A Bunch Of Concept Logos

I get a lot of emails with concept jerseys but most of them make use of the team's actual logo. But sometimes people send in new ideas for logos. That's what this post is about.

We're going to kick things off with the Buffalo Sabres. Lots of complaints have been lodged over the Sabres' new logo. There is even an entire site dedicated to the subject. Just as interesting is the now-famous design of John Slabyk. His work is nothing short of brilliant. But then someone emailed me this. And it rivals Slabyk's work on a different level.

The logo is very abstract but very unique because of it. The colors are a bit muted and I think that is actually a plus. But I feel like this is a very sharp logo. I'm curious to know what you all think of it. Please comment.

But that's not all. You probably know by now I'm not a huge fan of the Detroit Red Wings logo. I get the whole tradition/Original Six thing, but all right already. The Bruins are an original and their logos kick ass. They do. I'm not necessarily saying this is the answer for the Wings, but here's an idea.

I think the addition of black to the color scheme adds a lot to the uniform. The monochromatic red/white combo rubs me the wrong way — though I completely associate it with a scary good team. A little change never hurt anyone (except for the Islanders in the mid-'90s).

While still on the topic of the NHL's mainstays, you also probably know I'm not terribly keen on the Toronto Maple Leafs' logo. People like to say stuff like, "you don't mess with tradition" and the Leafs logo has been around forever. But the fact is, while the Leafs have been around forever, the current incarnation of logo has only existed since the 1970s. Anyway, what do you make of this?

I like the incorporation of the CN Tower, but I think this is more worthy of a secondary logo. I could see it as a shoulder patch, but not a primary for the Leafs. Thoughts?

Next we have the New York Islanders. I'm always talking about how a lighthouse would serve as a good logo element for the Islanders. Here's a rather simplistic version of that idea.

One of the most controversial notions I hold is the idea that the Chicago Blackhawks do not, in fact, have the best logo in all of professional sports. (Stop throwing rocks at me.) Here's what someone came up with to alter the Hawks' logo.

I see the differences and they make sense, but for my money, it's a lateral move. No better, no worse. Anybody else have an opinion on the logo?

One day I'd like to hear a real explanation as for why people think this logo is one of the best out there. There are too many colors in it and it's just so jumbled. A lot of you guys say simplicity rules all. That doesn't apply here. If you can educate me, leave a comment. I read them all.

Result: Thrashers vs Sabres

Atlanta
THRASHERS
54% 6,427 votes

Buffalo
SABRES
46% 5,417 votes

11,844 total votes

Atlanta Thrashers
Advancing to Quarterfinals to face Lightning or Flyers

Buffalo Sabres
Eliminated

Click here to see the original poll

Poll opening date Aug 22 @ 4:20 AM

Poll closing date Aug 29 @ 11:59 PM

07CHTRN | #E1F | ATLvBUF

Just To Freak You Out, Part 1 of 5

Today I'm starting a weeklong feature I hope you all will enjoy. As the title implies, the images I post here are meant to freak you out a bit so don't be surprised if you see the weird and wacky in what follows.

I've gotta kick it off with this photo because it's what gave me the idea for this series.

This photo comes from a bored fan at a Vancouver Canucks message board. Talk about identity crisis. How about those colors? Black, silver and neon green. Don't miss the recolored flying skate logo on the shoulder and the neon green Johnny Canuck on the side of Roberto Luongo's helmet. Stunning. Absolutely marvelous.

It gets better.

Now speaking as a Lightning fan, I can honestly say that is one color scheme I would have never dreamed up. It's not a horrible design on its own, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to recognize Vinny, Marty and Brad underneath all that... whatever it is.

But let's not stop there.

Sabres fans, have you ever considered going with a blue and gold goathead for your primary logo?

Part of me wants to think someone was just trying to prove how silly a yellow buffalo would look (see the current "Buffaslug" logo). But the part of me that attempts the use of logic fears someone honestly considered that to be a decent option.

Take me now!

If none of that has given you nightmares, then I'm not doing my job. Read on.

Friends, you won't believe the scariest thing about this beast. It's real. This sweater — if we can call it that without sullying the name of actual hockey sweaters everywhere — was actually produced for the St. Louis Blues. I'm not kidding. Surnames and numbers were stitched onto it. But with thanks to the holiest of gods, it was never actually worn during an NHL game.

Mike Keenan may have made some bad decisions in his life, but his refusal to allow his team to wear this monstrosity in 1996 is not among them. Can you imagine? Blues fans, you dodged a bullet and you will forever be in Keenan's debt. And do not ever forget that!

All right, now it's your turn. What do you guys think of these designs? Comment below.

I'll have more crazy designs all week. And as always, if you've seen any crazy designs or have some of your own, I'd love to see them. Email me at nhllogos@gmail.com.

Poll: Thrashers vs Sabres

	vs
Atlanta THRASHERS		Buffalo SABRES

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 Aug 22 @ 4:20 AM

Poll closing date Aug 29 @ 11:59 PM

07CHTRN | #E1F | ATLvBUF

A Handful Of Uniform Concepts

My web travels today led me to Erik Kuhre's Portfolio of Art & Design site. Found a handful of jersey concepts I thought I'd share this afternoon. So let's dive right in.

Buffalo Sabres fans, you want blue and gold? Here's blue and gold. And a lot of it.

That's quite something, I thought. A little too much to actually be an NHL jersey, but there it is. I'm a big fan of that crossed-sabres logo but I like it better in black and red.

Here he had some fun with the Edmonton Oilers' third jersey logo — a logo I'm rather fond of. I don't like the orange in it, though. The blue looks better. That being said, I don't hate it on the blue jersey. I think the silver along the sleeves is pretty cool too. The Gretzky 99 sells me completely.

