First Thursday of the Offseason

Hello again everyone and welcome back to another Thursday post. By now this is old news but the Blackhawks have won their third Stanley Cup in six years. I was hoping the Lightning would take it but it's cool to see the Hawks win at home in their beautiful red jerseys this time, and for the first time in Chicago since 1938 (unless you count any team, which would then be since the Penguins won there in 1992) . I also just read that the Lightning faced Original 6 teams in every round of the playoffs, which is also a cool little fact.

This week we only have our regular COTW vote but we also have the 2 colo(u)r competition going on. It's a very interesting one and definitely requires some creativity, I'll hopefully be able to get one in.

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

Two Colour Comp entries (due Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Competition entries: (updated at 3:40pm)

Scott G. 

And on to the concepts. Here is my review system as a little refresher for those who may need it:

Creativity: 1 point

Execution: 2 points

Realism: Would this jersey be believable to be seen on the ice? 1 point

Pizazz, wow factor, just something that makes the concept really stand out. It's hard to do but I don't think you can have a perfect concept without it: 1 point

Other areas of the concept, or just the overall look, regardless of the other categories: 5/6 points

If I feel that one of the categories doesn't need reviewed as much as the other ones I will exclude it from being reviewed and move the points to another one. Other areas will always be reviewed, and logically the final score will just be the individual scores added up.

Brandon C. - London Knights

Creativity: This set draws from current uniforms yet adds new elements that improve it (1/1)

Execution: Solid execution (2/2)

Realism: I could see this on the ice (1/1)

Pizazz: Doesn't have a wow factor (0/1)

Other areas: This would be an improvement on their current set for sure. I like how they both borrow elements from the current set but of course don't just copy them. The green borrows the striping pattern from the regular jerseys and adds black and cream striping between it, while the other borrows the same striping pattern and moves it to the hem. They both use a logo rather than a diagonal wordmark so that's also a win. Nothing to really complain about with this set. (5/5)

Overall: Simple, solid design (9/10)

Brandon C. - Mississauga Steelheads

Creativity: It earns the point (1/1)

Execution: Again, solid execution (2/2)

Realism: Again, I could see this on the ice (1/1)

Pizazz: Doesn't have a wow factor (0/1)

Other areas: Compared to the current Leafs copies this would be a nice change. The addition of gray/silver to the jerseys looks great, and it's a good design too. Maybe it's just me but I really like when white clashes against a dark color on a dark jersey like on the blue one. I just think it looks really sharp. Again, nothing really to complain about here (5/5)

Overall: Again: simple, solid design(9/10)

Brian B. - Arizona Coyotes

Creativity: Creative concept (1/1)

Execution: Hem stitching needs to stop at the striping, and the TV numbers are close but not quite. You have the right idea, you should see the 1 and part of the 9, rather than the 9 and part of the 1, if that makes sense, but this way here they're slightly uncentered. (1.5/2)

Realism: I could see this on the ice with some improvements (0.5/1)

Pizazz: Close but not quite (0.5/1)

Other areas: This is definitely a good basis for a jersey, only a few small changes would make it better. I like the version that was posted yesterday better, this one's small change was a third yoke stripe on the same level as the pattern. I would extend the pattern through that whole stripe and add a yoke stripe on the back too. Also as DBro said yesterday I would straighten out the arm stripes.(4/5)

Overall: I feel like this concept would get a bit higher of a score without the categories
being split up (7/10)

Colin M. - New York Golden Blades

Creativity: Definitely creative (1/1)

Execution: Solid execution (2/2)

Realism: It's a bit out there, but I think I could see it on the ice (1/1)

Pizazz: This concept stands out to me (1/1)

Other areas: Compared to the original jerseys, I like the darkened colors on here. The small change to the logo (removing the outer circle) gives it a more modern look, and using the lightning bolt from the logo on the jersey looks great too. The logo reminds me of a figure skate but that isn't your fault, so the only thing I'm not sure about is the side paneling. The straight stripes seem to come out of nowhere and don't match up with anything else. They don't look bad though so I'm not sure what to think. (4/5)

