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.

Hurricanes vs Sabres

	vs
HURRICANES		SABRES
10-1		6-5

The Aesthetics
These two logos are definitely in the same league. The colors may be different but the designs are very similar. Notice how they're both outlined in silver. Weird. Anyway, I'm partial to the puck in the eye of the storm in the Hurricanes logo.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
I'm not sure a swordfight is the wisest thing to do in a Hurricane. Those winds can make blunt object deadly. Imagine what it could do with a sharpened Sabre.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
I've said before that the Sabres logo makes for a very strong sports symbol. The problem it has here is that its more buffalo than sabre. At least with the Hurricanes, at least you get a hurricane. But really, how can you deny the impressiveness of the 'Canes logo? Like I've said, the only thing I'd change is the aspect. Make it a little rounder — like an actual hurricane.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Panthers vs Sabres

	vs
PANTHERS		SABRES
10-1		6-4

The Aesthetics
I wonder if the Panthers logo might just be the most fear-inspiring in the league. I almost said scary. But it's the "Buffaslug" that's scary. But as far as it being a good sports logo, it's a tough call — even though Sabres fans hate it. But come on, is there realy a question here?
Panthers

The Nickname
In the hands of an experienced swordsman, a Sabre is rather dangerous, even to a Panther.
Sabres

The Analysis
Look, the animals in both logos have red eyes. Creepy. Anyway, panther? Check. Sabre? Sort of, check. It's been pointed out there's a very subtle blue sword extending from the horn on the buffalo which doubles as the sword's handle. I kind of see it. But the Panther is much cooler.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Get Ready To Be Horrified

Okay so I didn't want to go to bed before I got one more post in for today. (I go to bed by 7 PM because I have to be at work by 4 AM. I work on a TV morning show. Which should explain why I have so much time to do a blog like this. I get off work at noon. And that's enough parenthetical nonsense for one day.)

Anyway, this is what I have to offer. A joke.

If you don't get the reference, look below. For what served as the inspiration to this mockery, you have to get in your time machine and travel back to the 1995-96 season when the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim donned this monstrosity on a couple of rare occasions.

Probably the worst third jersey ever. And you want to know the worst part? I have one of them in my closet! And if you were thinking that part was the joke... no, sir. I actually bought one back in the day because I was 11 and thought it was so cool. Let the ridicule begin.

Anyway, how much do Sabres fans hate the Buffaslug?

As far as actual news for your Monday night, I'm afraid I'm at a loss. Maybe Wednesday we'll get to see the Vancouver Canucks' new uniforms. Maybe. That reminds me. I found a bunch of mock-ups and fan art, I believe, at Canucks Central. So we can all look forward to that tomorrow on the day before August 1.

If you know or hear of anything else, I'd be happy to hear about it. Leave me a comment. Thanks.

Sabres vs Bruins

	vs
SABRES		BRUINS
5-4		6-2

The Aesthetics
It's a bit of a toss-up here. I think both logos are pretty aesthetically strong. But these are both logos that have been changed in the last couple years. As far as improvements, I think both are better than what they had, but that the Bruins logo is more of an improvement than the Sabres. The return to traditional colors was nice but for a way to make it better, just ask John Slabyk.
Bruins

The Nickname
This would have been a good showdown if it was bruin and buffalo. But instead, it's Bruin versus Sabre, and with the latter in the hands of an experience swordsman, I have my doubts for the big bear.
Sabres

The Analysis
Neither logo portrays its name it's meant to very well — although the case has been made that there's a blue sabre along the back of the buffalo with the horn also serving as the handle. I'd still like to see the secondary logo on the crest sans the word marks, but that may have to wait until the day third jerseys make their glorious return.
Sabres

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Lightning

	vs
SABRES		LIGHTNING
5-3		4-5

The Aesthetics
I don't think this requires a whole lot of scrutiny. The Sabres logo obviously is a much better-looking logo than the Lightning's. If you need an explanation, try and see past all the words in the Lightning logo. Bet you can't.
Sabres

The Nickname
You know, metal is a good conductor of electricity. Still, a bolt of Lightning would fry even the toughest of Sabres.
Lightning

The Analysis
All this time I've been saying that the logo for a team called the "Sabres" conspicuously lacks, you know, a sabre. Turns out, I've been wrong all this time. A reader here recently pointed out to me that there is in fact a very subtle sword across the side of the buffalo. The white horn is the handle and the blue stripe protruding from it is the blade. I think that's really cool. However! It's the name of the team. It shouldn't be subtle. It should be right out there in the open. Make the buffalo subtle. At least there's a lightning bolt in the Lightning logo.
Lightning

WINNER

2-1

 

Oodles Of Rbk EDGE Jersey Concepts

All right now, I know this is exciting stuff but please try to contain yourselves. A great reader to whom I'm enormously appreciative sent links my way for the jersey artwork you see below. PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE IT WITH ACTUAL OFFICIAL DESIGNS. These are merely the work of an artistically-inclined hockey fan pondering on the future of the NHL's aesthetics.

To enlarge an image below, just click on it. The designer of these went through the painstaking task of creating three different design schemes for 17 different teams, one of which doesn't even exist. It's worth noting that the NHL has said there will be no third jerseys this year during the transition to the new Reebok sweaters. Though I don't know who created them, these designs are just for fun. I'd implore you to avoid the urge to post a comment about how they aren't real, lest you lack the reading skills of a third-grader. (In which case nothing I write would matter.)

For your pleasure, I'll go through each of them one-by-one.

