Okay, Jersey Talk

Everyone has their opinion on the new league mandated jerseys. Now that they have all been revealed (thanks Rangers for leaving it to the last possible second just to show that there was no change to your jersey design), I guess I can bestow upon you my glorious position on some of the new sweaters.

Amongst the jerseys I like are the Caps sweaters (which at first I hated, but after seeing them in action, I am actually enjoying the new look). I also loved the new St. Louis Blues jerseys. They put a new spin on the same basic design from their old look. I have to admit, I really do like the home jersey look. I am glad to see Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, and the Rangers not deviate from their original look. There is just something sacred about those jerseys that modernization shouldn't touch.

The sweaters I hated were both Dallas and San Jose. What the hell happened to San Jose? They tried to go for a classic look, but it just looks awful. The only thing good about the Sharks look this season is their new logo. I was expecting more I guess.

Dallas just doesn't make sense. On the home jerseys it says "Dallas." Huh, yea, I think that the home fans know where the team is from. It would have made more sense to have that on their away jerseys. But what do I know.

I know a lot of Oiler fans are upset about their jersey look, but I kind of like it. Like a classier look to their away jersey with the piping down the front. I did not like Phoenix's jerseys, the shoulders just look stupid on the away jerseys. There was a lot of grumbling about about Vancouver's sweater too, but there is some history there with the lettering so I am okay with it. And at least it's both on the home and away jerseys, unlike Dallas.

There has been issues on the new jerseys ripping during fights, which could be a problem for the goons of the league. If a players jersey rips and slips over his head during a fight, it's cause for injury, which in a fight isn't that the point? Also due to the fitted style of the jersey, punching and grasping is a much harder exercise, and limits full range of motion during a fight. No word though if that is going to be fixed.

Caps Resign Erskine

In the category of no brainers, the Capitals resigned John Erskine to a two year $1.75 million contract today. Erskine stepped in big last season by filling a tough defenseman role after Witt's departure. While Erskine didn't mount the points (1 goal and 6 assists) he was a presence on the ice and played well.

Also, the Tampa Bay Lightning got their new sweaters, as did the Senators. I am realizing that less is more with the new jerseys. The logos are bigger but the jersey style themselves are painfully simple. For the Lightning it's basically a black or white jersey with very little in way of stripes or character on the sweater itself. The verdict is still out for me. I guess I just thought there was going to be a little more pizazz.

Good Grief!

Could this off season move any slower? Don't answer that. Cap fans seem pretty excited about the up coming season. Talk to anyone who has a new Capitals jersey on order and they are talking about playoffs for the '07-'08 season. Management is hoping to be playing in April on their minds too.

But in the meantime, news on the Caps has all but evaporated in the sweltering DC heat. So there is not much to entertain oneself when it comes to hockey. I thought I would catch up on my reading and found a pretty cool book at my local Barnes & Noble. The Game I'll Never Forget - 100 Hockey Stars' Stories, selected by Chris McDonell is actually a fun book to read.

A collection of stories as told by players and coaches of their most memorable moments in the NHL. Some noted Capitals that have stories in this collection are Dino Ciccarelli, Mark Tinordi, and Mike Gartner. The Book has stories that range from recent stars to older generations (like a story about the rivalry between the NY Rangers and NY Americans who both shared the Garden as their home ice before the Americans folded during WWII). The book has large pictures and compelling stories, a good read.

Order Your Jerseys Now

P.S. the website has now changed to suit the new colors... very nice! www.washingtoncaps.com

She Doesn't Like Them

"I like the logo enough, but the color scheme is not good," So said my stylist and my wife. She would prefer a blue home jersey with white lettering.

"Like Team USA?" I asked.

"Hey, the USA jerseys are cool."

She had a point there. The Caps couldn't hold the secret 'til today, they were going to reveal at their Draft day party at the Kettler practice facility. But the Boston Bruins revealed their jerseys yesterday at a party for their season ticket holders, beating the Caps to the punch.

The full uniform will be modeled today at the party. As well fans and mostly season ticket holders will get a skate party and meet some Caps alum like Mike Gartner, who I heard will his first appearance at a Capital event since his retirement. He mostly shows up at Rangers' events.

What may be the biggest news out of today maybe more about a possible trade rather than a draft pick by the Capitals. Some have Rumored that the Caps have been shopping their first round picks for players. But unwilling to take players on their last year of contracts becoming unrestricted free agents, the Caps may force to take their picks rather than land some much needed "now" players.

Either way, my wife just doesn't like the red, guess we will just be watching the away games.

Red, White, Blue, Blah

Okay, so when you get news late, you get it really late. Jersey talk:
Japers Rink
3 Grumpy Caps Fans
Capitals Insider
Caps Nut
Off Wing
Ted's Take
Horse's Mouth

And so on...

Personally, I am very happy that the Capitals will be going back to the red, white and blue. But I have got a working theory about why the change in jersey designs. Coming soon, I hope.