October 31, 2008

Third Jersey Updates

Over the last two or three weeks, there have been quite a few leaks of new third jersey pictures over at icethetics. I of course, have been following the news on these third jerseys, as you can see here and all throughout this blog.

Now that all but 5 jerseys have been seen let us compare my assumptions, based on what was written over the summer, to what the actual jerseys look like.

First, the actual jerseys...

Now my assumptions...

I've gone 6 for 13 so far, but lets face it, I was fairly close on 3 of them (Buffalo, Tampa Bay, and Vancouver). So if you're nice, I've actually gone 9 for 13. And if you're really nice and want to say I was close with Atlanta and Phoenix, then I have gone 11 for 13 so far.

The teams that have yet to "officially" unveil their new jerseys are Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Tampa Bay, and Vancouver.

Pittsburgh isn't hiding anything as it's pretty much common knowledge that they will be using this jersey. (This is not a leaked image, it is a photoshopped version of last year's Winter Classic)


Below are release dates for each of the jerseys yet to be unveiled...

Boston - Monday, November 24
Chicago - Monday, November 3
Dallas - Tuesday, November 18
Los Angeles - Saturday, November 22
Ottawa - Saturday, November 22
Philadelphia - Friday, November 28 (one of the last)
Phoenix - Friday, November 28 (one of the last)
Pittsburgh - Wednesday, November 5
San Jose - Friday, November 21
Tampa Bay - Sunday, November 23
Vancouver - Saturday, November 15

October 29, 2008

Winter Classic Jerseys

Again, a Winter Classic will be held on New Year's Day this season, Chicago's Wrigley Field being the host. The throwback jerseys were released a few days ago for the game, here's a look at them.

As far as the game goes, it's something nice to watch on TV on New Year's day, but will the American ratings be there after the novelty of this outdoor game wears off? The Canadian ratings will always be there, so if the NHL were to put on the Winter Classic between two American teams every 3 years that would make it something special. The two years in between, pit two Canadian teams together. Broadcast it nationally in Canada, with it being on Versus or NHL Network in the US and you will be able to keep the novelty of the game. Just a thought, and we won't know for sure how long it will take for the novelty to wear off until we hear what the ratings were for the game.

October 19, 2008

Cam Ward: Tribute or Goalie Mask Plagarism?

While searching through pictures of goalies, I came across a picture of Cam Ward. I realized that he has a new design on his mask. Something struck me about the mask. It looks very similar to something I've seen before. First, lets look at his old mask.

A silver mask with Hurricanes logos all over it and "WARDO" written at the bottom.

And now, his new mask.

Wow, this looks very fimiliar!
It looks like a Carolina version of a Felix Potvin mask!
Lets take a look at another picture.

Ward is even wearing equipment with a similar design to that of Potvin's custom KOHO Revolutions pads.

Is this a tribute to Felix or is it plagarism? I'm just joking, as it is highly unlikely that someone would stumble across this design and not know if anyone had it earlier.

I really like this mask. Maybe he can stick with it.

I like goalies that keep the same design and just change the colours depending on the team they play for. Such as, Potvin, Belfour, Joseph, Kolzig, Theodore, Osgood (that's a joke) and Toskala.

October 12, 2008

Third Jersey Updates

As far as third jerseys go this season in the NHL, the release of them for sale to the public is quite odd. Originally we heard that jerseys would be able to be picked up for sale near the end of November. Except for the Leafs' new third jersey which is now available to be purchased and shipped according to shop.nhl.com

Here are a couple of photos that have surfaced of the Lightning's new third and the Flyers' new third.

So just a recap, here are all the third jerseys that have been confirmed...


And here is a chart to see how accurate all my guesses were...

I haven't marked the Penguins' jersey as "correct" yet because nothing official has been seen. That's all for now.

October 11, 2008

Leafs Missing Some Saturday Nights



For as long as I have been watching hockey, and more specifically the Toronto Maple Leafs, they have been on every Saturday during the regular season on Hockey Night in Canada. That is, unless the All Star Game is on that weekend or Christmas or Christmas Eve are on a Saturday. This season though, there are three regular Saturdays when the Leafs will not make an appearance on the historic broadcasts. Saturday, December 13th and 27th and also Saturday, January 17th.

For a station that commonly is accused of being favourable to the Leafs, this is certainly a surprising turn of events. I don't know if this is how the NHL schedule just worked out, or if CBC passed on the Leafs to broadcast the Senators and Canadiens instead.

For the last 20 years or so, a Leaf fan would know that he or she could sit down in front of the TV at 7PM and turn on Hockey Night in Canada and know that the Leafs will be playing. They may not know who the opponent will be, or where the game will be played, but they did know it was at 7 on Hockey Night in Canada. Even during the last 2 seasons, when the Leafs have been terrible, the game was still broadcast only to the Toronto region. Not this year. This is truly a sign of just how bad the Leafs are expected to be.

Saturday's which will not feature the Leafs:

December 13 - Washington @ Montreal / Tampa Bay @ Ottawa

December 27 - Montreal @ Pittsburgh

January 17 - Montreal @ Ottawa

October 7, 2008

Edmonton Oilers New Alternate Jersey

Edmonton revealed their alternate jersey for this new season. It's a throw back to the Oilers of the 80's. Going with the blue version of the jersey making it easier to wear at home.

I prefer the white jersey, but they are both great. Here are some pictures of the new jersey.



My guess to what the jersey would be can be found here. Another one that wasn't that hard to guess.

