New Sharks Jersey Design Concept

First thing: I don't want to go ten rounds with anybody over the fact that this is merely a recolored all-star jersey, so if that's all you were going to say, you can refrain. It's been said.

Now then. Today I have a fan-designed rendering of a jersey with the San Jose Sharks new logo. The purpose of this image to is to illustrate what the color scheme might look like now that they've dropped the gray in place of orange.

I really like this color scheme. Thoughts?

Sharks Unveil New Logo!

It's here and it's real. The leak proved right. This is the new logo of the San Jose Sharks.

For my money, it's a huge improvement on a good logo that needed a little help. While I don't love the hockey stick in the logo, I understand the team didn't want to completely revamp their image, merely improve upon what they already had. At the press conference, the Sharks only unveiled the new logo set, no uniforms have been shown at this point.

The club also unveiled a bunch of secondary marks including the new shoulder patch and shield, seen above. All of these logos and more can be seen on the the Sharks new web site.

We've had a few weeks to ponder it thanks to the leak, but now that it's official, what are your thoughts? Did the Sharks make the right choice by updating what they had? Or would they have been better off revamping the look altogether? Comment below.

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!

Coyotes vs Sharks

	vs
COYOTES		SHARKS
3-3		5-6

The Aesthetics
I continue to be disappointed by the lack of color in the Sharks logo and eagerly await tomorrow's unveiling of a new logo. The Coyotes logo at times looks awkward to me, but I certainly feel the action while looking at it. You can almost hear it howling.
Coyotes

The Nickname
This is one of those situations where I don't know why a Coyote and a Shark would ever come face-to-face, but my money is on the Sharks for sheer power.
Sharks

The Analysis
My first question is always, does the logo match the team name? Here, we do in fact see a coyote and a shark. Next I look at home town representation. Here, there's nothing obvious but the team names are good indications. An Arizona team named for a desert animal. And a California coastal team named for an underwater predator. Now I'm looking at features like the broken hockey stick in the shark's mouth. It's unnecessary. We should already know the logo belongs to a hockey team. This point goes to the Coyotes.
Coyotes

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Oilers

	vs
SHARKS		OILERS
4-6		1-9

The Aesthetics
The Sharks logo goes heavy on the detail and light on the color which is not a good combination. It has a hockey stick in it and if you notice, the tape doesn't go around the entire blade. It needs work. Good thing is, in just two days, it's getting the help it needs when the Sharks unveil a new logo. The team name being written out in the Oilers logo still isn't making me happy, but its a better-looking logo when compared with the Sharks. If you ask me.
Oilers

The Nickname
Suppose an Oiler is out working on an ocean rig. Were he to fall off with hungry Sharks lying in wait, he would no doubt be lunch.
Sharks

The Analysis
All we really have to look at in this match is whether the logo is a good symbol for the club's name. Here, the Sharks logo works well while the Oilers logo leaves a lot to be desired. I'm a fan of the shoulder logo they currently wear despite its heavy-handed detail. The third jersey logo would work as well but what do I know? I see a shark.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1

 

A Sharks Logo ... Not San Jose!

Okay, before I say anything else, I need to mention that I was weary about posting this image. It's a photo of a shark logo that has been floating around the net as a potential new logo for the San Jose Sharks. First, look at it then read what I've written below.

Now from what I've read, most people aren't loving this logo and would rather not see the Sharks wearing it — ever. My belief is that there never was nor will be a chance of the Sharks wearing this anyway. But I am not omniscient or all-knowing believe it or not, and while anything is possible I'm saying I don't think it'll happen.

Why?

Because the logo belongs to this team. They're the Boston Ice Sharks, an amateur women's hockey team. That makes the odds of this being a San Jose concept very slim.

But having said that, don't chuck it out the window so fast. Word is that the new Sharks logo is supposed to feature a shark from head to tail, as opposed to just the front end sticking out of a triangle. Still, it's important to note that nothing official has been announced yet and it won't kill us all to wait three more days when the teams makes their announcement.

Also I want to point out that I'm not trying to shoot down possibilities, but rather put forth explanations for certain... rumors. I like the logo but I don't see the Sharks ever wearing it — on their chests. Could something similar find its way onto the shoulder patch? What do you think?

