The 5 best uniforms from the NHL’s Winter Classic

September 22, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

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.

Bring them back! NHL jerseys that need to be revived

July 24, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

With the zombie craze sweeping the nation, it made me think what NHL jerseys should rise from the hockey graveyard and be worn again? While I am glad that most teams are going back to more traditional uniforms instead of crazy designs, I still think there are a few looks that should grace the ice once again. Here are five jerseys that the NHL should bring back right away.

While Buffalo has some classic jerseys, these were some intimidating threads

5) Buffalo Sabres- Ok Buffalo fans I know you’re not going to love this one but give me a second. I do love the current Sabres sweaters and I’m not saying they should be replaced, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the Sabres don these a few times a year. Come on they’re better than those “Buffalo” script jerseys. These jerseys had it all. The black, red, and silver created an intimidating sweater with a very good logo. Add in the cool shoulder logos with the saber and B and you had a great combination. This jersey also was the banner for a Stanley Cup final team, and would give the Sabres a great intimidation factor when these were put on.

The Stars have had a mess of uniforms. It’s time to go back to the basics.

4) Minnesota North Stars- With the mess of Dallas Stars jerseys over the past decade, including their new threads, maybe they should go back in time. Adopt the green, white, and yellow color scheme of old. Instead of being the “N” for North Stars maybe they could do an “S” or “D” with the yellow star. Hey no one has this color scheme in the NHL right now, and it would be a vast improvement over their new ugly sweaters.

It’s time to bring back a Canadian icon

3) Winnipeg Jets- The new Jets uniforms are incredible. However, they don’t have an alternate uniform. Instead of trying something new, why not wear the classic Jets jerseys. The combo of red, white, and blue is well-balanced. The old Jets logo with the hockey stick inserted into the script in front of the white background really pops. Hey this was a great jersey back in the day. Why not bring this back and bring back nostalgia for those older fans who had the original Jets in Winnipeg.

This jersey was the best jersey with the Ducks, maybe keep the jersey but adjust color scheme

2) Mighty Ducks- Boy these were classic. Hey they might have come from a movie, but the white Mighty Ducks uniform with the purple and green was awesome. Add in a cool logo and these jerseys were fantastic. Here’s what I’m purposing. The new Mighty Ducks uniforms look terrible with the Ducks script or the “D” web foot logo on the chest. Instead keep the color scheme of black, gold, and orange in the third jersey and insert the old logo. Hey A black jersey with the orange and gold highlights would make this logo really pop and bring back the best logo in the club’s history while maintaining their new colors.

Black and silver look great, but purple and gold would give the Kings a distinctive look

1) L.A. Kings- While I do love the kings colors of black and silver there is one problem. How many teams now have black in their color palette? A lot. However, no one has a gold and purple color scheme. Hey this was their original look, and would look great alongside their L.A. counterparts, the Lakers. There is something about purple and gold that just evokes royalty, and sophistication. With so many teams having black now incorporated, wouldn’t it be a fresh take if the Kings wore something unique that made them stand out? The Kings would have a look that no one else in the NHL could copy or duplicate. Plus, this crown logo is probably the best they’ve had. Hey, it’s tinsel town, shouldn’t gold be a color for all the glitz and glamour in L.A.? All I know is that I’d love to see the Kings bring these jerseys out of retirement, and bring some L.A. flavor back to the NHL.

Connecticut hockey’s greatest jerseys

June 24, 2013September 22, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / 2 Comments

Connecticut has a rich hockey history over the past one hundred years. Whether it’s professional, minor league, or college, Connecticut hockey has had it’s fair share of great hockey jerseys. Here are the best jerseys in Connecticut hockey history. But first lets start with the

Worst of the Worst: Bridgeport current alternates

Double trouble

It’s bad enough that the New York Islanders spawned these jerseys in the NHL. However, the Sound Tigers apparently didn’t get the memo and decided to ditch their awesome logo to instead just Sound Tigers script. Just for the simple reason that someone thought it was smart to repeat this abomination is why it deserves this place on the list.

