What else can the NHL do to piss people off?
Are you a hockey fan? Have you bought a pro jersey in the past 5 years and not regretted it? The NHL has again released new uni's for every team in the league. The original 6 are the only sweaters that look unscathed, but everyone else has something different. Teams like the Buffalo Sabres just got new uniforms last year! Again? People bought Sabres jerseys like crazy and now, they can buy more. Or, less? What is the chances NHL fans will be willing to plunk down the big bucks for star-labeled gear? The only guys who would be safe bets at this point are Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton and Thomas Vanek (yes, there are others), all locked into long-term contracts. Why would fans buy jerseys of anyone else? The jersey carousel and the player carousels need to stop if the NHL wants strong sales into the future. Here's to hoping that the jersey parade slows to a halt because we know the players will move. The good news in the whole debacle? The Vancouver Canucks have ignited Northeastern US fan interest by displayed their new gear... bearing color resemblance to the WHALE. No the Whale isn't back. That would be too good to be true. New jerseys. Higher prices. The market rules, and the NHL is souring its brand with the new line of jerseys. But there are benefits. Players will skate a little faster and the jerseys will retain less water. Yay.