Wednesday: Finally

The playoffs are finally here! We've talked about them for weeks, but it is finally time for our favorite teams to chase the cup.
  
It also has been rumored that the Coyotes will wear their original uniform next season as a throwback. I feel like I am the only person that actually liked that uniform, but I am excited anyway. Also teams have been wearing their Stadium Series jerseys a second time at their home arena. I personally think this takes away from the novelty of the special edition jerseys, but I want to know what the HJC community thinks. Comment away!
  
There are also a pair of voting deadlines and a contest going on. Here's what you'll need to know, and I can't wait to see the rest of the entries. Also, make sure to check out the details of the HJC Meet Up this summer! It looks like it should be a lot of fun.
  

1st Quarter Vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

COTW April 7-13 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Oilers Competition entries (due Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

   
Here are today's entries:
   
Alan H.

    
Christian L.

    
    
Jeff H.

     
Ryan H.

  
S2dio

     
Stuart R.

   
William B.

   
Wings98

Time for today's concepts:





    
  
Tom V. - Carolina Hurricanes Concept

Design: The recent redesign of the Hurricanes didn't satisfy Tom, and his concept starts from the drawing board. He even redesigns the logo! Although it takes some getting used to, I think the logo is very sharp. I also like that black prominently returns to the home and away uniforms. The black jerseys reminds me of the 'Canes current alternate, and I think that it is the best jersey in the set. I like the flag on the pants, and I really like the flag on the front of the socks. I think that would be a really unique look in the NHL.
     
Score: 8/10 - The gray trim adds a lot to this concept. What a creative idea to start today's post.
      
   
Tyler F. - Harvard Concept

Design: I certainly do not go to Harvard, but I do wear a Harvard hockey T-shirt to every exam I take. I pretend it gives me good luck, but I'm not so sure it doesn't do the opposite. Tyler's concept isn't too different from the jerseys the Harvard currently wears, however, the crest is used in favor of the arched text.
   
Score: 6/10 - Many of the stripes are not straight, which detracts from the design. Also, the collars aren't colored. I think this concept has potential, but as Ryan says, make sure to triple check your design,
 
 
Christian L. - Dallas Stars Throwback Alternate Concept

Design: Christian puts a little bit of everything into this concept. I love when concepts mix elements from different eras, and that is what this concept does. The colors come from the North Stars era, the striping comes from the miserable Reebok Edge era, and the logo is very similar to the logo that came following the team's name change. The only thing I don't like about this concept is how much "Dallas" sticks out in the logo. It looks like too many things are stacked and it looks cluttered.
   
Score: 7/10 - Very creative concept! I love digging to find a concept's inspiration.
  
  
Bastian - Finland Concept

Design: I have seen a lot of Finland concepts recently, and I think that it is very hard to make a jersey look good with so many shades of blue. Bastian gets creative with the striping, which is my favorite feature of this concept. I don't like square yokes, but It looks good on this concept with how "blocky" the striping is.
   
Score: 7.5/10 - Niemi left the Blackhawks after winning the cup in 2010. That hurt! I would change the name on the jerseys that's all.
  
   
Bastian - Czech Republic Concpet

Design: Whatever is going on in the Czech's Olympics jersey is all forgotten here. The crest that the team uses opens up a window to be overly creative. Think about Maryland's football uniforms. Bastian incorporates the checked pattern that can be seen in the crest, and it really brings the uniform together.
   
Score: 7.5/10 - My only concern is that the checkers will get lost on the ice. The Predators tried a similar pattern, and it looked almost like solid striping. I like the idea nonetheless.
   
   
Phil B. - Tampa Bay Lightning Alternate Concept

Design: What would the world be like without Tampa Bay's "Bolts" jersey? Probably a better looking place. Phil nails this alternate jersey. Black is mixed with the new logo for the first time, and the under arms also become black. I like This jersey over the Lightning's home jersey, and I would like to see this a primary concept instead. The shoulder patches reflect the old logo, something that Tampa updated on their alternate just last year.
    
Score: 8/10 - Does anyone know why the Lightning used the hatching on the armpit? I feel as if that would always be hidden...
   
  
Ryan H. - Spokane Chiefs Alternate Concept

Design: The Chiefs essentially rip off the Canadiens' jerseys for their home & away uniforms. However, Ryan brings us a uniform that could give the team a very unique identity. The striping pattern reminds me of the Coyotes original striping pattern. Although the details are small, I think it looks great on the concept. I also really like the number font. It is just different enough from standard block numbers that it greatly improves the design.
   
Score: 8.5/10 - This is a great looking concept! This would also make a good looking home uniform.
  
  
Stephen T. - Eisbären Berlin Concept

Design: It's hard to go wrong when you have a logo like this! Stephen has created a simple jersey that fits the team's identity perfectly. The large white stripes put the polar in bear and I like the red trim to complement the tongue of the bear.
   
Score: 7/10 - Clean + Simple = Awesome concept. It is a touch hard to see the "Berlin" on the blue jersey. I think it would look good in white.
   
   
Stephen T. - Switzerland Concept

Design: The NHL tried the offset crest look in the 2000 & 2001 All Star Games, and they should never try it again. That feature does, however, look good on this concept. I think that Switzerland could have used some more detail on their Olympics jerseys, and this would have been a perfect fix.
   
Score: 7.5/10 - I was skeptical about the black number outline at first, but it has grown on me and I like what Stephen has here.
  
  
S2dio - Las Vegas Wranglers Concept

Design: S2dio's concept hits the jackpot! The crest is awesome and fits the team's identity perfectly. The colors look great, and the two different colored pants are awesome and unique. The shoulder patches only add to the list of cool features.
   
Score: 8/10 - Do the Wranglers really have to wait until 2018 to use these uniforms?
   
    
Jake88 - Winnipeg Jets Concept

Design: The Jets already wear some good looking uniforms, but Jake revamps their look with this outstanding concept. Red is brought back into the equation, reminding us of the original Jets franchise. Jake also uses the current striping as a basis for his design. I really like the larger striping that goes up the arm. The way that the striping is cut out of the body of the jerseys also gives an illusion that reminds me of airplane wings. The slight change in the logo looks like the exhaust we see in the sky, and the sublimated maple leaf behind the number looks awesome!
   
Score: 9/10 - COTW Nomination! Great work Jake!
  
  
That's all for this week! Get your contest entries in, and as always, don't forget to vote!