NHL Alternate Jerseys: Top 10 for 2016-17 Season

10. Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals rank tenth among the top alternate jerseys. The attractive design catches eyes and favoritism among NHL fans.

The Washington Capitals’ alternate jersey is by far the most patriotic of all NHL jerseys. The Caps’ third jersey is the team’s signature red and is decorated with white and blue stars and stripes. The team’s name is traditionally decorated on the front.

The Capitals’ alternate jersey became red, replacing the white, in 2015 so that the team could wear the jersey home. The jersey is paired with blue hockey pant shells with red and white stars and red hockey socks with a simple striped detail.

The Washington Capitals’ patriotic alternative goes perfectly with the team’s name and location. The jersey is also a modern version of the team’s original jerseys from 1974.

The Caps’ alternate jersey is the perfect balance of fun and historical. The design is modern enough to be fun and different while still having a similarity to the original jerseys.

T-9. St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues rank in ninth for their third sweater. The jersey’s signature circular crest has become a favorite since its debut in 2008.

The St. Louis Blues’ alternate jersey is a navy blue, a much darker shade than their signature look.  The jersey’s circular crest features a smaller version of the team’s music note logo with the city’s famous Gateway Arch.

The rest of the jersey has traditional banding in the team’s colors on the sleeves and bottom hem. The jersey is matched with darker navy socks and shells to complete the look.

In all, the blues’ third jersey is timeless and attractive; many fans throughout the league take positive notice of the timeless looking sweater.

Their alternate jersey comes in ninth for its universal appeal and its homage to the city. The jersey’s darker blue color is universally attractive and the crest became a franchise classic.

T-9. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets come in at ninth and tie with the St. Louis Blues. Columbus introduced the traditional third jersey in 2010 and the design has stuck ever since.

Columbus’ alternate jersey features the team’s signature dark blue with vintage white banding and a circular crest. Similarly to the Blues, the Jackets have a traditional circle crest decorated with the team’s name and a cannon.

The Blue Jackets placed an inscription on the jersey’s inner collar which reads: “We fight, we march!” The phrase was the team’s motto in their playoff run in 2009 and is symbolic for the team’s name.

The Blue Jackets introduced a universally appealing jersey that also touches upon their team and fan base. This third jersey design became an instant classic for the team.

8. Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins rank in eighth for their 2016 Winter Classic jerseys turned alternate jerseys. Boston introduced the new alternate jersey after seeing how popular the team’s jerseys were for the Winter Classic.

Boston’s new alternate jersey is the team’s signature colors, a black base with yellow banding. The  new logo on the front says “Boston” in yellow above an image of a bear walking over the team’s name.

Boston’s decision to make their Winter Classic jersey their alternate was a good move. Not only did the team know the jerseys were already widely liked but they also were able to extend the team’s participation in the Winter Classic.

Many appreciate the Bruins’ straightforward design that is also true to the brand. Boston found a way to bring a typical Bruins jersey into a whole new light with their new alternate.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning‘s nearly all-black alternate jersey comes in seventh. The jersey’s dark color and electrifying details made it loved throughout the league despite its somewhat simple appearance.

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Originally, Tampa had a black home jersey before retiring it in 2011 for the bright blue home jerseys we see now. The Lightning introduced the Bolts black alternate in 2014, bringing back their black sweaters.

The dark jersey has the team’s nickname “Bolts” diagonally across the chest with white detailing along the arms and hem. The pant shells are decorated with a team signature lightning bolt along the sides.

The Lightning has one of the few almost all-black NHL jerseys and makes it work perfectly. The third jersey appeals to both the team’s fans and the league’s fans and has become an instant favorite.

The dark sweater gives a moody and mysterious feel to a strong and fast team. Tampa’s Lightning is just as electric as its team and its alternate jersey.

6. Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers‘ vibrant orange alternate jersey ranks in at sixth in our list. The Oilers’ exciting third jersey is a bright play on one of the team’s staple colors and a connection to the team’s history.

The Oilers wore orange sweaters in their first two seasons as a team in 1971 when they were a member of the WHA. The jersey is an homage to the team’s roots and makes a funky addition alongside the team’s two traditional jerseys.

Edmonton’s alternate jersey features the team’s logo on center chest with the team’s blue and white for arm banding, The jersey also features each player’s number in the shoulder yokes as opposed to the upper arms.

The Oilers introduced this jersey as the alternate in 2015 to mark the team’s final season at Rexall Place. The jersey has significant meaning for the team and is also a fun alternate for fans to enjoy.

