Wednesday: Not To Jinx Anything, But...

... A Stanley Cup Champion could be crowned tonight! Even though it won't be the Blackhawks, it is always very exciting when Lord Stanley makes the journey, you know, just in case. You may think that being an HJC writer is my dream job in hockey but it is not. I have always wanted to be one of the guys that wears white gloves and travels everywhere with the Stanley Cup. One day...
   
So in other news, there is no news. Dylan mentioned yesterday that uniform news is slow. As a result, I've decided to add a new feature to this week's post to shake some things up. I have added a meter to every concept to rate them on a scale of Winter Classic to Stadium Series. You may ask, what does that mean? Since 2008, Winter Classic uniforms have been fairly conservative in design. Teams have either used throwbacks or fauxbacks that have used very classic design elements. Last year's Stadium Series Concepts (excluding New Jersey, that one doesn't count) were very "out there" and modern in design. So the meter will work with 1 being a Winter Classic-like design and 10 being a Stadium Series-like design. A 5-6 would represent a jersey that would be a standard home or away jersey. Let's give this a try.
   
Make sure you don't forget to vote for your favorite concepts in both the COTW and May COTY votes this week. Voter turnout has been relatively low recently, so your vote could change everything!
   

COTY-May vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

COTW June 2-8 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

NHA entries (tentatively due Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

   
Just like school deadlines, everything is due at the same time on Friday at 11:59pm. Don't wait until the last minute to enter your NHA Redesign entry!
Here are the entries of some people who have worked ahead:
    
Ben A.

    
Caden P.

  
Christian L.

  
Dylan W.

   
Josh G.

     

On to the concepts of the day!

    

S2dio - New York Rangers Alternate Concept

Design: After the auction, the Rangers' Lady Liberty jersey has gotten quite a bit of attention on HJC. S2dio's take on the jersey utilizes chest stripes, a feature that has never been seen before on a Rangers jersey. I really like the look, but I would recommend recoloring the standard crest on the shoulders to match the darker color scheme.

     

Score: 7.5/10 - The two shades of blue really throws me off. Otherwise, a very cool concept.

   

Winter Classic     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     8     _     _      Stadium Series

    

    

S2dio - Ottawa Senators Alternate Concept

Design: S2dio has redesigned Ottawa's alternate jersey, which also happens to be a redesign of the original Senators uniforms. The Sens' current alternate uses 6 thick stripes, with a red & creme stripe lining up to function as a chest stripe. S2dio changes it up in that the only thick stripes on the concept are the chest stripes. In my opinion, this makes the arm and hem stripes seem really off balanced and seem awkwardly thin.

     

Score: 7/10 - I like that this concept adds a modern twist to a classic uniform. However, the Senators have never worn a red helmet and I don't think the predominantly black jersey is a good place to use one.
 
Winter Classic     _     _     _     4     _     _     _     _     _     _      Stadium Series
 
 
TG - Jokerit Concept

Design: When a team's mascot is a joker, there really isn't any limit to what you can do with your design. I would describe TG's red & white jerseys as a very fun design, which I find quite fitting for the team's identity. The alternate looks great as well. I like that the design is completely new as opposed to a recolored home jersey.

         

Score: 7/10 - I think the logo in the upper right of the background would make the alternate jersey look even better.
 
Winter Classic     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     9     _      Stadium Series
 
 
Mario A. - Winnipeg Jets Stadium Series Concept

Design: The Jets are rumored to be in an outdoor game in the near future, so Mario has created some jerseys that they could wear if it were the Stadium Series. The dark blue jersey is actually my favorite jersey of all of Mario's recent concepts. However, I would scrap the white nameplate. I think it looks out of place, and white isn't used anywhere else on the concept except for the number & crest. My biggest complaint is that the colors used in the numbers don't match the colors used in the rest of the concept.

     

Score: 6/10 - I would use solid colored helmets & pants for sure. I don't think it is very realistic that a team would wear multi-colored pants, even in the Stadium Series. I also wish the socks had some striping to match the jersey over a fill in the blank pattern.
    
Winter Classic     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     10      Stadium Series
 
 
Mike S. - Montreal Maroons Concept

Design: The Maroons' jerseys of the past consisted of 2 things: maroon jerseys & white stripes. Mike keeps the tradition with this "Back from the Dead" concept. The chest stripe looks great on this concept. It really sets it apart from past Maroons jerseys which never used anything but arm & hem stripes. I think that the way that the number outline blends into the striping also looks really cool.

     

Score: 8/10 - This is what I would call a very simple but clean concept. As the Charmin bear would say, "less is more!"
 
Winter Classic     1     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     _      Stadium Series
 
 
Ben A. - Chicago Blackhawks Concept

Design: Ben has created a concept that could upset the hockey gods, as he has drastically redesigned the Blackhawks' uniforms. I like the white jersey more because it at least keeps the same striping pattern as Chicago's current uniforms. In fact, I kind of like the yoke stripe on the white jersey. I may even be okay with the white jersey being adopted, but the red jersey really lacks in creativity. It seems pretty bland to me.

     

Score: 7/10 - I have a very hard time placing this concept on the meter because I don't want the Hawks to ever change their uniform design. I'll go with a 5, as it could function as a standard home & away, but let me know what you think.
 
Winter Classic     _     _     _     _     5     _     _     _     _     _      Stadium Series
 
 
Antonio C. - Winnipeg Jets Concept

Design: If the rumors are true, the Jets could host the 2016 Heritage Classic. That means that they would very likely be looking for a new jersey to wear in the game. I think that the concept that Antonio has created would be a perfect jersey for that occasion. The crest and the red in the stripes both come from the original Jets franchise, but the striping and the shade of blue comes from the new Jets identity. This concept is a great way to honor the heritage of hockey in Winnipeg, and I think it would be welcomed by the fans.

     

Score: 8.5/10 - I only have one complaint... There wouldn't be a drop shadow on a crest that is sewed onto a jersey.
 
Winter Classic     _     2     _     _     _     _     _     _     _     _      Stadium Series
 
 
Brian B. - Carolina Hurricanes Concept

Design: I would be willing to bet that every single hockey fan was disappointed when the Hurricanes unveiled their recently redesigned uniforms. The fact that they relegated their famous warning flag striping pattern to the inner collar was a travesty in my opinion. Brian seems to have fixed this issue because the pattern returns on this concept. However, that isn't even my favorite part of this concept. The arm striping seems to form a pattern that reminds me of a hurricane coming down from the clouds. That alone makes this concept look awesome!

     

Score: 9/10 - Brian earns my COTW Nomination. Great concept!
 
Winter Classic     _     _     _     _     _     6     _     _     _     _      Stadium Series
     
    
That will do it for this Wednesday! Looks like a Stanley Cup Champion could be crowned by the time I post next week. See you then!