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Ranking the NHL's new Retro Reverse jerseys

Date: December 26, 2020

By: Jonathan Heite

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On Tap Sports Net

On Dec. 1, the NHL and Adidas made history, releasing the brand-new Reverse Retro jerseys for all 31 teams. This is the first time every single organization released alternate jerseys at the same time, with the fresh theme bringing back nostalgia from players and fans alike.

 

The new collection will be worn by players during the upcoming 2020-21 season, as well as in major rivalry games around the league. Compared to previous alternate jerseys for much of the NHL, the Reverse Retros are essentially throwbacks combined with newer elements to give them an old school meets new school look. Each team’s throwback choice was from a season that was historically meaningful to the respective franchise, and the actual designing of the jerseys took two years to complete.

 

After looking through all 31 teams’ designs, there is a various assortment of eye-popping colors, old and new striping, and takes on classics that had been shelved for many years. From bringing back the vintage Hartford Whalers in Carolina, to simply rearranging the slick color scheme in Montreal, the collection is filled with hidden gems that will light up the next NHL campaign.

 

The following rankings are based off a combination of creativity in both the retro and new aspects, nostalgic elements, and personal preference. Each entry will have the Reverse Retro jersey tweet from each team placed alongside the throwback jersey the respective franchise used as the basis for their retro in the design process.

 

31. Detroit Red Wings

In their take, Detroit used the 1998 Stanley Cup Final and the 2017 Centennial Classic jerseys as bases for a more simplistic approach as compared to other teams. With a plain white color and gray stripes surrounding the classic Red Wings logo, there is not as much visual effect to the design that could have made it more eye catching. Nonetheless, the jersey still emphasizes the famous logo, a staple in Detroit sports history.

 

 

Inspiration: 1998 Stanley Cup Final Jersey

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Robert Laberge/Getty Images

 

30. Dallas Stars

Similar to Detroit, Dallas decided to base their Reverse Retro off a Stanley Cup winning jersey, this time from 1999. With an “icy” look to the all-white design, the Stars elected to go with a sleek looking contrast with the white and green, with a shape of a star towards the base. Although they mirrored their jersey off a memorable in franchise history, other teams on the list simply pulled out more stops on their final designs.

 

 

Inspiration: 1999 Stanley Cup Final Jersey

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Amazon

 

29. Nashville Predators

Paying homage to Nashville’s first season in the NHL (1998), the design has elements from the original jersey such as speed nick numbering and specific colors in the stripes on each sleeve. In addition, a skull logo patch is on the shoulder that is reminiscent of the Predators’ jerseys from 2001-2011, and the center logo is also revamped with a different color pattern. Overall, the combination of features makes this Reverse Retro entry solid, but still does not have the memorable flare of other teams on the list.

 

 

Inspiration: 1998 Original Jersey

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Getty Images

 

28. New York Islanders

For Islanders fans, their Reverse Retro is bittersweet in a few ways. The jersey remembers the great dynasty Stanley Cup winning era in the 1980s, but the actual design was considered too similar to the current home jerseys. The shade of blue may be darker, and the stripes switched around, but in the eyes of the fanbase, many were expecting a revival of the “Fisherman” logo from the mid-1990s. Still looking sharp with the Islanders color scheme, fans will debate this entry throughout most of next season.

 

 

Inspiration: 1980s Dynasty Years

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Drive4five.blog

 

27. Ottawa Senators

A solid example of checking all the boxes of what the Reverse Retro theme was intended to showcase, Ottawa decided to revamp their inaugural 1992-1993 jerseys, bringing back the original logo and electing to make red the primary color. Swapping with the original black base, the logo looks sharp in the center, and the black striping/lettering contrasts with the color in the logo itself. The logo and red coloring stand out in a good way, but besides these two elements, the jersey is a matter of personal preference with the color palette.

 

 

Inspiration: 1992 Original Jersey

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NHL Uniform Database

 

26. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers rendition is based on their jersey won from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s which culminated in Philadelphia winning the Metropolitan division title in 1995. There is not a great deal of change between the two, most notably switching around the color scheme from the original white shoulders to black. There are some other minor changes in other elements of the design such as certain colors in the numbering, but overall, that classic Flyers orange is the deciding factor in the likeability of this Reverse Retro.

 

 

Inspiration: 1980s-1990s Jersey

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NHL.com

 

25. Edmonton Oilers

Remembering the greatest hockey player to ever live, Wayne Gretzky, the Oilers opted to commemorate their first season in the NHL in 1979 which was also headlined by the Great One’s debut campaign. According to fans and critics alike, the Reverse Retro has been described as very similar to other Edmonton jerseys, but regardless, the classic orange and blue (which were switched around from the original) pop out in the sleek final product. Watching the current Oilers franchise center, Connor McDavid, fly around the ice with this jersey on his back is going to be something special this upcoming season.

