5 NHL teams that need new uniforms in 2015
/With the reveal of the Lightning's third jersey two weeks ago, we have all of the primary sweaters for the 2014-15 season — though we're still waiting on some outdoor game designs. So is it too soon to start thinking about next year? I don't think so.
While several teams have made great strides in improving their uniforms in recent years — namely the Stars, Ducks and Blues — a handful are still in desperate need of overhauls. Here are my top five picks alongside some of my favorite concept art.
5 · Arizona Coyotes
THE PROBLEM
This might be a frequent refrain on this list, but the Coyotes' biggest jersey crime? Waist stripes. Where are they? They can make or break a hockey sweater. With them, you bring a classic, traditional feel to the look. Without them, it's like pajamas — or worse, a practice jersey.
When the Coyotes first introduced the brick-colored uniforms in 2003, they were near perfect and they weren't much different from how they look now. The key difference is that the waist striping was inexplicably removed by Reebok in 2007.
THE SOLUTION
The easy button here would be to simply put the waist stripes back. But I'm not sure that's the best play for the Coyotes. Two-color uniforms work best when you have a two-color logo — see Red Wings and Maple Leafs.
Leaving the sand and black out of the Arizona's sweaters creates a disconnect — especially noticeable this year with the loss of the black and sand third jersey. And this year, with the name change, would've been the perfect opportunity to make a bigger splash.
The current logo is fine as it is, but more of that native style art seen in the franchise's original logo might be a more appropriate symbol for the NHL's lone southwestern member. I'd love to see a mix between the two art styles in a future logo.
THE CONCEPTS
Justin Cox nearly nailed it with his submission from 2013. The throwback to the original Coyotes sweater design works well in these colors but the leaping coyote isn't an iconic enough crest and it doesn't stand out well on red.
Personally, I'm still partial to the original coyote head used on the old green third jersey in the late '90s. Nick Burton employs it well in his concept from 2012. Neither of these would be ideal in their current state, but they'd both be a step in the right direction.
4 · Vancouver Canucks
THE PROBLEM
The idea of seeing the Canucks change their uniforms again is worthy of an eye roll. This club has been through so many color schemes and logos over the years, a doctor might be inclined to diagnose them with an identity disorder of some kind. In fact, one might argue the reason they added VANCOUVER to the chest in 2007 was to remind themselves who they are.
That said, they need to stop plugging the dam and create a visual identity with some staying power. And if you ask me, the native-style whale breaking through the ice to form a C — while clever — doesn't get the job done. The corporate connections are well documented, but with Orca Bay long out of the picture, a change is overdue.
THE SOLUTION
The colors are great. Nothing says northwest like green and blue. Plus those were the Canuck's original colors and when you're looking for staying power, sometimes rewinding to the original vision is the best way to go.
In fact, just this weekend, the team launched an online video series about the return of Johnny Canuck. (I'm not really sure what it's all about so maybe Vancouverites can fill us in.) But the point is, he's a great icon for this franchise and the logos have already been created.
Keep the stick-in-the-rink shoulder patch. Keep the blue and green. Keep the existing jerseys if that makes life easier. But ditch the whale and the wordmark. And put Johnny Canuck in the spotlight. There's no good reason not to.
THE CONCEPTS
We've seen so many great designs that would be an improvement for Vancouver. If John Elbertson's use of the skating Johnny Canuck is not your cup of tea, perhaps you can appreciate Nevill Carney's take.
But I think the best all-around set came in 2013 from Rob Sulava, who values the simplified "V" logo and a green third jersey. Some combination of these three concepts could very well save the Canucks' foggy identity.
3 · Ottawa Senators
THE PROBLEM
Since launching their gorgeous fan-designed third jersey in 2011 and the lighter Heritage Classic version in 2014, the Senators have seemed to be on the right track. But the outdoor jersey isn't coming back this year and the third seems to have gotten a demotion based on its sporadic "Throwback Thursday" use this season.
On top of that, the primary home and road uniforms launched in 2007 essentially sucked the life out of this franchise's on-ice look. They shared a disturbingly unimaginative stripe-less template with two other teams and fully instituted a trendy faux-3D logo. These words do not describe a long-lasting visual brand identity.
THE SOLUTION
I won't say the Sens' solution is necessarily in their history. Their old jerseys weren't bad, but they weren't anything spectacular either. The heritage jerseys are all right, but pay tribute more to the city's hockey history than to this 22-year-old franchise.
As part of Ottawa's 2007 rebranding, the Senators created a modernized version of their 2D logo but it has since disappeared from their logo package. That's a real shame. That was a solid logo that could've survived for decades to come on the right sweater. Bring it back.
THE CONCEPTS
Using the logo I was talking about, Justin Wiltron created this year what I think is the ideal solution to the Senators' uniform problem. A great logo on great jerseys. But if you think a black jersey is in order, Brendan Anderson has you covered with his design from 2012.
