Earlier this month, the Las Vegas Golden Knights announced their third jersey design. It yielded many mixed reviews online particularly due to its metallic gold detail, which sparkled in its marketing photos. Personally, I thought it was appropriate, as it reflected the city’s bright billboards and flashy nature.
Other NHL teams came out with retro jersey design options, with the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames revealing 2D and classic logos respectively. An EBay listing may have leaked a return of reverse-retro versions of jerseys for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. Everyday, I see new jersey design concept rumblings, and some impressive edits…
Yesterday, Cam Lewis (@cooom on Twitter) tweeted a Calgary Flames concept jersey featuring one of three original starter Pokémon: the fire-type Charmander, which made so much sense. He even posted an equally-potential Tentacruel design for the Seattle Kraken, after the expansion team officially announced their franchise name in July.
Overnight, the ‘Calgary Charmanders’ tweet went viral, with users commenting and quote retweeting which Pokemon would represent their favourite NHL teams. @junotheleafs on Twitter edited a Toronto Maple Leafs design featuring Ghost-type Gengar, while this Twitter user made a thread.
So, here’s 32 takes on NHL jersey design concepts: Pokemon Edition.
Anaheim Ducks: Psyduck
Probably the least intimidating Pokémon on this list… Sorry, Anaheim fans.
Arizona Coyotes: Lycanroc
What is their slogan? Howl yeah? Checks out.
Boston Bruins: Ursaring
Big, bad Bruins deserve this big, scary bear Pokémon.
Buffalo Sabres: Bouffalant
Petition to give the Sabre logo a beautiful afro like Bouffalant’s.
Calgary Flames: Arcanine
This dog-like, fire-type Pokémon looks nothing like Harvey the Hound but you get what I’m saying.
Carolina Hurricanes: Dusknoir
Caniacs hear me out… He has a red eye too.
Chicago Blackhawks: Hawlucha
I prefer this culturally-correct, Indigenous-drawn logo over Chicago’s current one, and Hawlucha would agree.
Colorado Avalanche: Abomasnow
Colorado fans, meet the equivalent of an abominable yeti as a Pokémon.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Blastoise
Get it….. Cannons…
Dallas Stars: Staryu
Second lamest one on this list… Sorry, Dallas.
Detroit Red Wings: Octillery
I was today-years old when I learned that Detroit’s mascot is an octopus that is lowered to the ground from the arena ceiling…
Edmonton Oilers: Lampent
… Not much to work with here, Edmonton.
Florida Panthers: Persian
Panther = Panther-like Pokémon. Simple.
Los Angeles Kings: Slowking
I don’t know why this is the funniest one to me… but it is…
Minnesota Wild: Trevenant
Scary-ass tree.
Montreal Canadiens: Salamence
Quickly, tell me Salamence’s wings don’t already look like the ‘C’ in Montreal’s logo… I’ll wait.
Nashville Predators: Raikou
Honestly, Nashville doesn’t deserve this legendary Pokémon, but the sabre teeth check out.
New Jersey Devils: Houndoom
Matching tails. That’s it.
New York Islanders: Dhelmise
Sorry Isles fans, there really is an anchor Pokémon out there.
New York Rangers: Nosepass
Again, I was today-years old when I learned that the Rangers are the only team without a mascot, so run with Nosepass.
Ottawa Senators: Escavalier
2D logo would hit better with Escavalier’s helmet, but that’s my opinion.
Philadelphia Flyers: Talonflame
Literally any bird Pokémon could represent the Flyers... Stick to Gritty.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Empoleon
The penguin in the Pittsburgh’s logo can’t even compete with Empoleon. Next.
San Jose Sharks: Sharpedo
The Sharks logo is already suspiciously similar to Sharpedo… Hm…
Seattle Kraken: Tentacruel
Al the Octopus from the Detroit is shaking.
St. Louis Blues: Chatot
Musical note… singing bird… make that click.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Zapdos
Zapdos was the best legendary bird out of Articuno and Moltres… please don’t @ me.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Tropius
Will LeafsNation come for me after this… probably. If you want to know where I came from, look at Tropius’ wings, okay?
Vancouver Canucks: Kyogre
Look, you cannot tell me Kyogre doesn’t already look like Vancouver’s orca ‘C’ design.
Vegas Golden Knights: Aegislash
Golden Knights fans, meet… this.
Washington Capitals: Braviary
Honestly, Braviary puts the Capitals’ bird to shame. I said what I said.
Winnipeg Jets: Latios
Jets… Airplane pokémon… get it…
