NHL to use RBK unis

[Sec19Row53]

Because of that, the Blues not only ended up with a bad on ice product, but a usually close to capacity arena has dropped to like 8,000 a game. And this is a strong hockey market. It's sad.

I'd say you're seriously contradicting yourself there.

If it's a strong market, it will supprt eve na drappy, stripped down team. YOU might think it's a strong market, and YOU might love hockey, but if the attendance has dropped that much, I've got new for you...

[rams80]

Because of that, the Blues not only ended up with a bad on ice product, but a usually close to capacity arena has dropped to like 8,000 a game. And this is a strong hockey market. It's sad.

I'd say you're seriously contradicting yourself there.

If it's a strong market, it will supprt eve na drappy, stripped down team. YOU might think it's a strong market, and YOU might love hockey, but if the attendance has dropped that much, I've got new for you...

Lets see how any market does after.

1) Team misses season

2) Owner launches fire sale after lockout and gives up on season, when every other team including Chicago demonstrated at least a modicum of effort to spend some money.

3) Team royally sucks after at least squeaking into the playoffs every year for a generation.

4) Team doesn't have a lot of immediate hope because the farm system was never a huge priority for old owner.

5) New owner decides to celebrate his purchase by jacking up ticket prices.

Cheer up though, under the new system the Blues can still afford to remain in St. Louis, when they would have moved under the old one.

[Sec19Row53]

Because of that, the Blues not only ended up with a bad on ice product, but a usually close to capacity arena has dropped to like 8,000 a game. And this is a strong hockey market. It's sad.

I'd say you're seriously contradicting yourself there.

If it's a strong market, it will supprt eve na drappy, stripped down team. YOU might think it's a strong market, and YOU might love hockey, but if the attendance has dropped that much, I've got new for you...

Lets see how any market does after.

1) Team misses season

2) Owner launches fire sale after lockout and gives up on season, when every other team including Chicago demonstrated at least a modicum of effort to spend some money.

3) Team royally sucks after at least squeaking into the playoffs every year for a generation.

4) Team doesn't have a lot of immediate hope because the farm system was never a huge priority for old owner.

5) New owner decides to celebrate his purchase by jacking up ticket prices.

Cheer up though, under the new system the Blues can still afford to remain in St. Louis, when they would have moved under the old one.

I'm not arguing any of the points you're making, but maybe I need to clarify my point, because I think you've missed it.

In my opinion, if you are in a "strong market", you don't have that type of attendance for regular season games. Period. A strong market would have sufficient number of fans to buy the tickets available, regardless of cost issues, won-loss record issues, crappy new owner issues, or ugly uniform issues (last point firmly tongue in cheek).

[STL FANATIC]

Okay, well by strong I meant loyal.

Size it up however you want, St. Louis is just a small-mid market. And lotsa people just spent a lot of money on a World Champion.

This is a great hockey market, and that hasn't changed.

But all those reasons Rams80 mentioned produced a huge drop in attendance. It has to be one of the worst combos of events that could ever hit a franchise.

The lockout pissed a lot of people off, and then all the other stuff. It was nasty.

St. Louis isn't just a bunch of bandwagonners who only support winners. But because of what happened, winning may be the only way to bring people back right now.

I'm betting any small-mid market team (at least in the US) would have had similar problems.

Unfortunatley some writers for other teams and thrown us in with the likes of Florida and who not lately.

[Neon_Matrix]

From TSN:

NHL's new look to be unveiled in January

NEW YORK (CP) - The NHL will have a new look next season.

The league is set to unveil new uniforms at a news conference in mid-January.

The streamlined uniforms, designed by Reebok, will be worn by players at the Jan. 24 all-star game in Dallas. All players will wear the new uniforms starting next season. They feature increased flexibility and are less bulky than what players have traditionally worn for years.

"The new uniform design has been in development for more than three full years," Bernadette Mansur, senior vice-president of communications for the NHL, said Thursday. "The system will afford the players increased protection and facilitate peak performance on the ice."

The launch is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 17 in New York although details are still being formalized. Another news conference featuring the new uniforms will take place Jan. 22 in Dallas during the all-star week festivities.

The league and Reebok have been working with NHL players behind the scenes testing the new uniforms.

Well boyos, 1 and a half months until the apocolypse.

[Fred T. Jane]

What? The Nordiques are moving to Denver?

