New NHL Swift Jerseys; A Fans Perspective

[FiddySicks]

So about two weeks ago I noticed that the NHL.com shop put the 2007 All Star Game jerseys on sale so I decided to pick one up. I figured it would give me a look at what next years replicas are like, or if they're still in the previous CCM style at least Id have a nice new Jersey. Today I recieved the jersey in the mail and I must say im not impressed. So heres the biggest thing, gone are the days of a really good quality NHL replaca jersey. The only way to describe the jersey is that its basically an NHL version of the NFL EQT or the NBA Swingman jersey. I paid about $100 for it after taxes which I still feel is way overpriced but lets face it, thats what Reebok charges for the EQTs. The front logo is screen printed on tackle twill and then stitched to the jersey, as is the ASG patch on the left sleeve. The Numbers and the Sharks team patch is screen printed to the twill, but then glued to the jersey rather than stitched. The tackle twill is pretty flimsy too. And to top that off, the name on the back is screen printed on rather than stitched or iorned or glued tackle twill. So really, its like a combination of the NFL replica and the EQT. Heres the real kicker though. The original price was almost $200, double that of the NFL EQTs. Overall I must say im really dissapointed. Reebook is taking the NHL and making it very similar to the NFL and NBA, with cheap quality replicas, mid grade yet expensive replithentics, and horribly overpriced authentics which most fans wont be able to purchase. It looks like the only major sport that will still offer a decent quality replica is the MLB with Majestic. Bummer, really. If the mood suits me, ill post some pics later.

[ColeJ]

So about two weeks ago I noticed that the NHL.com shop put the 2007 All Star Game jerseys on sale so I decided to pick one up. I figured it would give me a look at what next years replicas are like, or if they're still in the previous CCM style at least Id have a nice new Jersey. Today I recieved the jersey in the mail and I must say im not impressed. So heres the biggest thing, gone are the days of a really good quality NHL replaca jersey. The only way to describe the jersey is that its basically an NHL version of the NFL EQT or the NBA Swingman jersey. I paid about $100 for it after taxes which I still feel is way overpriced but lets face it, thats what Reebok charges for the EQTs. The front logo is screen printed on tackle twill and then stitched to the jersey, as is the ASG patch on the left sleeve. The Numbers and the Sharks team patch is screen printed to the twill, but then glued to the jersey rather than stitched. The tackle twill is pretty flimsy too. And to top that off, the name on the back is screen printed on rather than stitched or iorned or glued tackle twill. So really, its like a combination of the NFL replica and the EQT. Heres the real kicker though. The original price was almost $200, double that of the NFL EQTs. Overall I must say im really dissapointed. Reebook is taking the NHL and making it very similar to the NFL and NBA, with cheap quality replicas, mid grade yet expensive replithentics, and horribly overpriced authentics which most fans wont be able to purchase. It looks like the only major sport that will still offer a decent quality replica is the MLB with Majestic. Bummer, really. If the mood suits me, ill post some pics later.

i'll probably catch a lot of flack for this, but i just hope there is as much of a market for counterfeit NHL jerseys as there are NFL ones... you can get some pretty nice quality nfl "authentics" in the $50 range.

[Neon_Matrix]

Well... if it was customized then no wonder it was originally $200. Even current jerseys come to a total of $220 after taxes if you buy it with a name on the back. So that price doesn't come across as crazy.

And its the RBK EDGE jersey system... Swift is the Nike equivalent.

[CC97]

Well... if it was customized then no wonder it was originally $200. Even current jerseys come to a total of $220 after taxes if you buy it with a name on the back. So that price doesn't come across as crazy.

And its the RBK EDGE jersey system... Swift is the Nike equivalent.

It certainly does come across as crazy -- take a look at his description of it? Screen printed player name? Screen printed logos and patches? Numbers glued on?

It's all part of the NHL's cracked-out plan to win over non-hockey fans.

[EatSleepJeep]

Thanks for the review. I'm glad I passed on the Boucher during that sale.

[Frenchie]

Thanks for the review.

looks like I'm rushing to the store to get me a CCM 550 discounted 20% tonight... before it's too late...

Maybe I should buy the whole inventory...

[capn89]

Well... if it was customized then no wonder it was originally $200. Even current jerseys come to a total of $220 after taxes if you buy it with a name on the back. So that price doesn't come across as crazy.

And its the RBK EDGE jersey system... Swift is the Nike equivalent.

