Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:15 pm EST
NHL reveals top-selling third jerseys entering holiday season
When we bugged the NHL about how Winter Classic jerseys for the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings were selling, we also inquired about sale figures for this year's crop of third jerseys. There are 18 teams with alternate sweaters this season, and all of them were on sale in time for the holidays.
Earlier this week, the NHL indentified these teams as the top sellers so far this season. They said they're in no particular order, but we'll present them in the order they were listed to us:
Pittsburgh Penguins
Buffalo Sabres
Philadelphia Flyers
Boston Bruins
Edmonton Oilers
New York Islanders
Two observations: First, and rather obviously, is that these teams released third jerseys with a distinct retro and/or traditional look. For many of them, that meant literally recycling older jerseys with a tweak here and there. In fairness to the other teams that released alternate sweaters this season, sometimes it's easier to remake a classic than to create an original.
Second, if these are the top sellers according to the NHL, then there's only one black jersey (Boston) among the top six. Which actually fills our hearts with hope, even if for a moment, that teams will shy away from the dark side in creating new duds.
Keep in mind these are sales figures during the holiday shopping season, so they may not reveal the complete sales picture through Christmas. For example, the St. Louis Blues' fantastic looking third jersey isn't currently listed on Shop NHL, even though it's available on Ice Jerseys. Based on what we know about Shop NHL, that could mean high sales to the point of selling out for the Blues.
(And if you're lucky enough to snag one, please for the love of the hockey gods do not do something like this. Jersey Foul supreme.)
Finally on the third jersey front: Chris from Icethetics reports via the Denver Post that the Colorado Avalanche are likely to introduce an alternate sweater next season, and predicts it won't be that burgundy "Colorado" one they've worn in the past. Hopefully it's something that can one day replace the stale piping nightmares they're currently wearing.
Chris also writes that the Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild will have thirds next season. Color us intrigued about the Wild; last time they tried one, it became an instant classic.
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Greg Wyshynski
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45 Comments
1 - 25 of 45
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i have no life ,other than sport blogs.
i just sitting here waiting for the next one..fun...fun..fun
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Flyers Orange of course being the strongest redo, but I gotta say seeing the Sabres return to their Original colors was also something that brought warmth to my hockey heart... The Flyers Orange should just become their regular homes. Honestly as well, I think Phoenix and Minnesota have put forth some decent efforts to come up with good logo/color combos for what they have...
That said, for my money, no third jersey will be as interesting to me as the Calgary Firey Horse...
I still want that one.
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As a Flyers fan, I've got my fingers crossed that the "new" 3rd jerseys become their standard home jerseys. It seems like they're on that path. I think they wore the "new" 3rd jerseys for most of their home games since they debuted (on Black Friday). Of course, that could just be to get them to sell during the holidays.
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Who want's the Sharks' old teal back? Or the devils with the hint of Green?
I do think the South of the border Tex-Mex Coyote jersey should come back. That one was grade a Hockey gold. That and Tampa should have gone back to the 97-98 rainstorm jerseys.
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I think most of us man, and hopefully the FO hears the suport. Of course I see the marketing side of it, but still, the return to ORANGE and black was needed... hoping it could mean championship somewhere down the road too, but I'll hold off on that until at least the playoffs start.
The part I like best is seeing teams return to their original colors and stuff.
Of course the SHarks, Lightening, and CUsk don't have a lot of classic to be brought up, but at least for the Sharks and Coyotes I tihnk they have done a good deal of exploring what to do with their color systems, I see lots of teams in beer leagues using the sharks style (Av's too)...
But I'd like to see more of the transplant teams go away from the Color on black they used in the nineties to create interest in the sweaters (mostly to appeal to the pop video market) ... an example to me is seeing the Hurricanes go back to the Hartford colors thats where they were from... or make the Devils go back to Green somehow... (I know Wysh is probably not in favor of that one but still). Thats why I like seeing the SABRES BACK TO BLUE AND GOLD, ITS RIGHT. It got to the point where it was hard to tell who was playing if you flipped on a game. Red and Black, could be the devils or the canes or chicago... or possbily Phoenix.......
*@sobu - yes those were wild jersey's but I think they were a bit to noisy... but that'd be a decent third.
(Of course so would a Winnipeg color scheme, or coyote wearing a pilots cap)
*Even as a FLyer fan I had much respect for the Liberty sweater, with the tie string, good jersey.
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the sharks store inside the tank is completely sold out of every authentic sharks black jersey. theres a sign on the wall saying the next shipment wont be available until feb. not only that but they are out of the letters to even customize any jersey. i doubt the volume of the sharks jerseys available compared to the oilers, pens, flyers or some other teams are close but its still interesting.
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@sobu. those rainstorm jersey's were awsome in retrospect. they were a hard sell at first but in hind sight are pretty cool compared to some of the junk floating around today.
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the only black one is from the original black team
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One I liked was the Wings and Hawks lost jerseys. Those were cool.
Wyshynski some really stink...............some dont.
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I'm a big fan of the old Oilers and Islanders looks.
The Buffalo "Slug" shouldn't even be debatable.
What genius marketing group came up with that embarrassment?
http://worldhockeydaily.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/khabs-over-labs/
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Wyshynski the Combover slug stinks!
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rumor control (RC) says that if everything goes well (which so far it has) the retro will be the primary jersey and the slug is going to become the 3rd (alternate) jersey.
RC from Upstate NY local radio station's web site.
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1 - 25 of 45