- Anaheim Ducks:
Before they were the Ducks of Anaheim, a little company called Disney owned an NHL team known as the Mighty Ducks. While the team has desperately tried to change their image from the “Mighty” days, the problem is they never found a better logo then their previous incarnation. The webbed duck foot is a decent shoulder logo, but not a stand alone on the chest. The team has really hit it off with their current third uniform which brings back the double hockey stick duck goalie mask logo with a great color combination. The orange, gold, and black could make for three great uniforms, but one thing they should all have in common is the old Mighty Ducks logo with the new color pallet. The logo is too good to waste, and is the team’s best option unless they can come up with a better design. - Pittsburgh Penguins:
The Penguins don’t have a logo problem, it’s a color problem. Their alternate jerseys are beautiful and should become the full-time uniform combo for a few reasons. One, it’s more vibrant and eye catching. Two, it pays tribute to the great Penguins’ teams of the early 90’s. Third, and most importantly it ties time with the rest of the city’s black and yellow color pallet. There’s nothing wrong with their current gold, it just doesn’t match the Steelers and Pirates. It’s time for all the Pittsburgh teams to be on the same page. - Carolina Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes have always had a very generic look with a less then inspiring logo. I’m sorry but if your logo reminds people of swirling toilet water, you have room for improvement. The team should completely change their image and go with the alternate uniform logo and design. The design is different then other teams, but most importantly the alternate logo is a vast improvement. The hurricane storm flag whipping in the wind on a hockey stick is a perfect logo for the team’s namesake, while the background triangle representing the state’s research triangle, is a subtle touch that pays homage to their Carolinas. - Phoenix Coyotes:
The Coyotes have always had an image problem, especially over the past few seasons. Since the team changed their brand, there has been a lot of confusion with uniforms featuring red, tan, and black with a generic looking howling coyote logo. This season the team brought back their 90’s throwbacks, which is a look they should go back to. The red, green, tan, and purple color pallet gave them a definitive look that none in the league could match, and the original coyote logo not only payed tribute to the native american tribes in the state, but was truly one of the most unique logos in NHL history. It’s time for the Coyotes to turn back the clock. - Colorado Avalanche:
The Avalanche hit a home run with their new third uniform logo and design. The simpler design, and look perfectly sums up the team namesake and the city of Denver. While their current “A” logo is good, the main concern with the Avalanche brand is the uniforms. The current home and away set have so much going one with all the piping, design, colors, and odd number fonts. The current alternates a crisp, simple, and feature a great new logo. This is a look that the team should consider making a full-time change.
NHL uniforms
The 5 best uniforms from the NHL’s Winter Classic
The NHL Winter Classic has become one of, if not the most entertaining part of the NHL season. It may be only one game, but seeing the pros in an outdoor game the is reminiscent of the days when kids would play pond hockey is something special. Being outside in the winter elements was is hockey hockey was meant to be played, and watching your favorite players battle it out in the snow on an outdoor rink is highly entertaining. Apart from playing in the elements and visiting some of the most unique outdoor venues in sports, one of the best things about the Winter Classic is the uniforms. Some of the best hockey jerseys come from the Winter Classic as team’s bring back classic uniforms or combine aspects of older teams to create unique and gorgeous looks. Winter Classic jerseys are some of the league’s best-selling uniforms and have even become some team’s alternate jerseys. While I want to see some of these jerseys be used full-time, the fact that they are one and done for the most part makes them even more special. Here is my list for the best jerseys the Winter Classic have provided.
Honorable mention: Philadelphia Flyers
These are great uniforms, but didn’t break the mold like others did
For the 2012 Winter Classic the Philadelphia Flyers wore these great uniforms against the Rangers. While there 2010 jerseys would eventually become their regular jerseys, the 2012 jerseys bright orange and black jerseys were eye-popping. Why did I officially leave them off the list even though they were great? Most winter classics really mixed it up compared to a team’s normal set. While different the Flyers jersey didn’t stray too far from the normal home jerseys the flyers wear. True the black and off were different and while they looked terrific these sweaters just didn’t break any new ground. Sorry Flyers fans, these are great but I fell the Flyers could have done better in terms of a Winter Classic Jersey.
