The current 2015-16 NHL season has seen the most jersey changes and additions since the Reebok Edge System took the league by storm in 2007. Some of the changes are beautiful, while others not so much. In this article we will be breaking down each new jersey with a rating out of five to explain the overall rankings featured at the end of the article.
The Anaheim Ducks
4/5
The Ducks are truly going back to their roots with their new orange alternate which features the beloved Anaheim Mighty Ducks logo from back when Disney owned the franchise. This blast from the past complements their new gold, black, and orange color scheme very nicely, appealing to both eras of the team's fan base. The only aspect that is offsetting is the lack of a thin orange stripe in the base pattern like the ones part of the sleeve stripes.
Arizona Coyotes
2.5/5
For a team with a quality logo and the only variation of maroon as their primary color, the Coyotes had a great opportunity to correct their old simplistic design, but instead they did the opposite. There is so much wrong with these new uniforms, starting with the sleeve design. The tri-colored sleeve distracts from the rest of the uniform and takes away from their logo's intimidating presence. Additionally, their away socks contain mostly maroon and black, not white. There is an unwritten rule in hockey that jerseys and socks must be the same color, unless you are the Boston Bruins of course (an original six franchise). Overall, Arizona transitioned from a far too simplistic design to a far too complicated one. Hopefully they will be able to find a happy medium in the near future.
Colorado Avalanche
4/5
With a fantastic modernization of the historic Colorado Rockies logo, the Avalanche have created a third jersey worth purchasing. Not only does this design speak to nostalgia, it also reconnects the distanced franchise with the new young and elite Avalanche team of the present. They have also incorporated the "C" portion of the triangular logo onto the shoulder yokes of their primary uniforms, replacing their famous yet controversial big foot logo.
Edmonton Oilers
4.5/5
The third jersey all hockey fans have been waiting for the Oilers to wear has arrived. Orange has been just as big of a color as blue since the franchise's founding, so it is nice to see it finally receive the precognition it deserves. The traditional two-colored stripes located on the sleeves and on the base of the uniform, along with the placement of the sleeve numbers on the shoulder yokes rather than the sleeves themselves, give this alternate jersey a retro feel that brings with it a reminiscence of the Gretzky dynasty days.
New York Islanders
2/5
I do not know what it is with the Islanders and black, but after another try with it as their third jersey's primary color, you'd think they realize enough is enough. Not only is this jersey bland, plain, and completely lacking of blue and orange, it is a disgrace to the Islanders' history and dynasty years. They claim the four stripes featured on the sleeves and socks represent their four cups and glory days, but we all know that it is really just a public relations stunt to get fan approval for a jersey obviously marketed towards Brooklyn Nets fans and not Islanders followers. Instead of the Islanders worrying about creating a fresh Brooklyn image so they can "fit in" at their new Arena (Barclays Center), they should be flaunting their historic blue and orange colors to win Brooklyn over that way.
Washington Capitals
3.5/5
The use of the correct shade of red, white, and blue is finally being used in a Capitals jersey. This bright, patriotic rendition of their old primary jersey really "pops" on TV and immediately sends the message that this team is from the capital of the United States. The only thing keeping this jersey from scoring higher is the fact that it is basically a reverse of their previous white third jersey that they wore in the 2011 NHL Winter Classic.
2015-16 New Jersey Rankings
- Edmonton Oilers
- Colorado Avalanche
- Anaheim Ducks
- Washington Capitals
- Arizona Coyotes
- New York Islanders
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