The NHL has four games on the schedule tonight: Toronto vs Columbus, Los Angeles vs Detroit, Anaheim vs Dallas, and Nashville vs Calgary. With it being Halloween and me being a total jersey nerd, I thought it would be fun to imagine what uniforms the eight teams playing tonight could wear tonight. Anything previously worn by the team (or another team from that market) is fair game.
Toronto Maple Leafs (St. Pats) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (Crusaders, Stingers, Barons)
Image Courtesy of: Sportslogos.net
Image Courtesy of: Sportslogos.net
I debated putting the Maple Leafs in Toronto Toros (WHA) uniforms, but then I remember that this is the Leafs. Since watching the team likely requires fans to drink a St. Patrick’s Day-quantity of adult beverages, having the Toronto Maple Leafs wear their Toronto St. Pats throwbacks is the best choice.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be that guy (or girl) who can’t decide on one costume and decides to wear different ones to each party. For the first period the Blue Jackets will wear the uniforms of the Cleveland Crusaders (WHA). In the second period they will honor Ohio’s other WHA team with the Cincinnati Stingers uniforms, and finish things off with Ohio’s first NHL team, the Cleveland Barons.
Los Angeles Kings (throwbacks) vs Detroit Red Wings (throwbacks)
Image Courtesy of: Sportslogos.net
Image Courtesy of: Sportslogos.net
The Red Wings have rarely changed their jerseys, so what should an Original Six team do for Halloween? Likely the same thing they did for the Winter Classic, as well the 1991/1992 season and wear Detroit Cougars inspired throwbacks.
Uniform purists would prefer that the Kings break out their old “forum blue” (purple) and gold throwbacks, but the Kings already do that on a few occasions. This is Halloween, let’s get a little crazy! And considering that the Kings have a good sense of humor, I see them completely supporting the idea of wearing their infamous Burger King jerseys for the Halloween game.
Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks vs Dallas (North) Stars
October 13, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Nick Bonino (13) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Image Courtesy of: Sportslogos.net
Ok I am sure some in Minnesota wouldn’t like this, but since neither team has done it yet, Halloween would be the perfect night for the Dallas Stars to dress up as their former-selves and wear Minnesota North Stars throwbacks. The Stars took a step to honor that heritage with their new uniforms, but for one night they should go full on North Stars. See, with the way this post was going, I bet you thought I was going to bring back the “Mooterus”.
Is there any other choice but to put the Ducks in their Mighty Ducks uniforms? They did last year for the 20th anniversary of the team and it would be great to see them do it again.
Nashville Predators (Mustard third) vs Calgary Flames (flaming horse third)
Image Courtesy of: Sportslogos.net
Image Courtesy of: Sportslogos.net
For this game I decided to go with third jerseys from the past for these two teams. The Nashville Predators introduced a mustard-colored third jersey in 2001. It actually featured a mesh outer layer that allowed a dark-blue under layer to show through. It was ugly, but pretty unique looking at the time.
We are familiar with the various Calgary Flames throwbacks, but their “flaming horse” third jersey used from 2001 until 2003 is often forgotten. Looking like a horse riding out of Hell, this is the perfect Halloween jersey.