Ranking All 18 NHL Third Jerseys
Feb 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates with left wing Dwight King (74) after scoring against the Calgary Flames in the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ranking all 18 NHL third jerseys for the 2014-15 season
The NHL introduced its third jersey program for the 1995-96 season and since then nearly every team (with the exception of a stubborn few clinging to tradition) has unveiled at least one alternate jersey. That continues today with 18 of the 30 NHL teams designating an official third jersey. Several more have worn one-off, special throwback jerseys as well. Then there is the yearly unveiling of the Winter Classic and Stadium Series jerseys.
In this post we will rank all 18 officially designated NHL third jerseys – the one off specials like the Winter Classic and the Kings gold throwbacks (which they will wear three times) will not be included, as they are not official third jerseys.
The third jersey may be just the ultimate cash grab for some teams, but they allow teams to try out new branding and give their teams a fresh look without completely overhauling their entire uniform and logo set.
With the introduction out of the way, let’s take a look at the NHL Third Jersey Power Rankings.
Next: Numbers 18-16
No. 18 – Buffalo Sabres
Dec 13, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Brian Gionta (12) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Panthers 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
If it doesn’t sell, it won’t really mean anything to our bottom line. It’s a third jersey. If it’s a turd burger I’ll have to put it on a bun and eat it. It’s the way it is -Buffalo Sabres President, Ted Black
When your alternate jersey is given the nickname “turd burger”, you know it’s pretty terrible. Years have passed since third jersey mistakes like the Mooterus, Wild Wing, and Burger King jerseys – but the Sabres proved last season that even present day teams are able to turn out a uniform monstrosity.
The only thing more surprising than the pure existence of this uniform is that it survived more than one season.
No. 17 – Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec 27, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) celebrates with right wing Ryan Callahan (24) after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Amalie Arena. The Lightning won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Lightning debuted a new third jersey this season and thankfully went back to black as the predominant color on the jersey. However, beyond that this was really a missed opportunity. Already drawing criticism for giving us a Leafs / Red Wings hybrid for their home and away jerseys, the Lightning decided to copy the template of the Los Angeles Kings for the third. Then they brought back the worst part of their most recent third jersey – the BOLTS nickname logo.
You know you missed the mark when the fake prank “palm tree” third jersey actually looks better.
The Lightning had the right idea in bringing black back, but the nickname logo is just terrible.
No. 16 – San Jose Sharks
Feb 15, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) returns to the bench during the third period of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at SAP Center at San Jose. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks have worn the same third jersey since 2008 – a simple black jersey devoid of hem striping. It was different enough from their home and away uniforms to actually be a nice change of pace. But then two things happened to bring this jersey down – the Sharks insisted upon wearing it in the playoffs (despite never finding success in them) and basing their redesign of their home and away jerseys off the simplified aspects of it.
Now we are left with incomplete looking home and away jerseys that lack hem stripes, all because of this third jersey and the perceived notion that the lighter design somehow helps the Sharks. This third jersey really seemed to work its magic when they held a three game lead over the Kings. The Sharks are a team that started out with a great identity and have slowly diluted it over the years with small uniform changes.
Next: Numbers 15-13
No. 15 – Boston Bruins
Jan 31, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) carries the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
You would think with nearly a century of history the Boston Bruins would be able to come up with something a little more creative than their current third jersey. The main problem for the Bruins is that the basic idea of their uniforms hasn’t really changed over the years – leaving them with very little to draw from.
The alternate bear logo is actually quite nice, but the rest of the uniform is too similar to what the Bruins already wear.
I thought their Winter Classic uniform from the Fenway game was a great way to honor their heritage, while also giving us something a little new.
No. 14 – Colorado Avalanche
Jan 30, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a game during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Pepsi Center. The goal marked Iginla
The Avalanche home and away jerseys are the worst in the NHL – the piping, the colored panels, they are just a mess. The Avalanche vastly improved things with the template and color choice for their third jersey, but the decision to use a diagonal COLORADO word mark is just boring. Throw the A logo or even the alternate big foot logo on this jersey and you have an instant winner and the perfect candidate to replace the current home and away jerseys.
Instead the Avalanche leave us with a snoozer of an alternate.
No. 13 – Calgary Flames
Feb 14, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Mason Raymond (21) skates during the warmup period against the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Much like the Colorado Avalanche, the Calgary Flames should look to their third jersey in terms of a template for their home and away jerseys. It is modern, but doesn’t contain the busy piping and side panels of their current primary jerseys.
