Sens Third Jersey News

After a year where NHL teams were mandated to only have a home and away pair of sweaters, the marketing floodgates have opened once again with the introduction of "third jerseys" for the upcoming season.

None have been officially revealed but Toronto writer and author Howard Berger wrote an article describing many of the new sweaters from around the league, including an intriguing little piece on the expected Senators new design:

"OTTAWA: A dramatic change in the Senators’ third jersey will see a predominantly black uniform with the word “SENS” angled upward on the front. A fashionable red stripe will run from the arm pits, down the side of the jersey, to its base, where the stripe turns inward. A pair of narrow red and white stripes will adorn each arm, and the very bottom of the jersey. It’s quite a sharp design. "

- Howard Berger

That description is good news for those who were dreading the rumoured "gold jersey" that was making the rounds as a possible new design. The red and white stripes on the arm sound great but unfortunately there seems to be no hint of a return to the classic 2-D logo that the team sported for so many years.

To be honest though, the sweater I'm most looking forward to is the new "retro" Oiler jersey that Berger describes:

"EDMONTON: The Oilers are going back to their glory days with the predominantly blue jersey Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier et al wore on the road while winning five Stanley Cup titles between 1984 and 1990. Orange shoulder piping will re-appear, along with a broad orange stripe at the tip of each arm. Two white stripes flanking an orange stripe are on the arms and near the bottom of the jersey. The original round Oilers logo, with the orange oil drip and blue team name, is on the front."

- Howard Berger

It's hard to fathom a more boring jersey than the ones the Oilers wore last year. With a classic color scheme and a design worn by the greatest player the NHL has ever seen, how does that team not go back to their classic sweaters full time?

Another site worth checking out is the almost fanatical Icethetics blog (formerly NHL Tournament Of Logos) which has up to the date new third jersey news as well as a bunch of fan created designs which are good to while away the summer hours.

Of course, the best uniform site remains Paul Lukas' site Uni Watch. Essential reading.

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Of note: The Senators signed goalie Jeff Glass to a one year deal that swings both ways. Despite having a decent year (.913 save percentage) he is still behind Brian Elliott on the goalie depth chart.

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Jay Bouwmeester re-signed for one year in Florida, perhaps disappointing some Ottawa fans who believed he might be headed here in some imagined trade scenario. While it's highly doubtful that Jacques Martin would hand the Senators such a gift, Bouwmeester is going to be an unrestricted free agent next summer at just 25 years old and will likely be traded at some point this season if a longer deal can't be worked out.

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If anything, this paltry one year deal will only crank those rumours through the roof.