Friday: Maple Leafs and Penguins

It's draft day today, one of the most exciting times of the NHL's off-season.  Future stars are drafted and current stars are often traded, but even more importantly new jerseys are unveiled.  The fun actually started yesterday with the leak of the Toronto Maple Leafs new jerseys, and continued today with the unveiling of the Penguins new throwback road jersey.  Let's first take a look at the Leafs new jerseys, which were leaked via an official team app.

Image from @skyler_SB7 on Twitter

Image from @skyler_SB7 on Twitter

The new jerseys are quite similar to their previous look, the only big change (besides the logo) is that there's now one hem stripe instead of two.  Other minor changes including removing the contrasting cuff trim and a new "hanger effect" on the inside of the collar.  The jerseys also appear to use the modern stitching template, which was first introduced for the 2015 stadium series and has been used for the majority of new jerseys since.

To be honest, I don't know what I think of these new jerseys is yet.  I don't hate them, but I'm definitely not in love with them.  The hem stripe bugs me a bit, I don't mind the idea of the single hem stripe but I think it looks awkward how it's thicker than the arm stripes.  Hopefully I'll get used to it, because I'm guessing this design will be around for a while.  Maybe it will look better on a player as part of the whole uniform.

Screenshot of video from @Penguins on Twitter

This morning the Penguins made the switch to their retro jerseys official with a simple video posted on Twitter.  Their third jersey from the past two seasons becomes the home jersey, with a white version added for the road.  The move wasn't a surprise, but it's still nice to see the exact details of the new road jersey, like what the collar and hem stripes would look like (there were a few versions of this jersey during its original run from 1980-92, including changes to the collar and hem stripes).  I think they made the best choice by using a solid black collar and equally sized hem stripes.

What are you thoughts on these new Maple Leafs and Penguins jerseys?

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GUESS WHAT‽‽‽  The HJC open begins tonight!  Woohoo!  Go to the 2016 HJC OPEN page for all the rules.  The regular COTW vote also begins today, which is harder to get excited about but still important.

COTW June 17-23 vote (ends Friday, July 1 @ noon Eastern)

HJC Open Round Robin (begins tonight)

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Toronto Maple Leafs, by Steven G (me):

It was only Tuesday when SportsLogos.Net reported that the new Maple Leafs jerseys would have two sleeve stripes and a single hem stripe, so how did I get this concept matching that description posted on HJC just three days later?  Am I physic?  No, the truth is Ryan told me to skip the line and post this prediction today, before the Leafs unveiled their new jerseys.  But then the jerseys were leaked yesterday which makes this prediction less interesting, especially because I wasn't even close.

Ottawa Senators, by Ryan C:

Next up is Ryan with an Ottawa Senators concept which uses a great colour scheme, and I'm not just saying that because they match the blog's colours.  Using vintage white instead of gold makes the jerseys more classy in my opinion.  The striping pattern also looks great, and I love the red pants.  The side-profile is awesome as always, but I do miss the white in the logo.  Also I'm not a fan of the secondary logo, I think the "O" logo looks better with stripes behind it, I don't think it looks good in a roundel.  Execution is good, except there are some random squares on the jersey that are a slightly different shade of black.
Rating: 8/10

Florida Panthers, by Zeke G:

If you were wondering what a blue version of the new Panthers jerseys would look like, Zeke has your answer.  I do think this design looks good in blue as well, but I think it would be a better fit for the Panthers if there was more red.  I know the Panthers last third jersey didn't use red, but since then they've really emphasized red as their primary colour.  There are a few execution issues, including the back number which is too low, and the secondary logo which should have the panther facing forward.  Also, while I'm glad you included the crossed laces, they should extend past the triangle insert of the collar.
Rating: 7/10

2017 Centennial Classic, by Zeke G:

Zeke also sent in a concept for the NHL's first and only Centennial Classic.  I love the striping pattern for both teams, in particular I'm a big fan of the chest stripe for the Leafs (which I'm guessing is inspired by the St. Pats jerseys).  Best part of all is the red versus blue match-up, which looked great in the 2014 Winter Classic and would look even better here since there's no vintage white.  The logos choices are also good, but the Red Wings logo is too big, and I think the Leafs logo should be centred on the chest stripe (their back numbers should be as well).  Are the tan pants for both teams?
Rating: 8/10

Hartford Whalers, by Lucas D:

Lucas is on a quest to redesign the NHL's defunct franchises, today here takes on the Whalers and Tigers.  Of these two Whalers jerseys the white one is my favourite (even though it kind of reminds me of the Islanders), I also like the green jersey but I think it would be better if the stripes were bolder.  I am a big fan how Lucas simplified the treatment of the logo, there's no extra outlines, or colour changes from jersey to jersey.  However I think the white outline on the green jersey should be thicker (see Caz's concept from Monday).
Rating:  8/10

Hamilton Tigers, by Lucas D:

If the Hamilton Tigers were still around today, I could easily picture them wearing these exact jerseys.  The striping pattern is the perfect fit for the Tigers, if you take a look at their jerseys from the 1920's, it's easy to imagine them evolving into this design.  Both jersey are very good, but I do like the white jersey a bit more than the yellow.  I just think the yellow and back stripes look better than the black and white stripes, I almost think you should keep the stripes yellow on the yellow jersey.
Rating:  9/10

Tampa Bay Lightning, by Avi S:

The main problem with the Lightning's current jerseys is that the striping pattern is too similar to the Red Wings.  Avi fixes that issue by giving them lightning bolt shaped stripes, a design that would obviously be unique to the Lightning, and I completely love the idea!  I think it looks great as is, but I'm wondering if having two zig-zags on each arm (to better match the logo) would be better.  I do like the unique design of the collar, and I'm also a fan number font with the notches in it.  There's an optical illusion with those numbers (and logos) though, the silver outline makes them appear thicker on the blue jersey compared to the white.  I'd prefer them without an outline.
Rating:  9/10

Toronto Maple Leafs, by Avi S:

Our last concept shows what the Maple Leafs could have done with their new jerseys.  The striping pattern is superb, the design (which is basically the pattern from their third jersey doubled up in an interesting way) fits with the Leafs history, while also being fresh and new.  I also like the decision to use the silhouette of their previous leaf as the secondary logo, like they did from 1970 until 1992.  The execution and presentation is mostly phenomenal, however I do think the name and back numbers are oversized, and the primary logo looks a tad small.
Rating:  9/10 and my Concept of the Week nomination!

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Enjoy the rest of draft day!