NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME
Popular retro Third Jersey won’t be No. 1 in ‘09-10
If the Islanders make the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season, fans will be able to watch them play every home postseason game in their popular retro uniforms.
But if you were hoping the Islanders could make the vintage unis their primary look for all 82 regular season games in 2009-2010, it’s probably not in the cards.
Point Blank has learned from league sources that - barring a last-second, long-shot, precedent-setting decision by the NHL - the Islanders’ jersey rotation for next season will be the same as this year.
The Islanders will wear their Third Jerseys for 15 home games next season. Should the team qualify for the postseason, the Islanders have the option (per NHL rules) of wearing the Royal Blues for all playoff games at the Coliseum.
The reason for the lack of immediate fan gratification is timing. The merchandising division of the NHL requires teams to apply for a primary jersey change two full years before the switch. The Islanders’ popular Third Jerseys were completed in time for this season. Filing the paperwork with the league before the deadline was impossible.
The Royal Blues have been hailed across the league. The new-old uniforms are the franchise’s most popular off-ice initiative this season with the die-hards. Credit should be given to the decision-makers who pushed for the head-to-toe re-do. Most teams implement a Third Jersey without giving much consideration to the rest of the uniform. The Islanders didn’t just go Royal Blue with the jersey; they designed helmets, gloves, pants and everything else to match.
The Islanders, well aware of the hallelujahs from their fanbase, appealed to the league for approval to make this year’s Third Jersey their No. 1. (Of course, the team would have to create a white “road” version to match the home blues). As of this date, the league is not willing to break the rule. Among many reasons, there are too many hurdles with manufacturers and distributors - and too little time.
As a result, fans will see the Islanders wear the Royal Blues in the league-maximum 15 of 41 regular season home games and every potential home playoff game in 2009-10. The team is aiming for the retros to be the primary jersey in 2010-11.
Comments.
88 Responses to “NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME
Popular retro Third Jersey won’t be No. 1 in ‘09-10”
Please Wait
boo
Thanks for the info, though.
Man…c’mon. I could almost garuntee the NHL would see an increase in profit if they made the switch for the 3rds to full time for the Isles. A matching retro white would put up the same or close sales numbers as the current one does. And this is one of the better looking 3rds in the NHL, no homer.
I think this jersey looks terrific. I plan on getting one but I end up jinxing whoever I get. They always get traded.
I remember the day the Isles signed Mark Streit. I had never heard of the guy but I figured that if the Canadians were just letting him leave how good could he be. Then I read about them using him as a forward and thought he was another Bergeron. Wow, was I wrong. This guy is arguably the best defenseman in the league this year. Offensively, Defensively, Power Play. Unreal. 3rd in the league in points for dmen and a +7 on the worst team in the league…. Incredible.
well that stinks but the reasons are valid. hopefully in 2010/11 these are the full time home jerseys along with a white retro road uniform. maybe we’ll even get real lucky and see the lighthouse logo return too.
bummer
CB - Is there any rule to which jersey you could bring to the draft? Do you have any idea?
IF, and it’s becoming more and more of a big IF lately with these kids spirited play, but IF we are drafting #1 or #2 come June, I would love to see Tavares or Hedman putting on the royal blue uni.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
This is the same thing that happened with the fisherman jersey… the Isles had to keep that for an extra year, too.
They just want to be able to stop manufacturing the Isles jerseys and still cash in on the ones they already have made.
ok, am i the only person who doesnt think this retro jersey is the cat’s meow? i have a dark jersey of our “normal” ones this year and i love it. hell i even have a palffy jersey with the fishsticks color scheme but with the old logo and that’s better as well. i think this retro jersey looked great for the 1970’s but i really think it looks tacky in 2009.
it looks like they forgot to put the orange in and then last minute decided to just throw it on. It isnt the worst decision this franchise could make (the fishsticks logo will forever hold that distinction), but i just don’t get all the fuss about it. If anything we should replicate the 80-83 jerseys if we want to honor the past.
Great Jersey. Absolutely love it. 100x better than the ugly orange jersey they had a few years ago.
Well thats a bummer, watching the Islanders play the Original six’s the past few games and seeing those ugly RBK’s is a bit depressing. Lets hope it becomes the permanent for 2010-2011.
