NHL 2015: New Third for Bolts, Kings Go Yellow

A couple of news items for next season’s crop of new NHL uniforms we’ve come across in the past couple of days…

First up, the Tampa Bay Lightning and their new third jersey, confirmed via their telecast last night:

During Thursday’s broadcast it was announced that season ticket holders for the 2014-15 would receive “the new third jersey” as part of their ticket package, effectively confirming earlier reports and rumours that a switch was coming.

The new jersey would (unfortunately) replace what I consider to be one of the better third jersey base designs out there, the blue, black, and white “BOLTS” jersey which the team has used since the 2008/09 season.

Tampa Bay Lightning Alternate Jersey 2013-14 — Please don’t go… (I’m talking to the uniform, the player’s already long gone)

I should mention that I’m a fan of the design of the jersey itself, not-so-much using “BOLTS” across the front. Just imagine the current primary logo on the front of that template? It would look absolutely fantastic, in my opinion.

I’ll remain optimistic… the Lightning have a history of designing both interesting and eye-pleasing uniforms:

Yes, even that old thunderstorm alternate sweater from the turn of the century.

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Next up, the Los Angeles Kings.

For the past several seasons the LA Kings have been wearing their retro “Forum Blue” (what we normals call “Purple”) and gold uniforms on “Legend’s Night”, when they honour a former member of their organization before the game.

So long, farewell... last night was the final time the Kings will wear the purples — So long, farewell… last night was the final time the Kings will wear the purples

Last night’s loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs was the last time they’ll wear the old purples… Sad face.

According to Jon Rosen at LA Kings Insider, the club will continue with the Legend’s Night but will do so wearing the yellow uniforms…

The new retro look won't be *quite* this yellow in 2014-15 — The new retro look won’t be *quite* this yellow in 2014-15

Fortunately it won’t be the all-yellow uniforms, which were quite possibly the worst in the history of the NHL, worn by the club from 1970 to 1979. That’s yellow helmet, yellow jersey, yellow pants, yellow socks, and well, the skates are still black. But that’s a whole lotta yellow.

Instead they’ll opt for the purple pants and when you include a name on the back of the jersey (which the Kings will do in 2014-15) it’s a design that was never actually worn by the club in the past… drop the name and it’s the same look as the expansion Kings, worn from 1967/68 through 1969/70.

Here's what the Kings will wear in 2014-15 — Here’s what the Kings will wear in 2014-15

From the post on LA Kings Insider:

As [club president of business operations, Luc] Robitaille shared with LA Kings Insider, the process of incorporating new jerseys is a two-year process that includes gaining league approval, and then having the jerseys made. As such, the first Legends Night in 2014-15 won’t be held until the second or third week in December.

There’s also talks already of what to do when the club celebrates their 50th season in 2016/17 (are we forgetting the lockout year ever happened?), apparently they’re considering the Montreal Canadiens 100th anniversary model, which involved several different throwback uniforms worn throughout the course of the season.