The Hockey News Is Ranking The NHL Logos From 30 to 1

[BGDave]

I agree. Nothing sexier than Danny Limes in nothing but a blue Leafs jersey

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I think the LA Kings look better know that they did originally. The color scheme was horrible.

I like the new look Canucks too. The jumping Orca with a bit of Native American design looks good to me.

My top three picks would be the Blackhawks, the Leafs and the Habs. I think I like Montreal's sweater more because of the history of the club than anything else.

The Vintage Kings are sweet!!!

This would be in my top 5 actually.

I actually like the old school ones too. But I get how some people don't dig the old purple and yellow.

Agree about the Blackhawks, Leafs and Habs to a degree.

 

[pixburgher66]

I love the purple Kings uni's. Fits the name better anyway.

 

[Rex Racer]

The Leafs alternate logo (and 3rd jersey) is probably my favorite in hockey. The white unis with the old school, outlined leaf is an amazing look.

I think they should make toilet paper with that logo on it.

 

[elocomotive]

Glad to see the Caps' "logo" at the bottom. I wish they'd bring back a new version of the black capitol dome jerseys as a 3rd jersey. Fans really liked those.

For me, Red Wings and Blues have the two best logos. Wings logo is intricate and beautiful while being simple at the same time. Non-hockey fans even know what it is. #1 in my book.

But I'm sure all the nostalgia and history will put the Hawks, Habs, and Bruins, and other original 6 at the top. I understand the history and meaning of these logos give those teams an advantage, but frankly, a few of these are pretty weak at the end of the day...
-Bruins - it's a large B inside what almost looks like a basketball. Without history behind, this logo would be laughed at today.
-Canadiens - It's a "H" inside a "C." Wow. Nice stripes, but again, this is totally rated well due to nostalgia, history. Sorry, but the Avs logo is much better as just purely a logo.
-Blackhawks - The color scheme and the tomahawk shoulder patches are fantastic, but it's a giant indian head. If anything, the actual logo is a little bit creepy and weird.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

1. Red Wings

2. Bruins

Blackhawks are the worst of the Original 6. Gaudy as fuck.

 

[4thstreet]

other than the Flyers,I like in no particular order
Ottawa
Florida
Chicago
Buffalo

 

[forty_three]

Glad to see the Caps' "logo" at the bottom. I wish they'd bring back a new version of the black capitol dome jerseys as a 3rd jersey. Fans really liked those.

For me, Red Wings and Blues have the two best logos. Wings logo is intricate and beautiful while being simple at the same time. Non-hockey fans even know what it is. #1 in my book.

But I'm sure all the nostalgia and history will put the Hawks, Habs, and Bruins, and other original 6 at the top. I understand the history and meaning of these logos give those teams an advantage, but frankly, a few of these are pretty weak at the end of the day...
-Bruins - it's a large B inside what almost looks like a basketball. Without history behind, this logo would be laughed at today.
-Canadiens - It's a "H" inside a "C." Wow. Nice stripes, but again, this is totally rated well due to nostalgia, history. Sorry, but the Avs logo is much better as just purely a logo.
-Blackhawks - The color scheme and the tomahawk shoulder patches are fantastic, but it's a giant indian head. If anything, the actual logo is a little bit creepy and weird.

An advertisement for work boots?





Am I the only one that prefers the older Sens profile logo to their new one? Just curious.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I agree. Nothing sexier than Danny Limes in nothing but a blue Leafs jersey

Ask and ye shall receive.

 

[RP-29]

If this thread tells us anything, it's that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Abe Vigoda]

If this thread tells us anything, it's that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

HAHAHAHA leave it to the ole' FN crew to make things head south quickly

 

[IPostedWhat]

No. 22: Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators check in at No. 22 in THN’s logo rankings. This franchise has never fielded a truly winning crest, and maybe the name deserves the blame. When you’re called the Senators, your logo is doomed to be boring or innaccurate – or both.

