OT: Which threads blow you away? The great jersey debate

[Cardiac Jerks]

Where do you guys like to buy merch from online? Is eBay the best bet price wise?

I’ve bought a couple more jerseys off eBay in the past few days. Was able to get them all cheaper there than at any online store. They’re all from reputable jersey eBay stores, too, so I don’t have any concerns about their authenticity. After the playoffs are over I’ll probably send a bunch in for customization.

 

[Cole World]

It does feel like a pretty comprehensive rebrand is coming.

If we do keep the primary (I think we will), I love the simplified two-color version used on the stadium jersey as well as formerly on our road white helmets

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Found this sweet jersey on Amazon.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Wearing my adidas classic and it’s great if a little big. Enjoying it before fanatics destroys nhl jerseys.

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

Found this sweet jersey on Amazon.

View attachment 676436

This is incredible. I'd seriously consider buying it depending on the price.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

This is incredible. I'd seriously consider buying it depending on the price.

I’ve got 8 in my cart already (jk).

Looks like it’s $250 CAD.

 

[AD Skinner]

The wrath of Haan

Edit: actually Haan Solo is probably the better joke/reference in this instance

 

[Svechhammer]

So to continue my concept from last week, I mocked up a couple jersey designs with those logos....

 

[AD Skinner]

I dig the number font. I’ve never really liked the skinny numbers they’ve used the past few years. Too Pittsburgh Steeler-y and too hard to read from far away

 

[Svechhammer]

I dig the number font. I’ve never really liked the skinny numbers they’ve used the past few years. Too Pittsburgh Steeler-y and too hard to read from far away

Yeah I am back on board with the old number font after seeing it in action again this season, but I dunno, I did love the black and grey numbers that we used to use. So I combined them

Also, no matter what, I want us to go with that white jersey template, even if it comes with either the flags or main logo. The black trim with red stripes. Yes, please, especially if paired with last year's red jerseys.

 

[LakeLivin]

While I like the concept of an "H" in the negative space I still haven't seen a logo that incorporates it that I like.

Logo aside, I do like the white set that you put together.

One thing I really liked about the stadium series set was how aggressively they used red, even on the pants. All black can seem kind of dull on the screen to me after a while, but the stadium series unis still popped on the screen.

 

[GindyDraws]

I'll be happy to contribute my thoughts on our jerseys...

No whalers stuff, thanks

f*** you, man!

Wearing my adidas classic and it’s great if a little big. Enjoying it before fanatics destroys nhl jerseys.

Fanatics jerseys are going to save the league 20% but the jerseys are only going to survive two trips in the washing machine before they disintegrate.

 

[AD Skinner]

I’ve always had this vague idea about using the hurricane flags to make an H but can’t really articulate it in words or pictures. But like when you stack the two flags straight on top of each other the red parts make an H…

 

[tarheelhockey]

If I was a betting man, and I have never made a vegas bet in my life, I would all but guarantee we will be seeing the Canes taking part in a pretty comprehensive rebrand in 2026-27. We already know Dundon isn't super pleased with the current aesthetic, doesn't particularly care for the old logo, and really doesn't care much for the red jerseys. I bet you we'll see our entire identity shaken up when the new Fanatics templates are introduced after the Adidas transition is completed.

I think you’re right in terms of Dundon’s preferences and intentions, but I don’t think a rebrand would really go all that deep. Red and black as the overwhelmingly primary colors aren’t going anywhere. You can flip the balance of red and black, change up the striping, but it’s still basically the same vibe and visual identity. And they’re pretty boxed in by the NJs and Ottawas as far as creating a new aesthetic with that color set.

I could see a logo change, though. In fact I could see them doing that fairly soon, using the 25th anniversary as a milestone where the current logo becomes “retro”.

 

[Svechhammer]

I think you’re right in terms of Dundon’s preferences and intentions, but I don’t think a rebrand would really go all that deep. Red and black as the overwhelmingly primary colors aren’t going anywhere. You can flip the balance of red and black, change up the striping, but it’s still basically the same vibe and visual identity. And they’re pretty boxed in by the NJs and Ottawas as far as creating a new aesthetic with that color set.

I could see a logo change, though. In fact I could see them doing that fairly soon, using the 25th anniversary as a milestone where the current logo becomes “retro”.

I agree with this to an extent. I do think a logo change is coming. If I were a part of the marketing team, I would see the success of the Whalers throwback and wonder if we would be better off retiring the current main logo (not the flags), keeping it buried for a couple years, and then unveiling a Canes throwback merchandise line that utilizes it and the old one flag logo that could be sold alongside the Whale and whatever current look we have at the time. And then the current 25th Anniversary logo becomes an annual throwback jersey that we also sell, and we're also to make more money.

As for not changing up the design. Look, I personally think we have some strong looks, but I just don't think Dundon thinks the same, and I look no further than the fact that we've been constantly trying out new looks and new variations ever since he took over in hopes of finding something that works. From the current set where we have a distinct template for each jersey we wear to the fact that we don't have consistency with the helmets we wear with the white jerseys or the fact we wore black pants in a 1-off game with the red and white jerseys last year. The inconsistencies reek of not feeling strongly positive about the brand. I don't necessarily think we're going to change it up from red and black, but I wouldn't be overly shocked if we end up trending more toward the Stadium Series motif with black base and red trim with a logo change and moving forward from there. And given Fanatics taking over, I would almost expect us to be working with them soon to kick such a rebrand into gear in order to use us as a platform to show where Fanatics wants to take their design concepts forward within the league, much like how Reebok f***ed everything up changed the aesthetic with their Reebok Edge redesign.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I agree with this to an extent. I do think a logo change is coming. If I were a part of the marketing team, I would see the success of the Whalers throwback and wonder if we would be better off retiring the current main logo (not the flags), keeping it buried for a couple years, and then unveiling a Canes throwback merchandise line that utilizes it and the old one flag logo that could be sold alongside the Whale and whatever current look we have at the time. And then the current 25th Anniversary logo becomes an annual throwback jersey that we also sell, and we're also to make more money.

