Saturday: Goodbye, farewell and amen...

It is with a very heavy heart that I must officially announce that this is to be my final post as a writer for this blog. You're all no doubt aware that the blog is seeking a new Saturday writer, since the other writers have been advertising the vacancy, but this is my actual goodbye. Unfortunately, Ryan and I came to a bit of an impasse caused by my irregular schedule at work that made me unable to fulfill my commitments as a writer on this blog. Thus, we came to an amicable agreement to end my time as a writer here. As much as I would love to continue to be a writer on this blog, I cannot give it the attention it deserves because of the time commitments required for work, so I hope that my successor is better able to do so. I also hope that the readership of this blog enjoyed my writing. I know my work was a bit unusual compared to the other writers, but I still hope I left a positive impression on all of you. I will continue to create concepts to submit to this blog and others. Maybe someday I will return to this blog, even if only once in a while.

So, thank you for having me. I appreciate you giving me your time and your concepts. Before I move onto the concepts, I leave you with this note in song form.

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

***EDIT by Ryan***
If you plan on applying to be the HJC Saturday writer, you need to click the banner at the top of the page and have your application in by 10pm Eastern time TONIGHT!

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

Minnesota Wild (by Ben)

Ben's concept melds several Minnesota Wild ideas and puts them on a Nike template. It's a solid idea but I would have used some vintage white. Also, I don't care for the script logo being used as the primary. It's just not a very good logo for Minnesota. Overall, I'll give it a 7/10.

Canada (by Brady)

This concept gets points purely on the basis of not being the terrible jerseys that Canada will actually be wearing at the Olympics. Simple and effective. It's a pity that nothing can be done about the awful collar design Nike is forcing on everyone. Overall, I'll give it an 8/10.

Pittsburgh Penguins (by Dylan W.)

Here's an interesting concept for the Penguins. It's not quite a fauxback but it's certainly better than any of the blue jerseys they've worn in the past. I don't like the use of the Robopen, though. If used at all, the Robopen should be restricted to a shoulder patch. Overall, I'll give it an 8/10.

Canada (by Frank)

Here's another Canada concept. This one is just as traditional and for that reason I really like it. There's really nothing wrong with this one. Overall, I'll give it an 8/10.

United States (by Jake88)

Ah, it's nice to get a break from the future silver medal winners and see a gold medal-winning team's concept instead. This is definitely an improvement over what the US will be winning their gold in at Sochi, apart from the fact that the logo wouldn't fly at the Olympics. Overall, I'll give it an 8.5/10.

Indianapolis Racers (by Jayson)

Jayson's effort brings a short-lived WHA team to the modern age and imagines what the Racers would look like if they'd been an NHL expansion team that had survived to this day. I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of the yoke-less look on the home and away. The alternate is great, though. Overall, I'll give it a 7/10.

Canada (by Stephen)

Very interesting. I certainly wouldn't want to see what Canada would look like in anything other than red and white (which is why their black jersey will look awful) but this is certainly a very interesting look for the Eh Team. It's excellent in its simplicity. Overall, I'll give it an 8/10.

Vancouver Canucks (by Steven)

Steven's de-Edge series continues by modifying the Canucks to meld two different eras. I've always been a fan of the v-sleeve design so that gets a plus from me. Also, the subtle incorporation of the silver works really well. Personally, I would have used the orca logo as the shoulder patch. Overall, I'll give it an 8.5/10.

Pittsburgh Penguins (by TG)

I don't know if the gradient sleeve jersey would have worked as both a home and road, but TG's effort is admirable. It's nice to see someone taking on one of the more outrageous jerseys in NHL history. I can't help but think that the look would be improved by the addition of a shoulder patch. Overall, I'll give it a 7/10.