Thursday: Florida In Review

Florida unveiled their new uniforms last Thursday, you most likely already know this. Go check some older posts here if you haven't seen them, but let's just get on with my review of since there's a long post ahead concept wise.

Positives:
Logos:
The new logo is a huge improvement. The main reason being because it's so much simpler, which is essentially a must with hockey logos. The updated leaping panther is also a huge improvement, for the exact same reason.
Jerseys:
The jerseys are, again, a huge improvement over the edge template look. Despite being pretty simple they look more unique and thought out than a basic template fill and striping pattern. The most interesting thing about the design itself, the half chest stripe, I'll get to later.
The new gold color:
Despite it being more drab and desaturated than the previous color, I think it compliments the red much better, as opposed to being a bit overbearing like the last set. That's the big difference with a vegas-esque color working here as opposed to with Pittsburgh, since there are other colors with Florida to keep the set colorful, while Pittsburgh has only the vegas to do that.
The Captain and Alternate banners:
A very small and nice touch that plays into the theme they're going with. Just a small detail that adds uniqueness.
The tie down:
Another small, unique detail, with the tie down's pattern emulating the Florida flag.
The TV number and "shoulder" patch placement:
I seem to be in the minority, but I really like the way this looks, and see no problem with it. It looks unique and fits in with the theme well. Is the reason that many people don't like this that traditionally, TV numbers go on the arms and extra logo patches on the shoulders? Is it simply that, for an unknown reason, they don't think it looks good? So I ask any of you in that group, what reason is this a disliked feature? I'd definitely like to hear some thoughts, who knows, maybe my opinion will change.
The chest stripe cutting off:
Great choice, as the numbers look so much better without a chest stripe to clutter them.

Negatives:
The chest stripe cutting off:
Yeah, it's in both categories intentionally, they got pretty stuck with this one. While there is a positive, there's also the fact that it still looks awkward and quite frankly stupid in my opinion to cut off the stripe without a logical stopping point. I wish there was a really simple solution, but I don't really think there is.
Logos: The updated leaping panther would make a better primary logo in my opinion, but it doesn't fit with the military theme as well so I understand why they didn't do it.

TL;DR: A huge simplification and following a common theme results in a huge improvement for their brand
My overall rating: 8.5/10

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This week we have a huge COTW vote with NINE concepts up for the title, and the HJC Open Logo entry phase is winding down, with tomorrow at noon the deadline. So get those votes and logos in, it won't hurt anything.

COTW May 27 - June 2 vote (ends Friday @ noon Eastern)

HJC Open Logo entries (due Friday @ noon Eastern)

Open Entries:

JJ A.

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Avi S. - Anaheim Ducks

First of all, I want to say a quick thank you for sending your concepts in like this. Especially on a week like this with a large amount of concepts, this essentially reduces the amount I have to review since it's the same jersey set, and makes my job just that much easier.

Alright, I'm kidding (to a degree, this technically does give me a bit less to review). I'm here writing because I enjoy it, so I don't actually mind reviewing a few extra concepts. Anyways, let's get on with the actual review.

+Emphasizing orange for the Ducks is a pretty good move, and makes them stand out more from the other black teams, along with adding a nice splash of color to the games.
-Although, the orange does not work well with a shade of bronze/gold like that. It makes it look more dull and drab in comparison.
+The striping definitely gives off a Ducks look, and adds simplicity and consistency as well.
-The hems look a bit bare though. It's not too bad, I'll admit, but I think it would look better with hem striping.
-I think the white jersey's yoke could benefit from being orange. With the black pants, I think the colors would balance out.

Overall: 9/10

Avi S. - Arizona Coyotes

+Definitely nice having the kachina pattern back, especially how it's subtly implemented here so it isn't too distracting. Well done.

+I think the lack of hem striping works on this one.

+I like the typeface you used here, it's a great fit.

-I think the Yotes' current logo would look much better here. Either that, or recolor this one to match the color scheme of the jersey. Unlike the Blackhawks, for example, I don't think the extra colors work here.