5) Boston Bruins:
Reinvent the spoke wheel? I think that’s a yes
Yellow and Brown. Sounds like a horrible combination. These colors make you think of a rotten banana, but somehow the Boston Bruins were not only able to pull it off, but look good in the process. Bringing back the original colors of the franchise in this clean and sharp look was a major win when the Bruins took the ice at Fenway Park. When the Bruins said they would be updating the spoked wheel logo many fans would have said this was sac-religious. However, the spoked wheel featuring a curvier B looked create and proved that you can tweak an original six logo and still make it look good.
4) Pittsburgh Penguins:
How would’ve thought baby blue could work as an NHL jersey?
When you mention the color of baby blue you think of little boys in footsie pajamas, not men with their front teeth knocked out. In the first Winter Classic the Pittsburgh Penguins went deep into their uniform archives to bring back the original logo and color for the team. Most Penguins fans never even knew the team had blue colors in their history. These jerseys were simple, clean, and well-balanced between the three colors. With the snow falling throughout the game, it just made the jerseys even more appropriate because the white snow with the cool blue Penguins jersey just made you think of winter. While this is a difficult color to pull off, the Penguins did it in fine fashion. It also helps that when people think back to the inaugural classic they remember Sidney Crosby scoring the game winning goal in this beautiful sweater.
3) Detroit Red Wings
Another original six team that has combined great colors with a classic logo
Ok, I know these haven’t technically been used yet but I love them already. The Red Wings will wear these classic uniforms for the 2014 Winter Classic in the Big House. I love the use of the original Red Wings winged wheel logo. The red and tan color pattern both pops and adds a great intimidation factor. Other things I love about this sweater is the double stripe pattern with one thick and one skinny stripe on the shoulders, arms, and bottom of the jersey. Another first is that these jerseys will have the captain and assistant captain’s letters on the right sleeve stripe just like they used to do in the early days. Add in the awesome “Detroit”script and these jerseys are a winner.
2) New York Rangers
A throwback that I wish the Rangers would make a permanent alternate
Man I love these jerseys. Can the use these to replace the current alternates. The Rangers Winter Classic jerseys are great. The off white color with the red and blue stripes looks both vintage and patriotic. Then you add in the original Ranger shield logo and you have a perfect jersey. I personally prefer the curvier shelf the Rangers used in these jerseys because it actually looks like an actually shield unlike the current logo. With the Rangers terrible current third jerseys I propose that the Rangers bring these uniforms back full-time as the alternate jersey. Without question these are my favorite sweaters the Rangers have ever worn.
1) Chicago Blackhawks
The best of the Blackhawks jerseys. Bring them back full-time
This is one of, if not my favorite hockey jersey ever. Look at these beauties don’t they just scream hockey. Not says intimidating like a black and red jersey. These black jerseys have a great combination of colors from the red, tan, and black color palette. The hockey pants with the red and tan outlines and the red triangles add details make these the pants my favorite hockey pants on a uniform. Colors only do so much for this jersey. I love the old school design of the horizontal stripes in the jersey which is both different and breaks up the jersey nicely. It also draws your eyes into the logo which is the best Blackhawks logo in their history. The crest with the Chicago Blackhawks script surrounding the original Blackhawks logo is one of the best logos not being used in the NHL right now. I love these jerseys so much I think that Blackhawks should bring these backs as their third jersey if not their regular jersey. While the later is less likely to happen I’m begging that the Blackhawks bring back not only the best Winter Classic jersey but one of the best jerseys in NHL history. What was your favorite Winter Classic classic jersey? Do you agree of disagree? Comment below and take the poll to vote for your favorite.