As for not changing up the design. Look, I personally think we have some strong looks, but I just don't think Dundon thinks the same, and I look no further than the fact that we've been constantly trying out new looks and new variations ever since he took over in hopes of finding something that works. From the current set where we have a distinct template for each jersey we wear to the fact that we don't have consistency with the helmets we wear with the white jerseys or the fact we wore black pants in a 1-off game with the red and white jerseys last year. The inconsistencies reek of not feeling strongly positive about the brand. I don't necessarily think we're going to change it up from red and black, but I wouldn't be overly shocked if we end up trending more toward the Stadium Series motif with black base and red trim with a logo change and moving forward from there. And given Fanatics taking over, I would almost expect us to be working with them soon to kick such a rebrand into gear in order to use us as a platform to show where Fanatics wants to take their design concepts forward within the league, much like how Reebok f***ed everything up changed the aesthetic with their Reebok Edge redesign.

That all makes sense. I guess I took "comprehensive rebrand" to mean something more like what the Canucks (and Caps and Sabres and Ducks) have done at times, burning it all the way down and starting over with something totally different. I think we're looking at something more in the order of the Redvolution rebrand where it's basically just a different aesthetic for a while. The big question in my mind is whether they go all the way and make a logo change.

FWIW I regard their constant tinkering with the uniform sets as a desire to get as many looks out there as possible for sales purposes, not so much a discomfort with the brand profile.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

We need a 1990s blue whalers jersey night where they play grunge music.

 

[Svechhammer]

That all makes sense. I guess I took "comprehensive rebrand" to mean something more like what the Canucks (and Caps and Sabres and Ducks) have done at times, burning it all the way down and starting over with something totally different. I think we're looking at something more in the order of the Redvolution rebrand where it's basically just a different aesthetic for a while. The big question in my mind is whether they go all the way and make a logo change.

FWIW I regard their constant tinkering with the uniform sets as a desire to get as many looks out there as possible for sales purposes, not so much a discomfort with the brand profile.

As long as we are playing at PNC Arena, I can't see them changing the colors. I think if they make a move to a downtown arena, things definitely could change there, but it seems like Dundon is all in on making PNC work and turning it into a comprehensive district. And as long as that's the case, then yeah I think we'll always be red and black.

But

I do think a switch to primary black with red accent, downplaying white, and eliminating grey is likely on the radar. Seems to be the direction we've been trending for a while, and given just how much we've latched onto the red and black eye logo in marketing over the past few years, I think that's inevitable. I think they'll keep the current stick and flag logo, they'll keep the warning flag stripe (though, I think it'll only be sublimated going forward, and leave the red/black version for the throwback/retro jersey) introduce a new logo, and move forward with something based on those elements going forward.

 

[tarheelhockey]

As long as we are playing at PNC Arena, I can't see them changing the colors. I think if they make a move to a downtown arena, things definitely could change there, but it seems like Dundon is all in on making PNC work and turning it into a comprehensive district. And as long as that's the case, then yeah I think we'll always be red and black.

But

I do think a switch to primary black with red accent, downplaying white, and eliminating grey is likely on the radar. Seems to be the direction we've been trending for a while, and given just how much we've latched onto the red and black eye logo in marketing over the past few years, I think that's inevitable. I think they'll keep the current stick and flag logo, they'll keep the warning flag stripe (though, I think it'll only be sublimated going forward, and leave the red/black version for the throwback/retro jersey) introduce a new logo, and move forward with something based on those elements going forward.

I could see it going that direction. Not sure quite how I feel about it as a black-heavy look tends to be a brand killer IMO, but it depends how its executed. I though the Stadium Series vibe worked quite nicely.

Agreed that it depends a lot on staying at PNC. If they were to move downtown, I wouldn't expect a color change but it would at least be a somewhat more likely possibility.

 

[cptjeff]

Personally, while I think that Dundon might be contemplating a rebrand, I really hope that the success of the throwback jersey makes him think twice. There's a hunger for that old brand out there, and the Canes would be idiots to ignore it.

 

[AD Skinner]

For real give me the fat nascar numbers and the black on red waist flags it feels so right

 

[Joe McGrath]

Wearing my adidas classic and it’s great if a little big. Enjoying it before fanatics destroys nhl jerseys.

It might just be the angle, but the logo looks a bit oversized.

 

[AD Skinner]

I dig that though I think the front logo should be huge

 

[Svechhammer]

It might just be the angle, but the logo looks a bit oversized.

If I'm not mistaken, the logos on the 90s era Starter/CCM jerseys actually were huge. I measured mine from the 97 season and the logo is at least 2 or 3 inches wider than what they wear now, so this Adidas throwback design is probably period accurate

 

[Joe McGrath]

If I'm not mistaken, the logos on the 90s era Starter/CCM jerseys actually were huge. I measured mine from the 97 season and the logo is at least 2 or 3 inches wider than what they wear now, so this Adidas throwback design is probably period accurate

The Hurricanes ones were, I don’t recall the Whalers ones being that way. I’ll have to dig mine out but I’m pretty sure it’s from 93, so maybe the sizes changed?

Edit: This is what I remember it looking like. Adidas may have just made the logo bigger to make it pop more.