Stars vs Red Wings

	vs
STARS		RED WINGS
3-2		2-6

The Aesthetics
The Stars logo is mostly made up of the team name with the "A" in Stars making the tip of the star. In comparison, the Red Wings logo may be more detailed but is cleaner and better-looking as logos go.
Red Wings

The Nickname
As usual, giant ball of fire versus anything yields a predictable result. The Star burns up the Red Wing.
Stars

The Analysis
This one is actually a bit more difficult to decide than it may seem. While both logos obviously portray the name well, its the way they symbolize where they're from that grabs my attention. The wheel attached to the wing references Motor City but at the same time, the big "lone star" in the Stars logo makes me thing Texas. It's kind of a toss-up but ultimately those 11 letters in the Stars logo will be the detrimental factor for it.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Stars

	vs
SHARKS		STARS
3-3		2-2

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos have lost as many matches as they've won. So it would appear we're looking at a pair of mediocre logos here. But it doesn't really feel that way. Despite the unique colors — teal and silver — the Sharks logo is complicated and rather minutely detailed. It also features a hockey stick rather prominently. As a polar opposite, the Stars logo is simple and too features unique colors with a heaping side of giant letters. Obviously both logos could use an overhaul or at least slight improvements. Ultimately the edge is going to the Sharks for actually being a logo and not a wordmark.
Sharks

The Nickname
Crazy huge, insane ball of fire hurling at lightning speed. The Star incinerates the Shark quicker than you could do half a blink.
Stars

The Analysis
Aside from its cosmetic shortfalls, the Sharks logo is rather fierce looking. It's what I think of when I think shark. It definitely captures the team's name. The Stars does a decent job too but it goes a step further, symbolizing its home state of Texas — the Lonestar State — with its single star. I'm not saying its perfect, but it gets my vote here.
Stars

WINNER

2-1

 

Ducks vs Stars

	vs
DUCKS		STARS
0-4		1-2

The Aesthetics
Yikes! The similarities here are rather glaring and not at all good. Both logos spell out the entire team name and use a single letter to create what would otherwise be a decent logo. The "D" in Ducks creates a webbed foot. The "A" in Stars creates the top point in a star. It's actually almost impressive. And then there's the unique colors. But in this case, it's the horrible horizontal proportions of the Ducks logo that loses it this point.
Stars

The Nickname
Giant. Flaming. Ball of fire. Nothing stands a chance against a Star, especially not a little quacking Duck.
Stars

The Analysis
Because both logos are guilty of it, we're going to have to look past all the letters in these two logos. Now, despite being introduced in the last season of the Minnesota North Stars' tenure, the Stars logo has a rather Lonestar State feel to it — perfect for Dallas. The Ducks are in the process of rebranding the team, not too difficult a task now that the club has a Stanley Cup championship under its belt. Still, if it's going to succeed in this competition, a better logo will be required. The Ducks get swept once again.
Stars

WINNER

3-0

 

Stars vs Kings

	vs
STARS		KINGS
1-1		1-4

The Aesthetics
I like the unique colors seen in both logos but there are too many letters in the Stars logo. Plus I don't think a few tweaks here and there would hurt.
Kings

The Nickname
Again, all-consuming ball of fire. A Star would obliterate even the King. Are they going to win this one every time?
Stars

The Analysis
The Stars logo has a very Texas feel to it and that is more than admirable. Unfortunately those damn words keep bugging me. The Kings logo works in a pair of subtle hockey sticks which works for me but what it really does that's awesome: check out the subtle suns on both sides of the crown. Welcome to sunny California.
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

Stars vs Predators

	vs
STARS		PREDATORS
1-0		4-2

The Aesthetics
The Stars logo breaks a cardinal rule by spelling out the entire name. They all but forfeit the point just for that. But the Predators logo is just too cool to be beaten despite being a little heavy on the detail.
Predators

The Nickname
A Stars is a giant, all-consuming ball of fire, and if one fell to earth, not even a Predator would survive.
Stars

The Analysis
Both teams were given appropriate names, the Stars being a good adaptation of North Stars for the Lonestar state. The saber-toothed tiger works for Nashville since, if you weren't aware, the fossilized bones of one was found during construction of the team's arena. So it's a tough decision. Ultimately though, the Predators logo takes this point for its slick and scary design. (I wouldn't want to come face-to-face with that animal, extinct or otherwise.)
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

More Potential New Unis

Today is Draft Day and that means each team has to break out the "07" jersey to throw on the backs of their new draft picks. But this year every team is getting new jerseys and the only ones we've actually seen at this moment are Boston and Washington. For a refresher, these are them:

Now for what you haven't seen yet. At least not here, that is. While scouring the internet as I do I came across possible designs and mock-ups for both the Dallas Stars and New York Islanders. Let's start with the latter.