Back to the drawing board: worst logos in NHL history
The NHL is known for some of the best logos in professional sports. The Original Six of the Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Rangers, Bruins, Canadiens, and Red Wings have classic logos that have withstood the test of time. There are of course many other teams in the league and while some of them have great logos, some well are almost as bad as an NHL lockout. It takes a lot to make a great logo and sometimes teams try to hard to have a unique look. Other times teams have great logos but for whatever reason feel they need to “modernize” the teams image. A team’s logo is it’s identity and sometimes when these changes are made to beloved logos the fans will make their disapproval well-known. Here are the worst logos in NHL history
1) New York Islanders: the Gorton’s Fisherman
Apparently the Gorton’s fisherman plays hockey now
You know it’s a disaster when your new logo only last one season. In 1995 the Islanders changed from their iconic colors and logo to feature ocean blue and orange colors with the new fisherman logo. Ok I dare someone to tell me they like this logo. The fans were of course furious when the iconic long island and stick logo was replaced by this disaster. It also doesn’t help when every other team begins chanting “we want fish sticks” when they play your team. Seriously Islanders, did you get a secret sponsorship with Gortons just so they could put their fisherman in your logo? The Islanders quickly realized their blunder and when they were able to removed this logo from the jersey, but it took them years to go back to their iconic jerseys which they won their Stanley Cups in. This is one logo that I know Islanders’ fans never want to see again!
2 Dallas Stars: The artist apparently failed anatomy
Bull + Stars = What is that?
This logo was one of the most controversial in NHL history. It’s supposed to be the constellation of Taurus which is confusing and doesn’t make sense. However, this logo is infamous for being called the “Stars uterus logo”. Obviously this was a P.R. nightmare and the jerseys only lasted two seasons. While the Stars went out on a limb with this logo it still makes you wonder what the heck were they going for? Green bulls, red comets, stars all over the place it doesn’t make sense! Can’t you do a Northstars logo instead? Also maybe hire a logo designer who understands what anatomy looks like to you don’t offend people! While the stars have reverted back to their old logo, this terrible idea will defiantly haunt them for some time.
3 Boston Bruins: The Bruin
Why the an original six team would use a different logo I will never know
For the late 90s and early 2000s the Bruins called this eyesore their third jersey. Hmm the Bruins spoked wheel or classic walking Bruin logo, two of the best logos in NHL history were overlooked for this??? For future reference to any team out there, if your mascot is a fierce animal for the love of god don’t make it look like something a five-year old would want to hug. When I hear little kids say that bear is cute it just makes me wonder how the Bruins must have felt wearing this on the ice against other teams. OOOOOOHHHH the big bad taxi cabs with the giant beanie baby head jersey are going to get us!! If you’re an original six team you already have great logos. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel, pun intended, just use what works!!
4) Pittsburgh Penguins: the triangle bird
Another attempt to modernize a classic logo
Ok I’m no bird expert but I don’t think penguins look like triangles. I’m just glad Sid the Kid didn’t have to wear this pathetic logo. Another case of let’s take another iconic logo, the skating penguin, and make it sleeker. This logo likes like it should be used for a shipping company not an NHL franchise. It’s too simple and when you replace an iconic logo you better up the ante. Fortunately the Penguins realized their mistake and have gone back to the skating penguin logo that we all know and love. I’m still trying to figure this one out.
5 ) Nashville Predators: trying again and again
Another failed attempt by the Predators to have a good logo
One of the problems of being an expansion team is that you have create a new logo. The Predators have done this again… and again…. and again. Now they have a sleeker yellow and blue predator which while not the best logo s far better than it’s predecessors. For a franchise that at one point actually used a skull as a logo picking the worst logo of the bunch was like trying to pick the king of the stupids. But this one takes the case. It’s not menacing, has way too many colors, and is trying to do to many things at once. I understand that it’s not easy to make new logos but I mean come on this looks like it should be on the Flintstone’s cartoon not an NHL sweater. At least Nashville has learned from this disaster
6) Buffalo Sabres : Buffaslug
Let’s play guess what this logo looks like
Look on the ice it’s a slug, no it’s a Pikachu, no it’s Donald Trump’s hairpiece! Nope this is the famous buff-slug logo the Sabres wore from 2006-2010. After years of an updates Sabres logo and team colors of red, black, and grey. The club decided to go back to its original color scheme. Good idea! Bad idea instead of using the classic logo the fans love let’s use a modern version! Ok what buffalo has no legs? Seriously Buffalo another great logo passed over for this. No wonder fans were pissed. When you can’t even tell what your mascot is you know you have a serious logo problem.
