Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Oilers Set Third Jersey Unveiling

The Edmonton Oilers announced tonight during a game webcast that they will officially unveil their new third jersey for the 2008-09 season on October 7.

A couple of readers sent in screenshots of the announcement.



Rumors have indicated the Oil will be one of a handful of clubs reverting to vintage alternate sweaters. They've always managed top-notch third jerseys and I expect nothing less this time. According to information I've received, they'll debut the jersey in a game five days later on October 12 against the Avalanche.

The unveiling is scheduled for 10 AM local time on that day — that's noon here in the east for me. I'll probably hold another Live Chat for that.

Thanks to everybody who sent in emails. Let the countdown begin!

Habs Announce Plans For Centennial

The Montreal Canadiens have announced their plans for their 100th anniversary season. They also unveiled a collection of vintage sweaters which will be worn throughout the season along with the jersey for the NHL All-Star Game which will take place in Montreal in January.

Four separate vintage sweaters will be used this season. Two will be introduced in the 2009-10 season. An image posted on their official web site shows the new duds.



According to the team, there will be eight Centennial Jersey Nights throughout the season where the Habs will don retro sweaters — two games for each jersey. Before I detail the schedule, I'll tell you about the four jerseys.

1912-13


1915-16


1945-46


1970-71


Interestingly, the jersey they seem to be indicating as the 1970 vintage style is actually just what they wear on the road currently. However, all of the Centennial Jersey Nights take place in Montreal.

The first one is October 4 against the Panthers when they'll wear the 1970 jersey. On November 15 against the Flyers, they'll wear 1945. They'll don the 1915 sweaters on December 4 against the Rangers. And on February 1 they'll wear the 1912 jerseys against the Bruins.

Those jerseys are repeated in the same order for the last four Centennial Jersey Nights on February 21 against the Senators, March 14 when they face the Devils, a week later against the Maple Leafs, and on March 31 when they face the Blackhawks.

As I said, two more jerseys will be introduced for next year from 1909 and 1910. You can see them below. Oddly, they each have 08 on the sleeves but they aren't indicated for use until fall of 2009.



It's going to be a big year for the Habs. I look forward to seeing them in all of these vintage jerseys.

Sabres Repaint Center Ice

According to our friends over at Sabres Not Slugs, the Buffalo Sabres are going retro with the paint job on center ice at HSBC Arena.

Charlie has pictures posted of the rink.


credit: Charlie @ Sabres Not Slugs

This news isn't too surprising. A lot of you noticed that the center ice circle was empty at Puck Drop 2008. Obviously, having this logo painted there at that point would've given away the secret that the team was going with the vintage look this year with their third jersey.

NHL.com Gets A Makeover

I'm sure the second site you visit every day is NHL.com — first being Icethetics, of course. Well if you haven't already heard, the NHL's official web site is getting a facelift and the beta version of it is now online.

It features a beautiful new sleek look and feel. I'm going to be spending a lot of time on it looking around today.



They've even introduced new logo graphics which even have me a little impressed.



You can get a complete look at them on the Standings page.

I wonder if this look will be made available to the individual teams for web site revamps. Certainly would help. The template handed down by the league last year was— is pitiful.

I want to know what you guys think, but first, call me crazy or a little full of myself, but don't some of the design elements of the new site remind you a little of Icethetics? The glassy look to the logo graphics — a staple of the old NHLToL... even the small area behind the NHL logo with the diagonal lines.

I'm probably just seeing what I want to see, but it's kind of interesting to me because the look of it is right up my alley. Comment away!

Start Voting On Flashback '98

The first polls have been added to the pollbar for the Flashback Logo Tournament '98. This is the preliminary round where you'll choose the best logo from each team. The winning logo in each of these polls will find a place in the tournament bracket.

Each poll will remain open for four days. Happy voting!