Reverse Retro Jersey Ideas for 2022-23: Atlantic Division
Before the start of last season, Adidas and the NHL came up with a brilliant idea for alternate uniforms.
The jersey program was simple. Allow each of the 31 teams to come up with creative designs that feature a mix of current and past uniforms that sums up a large portion of a franchise’s history.
Each team has had their own history with uniforms from logos to colors to striping and patterns. The potential was off the charts. When the jerseys were revealed to the public, the league’s idea had come to fruition in a positive manner, as many team’s uniforms were very appealing to fans.
While some of the uniforms were grand-slams, others were disappointing (I’m looking at you Detroit). The results were such a success that the NHL announced that the Reverse Retro program would be reinstated for the 2022-23.
With that information given out, let us dive deep into a unique idea for all eight teams in the Atlantic Division. The eight teams in the Pacific Division are already done, so now let’s get started with part 2.
Boston Bruins- Revamp of “Pooh Bear” Jersey
This might be the most controversial idea that will be seen through these four lists. Now, before you go in the comment section and hate on this selection, hear me out. What many people forget is that this uniform had a large part of Boston’s history, being the alternate from 1995 to 2006.
It wasn’t a short-lived design and this can be redone. This is one of the most disrelished and infamous jerseys in NHL history. I don’t know why the “Pooh Bear” gets hated on so much but I can understand why many dislike it, especially diehard Bruins fans.
However, I think this uniform would be enticing to throw back too. We’ve already seen outlandish designs being reused like the Ducks “Wild Wing” jersey, and people surprisingly accepted it more than the original back in the 90s.
I think that effect can happen with this design too. However, there are some things I would personally change. For one, let’s scrap out the weird, rugged, spiky element that’s placed on the bottom, shoulder and sleeves.
That doesn’t need to be on there. Second of all, let’s take those shoulder “Bruins” wordmarks that honestly look boring to me and replace them with the regular Bruins wheel logo. Thirdly, I would make the entire shoulder portion black and replace the aforementioned spiky design for regular black and white stripes.
Buffalo Sabres- Buffaslug Uniform with the mid-90s color scheme
Last season Buffalo went back to a unique design of their past that was largely overlooked. They dusted off the old red alternate look that they wore from 2000-06 and reinstated them with the team’s current color scheme of royal blue and yellow.
Now, for the second go around, I would like to see the franchise bring back a more recent look and reinstate it with the team’s old color scheme from the mid-1990s. For those who don’t recall, the colorway I’m talking about features black, red, and silver.
Now there are a couple of routes Buffalo can take here. I would love to see the 90’s color scheme back but they can either use the current design or the infamous “Buffaslug” design they wore from 2006 to 10.
This is another jersey design that many dislike but it does have its fans, including myself. There are still Sabres fans that rock these at games to this day. I would have this primarily black, with the stripe being filled out with red and silver. I would eliminate the number on the front of the jersey though, as it is not needed.
Detroit Red Wings- Color Swap of 2009 Winter Classic Jersey
Last season, when the league showcased all the designs, the Detroit Red Wings had by far the worst of the bunch. Not to offend Wings fans out in the world but I hated the laziness by the franchise for not coming out with something cool.
Now I know Detroit, like other Original 6 teams, have limited jersey histories. Some of the long-lasting teams don’t have many designs to choose from. Detroit is an exception though, so there was no excuse to come out with the atrocity that they did last year. However, we all get second chances and this is no exception.
How can the Red Wings compensate for the gaffe? Bring these jerseys out. The 2009 Winter Classic look for the Red Wings is great and I wouldn’t see why it would be a bad idea to bring these back into the fold.
These Winter Classic uniforms were actually replicas from 1926-27 when the franchise was known as the Detroit Cougars. It’s a clean, vintage look and it would serve as a break from all of the cartoonish and wacky designs that other teams choose from.
There really isn’t much they should change here, other than swapping the placements of the red and white and changing the D in the middle to red to make it stand out on the white background of the middle of the jersey.
Florida Panthers- Jetblue Alternate with Current Colors
Now it’s time to talk about my beloved Cats. Although they have been a franchise since 1993, the Panthers have never had many designs. This is odd considering the fact that they debuted when the NHL was in a phase of constantly creating new jersey designs and alternates.
Many teams have seen different designs come and go, but Florida has relatively stayed with their uniforms. They have only had a white, red, and navy blue version of the original uniforms with the iconic leaping panther logo and the uniforms they are wearing currently, which debuted in 2016. There isn’t really much to drawback too.