Whoa, that's the second big NHL news story today! I just read on the wireless that because of the recent fire at the Montreal Arena, the Montreal Wanderers are going to have to fold. It's a shame, as I really thought Montreal could support 3 NHL teams...

[FlyersHockey1967]

Seriously, what is with all the sarcasm here?

For the one who pointed out that no one complained about the MLB changing the material used for their uniforms, of course no one would. Why? I don't remember the MLB forcing teams to change their unique and individual designs.

If I did not make myself clear the first time, I'll say it again. It is NOT the fact that they are making the jerseys form-fitting that is bothering everyone. It is the fact that they are forcing the teams to change their DESIGNS, many of which are already good and would be blashphemous to change them. Leafs, Canadiens, Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Rangers come to mind (although Rangers change every so often). Their current designs are among the most classiest and most recognizable. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Hockey jerseys are already arguably the best sports uniforms out there. Just because Bettman can change them doesn't mean he HAS to. He's messing with tradition in a game that is full of tradition.

[Sec19Row53]

Seriously, what is with all the sarcasm here?

Seriously? What you posted in your initial post was old news around here. Posting old news around here is generally met with responses of:

The Jets will never leave Winnipeg.

How about those Amazings thinking they can win the World Series.

What do you mean Dewey didn't win...

and so on, getting older as you go.

[Roger Clemente]

I don't recall seeing anybody say that the teams were definately changing their DESIGNS. We all know that everybody is getting new material jerseys. Now as for the striping on these jerseys, that's another matter that could probably be made the same. I do imagine though that at least one team will take the opportunity to actually make a new set for the team.

I wouldn't be surprised if the material is the stuff NBA and NFL jerseys are made of.

I'm just hoping they have more than enough to sell to the fans when they are unveiled.

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

[rmackman]

Yeah from what I hear RBK is going to make the Florida Panthers logo more representative of how they play, and the amount of ferociousness they show. Therefore this is the new design:

[rams80]

Having watched the Blues game tonight, may I add "trying to pass off washed up goalies as being actually good" to the list of reasons for why the Blues have no fans.

[Brendan]

i think eveyone is overreacting about these jerseys, if they are going to make the players faster and more comftable and as a result make the game better than im all for it because i know that i would rather watch a ducks sabres game than a blackshawks candiens game.

[STL FANATIC]

Having watched the Blues game tonight, may I add "trying to pass off washed up goalies as being actually good" to the list of reasons for why the Blues have no fans.

He WAS awful. But at least he manned up to it after the game, and his last few games before that were quite good.

I'm ticked at him, but I don't hate him yet.

We SHOULD have won though.

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

Having watched the Blues game tonight, may I add "trying to pass off washed up goalies as being actually good" to the list of reasons for why the Blues have no fans.

well you still have Jason Bacashihua as the future in net.

[jkrdevil]

Seriously, what is with all the sarcasm here?

For the one who pointed out that no one complained about the MLB changing the material used for their uniforms, of course no one would. Why? I don't remember the MLB forcing teams to change their unique and individual designs.

If I did not make myself clear the first time, I'll say it again. It is NOT the fact that they are making the jerseys form-fitting that is bothering everyone. It is the fact that they are forcing the teams to change their DESIGNS, many of which are already good and would be blashphemous to change them. Leafs, Canadiens, Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Rangers come to mind (although Rangers change every so often). Their current designs are among the most classiest and most recognizable. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Hockey jerseys are already arguably the best sports uniforms out there. Just because Bettman can change them doesn't mean he HAS to. He's messing with tradition in a game that is full of tradition.

Well as Roger pointed out we don't know if there are changing the design. From what I heard is that every team is keeping their current design and are just switching to the new material. Although if a few teams change their uniform as 1 or 2 tend to every year.

A poster on a Devils Message board (who tends to be reliable) spoke with Ice Jersey's about these and here is what he posted on the new uniforms.

