Islanders' Stadium Series look may endure

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While the Pens are ditching their Stadium Series jerseys after their big game, the New York Islanders are going in the opposite direction. Isles beat writer Chris Botta tweeted last week that we're certain to see at least the new crest sticking around.

That NY look on the Islanders' stadium jersey? Yeah, it's confirmed that you'll be seeing more of it in coming seasons.

He followed up with a few details.

Expectation is that the NY crest jersey, or something very close to it, will be the Islanders' 3rd jersey by 2015.

This effectively means the black third everyone loves to hate is on the way out. Perhaps only one more season of it — if that. Maybe the Isles will surprise us and have the new sweater ready by the fall. But it's more likely they'll wait and launch it with their move to Brooklyn.

By the way, check out their current Twitter profile image.

Penguins ponder another throwback third jersey

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are considering a new third jersey for next season, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The only details came by way of an article published on Dec. 13, the day the Pens unveiled their Stadium Series jersey, which the article confirmed will only be worn once.

There are tentative plans for a new alternate jersey that could debut next season. A design is not finalized, but under consideration is a jersey similar to the ones the Penguins wore during their 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup runs.

Who's excited?!

Ducks' third to become home sweater

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Orange County Register writer Eric Stephens says the Anaheim Ducks may have new home and road sweaters next fall.

No more wordmark! Wahoo!

Stephens didn't specifically say there would be a white version added as a road jersey, but it makes sense the team would want matching sweaters.

That news followed the unveiling of the Ducks' Stadium Series jersey. It would be simple enough for that to become the new third — though it may not be popular enough among fans.

I've seen mixed reviews from Icethetics readers. You've got those that love it, hate it and are indifferent to it — in seemingly equal parts. Let's find out for sure with the poll on the right.

Update

February 2, 2014: The story gets complicated now. Ducks P.R. guy Adam Brady is refuting that tweet by reporter Eric Stephens.

Brady holds live chats with fans on the Ducks' website during games. In the chat on Jan. 30, he fielded questions related to Stephens' report. Below are the relevant parts of that conversation.

7:08 GuyOnken: Adam, do you know anything about the Ducks using the alternate as the normal home jersey (and adding a white version of it for the road) next year?

7:09 Adam Brady: That hasn't been determined yet.

7:09 intangibletan: but... are you saying there is a chance?

7:09 Adam Brady: I'm not

7:09 TecKaHoLiC: Still any rumors of ducks getting new road jersey next year?

7:09 Adam Brady: It's possible. I'm not at liberty to say.

7:09 V_Shiltz: If only the throwback jerseys could be the 3rds...

7:09 Adam Brady: They can be the 4ths

7:10 Cooksta77: What's all this talk about the 3rd becoming the home and a version of the Stadium Series jersey becoming the new 3rd?

7:10 Adam Brady: Not accurate

If you're confused by Brady's responses, join the club. With regard to a change in jerseys, he says it hasn't been determined — but he's not saying there's a chance — but it's possible — but it's not accurate.

All I know for sure is it's still an open conversation that this point. And that's all I need for now. I expect better information to be available later this summer.

By the way, Brady was also asked about the Stadium Series uniform.

7:07 intangibletan: Will we see the orange jerseys again this year?

7:07 Adam Brady: Unlikely.

Now you're caught up on what I know. Hat tip to Tyler Mata for pointing me to the live chat jersey conversation.

Adidas may replace Reebok jersey branding

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In the world of hockey jerseys, the word Reebok has become synonymous with repulsive to many. But that's not why parent company Adidas may soon swap out the name seen on the back of every NHL sweater.

CBC's Elliotte Friedman included an interesting tidbit in his 30 Thoughts article posted Monday. Specifically, he wrote:

Small business item: Reebok has the rights to make NHL jerseys. Its parent company, Adidas, apparently is considering putting its own name there instead of Reebok. As part of that, we may see an extension of the current contract, which runs through 2016-17.

This isn't totally unexpected. Adidas has been trying to reposition the Reebok brand back to its focus on runners — like it has been historically. From their mission statement:

At Reebok, our innovation focus is on fitness and training, where the priority is creating products that provide a material benefit to the consumer's fitness activities (e.g. flexibility or lightweight).

Hat tip to Matt Johnson for the link.

That said, I would've expected to see Adidas reposition CCM as the big name in hockey — as it has been historically. Plus, this is a brand that still has a very good reputation among folks who appreciate (and buy) hockey jerseys.

Then again, Adidas is a bigger name with better brand recognition — even if people like me associate them solely with soccer. Regardless of any branding changes, I would not expect the Edge uniform system to be replaced anytime soon.