I’m glad those ‘cup-stripes’ on the shoulder are gone, that was an embarrassment.
I have no issue at all with the current uni’s, plus the mix of the classic is a nice treat.
thats depressing, the retro jersey is one of the nicest jerseys in the NHL.
This year’s third is amazing. I love seeing them in games wearing those jerseys.
The Fishstick colors with the normal logo was good? Ew.
I may be a lone voice here, and I am definitely a purist, but I don’t really care what jersey they’re wearing. So long as it’s not a laughingstock like the Fisherman, it’s really not that important to me. What happens on the ice is what matters. Just win, baby.
I’m still in favor of bringing back the 1980 era jerseys for home and away, leaving the present 3rd as the third…and while I’ll give the Isles credit for bringing back the early 70’s version of our jersey - getting rid of all traces of the Milbury era was a must -how much design really went into the pants, helmet, jersey, etc.? I could’ve saved them a lot of time just handing them one of my yearbooks from 1975 or 1976
and when is the league going to go back to CCM? these Reeboks are RIDICULOUSLY expensive for the average fan, and in order to buy a size that fits many people wind up with a jersey that is tooo long in the sleeves
final comment…you know you’re old when you’re watching your team’s first round draft pick (Bailey) and you realize that he’s younger than your jersey
I dont mean to insult anyone, BUT OUR REGULAR UNIFORMS ARE TERRIBLE. I simply cant understand how someone could find them appealing in the least bit.
Allow me to expound: 1) They are a bastard child mish mosh. Thier style is an idiotic mix of new-wave and retro, as evidenced by the old school neck lacing combined with new wave shoulder piping and front numbers. Add to that the “cup stripe” patch from our last uniforms along with navy blue and light orange, and you have an odious conglomeration that seems as if it were created by a 4th grade art class. Those uniforms are like someone just vomited every kitschy idea of the last 5 years onto one uniform. WORST EVER.
2) The white jerseys look like the old Flyers jerseys instead of Islanders jerseys. I hate the Flyers. Whats next, a blue and red-orange jersey with “ISLANDERS” spelt diagonally across the front? We should NEVER look like our rivals. Period. Actually, now that I think about it the white jerseys look a lot like A MUPPET WEARING A WIFE-BEATER as well.
To hell with these terrible uniforms. REAL ISLANDERS UNIFORMS ARE ROYAL, ORANGE and WHITE. PERIOD. Viva the “third jersey”. Bring it back full time, and GIVE US BACK OUR REAL WHITE JERSEY TOO!!! When thats done give me all the left over “1st jerseys” so I can wax my car with them, or sell them as ShamWows, or cut them up and use em for T.P. when Im out of it…. That would be a fitting end for them. Hey- At least the fisherman jersey was imaginative….
CB maybe you can enlighten us fans as to why the stripes on the back of the socks that they wear with the retro jerseys don’t connect in the back? Is this their way of proving that even when they do something right they can’t quite do it all the way to the fans approval? They just had to leave that inch on the back of the socks to bother the fans?
Great point Rich (#17). I absolutely love the retro royals, but those socks are killing me. I just don’t understand why the lines can’t connect. Hopefully they’ll fix it for the permanent switch.
To Rich (17) and Mikey (18)…
See here: http://nyimediablog.blogspot.com/2009/03/sock-gate-solved.html
The issue has been resolved. Not our organization’s fault. It was either debut the uniform with manufacturer’s defected socks or don’t debut it at all. I’m glad they debuted it.
Sucks it won’t be in for next year but I’ll live maybe now they’ll have time to do fine tuning to it (fix socks)
Chris A, see the post above you! You’ll be happy
As others are saying, if the NHL will allow us to bring our thirds for draft day I would be thrilled. Drafting Tavares, if we’re lucky, will be a huge step forward. Drafting Tavares and then watching him throw that royal blue uniform with #91 and TAVARES across the back might even bring tears of joy to some of our fans.
CB, if you can, put in a good word about bringing royal blue to draft day!
the socks are fixed and I can’t wait to see the white jerseys…I love the blue but the white always had a real nice look to it.
I like the whites for home games also. If not every home game, give me a few. The whites were what we grew up watching at the Coliseum and I cn’t wait to have it again.
