HF&P, Part 29: Montreal Canadiens II

Can you believe the tournament begins in only two days? I can't. It's going to be a lot of work — but also a lot of fun. Be sure to check in on Tuesday to be part of that fun.

In the meantime, the "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series continues as we look at uniform designs for the Montreal Canadiens once again. We previously saw fan artwork for them in Part 5 of this series.

This design indicates how striping can work as that seems to be the primary complaint of ultra-traditionalists with regard to the new RbK EDGE uniform system. Seems like it will be just fine. I like the jersey designs here. They're classic and regal. Hard to complain. I don't get the secondary logo but maybe someone can explain that to me.

But wait, there's more. Yesterday we got a look at what might happen if the logo was moved to the side of the jersey and the number shown on the front by way of an Edmonton Oilers design. Well that same artist has taken a shot at the Canadiens — complete with the vertical stripe and off-center crest.

Like I said yesterday, it's different and that makes it cool in my eyes. I'm not sure how I'd feel about a team actually wearing it, but as a concept it's a good one. I've always like the giant crest in the middle of the front of the sweater. Strangely, it's not that common in professional sports.

And that does it for today. Tomorrow will be the last day before the tournament begins so I've saved up something special — it's another fan-made design for the Tampa Bay Lightning. They're my team so they have to get special treatment. You're sure to enjoy it.

Along with that, I've also come across some rather interesting concept logos if various clubs were to change theirs. Not only that but I have a few bonus fan-designed jerseys to share before this blog becomes almost completely about the tournament.

HF&P, Part 28: Ottawa Senators II

Today we're revisiting a couple of Canadian teams as part of the "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series. We last saw the Ottawa Senators back early on in Part 6. Well we've got more where that came from. Right now.

The Sens may not have won the Stanley Cup but I think they would be coolest jerseys in all of hockey if they nailed these suckers down. Tell me that sweater doesn't frighten you. One of my favorite parts of this design is the use of the logo's helmet element along the shoulders and arms. These would be seriously classy jerseys. Unfortunately, this design is the work of a fan and therefore it's not likely we'll ever see it on NHL ice.

The graphics you see here to the left come from the same designer, obviously. With the red, we see what can be done in the alternative of a black home jersey — though I rather like the black in this case. And below is the horror from the '20s or something. I am not amused. Seriously, I hate that design. A lot. I'm all for throwbacks but horizontal stripes going the length of the jersey don't do it for me. I'm sorry.

In any case, that's what we've got for Ottawa today. I honestly hope you enjoyed it. Or if you didn't, whatever. Feel free to comment with your thoughts on these designs. Disclaimer: Again, I am NOT the designer. All I've done is scour the web for these images so as to bring them all to one place for fans like you and me.

Later today: the Montreal Canadiens — again.

HF&P, Part 27: New Jersey Devils

This "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series seems to be winding down, but I assure you there's still so much more if you're a fan of hockey jersey designs. Let's move along with the New Jersey Devils.

So that's an interesting design coming from Randy Wilkins, apparently. It's cool and I like the idea of the horns at the shoulders, but unfortunately this is not an Rbk EDGE uniform design so the chances of ever seeing it on the ice are rather nil. That and the fact that it was designed by a fan and not a professional hired by the club or the league.

Still, I wanted to share it because it's something different. And that's what I'm all about. Not sure about the bars at the wrists and bottom of the jersey. A little close to the Hurricanes.

Anyway, I know, short posts today. Not much to say, really. If you have anything to add, please feel free to comment. I'd love to hear from you or anyone else.

Coming tomorrow: We're going to revisit both the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens and you won't want to miss this.

HF&P, Part 26: Edmonton Oilers

If this was a deck of cards, we'd be halfway through it. But this is the "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series here at the NHL Tournament of Logos. Just three more days until the tourney begins! How exciting is that?

As you can see we're taking a gander at the Edmonton Oilers today. While this may not be a specimen of quality per se, I do like that is unique. It takes a page out of the Buffalo Sabres' book by placing the jersey number on the front shoulder but it also completely reworks the front. We have vertical stripes going down the left side instead of the usual horizontal stripes across the bottom. The design also gets rid of the centered crest and places it on the left over the stripes.

Very interesting. We'll never see it on the ice, but it's sure something to look at here.

Speaking of which, if you or anyone you know is a graphically-inclined hockey fan and has designed the jerseys posted here or anywhere else, feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment. We'd love to hear from you.