The original logo of the modern (1990s-born) Senators was about as exciting as a stack of Premium Plus crackers, which is what you’d expect for a team called the Senators. The latest incarnation mostly elicits guffaws in the THN office. We can’t take the character seriously. Maybe it’s the fact he’s dressed in battle gear like a Spartan or, more accurately, a Roman soldier, when his government title is Senator. If we subscribe to the idea of a general from the Roman senate, as the franchise originally described this logo, the armor isn’t what most Senators wore in ancient Rome. This is. And it would’ve been awfully tough to win wars or hockey games wearing that. Also, nothing about the logo connects to the Canadian, Ottawa-based idea of a senator in the Canadian Parliament.

The disconnect between team name and image puts the Ottawa logo at an immediate disadvantage. Also not helping: the cartoony look. It’s almost too detailed, too comic booky, to place on a hockey sweater. The poor, overly serious fella attracts teasing. You want to swipe the helmet off his head and run circles around him until he complains you’ll get him in trouble with his manager at the Caesar’s Palace casino.

HISTORY OF THE SENATORS LOGO
The Ottawa Senators existed as a franchise in the late 1800s and lasted a few decades before folding, but they aren’t technically the same franchise as today’s version.

The “new” Ottawa Senators were founded in 1990, and a pre-launch logo popped up on T-shirts and hoodies all over the city by 1991. It was accurate, with the two Ts forming a representation of the Peace Tower. But it wasn’t pretty. Think for a moment how plain and ugly the logo is… then stop and realize what the Washington Capitals have gotten away with for years.

The first real logo debuted on jerseys in time for Ottawa’s inaugural season, 1992-93. The design was simple, more symbolic than detailed, and represented the Centurion/Roman general figure who connected (loosely) to the term Senator.

The 1996-97 season was magical for Ottawa, as the Jacques Martin era really got going and the franchise made its first post-season appearance. The logo also underwent a slight transformation, as the words “Ottawa Senators” disappeared in favor of laurels.

Next came the more detailed, cartoonish Centurion character. It appeared on alternate unis as early as 1997-98. The main reason for giving the face more features was to address criticism that the logo too closely resembled that of the USC Trojans or Trojan condoms. This one is similar to Ottawa’s primary logo today, except the eyes are a bit more, uh, naked and intense.

The current incarnation of our Roman buddy has been Ottawa’s primary emblem since 2007-08. It’s slightly more upright than the alternate jersey version, and the additional squint in the eyes makes him more stoic. Mirroring the shift toward visor use in the NHL, his helmet also protects more of his face. Good on him.

Ottawa has experimented with some alternate jersey logos in recent years. One is a crime against humanity. Not only is it a word – which I’m not a fan of – it’s a nickname. Placing the word ‘Sens’ on a sweater was a pathetic attempt to capitalize on a new-age fad. They may as well have called themselves the Ottawa Pogs or the Ottawa Gangnam Styles.

Thankfully, Ottawa saved the best for last. The Heritage Jersey logo, which is a simple ‘O,’ honors the original incarnation of the Senators – the team that won Stanley Cups. It’s simplistic and hardly exciting, but it’s oh-so classy and carries plenty of historical weight.

Dissenting opinion: “No. 22 feels a bit harsh for the Senators logo. It’s at least crisp and clean, unlike some of the ugly abstract symbols popping up on jerseys nowadays. And while using a Roman general to depict a senator in Ottawa is a stretch, it can’t really be faulted. Roman soldiers are far more intimidating than modern politicians. Well, most of them.” – Matt Larkin

 

[IPostedWhat]

No. 21: Toronto Maple Leafs

Sacred cow, meet slaughterhouse.

How dare we slot an Original Six team 21st overall in our logo rankings? A healthy faction of Leaf haters will stand up and cheer at this decision. Those who bleed blue and white, however, have likely fallen off their chairs already.

The easiest way to understand our logic: the voting process awarded more weight to aesthetics than to anything else. “But it’s so OLD!” is not a strong enough defense. Cultural significance and understated classiness are desirable qualities, but how good does the emblem actually look? Toronto’s simplistic design fails the eye test in its modern form. it earns points for its iconography – what’s more Canadian than a Maple Leaf? – but it’s rigid, almost too symmetrical, creating a coldness that robs it of its classic feel. The leaf on Canada’s flag looks more like an actual leaf. Toronto’s earlier logos, which often featured “veiny” leaves (leafs? ugh), were warmer, more organic, and far more pleasing to the eye.

