March 02, 2002

NHL Third Jerseys. : There are some nice ones, and some truly hideous ones. Is this a trend worth keeping around? Does it bring anything beneficial to the team, or is it just a blatant cash grab?

posted by Succa to hockey at 04:42 PM - 14 comments

I like the Oilers' third jersey. I thought it was a bit odd when I first saw it, but I've grown to like it a lot. The Predators' one is hideous though. Speaking of alternate jersey's, the Maple Leafs will play in green (as opposed to the blue and white) for the first time in the Maple Leaf history today. Of course, it's a throw back to the St. Pat's days... but it will be incredibly weird seeing retro styled green on the ice today... pictures here.

posted by mkn at 04:54 PM on March 02, 2002

Personally, I like the idea of third jerseys, but I wish teams would just PICK ONE and stick with it, instead of making fourth, fifth, and sixth jerseys. Also, third jerseys should be worn occasionally, not once every three games. I was a little disappointed in my Senators when they replaced their away jersey with the red third jersey, and then went on to add a fourth jersey into the rotation. Enough's enough, guys.

posted by Succa at 05:10 PM on March 02, 2002

Well it's obviously a blatant cash grab, but I like it a lot better than some alternative options. With no better way to channel my creative energy, in 7th grade I invented an entire league of hockey teams, by drawing their logos and home/away uniforms. (IHL - Imaginary Hockey League :) ). When teams in the NHL started in with alternates, I thought it was pretty cool, because in many cases I couldn't decide on just two of my drawings for each team. I think some teams did get a little carried away though. I think the Sharks should have stuck with what they had, the Ducks ideas were downright hideous, and some teams (that first LA one) were clearly trying too hard. The St. Louis unis are nice and classy but I liked the previous ones a lot, at least the home whites. Gotta say that while I liked the old dallas ones, the new ones born of the alternates are excellent. And enough with the black already (Edmonton)! Every damn team in the league wears black now. I don't like how we're seeing the same trend in baseball now... home sunday uniforms, sometimes sleeveless, third color hats, etc... I prefer the traditional grey and white. It might not look as nice, but hey, it's been that way for 100 years. 5 years ago noone wore colored shirts outside of spring training, now everyone's doing it. (And am I the only one who would love to see the Marlins bring back the teal hats and helmets? Those were cool.)

posted by Bernreuther at 06:01 PM on March 02, 2002

I like when teams have a distinct identity. Some teams have jerseys that make it impossible to determine who they are. For example, the red Buffalo Sabres' third jersey (see above links) looks very similar to the Carolina Hurricanes' and NJ Devils' jerseys. The Hartford Whalers would never be guilty of such a crime. When I turn on the TV, I want to think "St Louis is playing Montreal", not "Some Team is playing Some Other Team".

posted by Succa at 07:41 PM on March 02, 2002

Right. Those Nashville thirds had me thinking I was seeing Boston (and their ugly thirds) the first time I saw it. I miss the Whale. And I miss Hockey Night in Canada. :(

posted by Bernreuther at 09:17 PM on March 02, 2002

When I play NHL2002 on my computer, they give you the option to choose which jersey each of the teams wears in the game. Some teams have many extra jerseys (up to 6 extras) and some just have the home/away option. Sadly, my favourite ones (for being the ugliest) aren't there (Boston's Smokey the Bear one, LA's King of Ugly one). They even include the "original" jerseys for most teams (Colorado has the Nordiques, Phoenix has the Jets) but not all of them (no Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Flames, Cleveland Barons, Kansas City Scouts or California Golden Seals). Vancouver (by far) has the largest collection of ugly/bad jersies in NHL history. From the "our logo is a hockey stick" to the "full jersey blinding eye-sore yellow-red-black-V", they've never really found a good jersey. Even the current C-Orca logo is a bit weak.

posted by grum@work at 09:48 PM on March 02, 2002

The best are the Flyers, and Avalanche. Most of these look like they were designed by a recovering crackhead.

posted by wingman37 at 10:12 PM on March 02, 2002

The Dallas Stars should've kept their old road jersey, which has been replaced by the third jersey. I called it the "Death Star" jersey because it looked like something Darth Vader had cooked up. The third jersey I could never figure out is the old Penguins third jersey with light blue denim shoulders. I don't think denim is ever a good idea on a sports uniform.

posted by rcade at 09:41 AM on March 03, 2002

I like the Bruins 3rd jersey. A lot. It's a bear. They're BRUINS, for crissake. They have a bear on the front of their jerseys. It makes sense. Bears. Why all the trashtalking?

posted by Samsonov14 at 11:18 AM on March 03, 2002

Because this is not a bear. It's too cute looking. This is a better bear, and seems to be a logo that they own already.

posted by grum@work at 06:10 PM on March 03, 2002

As a loyal Ranger fan, I'm pissed about Colorado's third jersey. It's a blatant rip off of NY's original design. The team name is in diagonal across the front & the laces near the neck. That's our style. Boooooooo!

posted by 86 at 07:59 AM on March 04, 2002

I'd have to say I like the Flyers black jersey the best, although it's probably mainly because I see it more than any of the others (although most of them are just awful). I think Philly has pretty much made them their full-time away jerseys. I see them more than the old oranges ones, which I must say I do miss sometimes. As long as they don't go back to the long black pants. Oh man, they were a joke.

posted by rosey8810 at 10:02 AM on March 04, 2002

New Jersey doesn't have a third jersey, right? There's a minor bit of irony in there. I think the Rangers third jersey (statue of liberty) is very cool. And yes, the Avs third jersey is a ripoff of the Ranger's normal jerseys.

posted by andrewraff at 02:17 PM on March 04, 2002

Third jerseys are evil! Bernreuther: And enough with the black already (Edmonton)! Every damn team in the league wears black now. So true! Where have all the green and orange shirts gone? grum@work: "our logo is a hockey stick" to the "full jersey blinding eye-sore yellow-red-black-V" I beg to differ. Those were classic jerseys if there ever were. Just see for yourself: the hockey stick and the yellow V (among others, scroll a little bit). I'll admit that the yellow V is more of a camp classic, but the rink/hockey stick is truly remarkable in its simplicity and elegance. Nowadays all the logos feature angry creatures showing teeths.

posted by qbert72 at 04:07 PM on March 04, 2002

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