Leafs Alternate Jersey

The Toronto Maple Leafs reintroduced their alternate jersey yesterday. Not much hype around it. The AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies also unveiled their new alternate jersey.

Leafs' NEW alternate

New logo on Marlies alternate

That logo is terrible!


Here is the link to my guess as to what the Leafs' third would look like. It was pretty easy to get this one right.
That's all for the moment.

October 4, 2008

Eastern Conference Preview

After previewing the three divisions I've now put together this graphic which has my predictions on it.

Northeast Division Preview

5th place
Toronto Maple Leafs

It's rebuilding time here in Leafland. That's why the Leafs will go forward with Mikahl Grabovski, Nik Antropov, and Alexei Ponikarovsky as their top line. The mission is simple this season. Build a team that is not good enough to get better than 25th in the league, thus giving the Leafs a shot at the number 1 overall draft pick. New players are all around and older players are out. How well the Leafs do depends on their young forwards stepping up and if Vesa Toskala can withstand a season of less than mediocre play in front of him.

4th place
Ottawa Senators

These guys faltered in the second half of last season and their coach lost his job. With the exception of 2007, the Senators have never lived up to expectations in the post season. Previous coaches have lost their job because of it. As has John Muckler as GM. When are the core group of players ever going to be blammed for the short commings of this franchise? It's time for Alfredsson, Fisher, Phillips, and one of either Heatley or Spezza to go and the Sens should hope that they could get some high draft picks for those players. It might be time for the Sens to think about a rebuild, or a stockpile of young talent on the farm.

3rd place
Buffalo Sabres

Ryan Miller is an all star goaltender and can carry this team into the playoffs. The sabres also have great scoring depth as 8 players had over 15 goals last season. Of those 8 players, 5 of them had over 20. Dan Paille had 19 goals. Of those 5 20 or more goal scorers, 2 had over 30. The Sabres need to avoid the terrible January that they had last season. They are very capable of being a playoff team. Their defence is a good mix of veterans and young guys. Craig Rivet is an addition this season, which will help solidify the backend group.

2nd place
Boston Bruins

This is a team that is well coached. They are defensively responsible and can also put the puck in the net. With a healthy Patrice Bergeron this season, the Bruins could challenge for the division title. Mike Ryder is a free agent addition and if he can put 20 in the net the Bruins will have the scoring touch that they were missing last season.

1st place
Montreal Canadiens

There is a sense in Montreal that because it is the Canadiens' 100th anniversary as a franchise, they are destined to win the Cup. Time will tell. The Habs need another season out of Kovalev, that is if he hasn't lost his interest to play. Plekanec will be good for at least 20 goals. The addition of Tanguay, playing in his hometown, will be a jolt to the offence also. Carey Price was very good last season, he'll need to be better this season if the Habs want to capture Cup #25.

Southeast Division Preview

5th place
Atlanta Thrashers

Atlanta has New York Islanders syndrome. They never get better. Lehtonen has had his chances as #1 goalie and has not been able to endure the season or stay consistent. Time for him to go. Kovalchuk will once again be required to do all the scoring. Jason Williams, Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen will be looked at for secondary scoring. Problem is, those guys are on the first line where your primary scoring should come from. Less pucks should be going in their net with Ron Hainsey and new drafted Zach Bogosian on D, but just as few pucks will be going in the opposing net.

4th place
Florida Panthers

Again, not much improvement here. They traded Jokinen and replaced him with Cory Stillman. Who is good, but won't put up the same numbers that Jokinen did. Kieth Ballard and Nick Boynton came over from Phoenix in that trade and that will shore up the Panthers blue line in a big way. Unfortunately, rumours suggest that Jay Bouwmeester is looking to get out of Florida when his contract expires. New coach, Peter DeBoer will be hard pressed to find the offence he needs on this team.

3rd place
Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa looks to be built quite solid this year. They've added a lot of offence in the likes of Prospal, Malone, and Steven Stamkos. Their goaltending is set with Mike Smith starting and fully capable backup, Olaf Kolzig behind him. The defence took a hit when it lost Dan Boyle, but Matt Carle should evolve into a top notch D-man in the next two years. That all said, it's hard to put some faith in the team that finished in last place the previous season. They should be much improved, but as far as a playoff team? I'll say a very conservative "no".

2nd place
Washington Capitals

Anything can happen when Alex Ovechkin is on your team. This is the same hungry team as last season. The big change though, is in net. Kolzig and Huet are out, and Jose Theodore is in. Will the Capitals get one time Vezina and Hart Trophy winning Theodore? Or six time, most inconsistent player of the year winner, Jose Theodore? In my opinion, Theodore was a flash in the pan. When Theodore goes down, you have more of the same with Brent Johnson, who is a career journeyman, once thought to be the future of goaltending in St. Louis. The goaltending is the reason the Caps won't win the division, lets hope it is not the reason for them missing the playoffs.

1st place
Carolina Hurricanes

This is almost a copy of the team that lost the division title on the last two days of the regular season. Out is Erik Cole and in is his defensive equivalent, Joni Pitkanen. Good move considering the Canes' offence was 5th last season, but their defence was 25th. Glen Wesley is also out after retiring, but a full healthy season from Frantisek Kaberle should replace the hole. Cam Ward is going to need to be spectacular and an ironman. The backup situation is weak and unproven with Mike Leighton and Justin Peters. The amount of scoring should carry the Canes this season. Brind'amour's 150% faceoff success should also help.

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