A B/R Fashion Statement: Ranking the 30 Best Jerseys of the NHL

As I watch these Stanley Cup Finals unfold, I can't help but to think how pretty the Chicago Blackhawks' jerseys are.

Despite having its handful of bad eggs, I've long contested that there is no sport with better jerseys than the NHL as a whole.

I know the ranking of jerseys has been done before, but in this list I will select the best jersey from each team, which may include alternates (but not jerseys used solely for Winter Classic games), and rank them one through 30 based on these three credentials: color scheme, logo, and if it resembles what I see as a true hockey jersey.

The color scheme and logo ratings are self-explanatory, but the "true hockey jersey" rating is a subjective rating based on what I think a hockey jersey should look like.

Each credential will be ranked on a 1-5 scale and totaled. In the case of a tie I will select the jersey I prefer.

30. Atlanta Thrashers (Away)

Color Scheme—1

Throwing yellow, dark blue, light blue, and red together on one jersey will rarely work.

Logo—1

Atlanta could do a lot better with a thrasher as their mascot. This hardly even looks like a bird.

"True Hockey Jersey" —1

Much too modern and lacks the simplicity that a true hockey jersey should have.

Overall Rating—3 out of 15

29. Florida Panthers (Home)

Color Scheme—1

Red, blue and yellow is forcing the "Florida feel".

Logo—3

A detailed and well-done panther earns Florida a 3-rating in the logo department.

"True Hockey Jersey"—1

These colors just don't lend themselves to a true hockey jersey.

Overall Rating—5 out of 15

28. Ottawa Senators (Home)

Color Scheme—3

There's nothing wrong about having a red and black jersey. The gold in the logo kind of throws it off a bit, though.

Logo—1

This Senator is far too realistic for my liking...quit staring at me.

"True Hockey Jersey" —1

Doesn't give me the classic hockey jersey feel. I need something that I can picture as a sweater and this doesn't fit the bill.

Overall Rating—5 out of 15

27. Washington Capitals (Home)

Color Scheme—2

Red, white, and blue isn't very intimidating, but they go well together.

Logo—2

It's simple and to the point, but the three stars above Washington hurts its cause.

"True Hockey Jersey"—1

This looks like a practice jersey of sorts. In addition, no hockey jersey should have stars on it unless it belongs to the Dallas Stars.

Overall Rating—5 out of 15

26. Tampa Bay Lightning (Home)

Color Scheme—3

Black generally goes well with anything. Black and blue is not the best possible combination, but it still isn't bad.

Logo—2

Nothing special here. In fairness it's tough to do much more with the Lightning as your name, but I could do without "Tampa Bay" being in the logo.

"True Hockey Jersey"—1

Again, I just don't think "Lightning" lends itself to a good hockey jersey. Too modern looking.

Overall Rating—6 out of 15

25. Colorado Avalanche (Away)

Color Scheme—1

As a general rule, a jersey with purple in it doesn't have a great color scheme, especially when it's combined with blue.

Logo—4

Very cool incorporation of the "A" with an actual avalanche.

"True Hockey Jersey"—1

Purple and hockey don't mix.

Overall Rating—6 out of 15

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (Home)

Color Scheme—3

Red, white and blue with blue predominating gives us a well put together jersey.

Logo—3

Pretty original logo with the incorporation of the Ohio flag.

"True Hockey Jersey"—1

A bit too colorful for a hockey jersey.

Overall Rating—7 out of 15

23. Carolina Hurricanes (Alternate)

Color Scheme—5

Red and black is a great combination, especially when black is the predominant color.

Logo—1

The logo is supposed to represent a hurricane warning flag with a hockey stick as the pole—not a bad idea, but an actual hurricane warning flag has two flags on top of each other. One flag is representative of a storm warning.

"True Hockey Jersey"—1

This is insulting to hockey. What is up with the square design at the bottom of the jersey?

Overall Rating—7 out of 15

22. Anaheim Ducks (Home)

Color Scheme—4

White, gold, and black is a great combination, but the small amount of orange needs to be dropped.

Logo—2

Simple and sleek, but it's not much of a logo. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim would've earned a 5 hands down.

"True Hockey Jersey"—2

It's a bit too "new-age" and a true hockey jersey needs a true logo.

Overall Rating—8 out of 15

21. Nashville Predators (Alternate)

Color Scheme—3

The solid blue is nice, but the black and blue checkerboard design at the bottom throws it off.

Logo—2

The predator is a bit big and the size of the teeth definitely need toned down.

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

The tie and the jersey being one solid color for the most part are both pluses, but the checkerboard design at the bottom is very unhockey-like.

Overall Rating—8 out of 15

20. Phoenix Coyotes (Home)

Color Scheme—3

Maroon isn't a color you see very often in hockey jerseys, but it works nicely for Phoenix.

Logo—2

The coyote, scratch that, the coyote head is far too big for this jersey.

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

It abides by the K.I.S.S rule (keep it simple stupid) and the tie is a nice touch. The huge coyote head hurts it's "true hockey jersey" value.

Overall Rating—8 out of 15

19. Minnesota Wild (Home)

Color Scheme—2

Not a big fan of the Christmas color combination.

Logo—4

I'm a sucker for the circular logo.

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

Circular logo and a tie are both pluses, but the colors set the jersey back, bringing it down to a 3.

Overall Rating—9 out of 15

18. Dallas Stars (Away)

Color Scheme—4

Green and yellow isn't my favorite, but green and gold goes together nicely on this white jersey.

Logo—3

Nice incorporation of the star with the Dallas Stars name.

"True Hockey Jersey"—2

It's simple, but still lacks a hockey feel.

Overall Rating—9 out of 15

17. Philadelphia Flyers (Alternate)

Color Scheme—2

Black is good, orange is bad.