The exciting color combination paired with the symbolic meaning makes for a perfect third jersey. The Oilers found a way to craft the perfect third option for the team by staying true to the brand while keeping it different.

5. Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks rank in fifth with their spunky throwback alternate jersey. Anaheim introduced the jersey in 2015 and brought a big shout out to the Mighty Duck days.

The dark orange jersey features the team’s signature black, gold and white colors with the team’s original logo. The traditional Mighty Ducks logo was recolored to suit the team’s new color scheme but still oozed throwback.

Anaheim’s Mighty Ducks throwback was exciting for fans throughout the league. The retro Mighty Ducks, in general, is somewhat of a favorite when it comes to NHL jerseys in general.

Returning to the team’s roots for a funky and different decision for the third jersey was a good move by the Ducks.

The throwback alternate jersey was a hit and many fans favor the retro design. Nothing like a duck-shaped goalie mask to bring back that nostalgic feeling in Anaheim.

4. Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild‘s dark green alternate ranks in at number four. The dark green color is in reference to Minnesota’s nature and wildlife and has a slight retro feel.

The Wild had a green home jersey for most of its existence until the team’s first alternate, a red retro design, became the home jersey in 2007. To bring back the signature green, the Wild introduced the green alternate in 2009.

The third jersey is a dark hunter green with vintage off-white detailing. The team name is tilted diagonally across the chest in a vintage style with the “I” dotted with a star. The jersey has a strong resemblance to the 2004 All-Star Game (hosted by the Wild.)

Minnesota’s third jersey brought green back into NHL jerseys (the Dallas Stars introduced their all-green jerseys not too long later!). The color and retro vibes from the jersey make it feel like a classic.

The State of Hockey brought the league a modern jersey with a vintage feel that won the hearts of many hockey fans. The traditional looking sweater will be a timeless component to Minnesota’s jersey collection.

Ranked Third: Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators‘ banded alternate jersey ranks in at number three. The Senators’ vintage-esque sweater was introduced in 2011 and has been loved ever since.

Ottawa’s third jersey features a black base with red and vintage white banding. The team’s logo is replaced with a simple O (for Ottawa) on the chest. The simple, yet elaborate design also livens up the team’s usually clean and simple appearance.

The jersey’s design was inspired by the original Ottawa Senators franchise (1917-1934) and their red, black and white striped sweater. Ottawa’s homage to its NHL roots is part of what makes the jersey so great.

The fun banded jersey is paired with black pant shells with a similar logo and matching banded socks. A somewhat funky yet classic design was enough to make the jersey modern without straying too far from the team’s roots.

2. New York Rangers

The New York Rangers rank second with their dark navy alternate jersey. The Heritage Jersey was introduced in 2010 as the team’s new alternate in replace of the team’s Liberty jersey.

The heritage jersey is a dark navy with traditional Rangers red and a vintage white banding on the body and arms. Instead of the team’s name across the chest the heritage jersey features “New York” diagonally across the jersey.

As for the heritage meaning, the jersey’s inside collar states “Established in 1926” and the inside bottom (within the banding of the stripe) is engraved with the team’s retired numbers. The classically styled jersey with a touch of history has won over many.

The Rangers, known for their class and traditionalism, found a way to introduce a sophisticated (and simple) jersey in a way where it becomes a perfect memorabilia.

The Rangers’ heritage jersey is classy and historical and ranks high for that reason. The simple and universally attractive design have made it a league favorite.

1. Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche rank first for their navy retro alternate jersey. Colorado introduced the newer third jersey in 2015.

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The Avalanche’s third jersey introduced a dark navy jersey color with the team’s signature maroon. The jersey’s new crest on the front is a tribute to the state’s former NHL franchise, the Colorado Rockies. The crest is a throwback to the team’s roots and is a triangle made to look like a mountain with a “C” for Colorado in the center.

The traditional-looking crest and the addition of the darker blue gave the Colorado franchise a jersey with perfect historical and modern balance. Retro logos have become a favorite in many NHL jerseys.

The jersey caught the attention of fans through the league; who doesn’t love a solid retro crest on a brand new jersey?

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The jersey’s universal appeal, timeless look, and balance of new and old bring it in at first in the list. A jersey so nice any fan could buy it, Colorado’s third jersey is traditionally and appealing to many.

The newer alternate design was the perfect replacement for the team’s former light blue alternate jersey with the state name diagonal across the front. A newer jersey with a reborn logo was exactly what the Avalanche needed to spice up their jersey collection.