Which NHL team needs a logo change?
Earlier this season, the Roundtable nominated teams that needed total uniform overhauls and new nicknames. Today, we focus on the crests.
Which NHL team needs a new logo, and what change(s) would you make?
MATT LARKIN: It goes without saying the Chicago Blackhawks could use a logo change for political reasons, but that pick is almost too easy. In terms of which team’s logo falls flat for me aesthetically, it’s that of the Washington Capitals. I can’t stand any crest that primarily consists of a word. LAME. It screams, “Oh crap, that was due today?” And in Washington’s case, there’s a legit awesome alternate logo sitting right there; make the screaming eagle the primary rather than only bringing it back on occasion, and suddenly the Caps have one of the league’s best logos.
SCOTT MAXWELL: For me, this is the Florida Panthers by a mile. While the jerseys themselves are nice, the logo just feels like what you’d see out of a soccer team (which, as much as I love soccer, they do lack in that department). I never understood the shift to the current logo when their original logo was so iconic and so detailed and felt a lot more threatening if you want to play up that angle as well. To not even use it as an alternate jersey is a crime. The original Panthers logo was one of the best in the league, and the Panthers need to bring it back ASAP!
STEVEN ELLIS: Easy peasy. The Buffalo Sabres. I’m not going to pretend the Goathead is a perfect logo by any means, but the team’s third jerseys are better than just about anyone else’s in the league. I get the love for the blue and gold, but at this point, it has to be affiliated with close to two decades of failure. When I think of the Goathead, I think of Maxim Afinogenov, Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, Thomas Vanek, Brian Campbell, J.P. Dumont and Ryan Miller. Sure, that group didn’t have much success either, but they were damn entertaining. Bring it back and watch the team immediately make the playoffs. Every time I’m in Buffalo, I see how many people are buying Goathead merch. Just make it permanent already.
PAUL PIDUTTI: That’s an easy call… the Dallas Stars. Over time, the bright green scheme has grown on me — it’s unique, they’ve owned it, and it’s looked great at home in Dallas’ recent playoff runs. But that logo? Yawn. The design is boring, it doesn’t pop in any way, the logo itself is crooked, and overall it lacks the creativity worthy of a strong franchise in a strong sports town. When your team name is “Stars,” you’re going to be limited. So, own the simplicity. Bring back the all caps DALLAS on the logo and jersey, add a small silver star, and embrace the slick, clean, college hockey look as the green color is what makes the jerseys sizzle.
ANTHONY DI MARCO: New Jersey Devils is the only acceptable response. When was the last time they looked different? During the Christmas tree jersey era? They look the same as they did when Jamie Langenbrunner, Scott Stevens and Marty Brodeur were playing for them. It is mind boggling to me how bland the Devils’ jerseys are and how, quite literally, nothing has changed. And this isn’t necessarily their fault, but how many teams have a red/black jersey color scheme? Carolina, Ottawa, Panthers to an extent. Again, not the Devils’ fault, but they’re the only one of the five that have made zero changes to their look in the last 25-30 years. New Jersey needs a complete overhaul.
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