Logo—4

For those of you who don't know, the Flyers logo is a flying "P". It's original and isn't too flashy.

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

Philadelphia's jersey has stayed the same throughout its history giving it a true hockey feel, but the orange brings its rating down to a 3.

Overall Rating—9 out of 15

16. Los Angeles Kings (Alternate)

Color Scheme—5

It's already been established that I like black jerseys. Inject sleek silver lining with a touch of white and this is one snazzy color scheme.

Logo—3

I could do for a little less "LA" and a little more logo.

"True Hockey Jersey"—1

Overall, it's a nice looking jersey, but there is a whole lot going on—not very representative of a true hockey jersey.

Overall Rating—9 out of 15

15. Calgary Flames (Home)

Color Scheme—4

Could be a five without yellow making an appearance. Yellow and red together—not a good combination.

Logo—3

Nothing special, but there's not much to complain about with the flaming "C".

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

Nice black and red coloration with a tie too, but the yellow again hurts this jersey's cause.

Overall Rating—10 out of 15

14. Buffalo Sabres (Alternate)

Color Scheme—4

Don't get me wrong, I love blue and yellow, but although this picture may not show it, the blue is a bit too dark for my liking.

Logo—3

This is a nice logo, but they ruined it with the silver outlining.

"True Hockey Jersey"—4

Overall, the Sabres' alternate is pretty traditional, but there are only six jerseys that deserve a five in this department.

Overall Rating—11 out of 15

13. New Jersey Devils (Home)

Color Scheme—4

I've got an affinity for black and red, but it could use more black.

Logo—4

This combination of N.J. is original and simplistic.

"True Hockey Jersey"—4

Simple with intimidating colors and a big simple logo much like an original six jersey, but not to that level.

Overall Rating—12 out of 15

12. Boston Bruins (Home)

Color Scheme—5

Most jerseys with black predominating are good in my book.

Logo—2

I may catch some flack for this, but the spokes coming out of the "B" make it look too much like a basketball.

"True Hockey Jersey"—5

Original Six.

Overall Rating—12 out of 15

11. Pittsburgh Penguins (Home)

Color Scheme—5

Maybe it's a bit of a homer pick, but I was raised on black and gold.

Logo—4

The Pens made a great decision to go back to this logo instead of the bland triangle penguin of the late 90s.

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

The old-school logo is awesome, but something looks new-age about the jersey as a whole, bringing it down to a three rating.

Overall Rating—12 out of 15

10. New York Islanders (Alternate)

Color Scheme—5

The Islanders did a great thing going back to the lighter blue color.

Logo—3

I actually could do without the image of Long Island under "NY", but it's still a pretty nice logo.

"True Hockey Jersey"—4

Classic colors with the tie to bring it all together.

Overall Rating—12 out of 15

9. Montreal Canadiens (Home)

Color Scheme—3

Red, white, and blue isn't my favorite, but it's still not terrible.

Logo—4

The "H" inside the "C" stands for "le Club de Hockey Canadien" and is a classic, but a little too boring to deserve a 5.

"True Hockey Jersey"—5

Original Six.

Overall Rating—12 out of 15

8. Vancouver Canucks (Home)

Color Scheme—5

Blue and green together is a bold combination, but it goes together beautifully in this newly refined Canucks jersey.

Logo—4

The logo is a whale jumping out of ice in the shape of a C, which isn't my favorite, but it's not bad combined with the over-arching "Vancouver".

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

It's a very nice jersey, but royal blue and green doesn't exactly bring about a traditional hockey feel.

Overall Rating—12 out of 15

7. Edmonton Oilers (Alternate)

Color Scheme—5

Like the Islanders, Edmonton did a great thing going back to their traditional lighter blue and orange colors.

Logo—4

There's not much that can be done with a name like the Oilers, but this is a well done circular logo

"True Hockey Jersey"—4

This is a classic and almost Original Six worthy.

Overall Rating—13 out of 15

6. San Jose Sharks (Alternate)

Color Scheme—5

Black and teal—beautiful.

Logo—5

The Sharks changed their logo before the 2007-2008 season and this shark is a great improvement from its previous design.

"True Hockey Jersey"—3

Although the logo is new-age, the design of the jersey is simple with a tie that conveys a true hockey jersey.

Overall Rating—13 out of 15

5. St. Louis Blues (Alternate)

Color Scheme—5

All blue with a touch of yellow and white works perfectly.

Logo—5

I love circular logos. Add the faint picture of the Gateway Arch of St. Louis in the background and this is one of the best logos in hockey.

"True Hockey Jersey"—4

Simple and sleek.

Overall Rating—14 out of 15

4. Chicago Blackhawks (Home)

Color Scheme—5

K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid).

Logo—4

This is the Blackhawks' jersey only flaw and it's a minor one. I just think there is too much going on compared to the top three jerseys.

"True Hockey Jersey"—5

Original Six.

Overall Rating—14 out of 15

3. New York Rangers (Home)

Color Scheme—4

Red, white, and blue is best done when blue is the predominate color.

Logo—5

It may not be an actual logo, but the diagonal design is awesome.

"True Hockey Jersey"—5

Original Six.

Overall Rating—14 out of 15

2. Detroit Red Wings (Home)

Color Scheme—5

Much like Chicago's, this is a nice simple red jersey.

Logo—5

The winged-wheel logo is one of the best in hockey.

"True Hockey Jersey"—5

Original Six.

Overall Rating—15 out of 15

1. Toronto Maple Leafs (Home)

Color Scheme—5

The all-royal blue jersey is the prettiest in all of sports.

Logo—5

Gotta love the simple yet classic maple leaf.

"True Hockey Jersey"—5

Original Six.

Overall Rating—15 out of 15