Also, covering the symbol in big, blocky writing robs it of its romanticism. There’s no danger of mistaking you for another team, Toronto. A leaf like the one adorning center ice at Maple Leaf Gardens would be far prettier.

HISTORY OF THE MAPLE LEAFS LOGO
The Leafs weren’t always the Leafs, of course. They began as the Torontos, a.k.a. the Blueshirts, a.k.a. The Arenas in their early NHL days from 1917-1919. The crest was as simple as it gets, but featured an elegant shield and the blue and white we’ve come to know so well.

Next came the Toronto St. Patricks, purchased by an established men’s amateur club for a pro venture. Naturally, blue changed to green, and the logos in the St. Pats era were just lettering and nothing more.

As the Conn Smythe ownership era began and the team’s name became the Maple Leafs, the green color scheme remained for the 1926-27 season, though the logo reflected the new identity. It wasn’t the most symmetrical thing in the world, but it had character, didn’t it?

The color scheme forever associated with the Leafs arrived in time for 1927-28. Conflicting reports of the inspiration: (a) mimicking the Toronto Argonauts, (b) Conn Smythe’s ties to Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto; (c) blue being the sky, white standing for Canadian snow. The blue crest has an Identical design to the green one. Charlie Conacher and King Clancy wore it.

Toronto went with a more condensed crest from 1938-39 to 1962-63. The lettering almost seemed to overpower the leaf, which possessed 35 points, down from 47. Syl Apps and Ted Kennedy are among the Leafs best associated with this crest.

The team briefly experimented with red lettering in the mid-1940s, which was used on jerseys for team photos and portraits. The “patriotic” color scheme actually did reflect Canada’s flag at the time but, frankly, this feels weird. Red, white and blue is too close to bleu, blanc et rouge. This logo didn’t last long.

Here’s the Leaf logo associated with 1960s glory and multiple Stanley Cups, the one Toronto wore from 1963-64 to 1966-67. Call it Dave Keon’s Leaf, Tim Horton’s Leaf and Johnny Bower’s leaf if you desire. It’s likely no coincidence this one appeared on alternate Leaf jerseys often in the last 20 years, as it’s the best marriage of organic-looking leaf, warmth and class. It’s ironic that it’s such an enduring logo despite only being the official one for a handful of seasons.

Toronto changed the shape of its Maple Leaf to match the one on the Canadian flag. Mad respect, yo, though the loss of veins ushered in the era of the “cold” design. This logo is immortalized on the jerseys of the 1967 Leaf team, the last one to to win the Cup.

As the, gulp, Harold Ballard takeover years arrived, so did the modern, simplistic version of the Leaf logo. This 11-point diddy lasted from 1970-71 to 1981-82 and is hardly distinguishable from today’s crest. Picture Darryl Sitter, Lanny McDonald and Borje Salming wearing this one.

Last – and least? – comes the modern logo, which arrived in 1982-83 and is associated with more dark years than good years, even if Wendel Clark, Dougie Gilmour and Mats Sundin wore it proudly. It’s stumpier than the previous version, with bigger text. Many fans think it’s classic – but what’s classic about it other than the fact it’s lasted so long? It’s a nostalgic symbol, but it’s not high art, and that’s why it ranks in our bottom third.

Dissenting opinion: “It may not be one of the more imaginative logos, but the Leafs ‘ logo is simple, straightforward and benefits from the franchise’s Original Six aura. It takes Canada’s national symbol and Toronto-izes it with colors long-associated with the city. It wouldn’t be in my top 10, but it shouldn’t be this low, either.” – Adam Proteau

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

I wouldn't have put Toronto that low...but not too many spots higher, either.

Maple Leafs logo definitely >>> Blackhawks IMO.

 

[IPostedWhat]

No. 20: Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are a 21st Century NHL team – entering the league in 2000-01 – so they don’t have a long track record of redesigns or touch-ups. But the Blue Jackets are all about history. The team name is a nod to American history and the region’s role in the Civil War, which made Ken Hitchcock a perfect fit for the franchise.

So don’t let Stinger the hornet mascot confuse you. This team is named for the Blue Coats, not the buzzing Blue Jackets.