10) New Haven Blades

A classic in New Haven history

This classic beauty belonged to the New Haven Blades over fifty years ago. The red, white, and blue color scheme, this jersey recreates the classic Montreal Canadians original six sweater. Add a classic New Haven script in cursive and you have a beautiful piece of hockey history. I know one thing this type of jersey may be old, but it would still look sharp on teams today.

9) Beast of New Haven

A unique logo and color scheme that proves beauty is in the eye of the beholder

While many people may see this as an ugly jersey, I believe it’s awesome. A cool and unique logo that hadn’t been tried before, a dark jersey highlighted with neon yellow and red, and cool claw shoulder logos. You also have to love the neon numbers which made it easy to find the players and combining both the Blue and white colors for both jerseys. Why Beast? It honors New Haven’s gothic architecture with a gargoyle mascot in front of the moon. Hey give them credit for going out on a limb to create a different looking jersey. This jersey did defiantly catch people’s eyes and whose boldness was a favorite of New Haven hockey fans.

8) New Haven Knights

Regal and intimidating

Nothing says intimidating like a black jersey. Spoiler alert there’s more to come. The Knights had a cool logo, but the question was could the colors of purple and gray be incorporated effectively. The answer is yes. These uniforms are beautiful and have the perfect amount of purple with gray accents that really make the jersey stick out. The black makes this jersey both intimidating and sophisticated. Add a great logo with a bold Knight clutching his stick and shield for battle, and you have a great combination. This is one jersey where everything comes together beautifully.

7) New Haven NightHawks (final years)

Patriotism and classic logo come together

Look at these beauties. No this isn’t a team USA jersey, it’s the final New Haven Night Hawks jerseys. The classic Night Hawk logo with clean lines and just the right amount of red and white really make this sweater pop. Hey patriotism and the Night Hawks sounds like a match made in heaven. Hey maybe team USA should borrow these. While these jerseys do inspire the american spirit of a classic New England, they still can’t beat the original…..

6) New Haven Night Hawks Originals

Welcome to the jungle

The pinnacle of New Haven hockey. Nothing says Night Hawks like black and grey. There was a reason the Coliseum was known as the jungle at this time. It was because of the rowdy fans and the home team sporting these bad boys. The Grey outlines really make the black Night Hawk pop on this sweater. Add in the sophistication of the original LA Kings jersey and you have a winner. Ask hockey fans in New Haven and this is without a doubt the most iconic sweater in the city’s history.

5) Yale Bulldogs

Talk about winning in style

When you win a national championship, you want to look good doing it. Sometimes less is more when you look at the Bulldogs sweaters. The double stripe piping on the socks, pants, elbows, and waist is a classic look that you see many teams trying to imitate now, I’m talking to you UCONN. The whiles and Navy with the Yale script on the front with the numbers with the simple “Y” on the shoulders shows that even though these jerseys may be simple, there is a certain element of pureness that you don’t see in hockey anymore. Yale, please never ever change your uniforms! They are already perfect don’t screw these up like many other schools who try to update their “looks”.

4) Connecticut Whale

Classic history with a twist of modern flare

Too bad these won’t be seen anymore. The former AHL team in Hartford, The Connecticut Whale had jerseys that meshed hockey history with modern design. For the purists you had the old Hartford Whalers colors with the Whale main sake. However, the jerseys add a modern “ocean” fringe along the bottom of the jersey with an updated logo that is both fun and different. Especially with the green jerseys, you could have mistaken this group as the original Whalers.

3) Quinnipiac Bobcats

Quinnipiac hockey makes a statement on the ice with some of the best jerseys in college hockey

For the Quinnipiac Bobcats, while they may be the new kids on the block, no other team has three amazing jerseys in their set. While the white, blue, and the new yellow jerseys are all awesome, I gotta go with these ones. When you watch Quinnipiac in their Yellow jerseys, they defiantly catch your eyes. Yellow is a hard color to pull off, but this shade along with the blue piping makes for an eye-catching and great looking sweater. Not only is the color great, but the Quinnipiac Bobcat logo with the “Quinnipiac” script and swiping Bobcat is a sick logo. If you look closely the head and arm of the bobcat create a Q, talk about a slick design. The running bobcats on the shoulders are just a bonus. The Quinnipiac program is just beginning its bright future and have an awesome pair of jerseys to help with the recruiting.