 

 

Inspiration: 1979 Inaugural Jersey

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NHL.com

 

24. Pittsburgh Penguins

Staying along the lines of NHL all-time greats, the Penguins decided to base their Reverse Retro on the black jerseys from the mid-1990s, where Hall of Famers such as Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr were the leaders of the franchise. Lemieux took home his sixth scoring championship in 1997, and during this exciting time in Pittsburgh hockey, the classic diagonal text on the front was the centerpiece of the jersey. In the revamped version of this classic, the text carries over but this time on a white base, instead of black, that makes this entry another example of what the Reverse Retro line was all about.

 

 

Inspiration: 1997 Jersey

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B Bennett/Getty Images

 

23. Boston Bruins

Changing up the classic white jerseys that were featured for not only 15 straight seasons, but during the 1988 and 1990 Stanley Cup Finals, Boston’s design checks all the boxes. With the gold base, black lettering, classic “B” logo in the center, and the famous bear crests on the shoulders, the jersey is filled with numerous fan favorite elements. The bear patches alone make the Reverse Retro a must wear for the Bruins faithful.

 

 

Inspiration: 1988 and 1990 Stanley Cup Finals Jersey

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CLNS Media

 

22. New Jersey Devils

In one of the most controversial of the Reverse Retro series, New Jersey decided to bring back the green color that made up their original jersey after their relocation from Colorado to New Jersey in 1982. They are commemorating the Pine Barrens, the alleged home of the New Jersey Devil that was the reason for their renaming from the Rockies during their tenure in Colorado to the Devils. This is also the first time in franchise history New Jersey will have a full green base on a jersey as opposed to small sections of green. As a result, the new Reverse Retro will definitely be both a popular Christmas time purchase and a must watch to see how the design will actually look on the ice throughout the Devils’ 2020-2021 schedule.

 

 

Inspiration: 1982 Original Jersey

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Sportslogos.net

 

21. San Jose Sharks

Although San Jose’s Reverse Retro did not arguably bring back as much nostalgia for fans as other teams on the list, their rendition still looks sharp from top to bottom. Keeping the 1998 season alive, their design features the famous black shark logo in the center, with the teal, black, white, and silver colors on the jersey making the center crest pop out at first glance. The Sharks have one of the most interesting logos in the entire NHL, and this new jersey certainly fits comfortably in the San Jose uniform catalog.

 

 

Inspiration: 1998 Jersey

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NHL.com

 

20. Washington Capitals

According to NHL.com, the Capitals’ Reverse Retro was the best-selling of the bunch during the initial launch of the line from Dec. 1-6. The screaming eagle crest in the center remembers the 1997-1998 roster specifically, but this time, the new jersey will have the current Washington colors of red, white, and blue as opposed to the former blue, bronze, and black. It has been a long time since the eagle has been on a Capitals jersey, and with the patriotic color scheme, this rendition can certainly back up its opening week’s successes.

 

 

Inspiration: 1997 Jersey

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Getty Images

 

19. Chicago Blackhawks

Out of all the teams on the list, Chicago decided to honor one of the oldest rosters in franchise history: the 1940 Blackhawks. This team made it into the semi-finals of the playoffs, and this design is revamping the white components of the original jersey. The classic Blackhawks logo is essential for any successful jersey, and with the red, black, and white color patten, this Reverse Retro is a must wear for not only future Chicago Hall of Famers such as Patrick Kane, but fans of all ages.

 

 

Inspiration: 1940-1941 Jersey

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NHL Uniform Database

 

18. Vancouver Canucks

In another Reverse Retro entry that has been filled with both acclaim and criticism, the Canucks jumped back 19 years ago to redesign the 2001 jersey that also had a color gradient and the famous orca at the center. In the past, red was the main color, but in the league today, Vancouver kept the sharp green and blue gradient to give the Reverse Retro a sharp look. The gradient itself is supposed to represent the transition from the old era of Canucks hockey to the new, and this version certainly pulls off this difficult feat.

 

 

Inspiration: 2001 Jersey

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Medium.com

 

17. Buffalo Sabres

After completely flipping a past color scheme to fit the current royal blue and gold of today’s Sabres, Buffalo’s design is still one of the sharpest on the list. Calling back the 2000 season where the team wore a similar red alternate jersey, their Reverse Retro takes the same concept from two decades ago and gives it a 2020 style. The dueling swords is one of the most impressive crests in the league, and similar to Connor McDavid in the Edmonton white, blue, and orange, Jack Eichel in the Buffalo white, blue, and gold will be a must watch anytime the jerseys are on display.