Why not just switch to royal blue with the new RBK jerseys?…CB anyword on why they went with the 70s version and not the 80s? If were going retro the orange stripe should be thinner.
Bummer but not surprising, given the league “policy.”
Just goes back to the silly mistake of following RBK’s (vowels not included) template to begin with: The league, or its talking heads, acted like teams had to change their designs in order to fit the fancy new Edge system — only to see all of the Original Six (plus NJ, which practically considers itself Original Six) all stick to their original look. Then the retro-thirds come along to amplify the point.
But every other team is stuck with random pin stripes, gratuitous color panels, and/or captains’ letters that cross over uniform stripes. A big, tacky money grab — and ooh look, now fans get to pay more to “Classic Coke” the original mistake.
Just go back to whites at home! The nhl should change its mind if the Islanders get Tavares. IF the Islanders get Tavares then they should allow the islanders to wear whateve they want just to help there marketing. So if they get him, Let them make the royal blues there primary jersey and just go back to the old whites.
Isles retro is the nicest jersey in the league. My 4-year-old loves his. Waiting for Tavaras to get here to number it for him. I had a white Nystrom jersey with the tie down neck when I was 6 that I got at Racket and Rink. This franchise needs an identity - why not tap the ’70s when the team was in a similar position. Hopefully by 2012 this team will be a contender again.
The “Cup stripes” are fine with me if we can earn another stripe within 3-5 years.
The 4 cup stripes are now on the shaft of the stick on the third jersey logo. The crests on the other Islander jerseys only have 3 stripes on the shaft of the stick.
I absolutely love their royal blues! I can’t wait until these are their “permanent” jerseys…
I’m actually more of a fan of the current uni’s but I guess I’m the minority on that one. Either way though the issue that is much more important to me is bringing back the “home” whites for home games. I wish there was some way to go back to the home team wearing the white uniforms. It’s really annoying
The Reebok thirds are Edge adaptations of the original (away) jersey template (the 2007 CCM/Reeboks were much closer), although the orange needs to be redder, too. 15’s right about the sleeves. I prefer the older template (then again, I prefer the whites from 1972 to 1995, and the blues of 1978-1995). The numbers font returns to 1980, however.
I happen to like the old lighthouse patch and I would have liked a redesign of the wave jersey with the classic crest and the lighthouse patch. But kudos to the Isles for the completely different look (Edmonton did the same thing). I’ll be interested to see what the Isles do if they go to the redesigned retros full time … yet another third jersey? Maybe that will be where the lighthouse appears.
Finally … I hate the bib skirts (bottom hems). Go straight once more.
Is it also because it’s the league that pays for the regular home and away jerseys and the TEAM pays for 3rds. So by keeping them the “3rd” jersey, the purhcasing rests on the Islanders and not the NHL? And if they determined this is version as their official uniform, would they be giving up a “3rd” alternative?
What’s wrong with the cup stripes? Hell, I like them enough that several years ago I got them tattooed on my right shoulder (no joke). I definatly wish that they would go back to white at home AND keep the 3rd color scheme as the permanant “firsts”.
It shows what a disaster this new NHL wide overhaul of their “uniform system” has been.
It seems only the teams such as Montreal, NYR, Chicago, Detroit, & Toronto were able to keep a traditional style. Boston has changed their uni’s numerous times.
Others were forced into piping and crazy stripes.
The Isles were often cited as “boring” and “dull” by most.
Of course not by fans but media and polls.
I love the uni’s and obviously most of the media and fans do also.
Just a money grab by the NHL & Reebok.
The Isles current primary uni’s are a train wreck.
I can live with this. Love the jerseys too, but another year in the “color here and there and everywhere” jersey won’t kill us. It just means the good jerseys will be ready when the Islanders are ready to be good 10-11.
I couldn’t agree more with Post #10 above.
15 games with the “old/new” jersey? In the playoffs they could wear it all home games? How about 30 games total, all the way to the cup!! OK, OK I’ll relax.
Just as long as Tavares or Hedman is in them next year. They’d look good even in Stan Fischler “Fishsticks”.