But did you know the Columbus NHL franchise was almost called the Justice? When majority owner John H. McConnell’s team was figuring out a name for the expansion franchise, the two finalists were the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus Justice. That name would have been way worse and, we imagine, the logo would have been awful, too.

A Justice logo would surely have ranked lower in our rankings than the current Blue Jackets logo does at No. 20. There were some mixed opinions in the THN office about this look. Some like the color combination and the slick design that ties it together, while others saw a very basic and bland design fit for No. 30. Do you think you can design a better look for the Jackets?

(Aside: I would rank Columbus very high if they would use the blue cannon as their primary logo.)

HISTORY OF THE BLUE JACKETS LOGO
If I had to rank the two primary logos Columbus has used in its decade-and-a-half of existence, this one would rank miles behind the current look. This one is too “Saturday morning cartoons” for me and includes a touch of neon the NHL was pushing for. Yuck. Here’s what the Blue Jackets’ website says about the first logo ever used by the franchise:

“The primary Blue Jackets logo that was selected features a star-studded red ribbon unfurled in the shape of the team’s initials, CBJ, with an electric green hockey stick cutting through the center to represent the “J.” The 13 stars represent each of the original 13 U.S. Colonies and signify patriotism. The star on top of the stick signifies Columbus as the state capital.”

Like a lot of teams did, Columbus went through a redesign phase shortly after the lost 2004-05 season. Gone was a tacky looking “CB” with a neon hockey stick and in came a smoother, big league look to start the 2007-08 season.

The flag you see wrapping around the star in the background is the Ohio state flag, which is fitting for the only NHL team based in the state. And the way the flag swooshes around the star makes a subtle “C” in the logo to stand for Columbus. To me, this logo represents what the team is supposed to be about. The look not only nods to the state it resides in, but it’s very patriotic. And since the Blue Jackets are named in honor of the area’s civil war past, why do anything besides wrapping a star in red, white and blue? The argument against it (and why it’s been pushed down these rankings) was that “it’s only a flag.” There’s nothing new or terribly different about this look that makes it stand out, so overall, it was judged as fairly average.

Dissenting opinion: “Newer logos always get a rougher ride, but it’s cool how Columbus worked the state flag into their crest. It even swoops into a ‘C.’ The logo looks good on their sweater and it’s certainly better than the ‘cribbage board’ crest that they started off with.” - Ryan Kennedy

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Lumbus' logo, which is a backwards Ohio flag wrapped futuristically in a C shape around a star (whch is already the logo of another team that just happens to be called the Stars), better than Toronto Maple Leafs' logo.

I mean, not like they've been wrong before - we all enjoyed that St. Louis-Pittsburgh Final this year, right guys?

 

[Spiny Norman]

I'd predict that Leafs get #1, and deservedly so. Well, honestly Original 6 will probably be the top 6. Hawks is my favorite just because of the color though. Leafs is just clean cut, love that.

Agree...love the Hawks and leafs...actually, all of the Original 6
Still liked the Kings better in Purple and the stars better in Green.

 

[Spiny Norman]

If this thread tells us anything, it's that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

or on a weekend night, in the eye of the beer- holder

 

[Abe Vigoda]

Lumbus' logo, which is a backwards Ohio flag wrapped futuristically in a C shape around a star (whch is already the logo of another team that just happens to be called the Stars), better than Toronto Maple Leafs' logo.

I mean, not like they've been wrong before - we all enjoyed that St. Louis-Pittsburgh Final this year, right guys?

HAHAHA exactly. This story just lost all credibility

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Lumbus' logo, which is a backwards Ohio flag wrapped futuristically in a C shape around a star (whch is already the logo of another team that just happens to be called the Stars), better than Toronto Maple Leafs' logo.

I mean, not like they've been wrong before - we all enjoyed that St. Louis-Pittsburgh Final this year, right guys?

HAHAHA exactly. This story just lost all credibility

So because they were wrong on their pre-season prediction of which teams would play in the SCF, their opinion on team logos is invalid?

Show me a single person who posted in the pre-season that the Kings would beat the Rangers in the SCF. I will then ask that person for their opinion on all 30 NHL team logos.