 

 

Inspiration: 2000 Alternate Jersey

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Buffalo News

 

16. New York Rangers

In the third New York entry of the list, the Rangers’ Reverse Retro brings back one of the most notorious fan-favorite logos in the NHL: Lady Liberty. For the first time since 1996, the Blueshirts will wear this once again, with a similar color scheme that made the original jersey an instant fan favorite. The navy is consistent throughout and the red with white striping is on the sleeves, but the logo solidifies this version as among the best and has been among the most popular to purchase during the holiday season.

 

 

Inspiration: 1996 Alternate Jersey

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Robert Laberge/Allsport

 

15. Winnipeg Jets

Adding to the remixing of inaugural jerseys in different franchises’ rich histories, the Jets chose to honor their first season in the NHL from 1979. Similar to Washington, Winnipeg decided to reimagine an old design (the heritage plane logo) with the colors of the team today. The logo is a classic, and with the combination of the blue, white, and black colors, this Reverse Retro is one of the most memorable returns of a past jersey in the entire league.

 

 

Inspiration: 1979 Inaugural Jersey

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NHL.com

 

14. Toronto Maple Leafs

In a Reverse Retro that draws from a few different sources, the large center logo is from the 1967 era, the last time Toronto hoisted a Stanley Cup. On top of the white stripes from 1970-1971 and the gray color from the Centennial Classic in 2017, this entry will remind the Maple Leafs faithful that winning is still a part of the franchise’s history. By bringing back the iconic logo, this could be a way for the current Leafs to get even more motivated to change the team’s past shortcomings. The Toronto blue color base is arguably one of the sharpest colors in the league, making this design a true blast from the past.

 

 

Inspiration: Logo from 1967 Stanley Cup Winning Jersey

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Sportsnet.com

 

13. Vegas Golden Knights

Instead of paying homage to a team during the franchise’s short history, Vegas drew inspiration from other professional hockey organizations before them that helped pave the way for the new expansion team. Although it has been controversial among fans, different elements in the design make this another milestone in the new era of Golden Knights hockey. From the red base that was drawn from the Wranglers in the ECHL from 2003-2014, to the V-striping from the IHL’s Las Vegas Thunder paying respect to Manon Rheaume (first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game), this Reverse Retro is filled with historical significance. For a team with the shortest tenure in the league, the franchise managed to still knock their entry out of the park.

 

 

Inspiration No. 1: 2003 EHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers

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eBay.com

 

Inspiration No. 2: Manon Rheaume on the IHL’s Las Vegas Thunder

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NHL Auctions

 

12. Florida Panthers

In another example of honoring a team that made an appearance in a Stanley Cup Final (1996), Florida’s Reverse Retro has a plethora of elements that make it unique. The roaring Panthers logo is as sharp as ever in the center, and the pointed stripes on the sleeves and palm tree patches make this entry among one of the best jerseys in franchise history. The navy base also contrasts nicely with the red, white, and tan, making the color palette among the top tier of the NHL.

 

 

Inspiration: 1996 Stanley Cup Final Jersey

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Sun-Sentinel.com

 

11. St. Louis Blues

In one of the most unorthodox risks taken by any NHL team, the Blues flipped the colors in their highly controversial mid-1990s era jersey in their Reverse Retro. This move will pay great dividends for St. Louis, as the new design is both sharp and memorable in numerous ways. The most obvious change is the red base but add that to the sharp blue and yellow sleeve color pattern, the Blues lived up to the challenge. It may seem unusual at first with the new base, but with the crisp Blues logo in the center, the fans of St. Louis will see a lot of this jersey next season.

 

 

Inspiration: 1995 Jersey

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AP Photo

 

10. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim’s Reverse Retro is certainly one fans will be debating for a long time. In an effort to pay homage to the 1995-1996 “Breakout” jersey, the Ducks brought back their mascot, Wild Wing, as the centerpiece of their design. This Reverse Retro is the only jersey out of the whole series to showcase a mascot for any NHL team, and add that to the slick color scheme in this fashion risk, the final product is both eye-popping and will be a must-see for Anaheim fans all season. Whether people are fans of the jersey or not, people around the NHL will be tuning in to see how Wild Wing will look on the big stage once again.

 

 

Inspiration: 1995 “Breakout” Jersey

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Heritage Auctions

 

9. Tampa Bay Lightning

To continue the momentum of their Stanley Cup title earlier this year, Tampa Bay decided to remember their first championship back in 2004. The Lightning brought back the original logo from that design, and instead of the vintage black, a new blue color makes up the majority of the Reverse Retro. Some of the original black coloring and Lightning patches are kept on other parts, and overall, the Bolts will look to go back-to-back in one of the best jerseys from the entire collection.