Up next: the New Jersey Devils.

A Caps Contest

I don't really know what this is supposed to be about, but one way or another, I suppose we'll find out on Wednesday. Seems like the Washington Capitals will be holding a contest among fans to be the first to get to try on the brand new Caps unis. I guess that means free tickets to the big party where it will be unveiled. Too bad I'm not a Caps fan.

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 24: Anaheim Ducks

I'm going to keep them coming. More fan-designed jerseys for you to look at today as part of the "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series of posts. Now featuring the 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks.

I know, I know, it's the wrong jersey format. You want to know what happened to the Rbk EDGE. Well I didn't promise these would all necessarily be new uniform designs for the 2007-08 season. Today we have what I imagine are graphics designed last summer when the new Ducks logo was unveiled following the announcement that the team would be dropping "Mighty" from their name. The uniforms were announced at the same time, but it seems certain folks weren't impressed and wanted to take a shot at it themselves.

So I guess somebody thought this is how they'd look. Yeah, not so much. On the other hand, it also appears another designer would have preferred to see a dark green instead of black. Someone apparently called "Fonz." Thing is, I actually like the color. The design is pitiful. Horribly pitiful. But I think the colors work — not that I dislike the black. I just dislike the logo in general.

Attention NHL teams: STOP SPELLING OUT YOUR TEAM NAME IN THE FUCKING LOGO! Perhaps my message came across that time.

No, but seriously I understand why they did that this season. They're trying to re-brand the club and get people to stop saying Mighty Ducks. It's cool but I really hope they switch things up with the new Rbk EDGE jerseys next fall.

More coming today: the Dallas Stars.

HF&P, Part 23: Columbus Blue Jackets II

Wow, we're already up to the 23rd part in a series of posts about fan-designed NHL jerseys for the new season. We continue by revisiting the Columbus Blue Jackets — last featured in Part 12. That one may have been a rather lame design but at least it used the new primary logo.

Here the designer must've have come up with this design prior to the new logo announcement — that being that the former secondary logo will now be the primary. Oddly, this design doesn't even reference that logo as secondary or otherwise. Still, I like what they've come up with based on what they had to work with at the time.

I really do like the sky blue alternate jersey — despite the league shying away from those this season — but I do not like the bug logo. I don't think anyone does — or ever has. It needs to be swatted and smashed.

Anyway, feel free to leave a comment with your feelings regarding the logos and designs and such.

Next time: the 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks.

HF&P, Part 22: Detroit Red Wings

Check it. There's more from the "Hockey Fans & Photoshop" series this evening. Let's go to Hockeytown.

I know, I think we were all expecting something with a little more pizzazz. But there it is. A fan artist's rendering of a possible design for the new Rbk EDGE uniforms to be worn by the Detroit Red Wings.

Short post, I know. There's another one on the way though.

Up next: We're going to take another stab at the Columbus Blue Jackets — because I can.

New Unis Coming For Jackets...

...but we already knew this didn't we?

I saw this today on the Columbus Blue Jackets web site. They made the official announcement on June 1. You can read the press release below or simply go to their site.

Columbus Blue Jackets To Introduce New Uniforms For 2007-08 Season Prior To Start Of NHL Draft On Friday, June 22

June 1, 2007
BlueJackets.NHL.com

COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Columbus Blue Jackets will introduce their new home and road uniforms prior to the start of the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft at Nationwide Arena on Friday, June 22. The unveiling will include two Blue Jackets players and take place on the Entry Draft stage just prior to the start of the draft.

The Blue Jackets will join the other 29 NHL member clubs in wearing the Rbk Edge uniforms beginning with the 2007-08 season. Last January, the NHL and Reebok announced a partnership that has created the new technologically-advanced uniform system, which was worn by the Western and Eastern Conference All-Star Teams at last year's game in Dallas.

The Rbk Edge Uniform System was designed with performance and safety at the forefront. It is the culmination of more than two years of research and testing with active participation by NHL players, the NHL Players' Association and NHL team executives. The launch marks the first time in the history of major North American professional sports leagues that a league-wide uniform innovation has been established.

The 2007 NHL Entry Draft will be held at Nationwide Arena on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23. The first round will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday with rounds 2-7 beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are free for both days and are available at www.BlueJackets.com. Additional information on special events surrounding the draft will be announced in the coming days.

For information on Blue Jackets season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets for the 2007-08 National Hockey League season, call (614) 246-PUCK or (800) NHL-COLS.