2 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Original

Why did they get rid of these???

Now these are sick. Black jersey, a fierce blue, and yellow highlights to make the whole thing pop. Throw in an aggressive blue tiger logo and you have the best minor league jersey in state history. Unfortunately for the Sound Tigers, like most other minor league teams, their jerseys are exactly the same as their pro counterparts. While the new jerseys aren’t that bad, the original was bold and gave the Sound Tigers their own unique identity. I don’t know about you, but I wish they would bring these back out of retirement.

1) The Hartford Whalers

Forget great Connecticut jersey, these are one of the greatest all time NHL jerseys

Can the Whalers come back just to get these jerseys back?

Was there any doubt? Forget Connecticut hockey, these are some of the greatest jerseys in NHL history. Let’s see the navy and white jerseys with the silver, green and white piping created a sophisticated look that popped and was easy on the eyes. Could anybody else combine Navy, silver, and green, in such a way. The colors balance each other out and there isn’t an overuse of one color. Oh there’s also one of the greatest logos in sports history. The Whale tail in Navy, the W in Green, and in the negative space between the two the silver forming the letter “H” for Hartford. I wish we could just have an NHL team back for the simple reason that the NHL needs classic jerseys like these again. And people wonder why Whalers jerseys are still so popular after the team left in 1997. Go Whalers! Do you guys agree? Any that I missed? Follow and comment to tell me about what you think.

Lone Star Mess: Dallas’ uniform debacle

June 9, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Fans designing the uniform? Either genius or a disaster waiting to happen

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most iconic sports uniforms in history. From the white jerseys, to the iconic navy star on the helmet, the Cowboys logo and uniform are as recognizable as Coca Cola. Unfortunately, while the Cowboys may have one of the best uniforms and logo in sports, the other Dallas teams don’t provide the same nostalgia. The Mavericks and Stars are updating their looks for the 2013 season. First, renegade NBA owner Mark Cuban is once again thinking outside the box. Rather then hire a professional design team, Cuban has announced that the fans will have the chance to redesign the logo and uniform in a fan contest. While this does give the team great publicity, along with increasing the relationship between the fans and the team, it also could be a publicity stunt that goes horribly wrong. But seriously though do you really want some twelve-year-old with crayons designing your pro team’s uniforms? To see what the fans have come up with so far check it out (here). However, there is still hope that the Mavs could have some pretty awesome uniforms, however the same cannot be said for their NHL counterparts. The Dallas stars have had

Houston we have a problem

an identity crisis for a few years now. After years of uniforms that just read “Dallas” in a boring script, when it was announced that Stars would get their long-awaited makeover people rejoiced! Then when the jerseys made their debut fans were seeing stars, and not in the good way. Rather then tweak their intimidating black and dark greens uniforms, the Stars decided to ripoff of the old Hartford Whalers. Seriously call Gary Bettman these uniforms were stolen! Seriously the lighter green, and a black that suspiciously looks navy, I think the Whalers were robbed. While the uniforms might have been ok, the logo just kills these uniforms. You thought Dallas would have learned from their infamous constellation uniform disaster, but unfortunately the new logo is terrible. A giant D with a simple star? Really? These uniforms are disappointing. This is just another attempt of what I call “modern retro”, when a team tries to make themselves have a classic look, when they don’t have that classic look. While some Stars fans may like the change, personally I hate these uniforms. I think the Stars have a major identity crisis and these new uniforms aren’t helping. What do you think about the Stars new uniforms? Take the poll to vote for your favorite.

