Now that we’re reaching the end of another great NHL season, we have seen every jersey that is making an appearance this year. For the most part, we’re lucky as the jersey game in the NHL has been strong the last few seasons (or maybe I’m still just grateful that we are out of the atrocious Reebok Edge era, noteworthy for their practice jersey appearance and piping).
But, that doesn’t mean every jersey is absolutely, out-of-this-world amazing. And some, personally, I just don’t like, whether it be an odd looking design or confusing colour scheme.
So, settle in and have a look at what I feel are the 5 worst NHL jerseys of the 2018-2019 NHL season.
5) Florida Panthers
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
Now, these aren’t bad looking jerseys. But, they don’t scream ‘hockey’ to me. The stripe and the crest logo just look like soccer jerseys and they don’t suit a hockey team. I am not a fan of this crest style of logo for hockey and very few teams can pull it off. Florida is not one of them. Not to mention that stripe just stops. I mean it would probably look weird if it ran all the way around and through the numbers on the back of the jersey, but it’s also kind of odd to just stop suddenly. Better hope the players never lift their arms to cover up the hard ending for the stripe.
4) Anaheim Ducks Alternate
Seen in the middle of the below image, the Anaheim Ducks made a widely popular decision to bring back one of their original jerseys from the Mighty Ducks era. These jerseys are generally beloved by hockey fans, whether it be the unique colour combination of eggplant purple and blue-ish green, or the childhood memories of them from the Mighty Ducks movie series, the team’s namesake.
What we got, however, was not quite what we expected.
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
How did they screw this up? What could have been a contender for favourite jersey of the season very quickly turned into one of the worst, or maybe more disappointing is the better word.
All the team had to do was remake the original and they managed to bungle that up. Instead of maintaining the iconic purple that everyone remembers watching Paul Kariya zipping around the ice in, they changed it to a revolutionary, unique….black. It’s black now.
At least they got the logo right?
3) Winnipeg Jets Alternate
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
This jersey did grow on me through the season and isn’t quite as bad looking anymore. But, that doesn’t change my opinion that it is still one of the worst NHL jerseys of the 2018-2019 season. Although it is a nice accent colour on the Jets’ home and away jerseys, the light blue does not work as a primary colour on these alternates.
The handwritten text as a logo is bland? Confusing? I don’t know the right word but it does not suit the team’s current branding and feels more like a baseball team’s jersey. Honestly, these kind of look like something the Toronto Blue Jays would wear as an alternate, and it would suit them much more than it does the Jets.
This choice of alternate is especially disappointing considering they used the old school Jets jerseys a couple times this season. Why were those not the alternates?
2) Pittsburgh Penguins Alternate
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
Referring to the jersey in the middle of the above image, the Pittsburgh Penguins created a bit of an odd looking one for the 18-19 season.
I do appreciate the organization putting more emphasis on the yellow being featured in a jersey. What I don’t like about these is how it is only the torso that uses the yellow as a primary colour, and then it switches back to black for the arms. To me, it looks like a tank top/basketball jersey, especially with the stripes on the arms hanging out there like sweat bands.
If they had just swapped the black and yellow spaces from their home jerseys, it would look significantly better.
Before we get to #1, here are a couple of honourable mentions.
Philadelphia Flyers Stadium Series Jersey
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
It kind of looks like a weird retro/neon type design which might be cool in an 80’s throwback night but nowhere else.
New York Islanders’ Alternate
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
Pulling the NY Stick part of the logo onto its own does not work very well. Plus, the shoulders just look weird.
Edmonton Oilers’ Homes
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
I only put these here because many, many people dislike them and how bright they are, especially considering the love their alternates (with the royal blue) get. Personally, I like them because they are something different. Sure they can be obnoxiously bright at times, but I’ll take that over another blue team.
Plus, if there is any team that should have a jersey that makes the players look like pylons, it’s the Oilers.
And finally,
#1) Tampa Bay Lightning Alternates
I feel like I’m picking on alternates a lot in this list but I guess teams are having trouble with their third jerseys this generation.
Illustration by Andrew M. Greenstein, The unofficial NHL Uniform Database
Here, we have an entirely black/dark grey jersey that features a gradation. If there is one thing someone can do to make a jersey look like a minor league or amateur team, it’s gradations. They just do not suit a professional hockey team and miss the mark when looking for sharp, clean designs.
Additionally, it is absurdly difficult to see anything on these jerseys when watching the game, as the logo and text are in a somewhat dark grey that does not come across very well when watching on TV or from 150 feet away in the stands.
I will give them one thing with these jerseys, however. Considering how absurdly good this team has been this season, it is fitting that they have a jersey that follows the same design model as the all-star jerseys.
And there you have it, our thoughts on the 5 worst NHL jerseys of the 2018-2019 season. Agree? Disagree? Follow and interact with us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to share your thoughts. Added bonus, you’ll also then be updated when we upload episodes of our podcast or new blog posts!