Actually, it is crazy. I can pick up replica customized jerseys (or used to before RBK came into the picture and I refuse to buy their Indonesian crap... more on this later) for $135 American. The only difference between a replica and authentic being the lack of fight strap and a couple of patches/labels. I'm lucky that I've been shopping with a company for so many years that they're honest enough to tell me that the current RBK replicas are pure **** and there doesn't look to be much hope for next season, AND the prices will be going UP. It's the age old business game, make a cheaper, crappier product and raise the prices. I had been set last month to buy my last two jerseys ever (or at least until replica quality was back to where it's been) and was disappointed to learn that the store was now out of the CCM/KOHO styles. Oh well.

[EatSleepJeep]

But itz made of SPACE FABRIK!

[Shmee]

It certainly does come across as crazy -- take a look at his description of it? Screen printed player name? Screen printed logos and patches? Numbers glued on?

It's all part of the NHL's cracked-out plan to win over non-hockey fans.

We give the guys in the NHL offices a lot of flak for just about every :censored:ty decision they make...

But what makes you think that charging more for an inferior product is part of anyone's plan to win over more fans? I'm sure that this can be attributed either to increased production costs of the new materials or to general dumbassery on Reebok's part thinking that their name brand and the existence of new jerseys will make everyone want them.

And as far as winning over new fans, that IS something the NHL needs to do. Their current deal with NBC pays them nothing at all and they won't get a better deal until their ratings improve somehow. Even ESPN dropped the NHL. The channel that shows trick shot pool and the double dutch world championships decided that their money is better off not being spent on NHL telecasts. The league needs more fans, they've just done a terrible job of finding them so far (but I blame the jersey debacle on Reebok, not them).

[tmorss9]

I'm not crazy for the way they're making these the same way as EQT's, and Bucfan is right, they're really, really lesser quality. if they were $40 and the real 5500's were still available, that would be a little different. My concern, as someone who does sewing on NHL replicas, will they make the same type of screenprinted numbers available to suppliers, or will we still be getting full-twill names and numbers, thus making the screenprinted logos even more cheesy.

[spyboy1]

But itz made of SPACE FABRIK!

Good. Then we can shoot them all into outer space where that technology and higher prices might be appreciated more.

[CC97]

It certainly does come across as crazy -- take a look at his description of it? Screen printed player name? Screen printed logos and patches? Numbers glued on?

It's all part of the NHL's cracked-out plan to win over non-hockey fans.

We give the guys in the NHL offices a lot of flak for just about every :censored:ty decision they make...

But what makes you think that charging more for an inferior product is part of anyone's plan to win over more fans?

You took me seriously on that?

[BBM]

*sigh* and I always thought the replicas they have now are a bit pricey. At least those aren't screened on!

Enjoy the last two weeks of aesthetically pleasing hockey, folks (which I know will be hard, especially that Sabres/Sens series... ack). I have a feeling next year will be much worse.

[cleckie]

What A Joke... I'm looking forward to seeing all the new jerseys but this news is really deflating. I guess I can look forward to buying blanks and getting my embroidery guy to do a nice quality job on the logos with his machines. Just don't tell anyone!

[Shmee]

You took me seriously on that?

Eh, considering it's you, I should've known it was a joke. It just irks me when people do get their knickers in a twist and give the league a harder time than it's already having.

Now, find me a corner. I need to go feel shame somewhere.

[Don]

i can understand the freakout that this board is having over his allstar replica that he bought from nhl.com but i can tell u this is no change. about a year year and a half ago i bought an Ovechkin Caps replica off of nhl.com, the logo, the nameplate, and the number 8 were all glued onto the jersey, not sewn on. this is just the way nhl.com has taken to doing their jerseys. im sure if he bought the same jersey from river city sports for example, it would be sewn on like it should be. maybe not the logo, but the name and number should be sewn on. this is just the crappy overpriced work that nhl.com does.

[FiddySicks]

i can understand the freakout that this board is having over his allstar replica that he bought from nhl.com but i can tell u this is no change. about a year year and a half ago i bought an Ovechkin Caps replica off of nhl.com, the logo, the nameplate, and the number 8 were all glued onto the jersey, not sewn on. this is just the way nhl.com has taken to doing their jerseys. im sure if he bought the same jersey from river city sports for example, it would be sewn on like it should be. maybe not the logo, but the name and number should be sewn on. this is just the crappy overpriced work that nhl.com does.

Yeah but at least those numbers that were glued on were all layered tackle twill. This is just numbers screened onto one layer of thin, flimsy tackle twill, then glued onto the jersey.