20 man Wolf Pack: Whale to be renamed

May 30, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

The CT Whale experiment has come to an end

After three years of trying to re-establish the “whaler brand” in Hartford, the hopes of bringing back an NHL franchise took another hit this week. The team announced that it will be abandoning the “Whale” namesake and return to being called the Hartford Wolf Pack. Despite failing it’s main purpose, bringing the NHL back to the city, the Whale created a greater buzz with the fan base then the Wolf Pack. I think this is a mistake, because people in the community were willing to embrace the team once it honored the previous history in Hartford. Now the green and blue will be replaced by the red, white, and blue of the New York Rangers. At first glance this may not seem like a big deal, but to die heart Connecticut hockey fans it is. The Rangers were one of the biggest rivals of the Whalers, and it’s very difficult to love any part of your rival. It’s as if the love of your life left then soon after your rival drops their kid off at your door and tells you to love it the same way. When the Rangers told Hartford that the new minor league team would look nothing like the Rangers the fans of Hartford were pleased. However, this wasn’t the case as the Wolf Pack looked just like the Rangers with the same uniforms and colors. The death of the Whale is

The Wolf Pack are back, but will have a hard time appealing to Whaler Nation

unfortunately another failed attempt to once again attract a pro franchise to Hartford. With the declining health of the XL Center, and the lack of interest now that the team is no longer the Whale is another nail in the coffin for future NHL hockey in Hartford. I know for me its disappointing the Wolf Pack are coming back. At least the Whale reminded the city of it’s once great hockey tradition rather than having our rival shove their minor league squad down Hartford’s throat. Despite the Whale’s departure, the provided a great run filled with honoring past traditions and creating new memories such as Whaler Fest. This may be another punch to the gut regarding the future of the NHL in Connecticut, but as long as there is still hope and determination, it is one dream that can never die.

All Hail the King!! Lundqvist leads the Rangers

May 16, 2013May 23, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Last year Quick propelled the Kings, this year could be Lundqvist’s turn

Down 3 games to 2 and facing elimination, the New York Rangers once again would put the burden on their star 31-year-old goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. What they got in return was one of the greatest performances by a goaltender in recent memory. Lundqvist shut out the Capitals in both game 6 and 7 propelling the Rangers into the second round of the playoffs again the Boston Bruins. Lundqvist shut down one of the NHL’s most potent offensive units at a time when the Rangers offense couldn’t buy a goal. Not only did his 120 minutes of shut out play save the Rangers season, but also made a statement that no one should sleep on the blue shirts. We’ve seen it before, hot goaltending can propel any team to the Stanley Cup finals. It happened last year with the Kings, who behind the dominant emergence of Jonathan Quick went from the bottom of the barrel as the eighth seed, to the king’s of the hockey world. With Lundqvist’s recent hot streak, this year could be the year that the Rangers finally make it to the Stanley Cup

Lundqvist is the rock the Rangers need to win their first cup since 94

for the first time since 1994. While many experts believe that the Rangers offense will be the key for this team, as long as Lundqvist can continue to play at the high level he is capable of, then the Rangers will be in every game. Looking at the other teams in the Eastern conference, there is no question that the Rangers have the elite net minder. Rask, with the Bruins, is a very talented goaltender, but he is very inconsistent. One night he can turn in a shut out performance, but the next game allow five goals. Don’t even get me started with the Penguins. My god, sieves have fewer holes than Marc Andre-Fleury. Despite Thomas Vokoun’s performance, after replacing the incumbent Andre-Fleury, against the Nw York Islanders; he is a glorified backup that still hasn’t been tested. Sure he’s played two great games, but can he really keep up his performance against the Senators? Then the Senators, jeez talk about a revolving door between the pipes. They switch goalies so much I can’t even keep track anymore. Listen, I’m not saying it will be an easy road for the Rangers, because it never is, but the way King Henrik is playing and the recent resurgence of the dormant offense, this could finally be the year that the Rangers get back to the Stanley Cup Finals, and the year that King Henrik finally receives his crown.