7) LA Kings: Would you like fries with that?
The Great One wore this? I didn’t know he worked part-time at B.K.?
Wow Burger King got a new mascot? Nope, believe it or not Wayne Gretzky and the Kings wore this logo for hockey. If they played the Islanders we could have a full meal! Seriously you guys there were no food sponsorships under the table? Is Ronald McDonald next in on the action? This logo looks like they tried to make a barbarian looking king look intimidating. Ok if you’re not the Lakers or LSU don’t try using purple and gold. they know how to use it, you don’t. When your logo gets confused for a fast food mascot you know you messed up. Could be worse, the mascot could have looked like the chick for Wendys.
8) Columbus Blue Jackets: Weird Jacket
Beware of the killer bee?
The Blue Jackets are supposed to be about the Blue Jackets of Columbus that fought in the Civil War. Now A Blue Jacket isn’t exactly an easy mascot to create, but come on a bee with red eyes in a Civil War outfit? Seriously? Nothing says we’re a great hockey team like having an angry-looking wasp as a logo. Not to point out the obvious but how is a bee supposed to wear clothing? More importantly if they are the blue jackets why is the bee a yellow jacket? Thank god Columbus got rid of this train wreck. While their new logo isn’t exactly great either, it sure beats the angry bees. Jeez I can just hear Nicholas Cage “not the bees!!!! AAAAHHHHH”!
9) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim: Wild Wing to the rescue?
Thank you Anaheim, this ruins one of my favorite kids shows
Oh boy. This one hurts me. I loved the animated Mighty Ducks TV show as a kid. I loved Wild Wing as the leader of the Ducks. Crazy TV show, yes but it did get me into hockey at a young age. So in a brilliant move by the Mighty Ducks let’s throw Disney, the tv show, the pro team, mascot, and jersey into a blender mix it up and get this. I know it’s a eehh logo but the worst part of it was that this was the chest logo for the alternate jersey for a period of time. I could see it now asking NHL players with no teeth “excuse me, would you mind wearing this Disney jersey, the kids will love it”! For all those Mighty Ducks players that has to wear this, on behalf of all NHL fans sorry about that.
10) California Seals: Kindergarten project
Seriously? This was the best you could come up with?
As if it wash;t bad enough that a team had to be called “The Seals”. How can we possibly make it worst? Give them a logo that looks like it was created in a kindergarten art class! Look at this. The colors are awful, the logo looks like a native american craving, and how does that look like a seal? This should be on some grandmothers refrigerator not on an NHL sweater! Seriously we couldn’t put an actually seal in the logo? That looks like a fishing lure not a seal! I guess the only good news is that this logo isn’t around anymore. Sorry Californians, like your former governor something’s are better off being terminated after a while. Do you agree of disagree? What do you think is the worst NHL logo? Comment below!
Bring back the Brass Bonanza!!!!! How Connecticut can get an NHL team back and why they need to
Hartford has been without hockey since 1997
April 13, 1997 is a date that probably doesn’t mean much to you. Just another day that passed on the calendar without anything significant occurring. However, this was a day that would live in Connecticut infamy. After defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-1 the Hartford Whalers where history. These Whalers were just another casualty in a decade filled with more shuffling of NHL franchises then a card game at the casino. Hartford joined the likes of Quebec, Minnesota, and Winnipeg as cities that lost their beloved franchises to other cities. While hockey has returned to Minnesota and most recently Winnipeg, the fans of the Brass Bonanza are still awaiting for the Whalers to come home.