This appears to be a cell phone photo taken possibly covertly. But now the world has it via the wonderful internet. Now as with anything I post that isn't official, do take it with a grain of salt. I'm not anymore connected than you are reading this. The jerseys hanging here definitely have some color issues. I can't say I'm loving all the striping but so far I haven't really loved any of the new Rbk jerseys we've seen. That includes the Bruins and Capitals — although I did like what they wore at this year's all-star game. Am I too picky? Usually I like change, but I haven't been wowed over yet. Yet being the operative word there.

There's also this which might be better off the Hockey Fans & Photoshop series I just finished running a week or so ago. In fact the design even looks a little bit reminiscent of what I posted for the Dallas Stars during that series. Even if this is the team's actual design, it's not half bad. I don't hate it and I like the creativity with the crest on the dark jerseys. However, that in itself indicates a possible change back to the days when the home team wore white.

Don't you just love all this speculating. God knows I do. So that's that for now. Tune your sets to Versus tonight at 7 for coverage of the draft. We'll see if we get any sightings of new jerseys tonight. I'm sure we will. I'm also looking out for the possibility of new logos. I'm desperate for a new one from the Lightning and still expecting changes for Dallas, San Jose, Ottawa and Toronto.

More later tonight.

Stars vs Blackhawks

	vs
STARS		BLACKHAWKS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Albeit slightly boring, the Stars have a much sleaker look than the Blackhawks. I've always found the Indian head a little clunky and intricate, not to mention its lack of a defined color scheme.
Stars

The Nickname
Chief Black Hawk may have been a tough son of a bitch, but a Star is a giant all-consuming ball of fire.
Stars

The Analysis
The Blackhawks get their name from Chief Black Hawk who was a Sauk warlord in the area of what is now Rock Island, Illinois which is less than 200 miles from Chicago. Not bad. On the other hand, the Stars take their name from predecessor Minnesota North Stars. I think it works great, what with Texas being the Lone Star state. The only drawback is that the team name is spelled out in the logo and, by and large, I'm not a fan of that. Still, they squeak by with the point.
Stars

WINNER

3-0

 

HF&P, Part 25: Dallas Stars II

What? I realize we already covered the Dallas Stars once in this series — back in Part 11. But I've found more artwork in my web searches. Check it.

This masterpiece again comes to us by way of our favorite nostalgic designer. Not only do we see a rather severe case of Minnesota North Stars tomfoolery, but we're treated to Rangers numbering on the back. Also, gotta say, I'm just nuts about the alternate design. The city written across the chest may make this hockey uniform feel more like a basketball jersey, but it's different and we all know how I like things that are different.

I also like the idea of dumping the DALLAS STRS out of the Stars logo but I have a feeling we should expect some rather sweeping changes to it entirely. I don't know why I have that feeling, though.

These designs don't really have any relevance beyond the fact that they're — yes, I'm going to say it — different. These are designed in the current style and makes use of the Stars' '90s uni layout and switches the primary and secondary logos. It's interesting but I don't like the state-of-Texas logo on the front of the jersey. It's not — balanced enough.

Anyway, that does it for the "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series for tonight. Check back again tomorrow for a couple more designs, including — the Edmonton Oilers.

HF&P, Part 11: Dallas Stars

The "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series pushes forward with a pair of designs a couple artists came up with for the Dallas Stars.

This is probably the most expected version of the new uniforms for Dallas. But personally I'd like to see a change in the logo. Nothing drastic, just an update. They have great colors but I feel like they could use a better logo.

And when I say that I do not mean what you see here to the right. I believe this design was rather ill-conceived. While it would be a welcome change to see a new crest on the Stars' sweaters, certainly this is not the way to go. This is the secondary logo and should stay that way.

Also worth noting in this design is the jersey number located on the front right shoulder. As I've discussed, the Sabres introduced that this season but it doesn't appear yet that the NHL plans to adopt it league-wide.

As far as that goes, I'm guessing the designer of this one also did the Flyers (yesterday). This is relevant only in as much as this person created a secondary logo for Philly. Why not come up with a new one for Dallas while you're at it? I was impressed by the Liberty Bell.

Anyway, we'll find out just exactly what's going down for next season at some point this summer. I can't wait.

Coming tomorrow: the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Stars

Dallas STARS

Team Information
Team Colors / green, gold, black, white
Inaugural Season / 1993-94 (14 years)
Current Logo / 1993-94 (14 years)

Tournament History

2007 Qualifying Tournament
8-6, 25 pts
Finished 6th in West; 10th overall