Monday: It's Over!!!

Welcome back readers, its ironic that the NHL lockout ends and HJC returns from its "lockout" within the same week! I think we can all agree that the return of hockey is welcome and there are many questions that need to be answered, such as:

1. Roberto Luongo: Where is he going?
2. All Star Game and Winter Classic: Pushed to next year?
3. Which team pick #1. in the draft in late June?
4. How many players will return from Europe?
5. Do we as the fans get an apology?

Those questions have been floating around  since the deal was reached, and hopefully, we'll get answers soon enough. I want to hear what you guys think about these questions and ask any that should be answered.

COTW returns with a fresh set of concepts for EVERYONE to vote on, as the voting committee has been dissolved. COTW December is also going on right now and again, everyone can vote on it

Refresher

COTW Jan 1-6 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm EST)

COTW Dec 2012 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm EST)

The Binghamton Sens specialty jersey contest is ongoing right now, and continues far to Friday, so get you entry in soon.

Here are some of the entries that have come in so far.

Tyler G.)

HJC (Ryan H.)

 Stephen T.)

 David K.)

 Avi S.)

Mike S.)

 Brady S.)

Lets jump right into the concept, as we have a lot to get through

San Jose Sharks Concepts (By: Bastian S.)

I really think San Jose has some really good jerseys right now, but, their set has one problem, the orange. I don't hate orange on a hockey jersey, but, other than Anaheim, it really can be replaced by gray, like Bastian has done here. I really like this set. The use of teal is great as it should be San Jose's colour and identity. Black and gray are good accent colours and striping colours and makes all the colours flow evenly and well. (9/10) COTW Nom. from me.

Arizona/Phoenix Coyotes Concepts (By: Thomas H.)

With Phoenix getting a name change in the near future, it's possible they will redesign their current look, and this is a very possible idea. The 90's striping is awesome, uniqueness is key to any team, and Phoenix could use some. The home and away, for the most part look great, except for the two shades of black and the black in between the striping, I'd take that out and use the charcoal type black. The alternate is great too, but the numbers are a little square, they aren't bad, but something a little more traditional or something like the Islanders alternate numbers from the early 2000's. (8.5/10)

Vancouver Canucks Concepts (By: Jordan R.)

I love Red Black Yellow on the Canucks, its my favourite look and era in Canucks history (I know some of you will disagree). The idea looks good, and the jerseys for the most part are solid. I like Jordan's presentation but I do have a couple of gripes. I can tell these are re-coloured Philadelphia jerseys with stripes added on the arms, which is okay, it just could use hem stripes too to match to give it more identity. My second problem are the socks. The Yellow and black socks look swapped, so I would suggest swapping them, but other than that, this is good. (7.5/10)

Ottawa Senators Concepts (By: Dylan W.)

I may be the only person in the world who likes Ottawa's current jerseys, but these are a different direction. The big plus for this set are the yokes, which look great! I really like the O logo being kept as a shoulder patch. The use of the UNDERUSED side profile logo is also good, but its a bit too small, I'd increase the size by about 20%. I'd also get rid of the red cuffs on the white jersey and make the collar insert either matching the jersey, or opposite the jersey. (7/10)

Minnesota Wild Concepts (By: Ted N.)

Since the Jets have returned and the Nordiques and Metros are set to return, it makes me wonder if the North Stars will return, I'm personally all in favour of this, as Dallas could use a new name...or at least a new look (Which they will be getting next season!). The jerseys as a whole are cool, the striping and colours look very 60's, which isn't bad and the recoloured Minnesota state shoulder patch would be a good addition. The recoloured logo looks decent, but its a little bit too big. The vector logo should be replaced and the socks should really match the striping of the jersey and not like a barber pole. (6.5/10)

New York Islander Concepts (By: Me (Jets96)

I am a fan of New York's current look, but they had it perfect at the beginning of the edge era, especially the blue jersey. The Isles like to use the 4 stripes symbolism a lot, so I thought I'd put it right on the jerseys' themselves, instead of the awkward shoulder patch they used to use. I also was debating to use the alternate numbers, and I want to know if you guys would think the alternate numbers would look better.

Vancouver Canucks Concept (By: Detroit 1388)

I think this is a look Canucks fans would want in a Winter Classic/ Heritage Classic scenario, I for one would like it. The use of maroon is perfect, pared with wheat, the jersey look very vintage, and yet sweet. The striping is classic, but would make the yoke striping a little closer so it matches the arm striping. Other than that, this is a great idea for a future outdoor game (8.5/10)

Toronto Maple Leaf Concepts (By: Stephen T.)

This look is very early 90's, the leaf looks really good on the shoulder patch, and the numbers remind me of my favourite Leafs era, the early 2000's. The striping on the home and away is okay, but the stripes should be a little thicker. The alternate is excellent, the darker blue and white yoke look very 60's, which is the route Toronto wants to take with the alternate. One minor gripe with the logos is they are very pixelated, I'd shrink the logo in Word instead of within Paint to get rid of the pixels. (7/10)

New York Rangers Concepts (By Me (Jets96)

It may seem odd saying this,  but, I'm not a huge fan of the current Rangers set, other than the alternate. I think, they teased us in the 90's and 2000's with these awesome Lady Liberty alternates and then dumped them for nothing. I think New York should use them full time, and they may be the only team I think that needs to be a bit more modern, because we've seen the modern look and it works, but I may be alone on that, especially if there are a lot of Rangers fans reading.

Milwaukee Admirals Concepts (By: Andrew G.)

Milwaukee is a popular concept team, I think its because their look now is so bad that there are many possibilities to take with a new look, but they also have an awesome set of logos. The whole set looks great, The white jersey I think is the best as all the colours flow really well and the jersey looks complete. The black jersey looks good too, but the numbers should be white with a teal outline. The teal jersey is a nice AHL alternate, the anchors, as made popular by Alan, look really cool within the striping. I think the striping is a little thin though, and the black yoke could use a little white outline. Overall, a huge improvement and a great concept. (9/10)