NHL Winter Classic Uniforms: 10 Reasons To Like the Flyers' Leaked Jerseys

Philly Sports Daily released a report that the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers uniforms for the 2012 NHL Winter Classic have been leaked.

The image seen above is from that report and is apparently the actual jersey that the team will wear during the outdoor game.

Flyers fans should generally be in favor of the new look.

They're Not the Quakers-Inspired Design

When the winter classic was announced, many potential designs for the team's uniform were imagined.

No design was taken more seriously than this concept.

The jersey is based on the design used by a former NHL team—the Philadelphia Quakers. The original jerseys can be found at The Hockey Uniform Database.

Knockoffs were sold online and were seen during Flyers' home games this season.

(See this video at 0:13, taken from the Flyers' most recent home game.)

The design lacked the color white, which has been a prominent feature of all Flyers jerseys throughout the franchise's history. Overall, the two-tone design was quite bland and did not really work well.

It's New

Creating a new Flyers uniform with a historical feel to it is a daunting task, considering the team's current jersey set is the same as its inaugural set.

Other than their 1970s/current set, the team has really only had one other design scheme.

The other design is the away uniforms last used in the 2009-2010 season. The white jerseys were a redesigned form of the uniforms used by the team from 1982 until 2007, when the Reebok Edge jersey switch caused minor style changes.

For the team to go to a throwback was seemingly impossible, which is why the Quakers design was a seemingly realistic option.

The Crest Remains the Same

This flying "P" has been the Philadelphia Flyers' logo since the team was founded in 1967.

It has been on every single jersey in team history. The only alteration was silver detailing added for the ugliest jersey in Flyers' history.

This is the only logo that belongs on a jersey this team will wear. The cursive script saying "Flyers" is one of the main reasons the Quakers look would not have worked for some fans.

It's Orange

Another certainty regarding this team is that the color of Philadelphia hockey is orange. No other team in the NHL has an orange jersey.

Only three teams (Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders) even use prominent orange detail on their jerseys.

Though the Flyers' former black jerseys were a hit with fans and certainly looked good, orange is the color this team should be playing in.

Shoulder Yoke

Throughout Flyers history, the striping design of the jersey has been continuous along the shoulders down to the arms.

According to FlyersHistory.com, the stripes were meant to resemble wings. (Think; "Flyers")

The apparent 2012 Winter Classic design would be the first time in team history the jersey used a traditional shoulder yoke instead.

While this may not fit into the history of Flyers uniforms, the change is a welcome alteration.

It's Original

Instead of using an old jersey or adopting the Quakers' look, the team followed suit of other Winter Classic teams by combining multiple concepts into one new jersey.

The Boston Bruins did this in 2010 by using the 1957-59 yellow jersey, with the crest from the team's 1948-49 white jersey.

The Pittsburgh Penguisn did this last season, flipping the shades of blue from their inaugural uniforms and slapping on the crest of their 1968-71 jerseys.

The Chicago Blackhawks did it in 2009 by using their 1935-1937 jerseys with their 1941-1955 crest.

The Flyers take a toned-down version of the Quakers' stripping, add white, use their current crest, numbering and lettering.

It Has a Vintage Feel to It

The result of the Flyers' new winter classic uniform is a refreshing, but aesthetically-vintage look.

The design will not look out of place in an outdoor celebration of hockey's heritage.

It Looks Good!

Sometimes, the Winter Classic just does not treat teams well. Not too many fans in Detroit are sporting the Red Wings' Winter Classic uniform.

However, the Flyers came through with this new look.

The more simple look is less flamboyant than the team's current jersey set, which would make it a popular product among fans.

It Could Become the New Alternate

When the Flyers adopted their 2010 Winter Classic uniform as their away uniform prior to last season, they also dropped the black alternate.

If the 2012 Winter Classic jersey is popular amongst fans (which it should be), the team could choose to use it as an alternate beginning next season.

This would give fans a welcome change from having to look at just two uniforms all season.

It Looks Better Than the Rangers' Leaked Winter Classic Uniform

The Rangers' uniform may also have been leaked.

Unfortunately, it's simply a reverse of the team's current alternate, with "Rangers" written on the front instead of "New York." The concept is likely based on the 1946-47 uniform, which had a similar chest section.

The design is incredibly plain—waist stripe, arm stripe, some numbers and letters.

The Flyers will look much better than their opponent on January 2nd, sporting orange as the Rangers skate onto the ice at Citizen's Bank Park in their bland version of a uniform.