Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Reminder: Big Day For Avs, Leafs

Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day for fans in Colorado and Toronto as the Avalanche and Maple Leafs prepare to unveil their new Rbk EDGE uniforms. To prepare us for the events, I have concept art — I know, your favorite!

But first, some notes. The Leafs' official web site has an article discussing the long history of the sweater. Worth a read. On the home page, they're saying fans can watch the unveiling ceremony on Leafs Today tomorrow at 3 PM. I'll watch if I can and try to grab some stills for you all.



Meanwhile, the Avs haven't even made mention of a uniform unveiling on their official web site. The information came from the Denver Post. They're saying the Avs will unveil their jerseys at a press conference.

Now let's dive into the concepts. We'll start out with the Avalanche.



The team has said to expect only minor changes but logic would make us presume that the mountain range-like stripes along the arms are probably out with the EDGE design. I'm not the first person to suggest this. Chances are better the Avs go with something similar to last year's third jersey, retaining the primary logo as the crest. Let this serve as a good example of what that might look like.

But you came here for edgy concept art. Here's what you really want to see.



I laugh because the day I got the email with these images I was sitting there wondering what a more "traditional" Avs logo might look like. It's like the gods were answering me. It's a sharp concept but I can't see them changing the logo for another good 50 years.



The typeface on the white jersey's chest is what I would consider to be brutal. But enough about the Avalanche, I know what you Canadians want. Let's check out some Leafs art.



The stripes are going a little crazy here, but anyway, there it is. For something a little less drastic, I offer these.



But wait, there's more!

I know this is a risky move considering the number of Leafs fans who weren't behind the TML logo, but what about something like this for an alternate one day? I am under the impression, however, that this secondary logo will say goodbye when the new uniforms are introduced tomorrow.

One more! Let's go back to the Avs for this because I actually want to know what you guys think of it. Under the same guise as above of simplifying jerseys with a little too much going on comes this concept.

For me it's a little monochromatic but something about it says it could serve as a nice third jersey with a little help. The white "A" really shouts out "snow-covered mountain" to me.

Anyway, one last thing on what to expect for tomorrow. Avs fans, the club has said no major changes but the zig-zag stripe along the arms may not work. We'll find out for sure tomorrow. Other than that, expect something very close to what they've always worn. No logo or color changes.

Leafs fans, expect a much simpler uniform with no horizontal stripes at the bottom. I would expect minimalist stripes and constrasting color usage similar to the alleged Stars jerseys we've been seeing recently. In other words, I'm thinking a very plain sweater — and no TML logo. I doubt we'll see any change to the leaf silhouette, but the way the article above read made me feel like anything is possible.

Finally, feel free to share you're thoughts. I read them all.

EA Leaks Devils, Sabres Sweaters?

All right, you guys know how much I hate video game renderings because they aren't actual photos but I'm not just writing this blog for myself anymore. I recognize I need to show appreciation for the more than 20,000 individuals who visit the site everyday. And you guys want it.

It would appear the new Rbk EDGE uniforms of the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres have shown up in some NHL 08 screen shots. We'll start with the Devils and an image that was sent to me by Jordon over at Flames Daily.



You can see the NHL shield at the collar and all the stripes appear to be staying the same. Below you see a Sabres player from the video game.



The rounded bottom at the back is the reason this appears to be an EDGE jersey. You'll notice the Flyers player is wearing last year's road sweater. Here are a couple more from that same image set.



It should go without saying, but sometimes people don't think and so I'm going to say it. There seems to me to be no good reason why these couldn't have been made up by a very Photoshop-inclined fan. I'm not saying they're fake, but I'm not saying they aren't. Just take them for what they're worth and enjoy the anticipation leading up the big unveilings.

If they are really from EA (somebody's in trouble, for one thing), then it does give us a decent idea of what the design will look like. The reason I don't like these images is that I'm trying to keep to posting photographs of the new uniforms.

Anyway, as you know, I'll have them when they are available. Word on the street is we'll see these jerseys on Saturday for Buffalo and Monday for New Jersey. But keep checking back for updates, of course.

Sharks Moving To New Jersey!

The San Jose Sharks announced via an email to fans and on their official web site that they'll be unveiling their new Rbk EDGE uniforms on Monday, September 17 at 2 PM. Here's the email fans received.



Thought the headline was funny so I stole it. And here's a screenshot of the Sharks' web site announcing the unveiling. The jerseys will be available to the public for a first glimpse at the Sharks Store at HP Pavilion.



Pictures will be posted on their web site Monday afternoon and I'll have them here and in the gallery as soon as I can. You can read more on this matter at their official site.

But as a special treat for those of you that have read on, the Sharks' prospects took part in weekend tournament with the Anaheim Ducks. Players were wearing what appear to be the pants to go with the new uniforms. You can tell by the new shield logo which appears on the pants. Check out some photos.


New Stars Home Sweater?

Just as a follow-up to my earlier post, we've got a screen shot from the NHL 2k8 commercial featuring goalie Marty Turco in what appears to be the Stars new home sweater.



As far it being from a video game ad, this seems to be an actual photo/video as opposed to a video game rendering. Thoughts?

NHL 2k8 Apparently Has New Stars Jersey...

...so you can stop emailing me now! Thank you to the more than 25 people who emailed me saying they saw the Dallas Stars' new Rbk EDGE uniforms on an NHL 2k8 commercial that aired on TSN last night.

For what it's worth, the people who have emailed in have said the images we've seen already match what was in the commercial. However, fittingly enough, no one had a picture or screen shot to share so I'm only writing this post to let you know I got all your emails.

Also, I'll mention again that I really don't like writing about video games so if screen shots do surface in the next day or two I may not even post them. Simply put, video game renderings are not fully accurate images (in my opinion) to show actual jerseys. I prefer actual photographs.

(That's also why I haven't posted the Gagne statuette that's been floating around.)

Real live photos are coming directly from the Stars on Friday. I'll have them here.

Poll: Bruins Logo History


1924
1932
1948

1995
2007


Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment as to how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date
Sep 11 @ 4:24 AM
Poll closing date
Sep 18 @ 11:59 PM


07BONLH | LHBOS

Result: Canucks Logo History

BEST ALL-TIME
1970

48% 7,648 votes



15,795 total votes



1978
23% 3,649 votes


2007
17% 2,745 votes


1997
11% 1,753 votes




Poll opening date
Sep 3 @ 4:18 AM
Poll closing date
Sep 10 @ 11:59 PM


07BONLH | LHVAN