I understand the merchandising reasons… but nobody’s going to buy one of the current primary jerseys if they know it’ll be obsolete in the next 18 months. It’s unfortunate, but at least the team is on the right track. Then again, if they’d listened to the fans in the first place, they’d have had the royal blues from the get-go. It’s funny how many teams are going retro full-time now that the fans are buying the jerseys. Supposedly the Flyers are wearing their orange jerseys as their primary homes next year, and I’d be shocked if the Oilers didn’t do exactly what the Islanders are doing.
You think the league would throw us a bone here. Maybe they will throw us the lottery pick bone and figure they can’t give us both.
NYI FAN (10): I’m glad those ‘cup-stripes’ on the shoulder are gone, that was an embarrassment.
I have been against those since minute one. The nod to it in the retro logo (four stripes on the stick) is a different story.
Personally, I think that the 3rds make the guys look like they’re straight out of the movie Tron. All that’s missing are the glowing neon stripes.
I’ve said it before (maybe not here, but elsewhere).. the current Islanders jerseys look like someone from Reebok was throwing out ideas (”Some teams are putting #s on the front, some teams are doing this with the sleeves, you could also do this, or that, or….”) and then someone on the Islanders just said “OK do it all.” They aren’t too far from being a descent jersey but they are far too busy. If they had’ve just simplified them a bit they would be pretty good, instead they are among the worst in the league.
Whenever I see a team in throwback thirds (Islanders and Edmonton especially) or some of the original 6 teams that managed to make the new Reebok uniforms look classic, I think “THAT is what a hockey team should look like”
Nice Job CB. One more year is ok with me. It’s not like it’s the Fisherman logo all over again.
If it doesn’t work out for next season, it’s something to look forward to in the 2010-2011 season. I’d love to see the Islanders and the Oilers going head to head in their retro uni’s.
I love the Retro Jerseys and I can’t wait for a white version. I am a bigger fan of more blue and white, less orange.
I can’t wait for these to be full time deals.
This was pretty much what I thought anyway. Having the retros for 2009-10 was always a long shot.
The 2010-11 season is fine though. Coincides with the Islander winning the Stanley Cup in June of 2011. Perfect.
I do like the retro’s more but I bought the “new” jersey last year and I’m sick of this team changing it’s jersey’s every 3 or 4 years. If they do change to the retros they should keep the current primary’s as the new third’s
CB… Any chance that the Islanders could make the ‘92-’93 Home White’s the ‘10-’11 Road Whites?
Good to finally see a sensible move coming from marketing in the org. No its time to dump the icegirls, sparky, and the new goal song.
I for one cant wait for the retro jersey although I do prefer the orange stripe on the bottom of the blue jersey. CW has a thing for orange for some reason…orange 3rd jersey, Dragons orange, and these uniforms they have now with mostly orange sleeves. If you look at the retro sleeves the orange stripe is HUGE too, unlike the original version. I too get fustrated by so many uniform changes. They should have never changed them to begin with. When you bring it up all you hear is that it is time for a change. When I said I did not like the RBK design I was told these will sell like crazy it is a new fresh look. Cant wait to see the OLD fresh look that is the true uniform of the NYI.
Clearly…the enduring battle between the Bravo network and the producers of Project Runway, that is keeping Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn off the air, is having a debilitating effect on the Islander’s top fashion deigners.
I just hope that blue and orange colors, IN ANY DESIGN, work for Tavares, and make him feel special.
Looks like we’ll be wearing ‘em alot next year as we play in at least 2 playoff rounds next year!!!!
Anyone else as optimistic as me?
Any way the Isles could pull a Mighty Ducks next season and throw on the 3rd jerseys between periods, whenever they are losing heading into the 3rd?
2010-2011 season…..wow I’m getting old -those year numbers are scary
The retros are obviously a superior uniform but lets face it, that logo (although “classic”) is really bad. Didn’t the original owner’s wife design it? Sheesh, talk about amateur.I know, I know, the fisherman was awful, I agree but that Islander logo is cheap looking and ugly (always has been).
One man’s opinion so don’t get your panties in a bunch!
#50:
take Sparky and the new goal song…leave the Ice Girls (and the cannoli’s)
Whatever… jerseys don’t make teams play better.
does anyone else think this is more bs on the part of the terribly run NHL. This is another example of bettman’s ineptitude at running this league.
