Sabres" more than the city on a skewer. Anybody else getting hungry?

No? Just me?

Moving right along then to one of the scariest bits of artwork ever to grace my inbox.

Aptly titled Thrash Bling, this image frightens me to my very core. What you can't say, though, is that it isn't creative. The things people come up with.

I think the Anaheim Ducks missed an opportunity.

That is one pissed off duck. I think someone splashed him.

You might have to enlarge this next one to grasp its full scope.

I get the octopus thing, but where does it stop exactly? I'm voting for the purple one. Speaking of scary Detroit Red Wings art, look at this.

I mean it's not half bad as far as that goes, but yikes! I think the wings are swallowing the wheel. Poor wheel.

Apologies for the short post this week, guys, but it was a slow week in terms of "freak out" art. Hopefully you guys will send in more for next Friday's installment. Until then...

Freak.

Out.

Jersey Concept Art Galore

Busy day today. Shame I'm only getting to my first post at 5 PM, but some days, that's the way it goes.

Always gotta kick things off with some good concepts. So let's dive in with the Boston Bruins.

I like these logos much better on a yellow jersey than the old bear head. Although, I say that now but to be fair, when it came out I thought it was pretty damn cool.

I also like the striping patterns on both jerseys. When the third jersey program is reinstated next fall, I hope the Bruins consider something like this. It's very sharp.

Then, one thing a lot of people have been contemplating is what the Atlanta Thrashers would look like if the road jersey matched the home jersey.

Perhaps it would look like this. That's really nice, if you ask me. I really love the asymmetry of that light blue jersey. The city down the arm looks great and it's so unique to this team. I'm really impressed and I only wish the Lightning had thought of it first.

One reader also emailed me a handful of concept designs. I wish I had larger images, but this is what was sent.

My favorite in that set is the Kings but I think the red Blue Jackets sweater is ironic and very sharp. Not a fan of the black Wings jersey and the blue Isles jersey reminds me of the Lightning's old black sweaters with the white along the shoulders.

Now it's time for your input. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Updating The Wings

Yesterday I posted a great Florida Panthers rebranding concept and lots of you responded. I know one comment in particular asked about a Detroit Red Wings concept of similar quality. Well that reminded me of this logo I came across a while back. And I would contest that it's even of a higher quality than that Panthers' concept.

Before I talk about it any more, take a look at it.

It took me a second to even realize what I was looking at. It's just so different. One thing I've always thought about with regard to updating the Wings' logo was maybe using a more contemporary-looking wheel.

The current wheel is classic but dated — and as long as we keep making new cars, that will always be the case. But this thing just floors me.

First of all, the design itself is top-notch. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know nothing like this will ever don a Wings' sweater — not even a third jersey — but it's way cool to look at. Second, it definitely has a "now" sort of feel as opposed to something stuck in the 1950s.

My favorite thing about this logo is in the wings. At first glace, you may not have noticed, but hidden within them are an "R" and a "W" — standing for Red Wings, naturally.

Like I said, nothing like this would ever come to be accepted by hockey fans in Detroit, but it's fun to wonder.

If somebody wanted to create a concept uniform around this logo, I'd be open to posting it. In the meantime, what do you guys think of this? Worthy of a Detroit jersey? Or too crazy to ever make the cut?

Result: Red Wings vs Canucks

Vancouver
CANUCKS
55% 13,311 votes

Detroit
RED WINGS
45% 10,946 votes

24,257 total votes

Vancouver Canucks
Advancing to face St. Louis Blues

Detroit Red Wings
Eliminated

Click here to see the original poll

Poll opening date Sep 2 @ 7:45 AM

Poll closing date Sep 9 @ 11:59 PM

07CHTRN | #W2D | DETvVAN

Wings Prospects Wearing EDGE?

It seems that the members of the Detroit Red Wings at the Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan are wearing the new Rbk EDGE jersey. RedWingsCentral.com has a great photo gallery up from Friday. I recommend taking a look.

You can see Thrashers and Lightning players in a couple of the photos but they appear to be wearing last year's sweaters.

If I get permission from the photographer, I'll post some of the pictures here in case the link ever goes away.

UPDATE (9:03 AM): I've been given permission to repost some of the photos so check these out. They were taken by Sarah Lindenau for RedWingsCentral.com.

From the previous photos we'd seen of the road sweaters, it wasn't clear if the sleeve element would remain the same. Seems it will. You'll also notice the "A" on the right shoulder for the alternate captain in this photo. Here's another for your viewing pleasure.

Huge thanks to RedWingsCentral.com from me! I should point out, too, that the folks at RedWingsCentral.com are not confirming that these are Rbk EDGE jerseys, but I believe they are. The collar and tight fit lead me to this assumption. Just wanted to put that out there.

Incidentally, there's a gallery of photos taken yesterday also available here.