CONCEPTS #1
Not much to speak of with regard to the Canadiens designs. It's basically what they wear now with more curvy lines. The Penguins designs are interesting, if for no other reason than the alternate is a throwback to the days when the club wore blue. The Rangers concepts update the name running across the front while keeping Statue of Liberty logo on an alternate jersey. Personally I'm of the opinion it would make a great crest on a jersey worn night in and night out. But it's not my call. What's interesting to note here is the jersey number placed on the bottom corner of the front of the alternate.

Then there's the Bruins concepts wherein we realize this must be the musings of a fan as the Bruins have already unveiled their jerseys which look nothing like this. I'm a little creeped out by what appears to be a lion head on the alternate. (Don't try and tell me that's a bear.) Beneath that is a series of Sabres jerseys with a fun throwback as an alternate. Don't count on seeing that on the backs of Buffalo players anytime soon.

CONCEPTS #2
First off, the team on top, the Kansas City Scouts, haven't existed for the better part of three decades. Let's not let that stop us though. With all this talk about KC becoming an NHL market in the near future, who wouldn't wonder? But I doubt seriously they'd go back to that old gem. It is interesting to look at though. The Stars are rumored to be foregoing the traditional crest for the word "DALLAS" across the front of the road jerseys. Is this the NBA now? Let's not have any cheating refs, at least. As for the other two designs, I'm partial to the green.

I like the minor upgrades made to the Maple Leafs logo but the design could use some work. We'll waive straight stripes in place of curvy ones for the Stars yet not the traditional Leafs? The silver is a nice touch, however, on the alternate. A twist on the stick-in-rink Canucks logo doesn't improve it in my eyes. But I do like the colors. And as for the Senators design, it's basically an Rbk EDGE twist on the current sweaters. The Sens should be getting a new logo though, so I wouldn't count on seeing this on the ice.

CONCEPT #3
The hockey world seems to be taken with this Sharks logo thought to have been leaked by the club itself. Personally, I'm skeptical but that's my nature. And while I don't love it, I'm a big fan of that color scheme. I wouldn't mind seeing players wearing something like that. The white and blue Lightning jerseys I've posted before. The black one is kind of cool and I wouldn't mind a design like that on my team. The logo is growing on me a little. But the team hasn't made an official announcement yet so take it for what it's worth.

The Blues design is cool. I like the light blue alternate and even the name written across the chest doesn't bother me that much. The Avalanche concepts are very sharp. They should be so lucky as to be wearing something like that this fall. My praise, however, falls short on sight of the alternate. No, no, no. I applaud the effort, but still... no. As for the Hurricanes design. In my mind, it would be hands-down best in the league. It's the best concept I've seen so far this summer for any team!

CONCEPT #4
The Red Wings designs are simple enough. Perhaps a little too simple. And the maroon and red of the alternate clash in a way that hurts my brain. I like the Islanders concepts as well. The slanted bars on the alternate are especially cool and I don't think any Isles fans would complain if their team went with something in this neighborhood.

And there you have it. Now that you've got my opinion on all 17 designs, tell me yours! Comment below!

Capitals vs Sabres

	vs
CAPITALS		SABRES
4-4		4-3

The Aesthetics
The Capitals logo, as discussed is a wordmark with a hockey stick and a puck and that is the opposite of what's required to take this point. On top of that, the Sabres actually have a rather aesthetically strong logo.
Sabres

The Nickname
I can't really think of how to compare Capitals and Sabres, but let's say an army of Sabre-wielding anarchists stormed the Capital. They would probably overwhelm the lawmakers.
Sabres

The Analysis
Sabres fans everywhere have bemoaned the "Buffaslug" all year, begging for a change. I agree in that the team could do better, perhaps in merely placing an actual sabre in the logo would be an improvement. It's the reason why the team hasn't earned this point all tournament. That won't change today. Despite the Capitals logo being a glorified wordmark, the three stars representing Maryland, Virginia and the District will win me over in this match.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Penguins

	vs
SABRES		PENGUINS
3-3		0-4

The Aesthetics
As far as looks, the Sabres have one of the sharpest logos in sports despite its absolute irrelevance. It's got strong colors and really jumps out at you. The Penguins logo sort of blends in and gets bogged down in minute details. The '90s logo was much better. I do, however, like the gold more than the yellow.
Sabres

The Nickname
A Penguin is a little flightless bird. A Sabre is a rather sharp instrument used for cutting. You do the math.
Sabres

The Analysis
This is where the Sabres have yet to notch a point in the standings and the reason they can't seem to pull off a sweep. It's not a Sabre! As a young Florida kid just learning about hockey, I swear I remember thinking a sabre was a kind of bison. And it was thanks to the damn logo. I'm not a Sabres fan (though I know they hate the logo), but I think it needs to be changed. John Slabyk is an excellent artist. The Penguins logo, however, actually has a penguin in it. He's carrying a hockey stick which doesn't impress me, but nonetheless, we'll take it.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Devils vs Sabres

	vs
DEVILS		SABRES
3-0		3-2

The Aesthetics
This is a quality Eastern Conference matchup. Or so it would seem on the face of it. Both logos have a few simple colors and a simple, clean design. But it's the subtle "NJ" in the devil that puts the Devils logo over.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil is a pretty nasty character. You'll need more than a Sabre to defeat him.
Devils

The Analysis
This is where the Sabres logo has yet to earn a single point in the competition so far. Where is the sword? At least we see a silhouette with horns and a pointy tail in the Devils logo. We know what that is. If I didn't know any better I'd say the other logo was for a team called the Bison or the Buffaloes. Not the Sabres. I've gone though the whole Buffalo thing before. No sense in beating that horse. We'll call today sweep day.
Devils

WINNER

3-0