In every other professional sport over the past 5 years there have been numerous jersey/logo changes and have you ever once heard of a team having to wait years and years to actually wear it????
FIRE BETTMAN!
The problem lies with the fact it would be three uniforms in three years once the Isles ship out to KC for the 10/11 season.
Are there many Islands in Kansas City?
SB
are there many lakes in LA or Jazz in Utah??
i definitely agree on having the first pick this year wear the retro, that’d be quite awesome if the nhl allows it
The retro rocks. Waiting is ridiculous IMO. No excuse its a conspiracy.
Typical. The NHL loves to screw us. Don’t think they’d ever let us get the top draft pick either. We’d finish last and never win the lottery. More like a 3-5 pick at best if we finish 2nd or 3rd worst.
The new water wing unis are a joke and the whites look like the Flyers. They don’t even look like NYI in that trash.
59: Yes, every team in the NHL has to give 2 years notice and “wait years and years to actually wear it”. You want Bettman to make a special exception for us (sure I wouldnt mind that either!) but it is irrational to demand preferential treatment.
As far as some people saying the Isles changing their jerseys all the time, ??? I think that you see too many teams that NEVER change their jerseys in our area and it is giving a nonobjective view of what NHL teams do. There are teams that have changed their logos, jerseys, team colors, EVERYTHING- way, wany more times than the Islanders ever have. The Islanders are by no means leading that pack… they changed their logo once, truly changed the overall design of their jersey 3 times, and- thats it. Compare that to the Flames, Kings, etc!!!
Canucks, too… lots of teams that have changed their jerseys way more than the Isles have.
So the NHL won’t switch, even though it’s guaranteed to see an uptick in Islander merchandise sales? Something tells me a retro #91 jersey will be in big demand and not just in NY. Forget about the Lighthouse, we cannot get our own league to approve a jersey change. (of course, hoping we do get the Lighthouse or some variant that allows us to keep the Isles on Long Island).
Disappointing, but at least the effort is there on the team’s part. Thanks to them for pushing it as far as they can.
65- you missed my point coMpletely. I’m not saying the NHL should make a special exception for us. I’m saying the policy is another in a long line of failed policies by the bettman administration. I can’t think of an example in any other sport where a team unviels a new look and then is forced to wait two years to actually use it.
If anyone else has some more information about this I’m all ears
That’s a bummer. I love going to games when they’re wearing the third jerseys. They’re striking when seen in person, probably because they break the black-red-navy blue darkness that’s so prevalent in the league.
Oh well, hopefully they’ll switch over in two seasons.
The new third jerseys are fine as the Thirds, three changes I would make, make the crest 10 inches looks much sharper, thats what the prior jerseys were, and make the crest the way they use to, the old crests were much sharper. They also need to use the original orange, not the current, and on these new third helmits, they should use the NY Islander’s logo, like they have done from day one, instead of just useing the word Islander’s. As far as the number one uniform, they should return to the Uniforms worn, during their Stanley Cup Years. Again making the Crests 10 inches, like they use to be. That the size of the Boston Bruin Crests, take a look, they look so much sharper. If the league tells you they have to be larger for TV reasons, than fight it, I guess like the Bruins did. And on the White jerseys make the NHL added cloth patch at the base of the collar white, like the Blackhawks. The New V-Nech collar used by the Teams that use V-Neck collars is really sharp, will look incredible on the Stanley Cup jerseys. Uniforms are Parimount, the NY Islander’s have an opportunity to Ace the uniforms they wear. They just need to realize that, this is what the Fan’s of the NY Islander’s, want. Thanks Chris Mark /NJ
Hey Chris, one more thing to add to my reponse #71, what if Charles Wang agreed to by up the remaining # ones of today. By the way, as I have said many many times, those uniforms need to go away ASAP, there horible. The NY Islander’s are a Class Act, that has had as much Rich Success,and Rich History, as any team in Professional sports, they deserve a lot more, The Uniforms worn during their Stanley Cup Years. Thanks again Chris, Mark/NJ
They should lose the white trim on the sleeves and bottom of the shirt. It looks like a T-shirt that is not tucked in. Looks slobbish. These new jerseys are way too busy for my taste. I wouldnt waste money one of those.