[Neon_Matrix]

Well... if it was customized then no wonder it was originally $200. Even current jerseys come to a total of $220 after taxes if you buy it with a name on the back. So that price doesn't come across as crazy.

And its the RBK EDGE jersey system... Swift is the Nike equivalent.

Actually, it is crazy. I can pick up replica customized jerseys (or used to before RBK came into the picture and I refuse to buy their Indonesian crap... more on this later) for $135 American. The only difference between a replica and authentic being the lack of fight strap and a couple of patches/labels. I'm lucky that I've been shopping with a company for so many years that they're honest enough to tell me that the current RBK replicas are pure **** and there doesn't look to be much hope for next season, AND the prices will be going UP. It's the age old business game, make a cheaper, crappier product and raise the prices. I had been set last month to buy my last two jerseys ever (or at least until replica quality was back to where it's been) and was disappointed to learn that the store was now out of the CCM/KOHO styles. Oh well.

I can't quite tell if you have ever even seen an authentic jersey before. Coming from someone who owns 6 AND current and older replica jerseys, I can tell you exactly all the differences. Both are made from different materials, the pros being made in a more durable polyester which is double layered on the shoulders and has re-enforced elbows. Mind you, this was the same way older replicas came, but not for the past 10 or more years. With pros, all the crests and patches are SEWN onto the jersey and not just glued. The crests themeslves are stiched onto a softer... whatever the hell you call it which makes it more flexible and durrable. Yes the pros also have a fight strap but that is not where the extra cost come from. Its the materials that go into making them which is why they are so inflated because they are made to be streched, cut and just simply abused. A replica would not be able to withstand the same kind of abuse the pro can.

To the casual eye, yes they look ALMOST identical (slightly larger cut on the arms for pros) and the $150 increased price tag would not be enough for some people to justify spending. With the new waves of replicas on the way, I'm sure you will either see less people buying jerseys in general or more people willing to dish out the $$ for pros.

[STL FANATIC]

Are the real authentics seriously going to be priced at $450?

I really don't mind the change in technology and all that stuff.

But I hate Reebok (sorry Pat) and the leagues who let them for the crummy way they make their products and the money they charge for them.

[capn89]

Well... if it was customized then no wonder it was originally $200. Even current jerseys come to a total of $220 after taxes if you buy it with a name on the back. So that price doesn't come across as crazy.

And its the RBK EDGE jersey system... Swift is the Nike equivalent.

Actually, it is crazy. I can pick up replica customized jerseys (or used to before RBK came into the picture and I refuse to buy their Indonesian crap... more on this later) for $135 American. The only difference between a replica and authentic being the lack of fight strap and a couple of patches/labels. I'm lucky that I've been shopping with a company for so many years that they're honest enough to tell me that the current RBK replicas are pure **** and there doesn't look to be much hope for next season, AND the prices will be going UP. It's the age old business game, make a cheaper, crappier product and raise the prices. I had been set last month to buy my last two jerseys ever (or at least until replica quality was back to where it's been) and was disappointed to learn that the store was now out of the CCM/KOHO styles. Oh well.

I can't quite tell if you have ever even seen an authentic jersey before. Coming from someone who owns 6 AND current and older replica jerseys, I can tell you exactly all the differences. Both are made from different materials, the pros being made in a more durable polyester which is double layered on the shoulders and has re-enforced elbows. Mind you, this was the same way older replicas came, but not for the past 10 or more years. With pros, all the crests and patches are SEWN onto the jersey and not just glued. The crests themeslves are stiched onto a softer... whatever the hell you call it which makes it more flexible and durrable. Yes the pros also have a fight strap but that is not where the extra cost come from. Its the materials that go into making them which is why they are so inflated because they are made to be streched, cut and just simply abused. A replica would not be able to withstand the same kind of abuse the pro can.

To the casual eye, yes they look ALMOST identical (slightly larger cut on the arms for pros) and the $150 increased price tag would not be enough for some people to justify spending. With the new waves of replicas on the way, I'm sure you will either see less people buying jerseys in general or more people willing to dish out the $$ for pros.

Well thanks for clearing up some of the other differences. I believe the big key is, though, with current (or I guess not current any more with the crap Reebok is selling) replicas, if aesthetically they look no different, what's really the purpose of buying an authentic? Unless you're actually playing and need that extra durability, aren't you supporting your team just the same with something that looks just the same? I buy my jerseys (bunch of Philly as well as other, all Western teams, that I like) and wear my Flyers ones to games and wear all of them just when playing hockey or what not. I could see getting a authentic if you had plans to, I don't know, get it autographed by a player or players and then frame it.