Sharks vs Predators

	vs
SHARKS		PREDATORS
4-5		6-3

The Aesthetics
Neither of these two logos are very simple in design but offer unique colors and appropriate symbols for their teams. I like the teal but the Sharks logo does not make enough use of it. There's a thin line of it in the triangle surrounding the shark. Plus, there's a hockey stick so I don't exactly love it. Meanwhile, the Predators logo is very sharp despite its minute detail.
Predators

The Nickname
This is a tricky one. In most instances, a Shark is a Predator. In part for that reason, the Sharks will slide by with this point.
Sharks

The Analysis
The Predators got their name from the remains of a saber-toothed tiger found by construction workers during the building of their arena. The Sharks don't have a story like that. All right, but I can't hold that against them. What I can say is that this outdated logo needs an update. And one is coming in just four days, as a matter of fact. Maybe it'll have a better chance then.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Wild vs Sharks

	vs
WILD		SHARKS
6-0		4-4

The Aesthetics
I don't think it really even requires an explanation. The Wild logo just has so much to offer in such a small space. The Sharks logo has a broken hockey stick on which the tape doesn't even go around the stick.
Wild

The Nickname
You can make the case that Sharks live in the Wild. But its still dangerous for them.
Wild

The Analysis
I've talked before about how much the Wild logo manages to work in. The Sharks logo is all right but its not as fierce as it could be. And there's an awful lot of black used. It's a decent enough logo but perhaps it can get this point against another team.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Possible New Sharks Logo?

A reader pointed me to this image of a potential new design for the San Jose Sharks logo. As I reported the other day, the Sharks will be unveiling a new logo on July 24.

Now if you want my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. It's a cool update on the current logo, but I think its just an artistically-inclined fan having a little fun on the internet. The way I understand it, the team is going with a complete redesign. It's rumored the new logo will feature an entire shark as opposed to just the front end. Now having said that, anything is possible and we won't know for certain for another 11 days, so check back here then.

In the meantime, feel free to leave your comments. What do you think it will look like? What do you think it should look like? What do you think of this design?

UPDATE (4:55 PM): Just came across this version of the Sharks logo. It actually shows the entire shark as I mentioned earlier. But its a wordmark, so it probably wouldn't be the crest.

What do you think of it? Great? Not great? Personally, I'm a little indifferent. It's an improvement on their current logo but I think they can do better.

Sharks Unveiling New Logo July 24!

The San Jose Sharks will be next to unveil a new — or rather, "updated" — logo for the new season. The news was posted on their web site today. The official unveiling will take place two weeks from today on July 24. Of course I'll have full coverage as usual. Read the press release below.

July 10, 2007

New Look Of Sharks Territory Coming July 24

When the Sharks take the ice for the 2007-08 campaign, they will be doing so with a different look, and not just with regards to the players. There are few details publicly available, but the one certainty is the Sharks logo will have a more updated feel this fall. There will also be new secondary marks introduced.

“I think people are going to like it,” said defenseman Kyle McLaren, one of several Sharks who had input on the updated design. “I think they’ll embrace the change. It goes with the new NHL.”

The Sharks did not take altering their brand lightly, as the main logo has been one of the most popular in professional sports since the club’s inception in 1991.

“We put a lot of research into this and feel the fans will thoroughly appreciate the updated logo and new marks,” said Sharks President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Jamison. “The players were heavily involved in the process and they were extremely happy with the outcome.”

Fans will have their first opportunity to view the new look and secondary marks on July 24 at 10 a.m. PST on sjsharks.com and merchandise with the updated logo and new marks at the Sharks Store will be available starting on that date as well.

While the logo will be released this month, the new-look jerseys will not be previewed until closer to training camp. All NHL jerseys will be altered to some degree this year as Reebok introduces new fabrics to help enhance player skills.

The Sharks primary mark has not changed throughout the Sharks 16-year history, but the jersey has been altered on several occasions. San Jose ’s original jersey was introduced in 1991 and the most recent incarnation was put in place in 1998, although it served as an alternate jersey the prior campaign. The alternate black jersey debuted in 2001.

I'm looking forward to it. The current Sharks logo will live on as a classic but lacks enough color to be considered a great logo by today's standards. Or so happens to be the opinion of one blog writer. Yes, me.

Now as for the tournament, the Sharks play their 12th match on July 23, the day before the unveiling. Regardless of whether a leak happens, the logo won't take effect in the competition until the day after its official unveiling which is July 24. That said, the Sharks have only two matches after July 25 — both on the last two days of the tournament, August 9 and 10. The new logo will be used for those two matches and the Championship Tournament should the Sharks advance.