I too would like to add on that the crest size has been a bit ridiculous the last 10 years or so.
It’s a great logo, but it doesn’t need to take up 80% of the jersey. I mean when you sit down, the crest just juts out like you’re pitching a tent underneath.
But I’ll stop complaining. If they bring back the Royals full-time, I’ll finally buy my first jersey since 1993.
I think the white trim on the sleaves and along the bottom of the jersey looks slobbish. Looks like an untucked T-shirt. Lose the white trim.
Pete #74, I have to disagree with you in regards to the logo being “great”. It’s far from it. It looks like something a fourth grader designed. It’s a Blotch. There’s no imagination or allure to it whatsoever. It’s really cheap looking and poorly done. I know it’s their crest and have had it “most” of the teams existence but it was Never an attractive logo. It’s flat out Ugly.
#76 You are obviously a Rangers fan. Go away.
The NY Islander’s Logo is “Perfect”. Mark
78:
Little-known fact: the Isles crest was designed by Roy Boe’s wife.
Yes it’s a bit outdated, but it’s THEIR logo. That cornball shield the Rags have isn’t any more “cooler” than the Isles’ crest.
Isles75, don’t be a jerk. Don’t be so arrogant and tell me to go away.
I’m not a Rangers fan.
I do however have an opinion just like you do.
I have loved the Islanders for a long time but to me, that logo is horrible.
I like the dark navy blue better than the royal blues. Leave it as a third jersey. Bring back the lighthouse logo for the third jersey as well.
All this about a sweater.
Don’t teams in Kansas City wear either royal blue or red?
First off, NHL needs to go back to home whites. I also think that the Dynasty sweaters are the best, and Isles should go back to them. I have not bought, and will not buy the stupid non-retro Reebok “water wings” excuses for hockey sweaters.
Why this obsession with a Lighthouse logo? Jeez, some things are just better left for dead. Ever see a Lighthouse patch on Denis Potvin’s sweater? Isles would be wise to go back to royal, period. Then shelve any 3rd design for a while.
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, my grandfather took me to my 1st Pens game in 1980(vs. Islanders) and I was awe struck by Mike Bossy, he’s been a hockey idol of mine ever since. The Pens got Mario Lemieux in ‘84 and now Mario is #1 but Bossy is like 1B. I can only hope/pray that the Islanders don’t leave Long Island and the long glorious history that they have built there. and by the way SCREW Reebok and that Edge crap(bring back the CCM jerseys)
OK, that sucks. I want to see the uniforms of the Stanley Cup years back on the team for good. Fads come and go so let the team change up the 3rd jersey every few years but for God’s sake. STOP CHANGING THE MAIN JERSEY!!! And I agree, the reebok jerseys look like some art school fashion victim who knows nothing about hockey designed them. They are way too busy and I hate the piping!!!! Please just bring back the originals for good. Lose the Frakenstein jerseys. And lose the “shirt tails” what idiot cut the jerseys that way??? They are hockey jerseys! Not dress shirts!!!!
It’s a little late to be chiming in on this thread I know, but I do love the new 3rds - was psyched to nab a Guerin variation for $50 at the draft party; loved the orange 3rd - especially the logo; so much more effective than the standard home and away thanks to the extra ring - and do think that the simple move of broadening the orange 72-76 arm and hem stripe was a brilliant way of adding more orange, significantly improving upon the original design. One big disadvantage to the royal blue: contrast is again lost in photographs, which was probably the main reason why the team finally went to a dark blue tone…..
Which reminds me: please, PLEASE do NOT revert to the more red tone of orange under any circumstances; it looked godawful from the beginning (does anyone on the Island REALLY want to be sporting colors that are so close to the Rangers tones????) and resolved badly more often than not in distorted color settings…..also, the replica jersey logo (NOT the authentic, for some inexplicable reason) is close to perfectly proportioned (runner-up: the classic logo of 1997-2000) and should be the absolutely FINAL version, although I could definitely live without the ridiculous trademark.
Finally, it truly amazes me that, after having the somehow ineffective 1977-2007 blue white/orange reversed arm and hem design for 30 years, now there’s such a clamor for it to be restored - leave the original design ALONE save for the aforementioned orange improvements! Wouldn’t be at all opposed to another lighthouse patch, though….