We know the Vancouver Canucks are getting new colors for this season, but take a look at this design anyway. I like the use of the "V" around the collar of this jersey, but the recolored '80s logo is too far down the sleeve at the cuff. The gloves would hide it. I also like the "V" on the sleeves and pants of this uniform concept.

I've got one more design to share from this artist, but I'm going to save it for a later post. I've got a bunch of New York Islanders concepts to add in the near future.

But anyway, what do you guys think of all these? Good work or not so much?

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.

Some Snazzy Leafs, Sabres Stuff

It just keeps getting better over here at the NHL Tournament of Logos. Hope you guys are all voting. If you haven't yet, there are three open polls that you can have your shot at.

Anyhow, while we wait for all the votes to trickle in, I've got a few more concept designs to share with the class. Let's start with everyone's favorite Ontario-based team that isn't the Ottawa Senators — the Toronto Maple Leafs. A reader emailed some great designs I thought were cool and different. Behold.

He sent a handful but I felt like these two were the cream of the crop. They're pretty sharp and they do away with that "TML" logo that fans apparently hate with a passion. Personally, I thought it worked. It gave them a 21st century feel without altering a logo that hasn't been messed with for decades.

But what do I know? I'm just that Florida guy writing a hockey blog, right?

Let's cross the lake and see what's going on stateside. I have Buffalo Sabres artwork for you. Have a look.

What do you guys make of this? My belief is that if you're going to use the old logo, you've gotta use the old jerseys as well. I'm not sure this mixing and matching really works. Thoughts?

Plus, from hockey logo and uniform designer extraordinaire John Slabyk comes another look at his all too cool Blue & Gold Project on the backs of a dude in NHL 07 or something like that. It's quality work, really. You don't see that sort of thing every day.

If those were the Sabres' uniforms, stores wouldn't be able to keep them in stock, and not a single hockey fan in the greater Buffalo area would file a complaint — or at least that's my small-minded belief.

Should I stop going on about them now?

Also there's this design which makes us see why the "B" with sword through it should really be left on the shoulders.

I don't hate it, but at the same time, I feel like you could do so much better with the crest.

And as always, there's much more where that came from, but you don't want to spoil your supper now. I'll hang onto it for now... save it for later. Hope you're enjoying the tournament and all the Rbk EDGE speculation.

It fills the empty hours.

Sabres, Pens Concept Art

The campaign against the slug trudges on as I can't hit a single Buffalo Sabres fan site or forum without reading the words "death to the slug" somewhere within. That in mind, I stumbled across a few concepts traditional fans should be all right with, barring an all-out return to the 1970s.

If you think the logo looks familiar, look no further than the old red third jersey. Personally, as a non-Sabres fan, I was always of the opinion that the crossed swords would make an excellent primary logo for that team. It could permanently relegate the buffalo to the shoulder where it belongs. Of course that's coming from a Lightning fan

Our designer also came up with an alternate uniform to go with these two. I'm afraid it goes a little overboard with the stripes though. I think we've past the point where it might've looked aesthetically pleasing. As far as the colors, I don't think the blue looks that bad. I think the current blue is a little darker than it needs to be.

Any thoughts, Sabres fans? I know you hate the slug. Is this the way to go? How do you feel now about the red-black-silver days of the late '90s?

Also, I just thought I'd throw in this nugget. One fan came up with this concept for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Check out that penguin! That one, I'm afraid of. I'm pretty sure it's culled from a minor league logo and it's a little cartoony.

Penguins fans, would this be a travesty? Would it be that bad to make a return to the old '90s penguin? Should I stop bothering you and deal with the one you've got?

Feel free to leave your opinions below, all. And remember, if you've come across any designs I haven't posted or have any of your own you'd like to share, you can submit them to nhllogos@gmail.com.

Sabres vs Rangers

	vs
SABRES		RANGERS
6-7		3-9

The Aesthetics
The battle of New York we've all been waiting for is finally here. Before the ultra-traditionalists come for me, I should preface this with a disclaimer: I try not to let nostalgia and tradition get in the way of determining what a good logo is. That being said, I think the Lady Liberty logo from the third jersey could kick everybody's asses. This one cannot.
Sabres

The Nickname
You don't suppose a Ranger might carry a Sabre, do you? Not if he was a park ranger, I guess. Then he would probably be armed with a rifle with a range better than four feet.
Rangers

The Analysis
I know, this is a problem for the Rangers. What is a Ranger? Are they so unsure they don't bother to put a logo on the front of the jersey? Or is that laziness. I've lamented the fact that a buffalo is serving as a logo for a team called the Sabres, but at the very least, there's a very subtle sword on the back of that buffalo. And we'll call it a day for them. The Sabres finish even.
Sabres

WINNER

2-1

 

Canadiens vs Sabres

	vs
CANADIENS		SABRES
8-4		6-6

The Aesthetics
The blue abounds. This competition isn't based on tradition (or else most teams wouldn't even get a fair shot) so don't think I'm picking the Canadiens logo just because it's been around as long as dirt. It's got good, strong colors and is very clearly defined. Often people have a hard time discerning what the Sabres logo is as the creature appears to have no legs. Let's move on.
Canadiens

The Nickname
Unless the Canadien was a strong swordsman, a Sabre would likely end him.
Sabres

The Analysis
Once again the Sabres lose the point because the actual team name seems to have been more of an afterthought in designing this logo. Yes, it's supposed to be a buffalo but I'm not buying the blue sabre across its back. The Canadiens have a solid image which has withstood the test of time. I don't want to get into the whole "H" debate again, though, so I'll just leave that be and say that's why the Canadiens logo earns this point.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1