I guess you could say that the Whalers were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Victims of a new owner, who never intended on keeping the franchise in Hartford. A state whose Governor who was trying to lure the New England Patriots from Foxboro down to the insurance capital of America. Governor Rowland felt it was more important to try to lure a different team to the state instead of keeping the one it already had. Long story short, the Whalers were moved to Carolina, while Robert Kraft stabbed the whole state in the back when it was revealed that he just used the relocation to Connecticut as a ploy in order to gain leverage to build Gillette stadium in Foxboro. Now you know why Connecticut doesn’t have that many Patriots fans.
With the current state of the NHL with teams like Phoenix, New Jersey, Florida, and Dallas struggling to fill their arenas, the next great migration of teams moving might have just commenced. We may look back and say this movement was started by the Thrashers moving to Winnipeg. The biggest knock on Connecticut is the lack of an NHL arena. The current arena, the XL center, is old and incredibly outdated. A new downtown arena is essential for not just hockey, but for the well-being of the city. A city that desperately needs to revitalize its downtown community.
It’s an uphill battle but with the right course of action hockey could be back
The UCONN Huskies are without a doubt the biggest draw in Connecticut. No surprise there, with multiple National Championships the Huskies are a National power that gives us Nutmegers a sense of pride. With the UCONN hockey team entering the fold in 2014 couple with the declining XL center, it’s not if but when a new arena should be built. The goal of this new arena would not be to just bring in an NHL franchise but rather give UCONN a state of the art arena for years to come. This new arena would bring in more events such as NCAA regional tournaments while bringing money to a state that is cash strapped. Not to mention it could be a major tool to recruit top talent in order for UCONN to continue their dominance on the hardwood. The success of the MTS Centre in Winnipeg proves the arena wouldn’t have to be a colossal arena. A 15,000 seat arena would be a perfect size for both collegiate and professional teams to fill the seats.
While there are many other roadblocks preventing the Whalers homecoming, such as current teams affairs and television contracts, step one is to build a new arena. Remember Field of Dreams? If you build it they will come ! Money is a big issue with financing this arena but if the state realizes the benefits of the UCONN Huskies athletic programs it makes sense. Sure the ultimate goal is to bring in an NHL team, but it’s a process. The Whalers had one of the most loyal fan bases and left not because of poor fan attendance but because of a miser owner and a governor who gambled on the NFL and lost. Connecticut needs to improve its sports infrastructure for its college basketball
Whalers fans still miss their beloved team
teams. If they build an arena to help UCONN, then the pipe dream of NHL hockey could become a reality. Hartford was the Green Bay of the NHL in America and represented the unique passion and love that New Englanders have for the game. The NHL experiment in the Southern U.S. has had mixed to terrible results. Now maybe the best time for Gary Bettman to look north, where hockey belongs. With the success of the Whalers winter festival at Rentschler field over a year ago proved that their still is a strong fan base. While critics argue that minor league attendance has been poor in Hartford minor league hockey to the people of this great state is like beer without alcohol. Once you’ve had the real thing anything less won’t suffice. When the minor league team changed its named to the CT Whale instead of the Wolf Pack season ticket sales increased by 36%. Coincidence? I think not!!!
The Whalers have such a great history and arguably one of the greatest sports logos in history. What I’m saying is that the city of Hartford has the chance to kill two birds with one stone. Not only improve the playing arena for the UCONN Hockey and basketball teams but at least give the state a chance to get a NHL team back. The road ahead is without question going to be a long and hard one to get the NHL back. But if Hartford takes that first step by investing in UCONN, the state’s best asset who knows? Maybe the sounds of the brass bonanza will echo through downtown Hartford once again. Please fell free to comment and follow my blog. I would love to hear what suggestions you have for me and what you would like me to write about. You a Whalers fan? Would love to hear from you! Like the Whalers? click these links below Thanks !!
Rich Sports Talk 