Overall: If the WHA would come back this would be a good design for the Golden Blades (9/10)

Danny R. - Chicago Blackhawks/Minnesota Wild Stadium Series

Creativity: This is a creative idea (1/1)

Execution: TV numbers look a bit big but it's Stadium Series so it's okay (2/2)

Realism: I could see this on the ice, only for a Stadium Series though (1/1)

Pizazz: I'll give it the point (1/1)

Other areas: This concept could work perfectly for a Stadium Series. Gradients aren't often used in hockey (at least not professional), and they're definitely the wild type of design you'd expect from these games. It also has a similar look to the 2 toned jerseys that were used this past year. The only thing I don't like is that the bottom of the Hawks jerseys looks empty. That might not show up on the ice as much though (4/5)

Overall: I would not be surprised if this was unveiled as the jersey design for this year's Stadium Series (9/10)

Nate F. - San Jose Sharks

Creativity: Considering that it's almost a direct throwback I don't think I can give it the point (0/1)

Execution: Solid execution, but what is that black thing on the left shoulder of each jersey? I really want to know (2/2)

Realism: Definitely could be worn, considering that it was (1/1)

Pizazz: Doesn't have a wow factor (0/1)

Other areas: This isn't a bad idea at all. It's definitely a believable idea too. It's not a bad design by any means too, it's much better than what they currently wear. It's just a bit unoriginal, but I do like the logo changes that were made. (5/5)

Overall: Good design, but not really an original design. (8/10)

Nick B. - San Jose Sharks

Creativity: Nothing I've really seen before, but appears to take inspiration from team history (1/1)

Execution: Solid execution (2/2)

Realism: Definitely could see this on the ice (1/1)

Pizazz: Not sure where to go on this one (0.5/1)

Other areas: Solid jersey here. It reminds me of their last pre-edge set with that type of shoulder design. I really like the way black and white are used with the teal and that there's no orange, I'm just not a huge fan of the orange. As I mentioned earlier with white contrasting with a dark color this has the effect as well. I would love to see a white jersey to match up with this.(5/5)

Overall: Would love to see this take over for the Sharks (9.5/10)

Vaughn R. - Cowichan Valley Capitals

According to Google the Capitals currently wear NHL Capitals vintage copies with an edited logo, Vaughn goes and gives them a unique look

Creativity: There wasn't really anything to copy or draw inspiration from so it earns the point (1/1)

Execution: The blue part of the logo and the back name both blend with the red jersey, fix that and it looks good (1/2)

Realism: I could see this on the ice (1/1)

Pizazz: Doesn't have a wow factor (0/1)

Other areas: This is a pretty solid jersey design. It's a simple striping pattern that works pretty well. This set reminds me somewhat of the pre-edge Bruins set. I would make the arm striping wrap all the way around the arms though (4/5)

Overall: Not too bad, pretty simple but a decent look nonetheless (7/10)

Creativity: This concept is definitely a bit different than the norm (1/1)

Execution: TV numbers should be moved down and made a little bigger, other than that solid (1.5/2)

Realism: Not too sure (0.5/1)

Pizazz: It stands out...I'm not sure if it's really in a good way or bad way though (1/1)

Other areas: I'm not sure I like this one. It's definitely unique, but I don't think the design works here. The logo is too small for my liking and takes up the area where a captain patch should be. The arms look pretty bare also, and the font doesn't work well with this jersey for me. (2/5)

Overall: Not a bad idea, but I don't think it works like this (6/10)

Another group of good concepts in today's post. It's hard for me to choose a concept to nominate today, but I'm going to give it to Brandon's Mississauga Steelheads concept. Want to leave some feedback or did you disagree with my reviews? Then leave a comment! I hope you enjoyed the post, thanks for reading, and I'll see you guys next week.