The main issue with the Flames alternate jersey is that it tries to do too much – it has a new word mark script logo and the normal Flames logo. The word mark logo is a bit of a snooze fest, so the better option would be the normal Flames C. At that point though you have officially come up with a better design for your home jersey, not an alternate.
Next: Numbers 12-10
No. 12 – New York Islanders
Feb 14, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) readies a pass during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Islanders are the only team to use their Stadium Series jersey from last season as their official alternate. Considering the terrible third jersey it is replacing, you can understand why this jersey has been popular with the fans. However, the team is expected to get a new alternate once they move to Brooklyn next season, so this one may have a very limited lifespan.
Besides its lame-duck status, the chrome NY logo (as mandated by the Stadium Series) looks out of place. I like the NY logo, but the chrome just diminishes what could be a very nice jersey.
No. 11 – Minnesota Wild
Feb 3, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund (64) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The uniform that brought green back to the NHL – a welcome sight. It also started the overused vintage white trend. The Minnesota Wild are one of the rare teams to have a distinct template and color palette for each of their jerseys. The home and alternate jerseys share the use of vintage white, but they went with the traditional white for their away jerseys.
The alternate draws from classic uniform design and features a slight tribute to the Minnesota North Stars (as does the primary logo) with the inclusion of a shooting star to dot the “i” in Minnesota.
When looking at the third jersey, you can’t help but think it would look much nicer with the regular shade of white, rather than the dull vintage white.
No. 10 – Carolina Hurricanes
Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Andrej Sekera (4) celebrates his 3rd period goal with teammates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
With a team named after one of most power forces in nature, you’d expect a sufficiently stormy looking jersey – and that is exactly what the Carolina Hurricanes have with their all-black alternate uniform. Now weather nerds will point out that technically the flag featured on the front of this jersey designates a tropical storm (hurricane warning flags feature two flags), but we’ll allow some artistic license here.
The triangle in the logo is a reference to the Research Triangle area of North Carolina that the team calls home.
This uniform used to fit in perfectly with the Carolina Hurricanes home and away jerseys, but after their Team Canada-esque re-design it now looks a little out of place. However, we won’t hold that against the Hurricanes third jersey, as it is the home and away uniforms that should be modified.
Next: Numbers 9-7
No. 9 – Philadelphia Flyers
Nov 28, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Mark Streit (32) competes against the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center. The Rangers defeated the Flyers 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Hockey uniform fans eagerly anticipated the release of the Philadelphia Flyers new third jersey – would they bring back their black alternate from the 90s? Would we get a clean sheet design? The answer to both of those was a resounding no. The Flyers simply dusted off their uniforms from the 2012 Winter Classic and called them their new alternate.
While the decision to resurrect a three-year old design is a little boring, the uniform itself is perfect for the Flyers. The vintage white adds a classic feel and the reversed nameplate fits in with the home and away jerseys.
While a new design or a return to black would make for a much more exciting alternate jersey, you can’t argue with the Flyers decision to go with one of the better Winter Classic uniforms.
No. 8 – Columbus Blue Jackets
Feb 9, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Jack Skille (10) celebrates a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Age has been kind to the Columbus Blue Jackets jersey since it made its debut for the 2010 season. At that time the Pittsburgh Penguins were still wearing their popular baby-blue Winter Classic alternate and the Florida Panthers unveiled a similar double-blue alternate as well. Instead of being seen was a nice alternate uniform, the Columbus Blue Jackets were accused of hopping on every overused trend in uniform design at the time – roundel logo, vintage white, and double-blue.
Since then the Penguins have ditched blue and the Florida Panthers retired their alternate, allowing the Blue Jackets third jersey to finally stand out from the crowd. The cannon logo honors Ohio’s Civil War history (which is also how the team got their name), as well as the goal cannon that fires every time the Blue Jackets score, much to the annoyance of visiting beat writers.
No. 7 – Washington Capitals
Feb 15, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates to the bench after an assist for a goal to Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Capitals feature a rarity for alternates- an alternate road uniform. The design is based upon the Capitals original jerseys they wore from 1974 until 1995. Since the team has really pushed the color red at home, it is no surprise that the mostly white alternates are relegated to road use. While there are some definite similarities between the alternate the Capitals home and away uniforms, it is different enough to stand out in the set. It also features stars and the patriotic colors one would associate with a team playing in Washington D.C.
