Work It, Sid

As reported by Eric at Off Wing Opinion and J.P. at Japers' Rink, the new uniforms are here!

Apparently USA Today, along with some other select media outlets, got a sneak preview of the new uniforms before their official unveiling at next week's All-Star Game. Sid the Kid can now be seen sporting the new look and looking eerily similar to Zubrus in those bizarre Caps commercials at USAToday.com. (Can someone please explain to me how USA Today got the scoop? Seriously, it's a big paper but not nearly as reputable and noteworthy as, say, the NY Times or even our very own Post...).

Up until now I haven't weighed in on the jersey debate that has dominated message boards, blogs, and hockey call-in shows for the past few months, choosing instead to wait and see how they look. I guess I just don't understand what all the fuss is about, especially since no one had actually seen them outside of the NHL until now. It was all rumors and early reports of a product that was still in the works, so I chose to wait to see for myself before jumping on the bandwagon of shrieking hockey fans...

I really don't think they're that bad. In fact, I think they’re kind of sleek looking. This is what people were so upset about?

Look, I get that there is something to be said for tradition and I’m not arguing its place in hockey. I would be upset if any of the Original 6 teams were to drastically change their logos, partly because of the history and partly because they’re still some of the best logos in sports. And I’m certainly not advocating a change to something like Cooperalls...man those were hideous.

But change does happen, and it’s not always a bad thing. Heck, even those storied franchises have tweaked their design a bit in their history, and the other 34 teams have certainly made their share of adjustments in the last 40 years. I happen to like the current Caps logo, although I would prefer the original colors, but I’m excited to see what the Caps and the other teams unveil over the next year. We all know that a lot of them could use a major overhaul anyways.

Whatever the reason for new jerseys – increased product revenue across the board, an actual benefit to the game and players, a combination of the two – they’re here, they still look like hockey jerseys, and that’s all that matters to me. Let the people at Project Runway bitch about the season’s hottest trends and worst looks. That’s so beneath us common hockey fans. Honestly, they could be wearing skirts out there and I’d still watch...

...actually, that might make me go more. Who's with me?