NHL to use RBK unis

[Roger Clemente]

Maybe they should just start Albert Pujols in net.

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

[Fred T. Jane]

Maybe they should just start Albert Pujols in net.

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

No need for that. The Blues should merely invite Pujols to each game, and leave the net empty. His mere presence will scare the opposing team's shots wide of the net.

[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.

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.

Nice. Thanks for the info man.

And yes, it could be worse. We could have Dan Cloutier as our goalie.

[Brendan]

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?

what about the czech goalie that the blue drafted a couple years ago. i remember he played for the vancouver giants

[rams80]

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?

what about the czech goalie that the blue drafted a couple years ago. i remember he played for the vancouver giants

He probably pines for home like every other fracking European who comes to Peoria nowadays. But he seems to be doing alright.

[Bobby 21]

What's next ... bring back the COOPERALLS

[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?

what about the czech goalie that the blue drafted a couple years ago. i remember he played for the vancouver giants

He probably pines for home like every other fracking European who comes to Peoria nowadays. But he seems to be doing alright.

Actually, that would be the Marek Schwarz I mentioned. He's doing pretty darn good for the AHL's Peoria Rivermen.

Unfortunatley, a little too true to my words, Curtis Sanford likey tore up his groin tonight. It was ugly. Not the injury, but seeing Sanford writhe in pain.

Good thing the refs decided not to blow the whistle while he was face first on the ice pounding his fist in pain. I guess they thought it was most fair to let the Chicago player skate behind the net get the puck, and then slide it past Sanford, who couldn't have cared less about the game at that point, and into the empty net.

This is so frustrating. Demoralizing injury. Bad luck (/dumb ref) goal. Another goal 18 seconds later becaue the Blues are stunned about what just happened to their goalie. And then a hard fought comeback only to fall short a goal short after hitting a couple of posts (and then having Chicago slide in a couple of empty netters -- the last with 2.3 seconds left...not necessary if you ask me).

Why do I have to care so much? If they weren't trying hard I'd just be ticked off. But the last two games they've played their hearts out and can't catch a break. Pretty sure Doug Weight was about frustrated to the point of tears prior to being interviewed, and I'm with him.

[Sodboy13]

So... why is this a St. Louis Blues thread, again?

[Guest]

Good thing the refs decided not to blow the whistle while he was face first on the ice pounding his fist in pain. I guess they thought it was most fair to let the Chicago player skate behind the net get the puck, and then slide it past Sanford, who couldn't have cared less about the game at that point, and into the empty net.

This is so frustrating. Demoralizing injury. Bad luck (/dumb ref) goal. Another goal 18 seconds later becaue the Blues are stunned about what just happened to their goalie.

Hey, Manny has to be ready when he hits the ice. They're not eight-year-old classmates playing on the pond. The Hawks had been playing like crap. Now it's time for Savard's boys to start playing to win. If you can strike twice like that, you do it. I wouldn't expect Lalime to say "hey hey, guys, gimme a sec to get my bearings" if he has to replace Bulin mid-game.

And then a hard fought comeback only to fall short a goal short after hitting a couple of posts (and then having Chicago slide in a couple of empty netters -- the last with 2.3 seconds left...not necessary if you ask me).

o yah totally not fair. What should the Hawks have done, kicked a few back into their own net out of sympathy? Get real. After that game earlier this year where the Stars beat the Hawks in the final seconds, yes, every goal is necessary against a team that came back from three goals down and an injured starter. The Blues had a rough night, just like everybody else does. Now nut up already and quit being such a big baby.

[FlugelHorn]

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...

Being the fact-orientated place that this is, I think I should point out that it was Westmount Arena that burned down, leaving the Wanderers homeless and wandering around.

http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/monwan/wanderers.html

....in case your wondering, this post of mine is mainly friendly-sarcasm, with a hint of anal-rententivity. Freddie T. Jane's quip was brilliantly funny.....I love that type of humour.

[Roger Clemente]

Nice. Thanks for the info man.

And yes, it could be worse. We could have Dan Cloutier as our goalie.

Too bad that giant puck isn't an official NHL game puck and not just a novelty puck. Joke could have worked...

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

[FlyersHockey1967]

Nice. Thanks for the info man.

And yes, it could be worse. We could have Dan Cloutier as our goalie.

Too bad that giant puck isn't an official NHL game puck and not just a novelty puck. Joke could have worked...

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

If you looked at the CCM patch on the back of the Wild players, you'd realize that the picture was from the 03-04 season.

Really, I'd expect a hockey template maker to know better.

Oh, by the way, I didn't make the pic. I'm not THAT good.