Next: Numbers 6-4
No. 6 – New York Rangers
Feb 4, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Featuring a darker shade of blue than the team has ever worn before, the New York Rangers released a heritage jersey in 2010 that is pretty much exactly what you would expect from the Rangers. It is traditional, featuring NEW YORK diagonally down the front of the jersey and a striping pattern similar to their normal home jerseys – with the exception of white being replaced with vintage white.
The inclusion of vintage white makes my brain hurt – the Rangers are an “Original Six” team and have pretty much worn the same uniform design since World War II. Therefore isn’t the shade of white displayed on their home and away jersey technically “vintage” white? As if we really needed a reminder that the Rangers are an old team.
Either way, it is a classy jersey for the Rangers – though the Liberty jerseys are still missed.
No. 5 – Toronto Maple Leafs
Feb 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Daniel Winnik (26) celebrates his tying goal in the third period with center Mike Santorelli (25) and defenseman Cody Franson (4) against the New York Rangers at Air Canada Centre. The Rangers beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
You could argue that the Toronto Maple Leafs alternate is better than the home jersey – especially when looking at the logo. The alternate features the 11-point leaf that is similar to the one on the Canadian flag and was worn when the Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup back in 1967. It’s a far superior logo when compared to the more modern leaf we see today.
While the Leafs uniforms are some of the best in sports, only a hardcore uniform fan will notice the minute differences between the Leafs alternate and their home jersey. The biggest difference is the sleeve striping, but again, not everyone will immediately notice this.
No. 4 – St. Louis Blues
Feb 3, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates with Carl Gunnarsson (4) and Chris Butler (25) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Scottrade Center. The St. Louis Blues defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
With the St. Louis Blues going back to a more traditional design for their home and away jerseys, their third now fits a lot better in their uniform set. While it used to be the more traditional offering from the St. Louis Blues, it now appears as the more modern jersey when compared to the home and away uniforms.
The alternate logo still features the classic blue note, but it also features an iconic St. Louis landmark – the famous arch. Not only does the uniform keep to the basic design ethos of the home and away jerseys, but it also honors the home city of the Blues.
Next: Numbers 3-1
No. 3 – Ottawa Senators
Jan 29, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) skates with right wing Bobby Ryan (6) following his goal scored in the first period against the Dallas Stars at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
We’ll excuse the overuse of vintage white here, because the Senators have one of the nicest heritage uniforms in the NHL. Sure that heritage is to a team that technically is not the current incarnation of the Ottawa Senators, but again we’ll give them pass. Otherwise, we’d probably still be stuck with that terrible SENS alternate.
I don’t know if the O logo is a strong enough logo to be the primary logo on the home and away jerseys, but it serves perfectly in its role as the Senators alternate. While the current incarnation of the Senators is a modern team, this uniform could easily make you believe the team has been around for a century. The only negative is that it is so much better than their home and away, which are ruined by piping and side panels. If the Senators could go more traditional with their primary jerseys, this alternate would fit in perfectly.
No. 2 – Vancouver Canucks
Feb 13, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ryan Stanton (18) and forward Derek Dorsett (51) congratulate forward Shawn Matthias (27) second goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Tuuka Rask (not pictured) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Some day this jersey will become the primary – said every uniform fan back in 2008 when the Canucks brought back the much loved “stick in rink” logo. Maybe it’s too simple or requires a little imagination to see the C or the hockey stick, but the Canucks throwback is so much better than their home and away, which features an orca and an arching word mark.
The alternates also brought Johnny Canuck to the jerseys in a shoulder patch – something fans have been wanting for years. The Canucks have also worn a white version of this alternate for their 40th anniversary, showing that the away version would be just as nice.
No. 1 – Pittsburgh Penguins
Jan 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Steve Downie (23) celebrates with center Mark Arcobello (26) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Blackhawks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The team that pretty much showed the rest of the league what a money maker the alternate jersey can be. The Penguins first hit was their baby-blue Winter Classic uniforms, which you pretty much saw everywhere. They followed that with another blue design in 2011. However, what everyone really wanted was a return to the proper shade of Pittsburgh gold, rather than the Vegas gold that the team has used on their primary since 2002.
Fans of the Penguins and uniforms finally got their wish this season when the Penguins unveiled a new alternate that is modeled off their early 1990s uniforms. It brings back Pittsburgh gold that matches the other sports franchises in the city of Pittsburgh. The new alternate is simply outstanding and stands out when compared to the dull gold seen on the home and away jerseys.
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