 

 

Inspiration: 2004 Stanley Cup Final Jerseys

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Getty Images

 

8. Montreal Canadians

Drawing from Montreal’s illustrious history, the Canadians’ blue design is filled with nostalgic elements. The blue color dates back to the franchise’s first jersey in 1909, but the rest of the design was inspired by the 1976-1977 season, one of the best teams in NHL history. Because the Canadians have had the iconic red jersey for such a long time, taking a chance with a new blue base was something Montreal will be glad they took after a season’s worth of this Reverse Retro.

 

 

Inspiration: 1976 Stanley Cup Winning Jersey

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CBS Sports

 

7. Columbus Blue Jackets

In an entry that pays respect to Columbus’ original logo from 2000, the Blue Jackets elected to make their new jersey a full coat of red to surround the famous insignia. The design is filled with American references, from the 13 stars in the logo signifying the 13 original United States colonies, to the star on the top of stick in the logo pointing out Columbus as the capital of the state of Ohio, it is hard not to feel patriotic wearing this new jersey. Although the team has only been around for two decades, Columbus successfully solidifies the message of the Reverse Retro theme.

 

 

Inspiration: 2000 Inaugural Jersey

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Sportsnet

 

6. Minnesota Wild

Working with a beloved classic hockey club, Minnesota commemorated the 1978 North Stars in their design, successfully applying the green and gold to their current logo. The white base is also a solid contrast to the bright North Stars colors, and with these elements, it is hard not to find their Reverse Retro as anything other than eye-popping. Critics and fan alike have praised this jersey for its creativity and sharpness, and anyone who followed the old franchise will feel nostalgic in this solid example of clashing the old with the new.

 

 

Inspiration: 1978 Minnesota North Stars Jersey

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NHL Uniform Database

 

5. Carolina Hurricanes

In Carolina’s new jersey that will be talked about this season, the inaugural 1979 Hartford Whalers design has finally returned. At first glance, it is difficult to tell where the current Hurricanes elements fit into the classic look. However, Carolina added gray as the base instead of the original Hartford white to give the Reverse Retro design its sharp appearance. Fans outside of Carolina may be thrown off by the unconventional color scheme of blue and green and the iconic whale logo, but after a full season of the jersey on ice, this entry will certainly be among the most memorable.

 

 

Inspiration: 1979 Hartford Whalers Home Jersey

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Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images

 

4. Los Angeles Kings

Remembering two important times in franchise history, the Kings drew inspiration from completely different decades. The logo itself commemorates the 1989-1990 season where Wayne Gretzky took home the record for the most points in NHL history, one of the highlights of this legend’s career. The color scheme brings back the famous “Forum” blue and gold from the 1960s and 1970s, and add this on top of a historical crest, the Reverse Retro is one of the sharpest in both Los Angeles’ current jersey selection and among the top of their all-time catalog.

 

 

Inspiration: Logo from 1989 Jersey

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NHL.com

 

3. Arizona Coyotes

At the top tier of the list, Arizona decided to swap the color scheme of one of the most famous jerseys in franchise history, the desert scene alternate that was originally green. In a reimagined purple, the Coyotes’ risk was a huge success for their Reverse Retro, as the new jersey is more than just a simple logo with color. The bottom paints the picture of a desert at night, with two cacti and a moon in the sky eclipsing over the entire section. There are also gecko patches on the shoulders, giving this old design a revamped feel and does the original design justice while still making it feel “retro”.

 

 

Inspiration: 1999 Desert Scene Alternate Jersey

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Sports Logos.net

 

2. Calgary Flames

Although Calgary did not fully change up their selected throwback jersey, their Reverse Retro is special in numerous ways. They brought back the horse head also known as Blasty in the center of the design, which was the focal point of the franchise’s home jersey in the early 2000s. Every color on the jersey looks sharp, including the yellow on the horse, the red from the flames, and black as the base. Overall, showcasing a fan favorite logo along with a few of the current colors gives the design a place in the top two of the entire NHL while also checking off all the boxes of the theme.

 

 

Inspiration: 2000 Jersey

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Bardown.com

 

1. Colorado Avalanche

In one of the most highly acclaimed jerseys of the entire series, Colorado went all out for their Reverse Retro challenge. After drawing inspiration from the Quebec City Nordiques in their franchise’s history, the famous Nordiques igloo crest is back, but this time in the Avalanche’s maroon and light blue color combination. There are also fleur-de-lis located on the bottom in maroon, and a white base for both the Nordiques and to represent the snowy Rocky Mountains in Colorado. As a whole, the old design with current franchise colors truly sets the example for other teams throughout the NHL with their groundbreaking efforts. Nathan MacKinnon in this Reverse Retro will be a scary sight in 2021.

 

 

Inspiration: 1979 Quebec Nordiques

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Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images

Jonathan Heite can be reached at jonatahn.heite@student.shu.edu.

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