[STL FANATIC]

Good thing the refs decided not to blow the whistle while he was face first on the ice pounding his fist in pain. I guess they thought it was most fair to let the Chicago player skate behind the net get the puck, and then slide it past Sanford, who couldn't have cared less about the game at that point, and into the empty net.

This is so frustrating. Demoralizing injury. Bad luck (/dumb ref) goal. Another goal 18 seconds later becaue the Blues are stunned about what just happened to their goalie.

Hey, Manny has to be ready when he hits the ice. They're not eight-year-old classmates playing on the pond. The Hawks had been playing like crap. Now it's time for Savard's boys to start playing to win. If you can strike twice like that, you do it. I wouldn't expect Lalime to say "hey hey, guys, gimme a sec to get my bearings" if he has to replace Bulin mid-game.

And then a hard fought comeback only to fall short a goal short after hitting a couple of posts (and then having Chicago slide in a couple of empty netters -- the last with 2.3 seconds left...not necessary if you ask me).

o yah totally not fair. What should the Hawks have done, kicked a few back into their own net out of sympathy? Get real. After that game earlier this year where the Stars beat the Hawks in the final seconds, yes, every goal is necessary against a team that came back from three goals down and an injured starter. The Blues had a rough night, just like everybody else does. Now nut up already and quit being such a big baby.

Oh, I wasn't blaming Manny TCR. That was a hell of a shot by Ruutu with a nice screen in front of Manny. I was just saying the Blues were on their heels after what happened to Sanford. It was a bad break for the Blues, and it got to them, and it hurt them. I'm not complaining about the Hawks one bit in that case. If another team is down on their luck, you gotta capitalize, the Hawks did.

And I also don't blame the Hawks for scoring while Sanford was hurt on the ice. You keep playing until you hear the whistle. But the ref should have blown the whistle since the puck was behind the net, nobody was in possession when he went down, and it was the goalie of players. But like I said, you play until the whistle, so I don't blame the Hawks for putting it. I don't even think the Hawks player who scored ever saw the Blues goalie.

I was a little miffed that they were so excited about their goal. At that point they had seen Sanford on the ice. They could have realized it was a cheap goal and a guy was in some of the worst pain of his life and toned down the celebration a bit.

And as for that last goal with 2.3 seconds left. It wasn't necessary with a 2 goal lead. I think you just dump it behind the net and call it a game.

But the next morning, while I still have those feelings, I'm sure I'm overreacting to both the celebration and that last empty netter. This season (and last) is just so damn frustrating. Couldn't they just suck without catching bad break after bad break?

And, um, it's a Blues thread, because, um, it is.

Here. I hope the new jerseys allow the Blues to keep their design.

[Fred T. Jane]

Being the fact-orientated place that this is, I think I should point out that it was Westmount Arena that burned down, leaving the Wanderers homeless and wandering around.

http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/monwan/wanderers.html

....in case your wondering, this post of mine is mainly friendly-sarcasm, with a hint of anal-rententivity. Freddie T. Jane's quip was brilliantly funny.....I love that type of humour.

You are correct...as am I. It went by either name, strangely enough. It was also not the only arena in Montreal to burn down. IIRC the Jubilee Arena and Mount Royal Arenas shared the Montreal/Westmount Arena's fate. Bunch of pyromaniacs in Montreal, I say.

[Discrim]

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

So, in a nutshell, they've gone from a league-wide overhaul plan spawned from an ego trip to doing what they should have done to begin with. Seven steps forward....

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!

...aaaand two steps back. heh...not like it really matters round my neck of the woods, I haven't seen any NHL replicas anywhere in almost 2 years And echoing Sodboy, sounds like they're ripping this page straight from Majestic, and then outcheaping em along the way.

[wman]

Nobody is going to buy a replica hockey jersey with screened on stuff. Not happening.

[ReginaCanuck]

If what the Devils fan posted is true, I would be in favour of the change. The only worrying thing is the replica jersey changes. I'd probably buy authentics in that scenario, which is probably exactly what the NHL is hoping.

[steiny_ramone]

What cheap way to try and milk more money out of people. "If you don't want to pay for the look of a professional jersey, we're going to give you a visibly inferior product."

I know lots of people on these boards only buy authentics, but there are some people who would rather just have the look of the pro jersey, for a lot less money. It's not like people on the street are going to come up to you to see if it has a fightstrap or anything. I might stop buying NHL jerseys, in spite of them. If I get enough money to buy an authentic, I might buy one, but I'm not going to bend over backwards, or go out of my spending threshold just to get a jersey.

[Guest]

It's not like people on the street are going to come up to you to see if it has a fightstrap or anything.

I do this all the time. Then when I find out they don't, I fight them.

[kiwi_canadian]

Does anyone know if Reebok will be making these changes in jerseys to the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, AHL or the ECHL?