However, there is one other option Florida could look to other than putting out a red version of the original jersey again. They could dish out the short-lived and forgotten “Jetblue” jerseys. These were only around from 2009-12.
These were dubbed the “Jetblue” jerseys since the team used the popular airline company as a sponsor around the same time these came out. The color scheme is also similar to the aforementioned company. It was obvious the Panthers were copying the original Pittsburgh Penguins style with the classic-looking jersey.
It’s not a bad-looking jersey, and I like it, but this isn’t the Panthers’ style at all. No red or gold makes this the “sheep of the family”. I would like to see this uniform back but they have to get rid of the baby blue sections.
They can keep the jersey primarily navy blue but the shoulders should be red with the thin outline around it being gold. The order of the stripes on the sleeves and bottom of the jersey should get changed to white, red, white, and gold, in that order.
Montreal Canadiens- 1910 Jersey; Swapping Green with Blue
So… it’s Montreal’s turn. Now the Canadiens, like a few other Original 6 teams, have stayed with one major design throughout their history while making a few tweaks here and there.
However, in 2008, the franchise was getting ready to celebrate it’s 100th anniversary. For the occasion, Montreal decided to where obscure jerseys from the teams’ early existence in the early 1900s. They brought out five different designs.
Four of them were pretty neat, including this 1910 replica, and then you had the disgusting 1912 jersey. Last season, the Habs came out with a color swap of their current uniform, which resulted in it being primarily blue.
This is an interesting uniform and I think Montreal should go back to it, giving themselves a break from the usual design they always wear. Now I would make this uniform primarily blue instead of red. Then I would change the green portions to red, including the leaf crest. A red leaf crest would look awesome on the blue background and it would be fitting since the Canadian flag has a red leaf.
Ottawa Senators – Black or White Version of 1997-2007 Jersey
The Sens have had a few different alterations to their jerseys over the years. Recently, Ottawa decided to go back to their original jerseys from 1992, which was a smart move considering that’s the best uniform the modern franchise has had.
For last years’ Reverse Retro, the Senators came out with a red version of their current jersey and in my opinion, it was definitely one of the best jerseys of the crop. It would for sure be in my personal top ten list. For the second Reverse Retro jersey, I would like to see this jersey make a comeback.
This originally was the first alternate jersey the Senators donned. It made its debut in 1997 and it became the teams’ full-time home jersey in 1999. It lasted until 2007 when they made their only Stanley Cup Finals appearance.
This is a neat-looking jersey and it must’ve been popular since it lasted for a long time. There are a few things I would change though to make it feel new. Ottawa should color swap and make the jersey mainly black or white. I think it would look sharp while being mainly black with red and white stripes.
The main change I would make other than the colors however is the logo. This Senators logo isn’t really good in my opinion. I would change it for the current logo now. You can’t go wrong with the classics.
Tampa Bay Lightning- Silver Version of 2007-11 Jersey
Like many other teams, Tampa Bay doesn’t have an extensive availability in jersey designs. They did go back to their original design for last years’ Reverse Retro program. They made the jersey primarily blue which was just another color swap.
Although I’m a Panthers fan, it is a beautiful jersey to look at. So what could the Bolts do this time? Well, they have a couple of options. Now, I don’t think anybody wants to see the franchises’ first alternate come back, as it is one of the most hideous designs for a uniform in sports history. They could use two other designs though.
They can use their “Bolts” diagonal alternate jersey from 2008-14 or they can go with this design they wore through the late 2000’s. I know it’s a newer jersey than other entries, however, they’re really isn’t much else to work with.
Now I know the popular choice is to go with a blue version of this jersey but the Lightning have never donned a silver or gray uniform in their history. This is an opportunity to do something completely new here. I think a silver jersey would be accepted by the Tampa faithful very well and this works to their advantage since silver goes great with any color, especially the Lightning’s color scheme of blue and white.
Toronto Maple Leafs- 1918-19 Toronto Arenas Uniform with St.Pats Colors
To wrap up the Atlantic, we’ll take a look at Toronto. The Leafs are one of many teams that are “traditional” with their uniforms, as they haven’t worn many different designs.
However, they have brought back uniforms from the early existence of the franchise when they were known as the Arenas and then the St.Pats. I think this is a great chance to mix and mash eras together rather than just doing a simple color swap.
They brought the 1918-19 Arenas jersey back for the 2017 Next Century Game. I would like to see these back again as they are nice and clean. Sometimes a basic design is one of the best ways to go.
Since Toronto has brought back replicas of the St.Pats recently I think they should focus on this Arenas jersey. However, instead of keeping the blue and white, I would like to see them incorporate the St. Pats’ green and white.