The last concept in that group is from Dylan Nowak. I couldn't see it as a primary look, but it could certainly work as a retro style third.
2 · Colorado Avalanche
THE PROBLEM
Isn't it obvious? The Avalanche took a major tumble down a steep slope when Reebok shook things up in 2007. (Yes, I meant every one of those terrible puns.) In place of striping inspired by majestic Rocky Mountain peaks, we got sad apron string piping. It was a travesty.
We can argue all day whether the logo is any good, but I happen to be among those that think it's one of the greatest and most instantly recognizable in all of sports. But it's been slapped onto a jersey that doesn't deserve it.
THE SOLUTION
The most obvious fix would be to just go back to the pre-2007 sweater design. But for all its impressive technology, Reebok will tell you that's simply not an option. I get it. When you're redesigning 60 NHL sweaters all at once, sometimes you have to take what you can get.
Time and creativity were not luxuries then. But it's been seven years and we've seen Reebok step outside the box time and again — for better or worse. The point is, if the Avs really wanted those jerseys back, Reebok would find a way to make it happen.
Failing all that, let's at least dump the piping and reintroduce some classic horizontal stripes. It would work beautifully in Denver, no question about it.
THE CONCEPTS
I don't mean to keep featuring the same guy, but Justin Cox again has a brilliant solution for the Avalanche in a concept posted just last week. You don't even have to go all out with the mountain striping. The sleeve treatment does the job perfectly.
But if you're just looking for a classic fix with a more traditional taste, Bastian Schmülling is all over it. Come on, Colorado, this isn't that hard.
1 · Pittsburgh Penguins
THE PROBLEM
This should surprise no one. The Pittsburgh Penguins are by far and away the NHL franchise most critically in need of a complete uniform transformation. If the problem isn't obvious, allow me to direct your attention specifically to the baby puke stain passing for what's laughingly referred to as "Vegas gold" — a color so drab and in such utter contrast to the glowing extravagance that is Sin City that must have been named ironically.
Hey, I couldn't very well put them at No. 1 if I couldn't strongly articulate why, right?
It's not just the Vegas gold either — though that does and should take the brunt of my rancor. That awful Reebok Edge template shared by the Senators and, previously, Lightning has got to go. The Pens just introduced their third alternate jersey in six years and each one has been a huge improvement over the lousy primary jerseys.
This cannot be allowed to continue.
THE SOLUTION
Take your pick of third jerseys. In fact, with the latest one revealed last month, the Penguins could be on track to bring back their original gold for good. Pittsburgh gold. I love that this is a city where all the major sports franchises could share a common color palette. But I understand the Pens' tendency to avoid this as the Bruins will forever be the black and gold hockey team.
But blue has been a Penguins color from day one, so why not reincorporate it? While we're at it — and I know it's sacrilege to suggest but — the skating penguin could take a hike. Or at least get an update for the modern era. Though I don't feel as strongly about that as I do the colors.
THE CONCEPTS
Last year, Gary Punzak made some tweaks to the crest. It's not bad, but could use more work. His jerseys, however, are spot on. The striping goes a long way in keeping the look from being derivative of the Bruins.
And if you really want to go nuts, check out how Matt McElroy made blue jerseys work with the black and gold striping. It can be done. Fans may revolt at first, so it would take a commitment. But it would be well worth creating a unique style for the Penguins in the long run.
Dishonorable Mentions
If I'd made a longer list, a few other teams would've been included. For example, San Jose Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes both ruined their looks with new uniforms last year. I get the whole "less is more" argument. But that was absolutely the wrong play for these teams.
The Buffalo Sabres could stand to ditch the silver piping and bring back the royal blue. As the Islanders and Rangers prove, it stands out so much better on the ice. But then we'd have all three New York teams wearing the same color. So you see why I left them off the list.
I'm also tired of the wordmark on the Washington Capitals' jerseys. I understand the desire to be traditional and all, but it's not like the '70s and '80s Caps were really anything to write home about. Let's get the Weagle on the front of the sweater already!
And lastly, when are the Winnipeg Jets going to finally get a third jersey?
Twitter Poll
Earlier this afternoon, I asked you guys on Twitter which teams you thought were most in need of new uniforms. There were a ton of responses so I did a quick tally, and based on the relatively small sample it seems this is Twitter's top five:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Ottawa Senators
- Calgary Flames
- Florida Panthers
- Arizona Coyotes
At No. 6 would've been the Penguins. So we may have some differing opinions, but I think for the most part we're on the same page.
Even though I left the Flames off my list, I would like to see them go back to their original uniforms. The throwback third jersey was great. I don't know why they felt the need to replace it. But I'm not sure their existing primaries are among the world's worst.
As for the Panthers, I don't think they're in the desperate need phase yet. At least they have red jerseys again. But check back with me again in a year or two. I might feel differently.
So what do you think? Where do you agree or disagree?