This is from IceJerseys.com, people who actually deal with RBK on a regular basis have actual knowledge as to what the new uniforms will look like. Here is everything they had. It may be rumor, but from a credible source at least:

1. The NHL will introduce a new authentic (and replica) jersey for next season (2007-2008)

2. The new NHL authentic jersey will be a form-fitting jersey (somewhat along the lines of the Swift jersey)

3. The new NHL authentic jersey will NOT be worn tucked in as previously speculated

4. The new NHL authentic jersey will use modern technology to decrease weight and minimize drag - by games end, it will weigh on average 4 lbs less than the current authentic jersey when taking into account water absorption throughout the game

5. The new NHL authentic jersey will NOT have new striping/colors and designs for any team. All teams will carry over their current designs for next season

6. The new NHL authentic jersey will enable players to wear a smaller size (and tighter fit), while providing more freedom of movement

7. The new NHL authentic jersey is well supported by the players

So, to summarize, the NHL will be improving the technology and fit of the authentic jersey to allow players to be faster, lighter and more mobile, allowing them to perform to the maximum of their capabilities as elite athletes.

As for the replica jersey, there will be a few changes there too:

1. The current replica jersey will be available only in one color for each team (a dark jersey)

2. A new replica jersey will be introduced, with a lower value offering than the current replica jersey. The key change will be the elimination of shoulder crests, and downgrading of the chest crest from embroidered twill crest, to a screen print on sewn patch crest.

The feeling is that there is not enough of a perceived value jump between the current replica and the current authentic jersey. So, moving forward, replica jerseys will not look as close to an authentic in terms of quality as they currently do. Meaning, a replica will in fact be a REPLICA not an authentic look-alike with slightly lower quality materials. Not sure where pricing will be on the new jerseys but I'm sure nothing will cost less!

So yeah, it's very greedy, but at least the "revolutionary changes" aren't as bad as we thought.

http://www.njdevs.com/forums/index.php?s=&...st&p=421651

Obviously this shouldn't be taken as official or even definite however it gives us some sort of idea. Although the replica news has me worried.

Having watched the Blues game tonight, may I add "trying to pass off washed up goalies as being actually good" to the list of reasons for why the Blues have no fans.

Just look at the bright side you could have Dan Cloutier as your goalie.

[Sodboy13]

Well, overall, I'd say this is good news, if the report from IceJerseys is in fact legit. I've never been concerned about the slimming down of the new jerseys. What had always concerned me was the constant swirl of rumors about tucking in, and things like "the new jersey template will not be able to accomodate many existing striping patterns." If the jerseys are going to look the same, just sleeker and tighter, then game on.

The replica news, though, that's a downer. It appears that the NHL is taking a page out of the MLB playbook on this one. MLB replicas never feature sleeve patches, and pre-customized ones all implement the same single-layer generic block lettering and numbering (and, of course, names on the Yankees jerseys.) My prediction, if this information is accurate: Next year's NHL replica, not available in road or alt designs, with screened, glued crests, no shoulder patches, and a flimsier weight material, will look a lot more like what's getting sold on the rack today at Wal-Mart than what your favorite team wears on the ice. But it'll still set you back $80-90.

[EatSleepJeep]

well you still have Jason Bacashihua as the future in net.

Dallas drafts Bacashihua with their 1st round pick in 2001, trades his for Shawn Belle, trades Belle for Williw Mitchell whose contract expires at the end of last year and signs elsewhere. Great move Dallas. But we have Mike Smith now, who is doing crazy-good(despite last nights loss to Washington).

[totc]

In other breaking news: Man has walked on the Moon.

True, and MLB uniforms changed from wool to a polyester. Do you think that there was an uproar this loud when synthetic materials were used in all sports?

See: Astros, Houston; Toros, Tuscon; Pirates, Pittsburgh; Mets, Mercury; and the entire American League of 1972.

It appears that the NHL is taking a page out of the MLB playbook on this one.

More like Logo 7.

[rams80]

Having watched the Blues game tonight, may I add "trying to pass off washed up goalies as being actually good" to the list of reasons for why the Blues have no fans.

well you still have Jason Bacashihua as the future in net.

I think Chris Beckford-Tseu has more future upside than Cash.

[STL FANATIC]

I don't think Beckford-Tseu has more upside. But more relevant is that the Blues certainly don't seem to feel that way. We need to let Beckford-Tseu go someone where else, because he's being held back in this organization.

I don't think Cash is gonna end up as the Blues future in net either. Maybe for a few years, but ultimately, I think it'll be Marek Schwarz or Ben Bishop.

But really, it doesn't matter.

Patrick Roy wouldn't have been good with the Blues.

St. Louis is where goaltending talent comes to die.

Not because of bad defense or anything like that. It just happens.

One of them has to break the cycle, right?