Friday: Buffaloverload

Hey y'all, and welcome to another Friday post here at HJC.  Today, I'd like to discuss an issue that has popped up that I can only imagine is being thrust upon the NHL.  On Tuesday, the NHL announced that Kid Rock will be performing at the 2018 All Star Game.  Most normal, level-headed individuals would react to this news with responses along the lines of "Hmm, alright, I guess." or "He's still performing?", but of course Twitter had to ruin things for everyone.  People across Twitter have gone into full, outright rage mode over the choice of Kid Rock, who is an outspoken Conservative and Trump supporter.  Among the tweets criticizing the NHL's decision were calls saying that this further marginalized fans who felt that the NHL didn't support its minority, female, and homosexual fans.  I believe that this is not the NHL taking a political stance, it's is not the NHL intentionally alienating a segment of its audience, it's not the NHL deciding that they are throwing their support behind a controversial president.  This is just the NHL hiring an artist to perform at an event , presumably because they could get him for a relative bargain compared to more marquee acts.  I know the NFL has muddied the waters of late, but this is hockey, not football.  The NHL is a sporting league, not a political forum.  It's about bringing together the best athletes from around the world to decide who truly is the best in the world.  It's not about what musician supports what politician, nor what politician the league supports.  It's about hockey.  And that's why I think that this is an issue thrust upon the NHL.  I believe that the naysayers are casual watchers merely looking for something to be upset about in this highly volatile political climate.  Real fans aren't getting caught up in it because they know that the only thing that really matters is hockey.  To real fans, getting upset about the musical act at the ASG is like complaining that the sorbet palate cleanser in a five course meal was lemon and not raspberry.  If you focus so much on an extraneous detail that you can't enjoy the full experience, then you're just creating your own misery and I am perfectly content to let you wallow in it as long as you don't try to ruin it for the rest of us.  So from the bottom of my heart, as a true NHL fan, please go find your raspberry sorbet and leave the rest of us alone.

In voting news, we have the regular COTW vote for January 12-18, as well as the Semifinal vote for the 2017 Concept of the Year, with the first quarter winner taking on the the third quarter and the second taking on the fourth, both of which end Friday at noon EST.  We also have the Semiahmoo Competition going on, with entries due Friday at noon EST.

 COTW January 12-18 vote (ends Friday @ noon EST) 

 2017 COTY Semifinal vote (ends Friday @ noon EST) 
 Semiahoo PeeWee A1 Competition (due Friday @ noon EST) 

------------------------------------------------------

Here are the Semiahmoo entries that have come in so far...

 Dave H.


FC Macbeth


John E.


Noah K.


Spencer R.


------------------------------------------------------

Now on to today's concepts!

Jets96- Buffalo Sabres

Our first concept of the day is our very own Jets96's design for the Buffalo Sabres.  I like the striping pattern, it's reminiscent of the Sabres' original striping, but with a thicker middle stripe and the use of white for the thinner outer stripes.  I also love the triple sock striping as a nod to the Sabres' original set.  I like the use of the isolated buffalo, but I probably would have eliminated the movement stripes, they seem unnecessary here.  The gear looks good, and I especially like the use of the script from the 2010-2012 alternate on the helmet, but I doubt they would use the yellow segment on the straps.  My main issue here is the collar, the white highlights the main problem with the Adizero system, that awful pentagon.  Additionally, if you're going to do a tiedown, even if it is a faux tiedown, make the laces a different collar than the rest of the jersey.  Final verdict: a decent looking design for the Sabres, but some design chocies detract from it.  7.5/10  (Side note: love the Gaingta)

Lucas D.- Buffalo Sabres

Our second and final concept of the day is another Sabres concept, this time from Lucas D.  I really love the recolored Winter Classic logo, it works great as a main crest.  The striping pattern, which I believe is inspired by the striping on the 1978-1980 home socks, looks great and especially complements the main crest.  I probably would have included a thin yellow stripe on the hem, just to break up all the blue from the chest stripe down to the bottom of the breezers.  I also probably would have included a shoulder patch, for pretty much the same reason.  The collar intrigues me, as it almost fixes the Adizero pentagon, but I can't really tell if it's an improvement.  Gear looks good, and presentation is quite well done.  Final verdict: a good design for the Sabres, but the jury is still out on that collar.  8.5/10 and my COTW NOMINEE!!!!!

Well, that's all for me this week, see y'all next Friday!