Canucks Fans, Prepare Yourselves

A link to this blog was recently posted on the Vancouver Canucks' message board. Most of you over there seem to like the site. A handful of you are skeptical as to where I procure my information, specifically the bit about the August 1 unveiling date for your team. I don't blame you.

First, I should tell you I was hesitant about putting that date in the countdown. It comes from a retailer who spoke in an article printed in the Vancouver Sun. Consult this post for further details on that. Second, all of the information I post here is secondhand. I don't intend to pass myself off as an authority on the subject, merely an information-gathering resource. I surf the web and find a lot of nonsense and I try to parse it for factuality. Obviously things will slip through the cracks but then take from this what you want.

In the meantime, everything I post I try to explain. Whether it's artwork designed by a fan or rumors or an official announcement from a team, you can trust me when I tell you I'm not going to make anything up out of thin air. What would be the point? Still, take everything I post here with a grain of salt. As I keep saying, until teams make official announcements, all we have is speculation.

Now then, as a thank-you to whoever noticed the site and decided it was worth mentioning, I have a treat for you. Well, actually that depends on how you respond to this little gem.

Now, don't be fooled, Canucks fans. What you're looking at will only make its way onto the ice they day you ride a unicorn to games. But I thought it was an interesting design, with colors we haven't seen before. I came across it on the Miami Herald's Florida Panthers blog while looking up information I posted earlier today.

It's like a tougher version of Johnny Canuck inside the orca "C." The designer also placed the current orca logo on the shoulders (backwards on one side for some reason).

Once again, don't freak out. It's not something that's been leaked by the team (or I'd hope not). It's obviously artwork designed by a fan and clearly not the work of a graphics professional (no offense to the person who came up with the idea). Having said that, what do you think of it? Would you like to see something similar on jerseys for the fall?

Bruins vs Islanders

	vs
BRUINS		ISLANDERS
4-2		1-9

The Aesthetics
There certainly are a lot of circles before us today. And within said circles are letters. Were I to go about this arbitrarily, I'd say the logo with the fewest letters contained within the circle should get this point. But to be arbitrary is wrong. The Bruins logo gets it because the Islanders logo features more than a few of my aesthetic pet peeves, such as a hockey stick, puck and the team name written out.
Bruins

The Nickname
Islanders and Bruins are both known for doing in fish, but one-on-one, I think the larger bear has the upper hand.
Bruins

The Analysis
Often I've awarded this point to the Islanders for the outline of Long Island found in orange in the background of the logo. That'll continue today as what annoys me about the Bruins logo is its lack of an actual bruin. The scary bear on the new shoulder patches would work, but that's not in competition here.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Coyotes vs Red Wings

	vs
COYOTES		RED WINGS
3-2		3-7

The Aesthetics
Visually, I'm more a fan of the Coyotes logo mainly because of its color usage. The red and white of the Red Wings logo often seems flat to me. Beyond that, it could use an upgrade.
Coyotes

The Nickname
A Red-Winged bird (or a bird of any sort) would be wise to keep itself airborne when in danger to avoid the clutches of a predator like the Coyote.
Red Wings

The Analysis
The wheel attached to the wing in the Red Wings logo has often won this point for that team. And it should be no different here as the Coyotes logo doesn't really make any reference to its home city. The desert colors and feel are nice, but what's to stop anyone from assuming New Mexico or even Las Vegas as the team's locale?
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Devils

	vs
SENATORS		DEVILS
4-3		10-1

The Aesthetics
The Devils logo is simpler but the additional color in the Senators logo gives it extra layers. This is not meant to take away from the clever design of the Devils logo but rather to highlight how using more than two colors can be effective.
Senators

The Nickname
The Devil is one evil son of a bitch. A Senator doesn't have anything on him.
Devils

The Analysis
It's the subtle "NJ" making up the devil that will help give the Devils this point. As far as the Senators logo, it's nice but it could be better. I do like the third jersey version better and rumor has it that an updated version of that will be donning the crest of the Sens new unis this season. Until we find out for sure, this point is not for them.
Devils

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