Overall: 9/10 and my COTW Nomination

Josiah B. - Winter Classic

+Good choice going with vintage white for the Leafs, that way it actually works as a pants color.

-I think regular white would work better on the jersey though. Maybe canvas colored pants and gloves?

+Both uniforms are a nice way to call back to hockey history for the whole city, not just their own teams.

+Good job balancing the colors on both jerseys, and good job utilizing the pants for color balancing.

+The Toronto Maple Leafs script logo could use some more vertical breathing room in that stripe.

Overall: 8.5/10

Lucas D. - St. Louis Blues

+First thing I notice is that this fixes the Blues' color balance problem, and makes the lighter of the blues the prominent color on the road jersey. Navy pants and gloves would balance it even better.
+Simple and good looking striping pattern.
-The upper arm coloring needs to be larger, or if nothing else move the TV numbers. They're squished in there.
-The stripes also could benefit from being a bit bolder.
+Solid typeface that works well here.
+I like the revival of the trumpet logo.
Overall: 8/10


Lucas D. - Tampa Bay Lightning

+The lightning bolt pattern on the jersey is a tough one to get. While I wouldn't say this is a perfect job, it's not bad by any means.
-If you made the design on the hem like you did for the back shoulder yoke of the arm striping, it would be much better. The straight horizontal part of the hem bolt looks a bit out of place.
-I'd also say having bolts on the yoke, arms, and hem is a bit overkill. I'd lose them one one of those places.
+The slit in the numbers is a nice touch.
+Even if this design was with simple stripes, this would be a good direction for Tampa to go in.
Overall: 8/10


Tyler M. - Colorado Eagles

+A color scheme with the three primary colors can be hard to manage, this one does it pretty decently, mainly on the blue jersey, because the red and blue are much more prominent.
-However, on the white jersey the colors all fight for dominance. Relegating one of them (yellow in this case, for consistency) to a sparingly used trim would help tremendously.
+The rest of the design borderlines traditional and modern, which is usually a nice look. No exception here.
-I'd drop an outline from the numbers, they look very busy. Either that, or make the middle outline the same color as the jersey.
Overall: 7.5/10


Ryan C. - Reading Royals

+Purple is such an underused color. Glad to see it used here.
+Another well done mix of traditional and modern design. 
+Interesting feature having the goalie pads in the presentation. 
-I think it would show more creativity and thoughtfulness if you had a different design on the pads each time, as opposed to recoloring the same style.
-The gray and white blend in together on the purple jersey's striping.
Overall: 8/10

Ryan C. - Moncton Wildcats

+Another nice splash of color for the home jersey, as opposed to a lot of black, definitely a plus.
+Always a neat touch when the striping on jersey sets are exactly the same, down to the colors. It works out in this case.
+The colors are balanced well, the yellow hems do a great job of that on the white jersey.
-While it doesn't look bad, I don't think the typeface used for the numbers is the best fit here. Maybe a thinner version could work.
-The logo on the yellow jersey blends in a bit, it could use a white outline to make it pop better.
Overall: 8/10


Lucas D. - Vancouver Canucks

+The subtle references to the V style is a nice touch. After looking at it a bit more, the main color of the jersey also looks to slightly resemble a V, which would be pretty neat.
-If that was intended, it looks more like a chevron, though.
+The prominence of white on such a dark jersey like the blue jersey is something I usually, if not always, really like.
-There's not enough green through this whole set though, the green details are way too thin. Increase the amount of green so they don't just look like another blue and white team.
Overall: 7.75/10


Tyler M. - SC Bern

+Simple design, not very out of the box at all. That conservativeness could be a huge benefit considering the color scheme being used here, with such a bright yellow.

-Not really very creative though.

-The logo is way too small.

-I'm surprised I'm saying this, but the number on the black jersey might look better being black (with an outline of course). Even if that doesn't work, the number looks too bright and eye straining as it is.

Overall: 7/10

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And that's it for today guys! Hoping the Pens take home their first ever Stanley Cup at home tonight, as all of the other three were won on the road. I'd love to see them raise it in those throwbacks as well. I hope you enjoyed the post, thanks for reading, and I'll see you all next week. Let's go Pens!