Grading NHL's Reverse Retro Jerseys

I haven't written a blog post in a long, long time. Instead I've been focusing on work and on the Off-Field Generals Podcast - which you can listen to here - so I haven't had much time to do any writing. But sometimes something so monumental, so outstanding happens that you have to bust out the ole' typewriter and get those fingers moving.

One such occasion happened this morning when the NHL and Adidas released their Reverse Retro jerseys for the 2021 season.

If you know me then you know that I am a big fan of anything regarding uniforms. I wrote a blog post detailing the jersey buying process, I graded out past NBA City Edition Uniforms and even broke down classic throwback uniforms that I want to see. So, when Hockey debuted these gorgeous looks, I knew I had to do what I do best; grade them.

Carolina Hurricanes:

The Whalers logo, color and jerseys are among the best we've ever seen in sports. The logo is a certified classic. This look alone gets an A++ grade. However, the Whalers colors and logo should remain in Hartford, not in Carolina.

Final Grade: C-

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Is this a jersey meant for the Columbus Capitals? If I saw this on the street and didn't know any better I would think this belonged in Washington, which it probably does. This look is not going to be popular in the great state of Ohio, nor should it be.

Final Grade: D-

New Jersey Devils:

These may just be one of the best alternate uniforms I have ever seen in the history of sports. The green and red work so well together. Some will call them Christmas jerseys but there's a reason Christmas colors are beloved by all. It's a shame that I don't like the Devils or I would buy these in a heartbeat, then go paint my face and yell at a priest. We're the Devils!

Final Grade: A

New York Islanders:

So let me get this straight, these are just the exact same as their regular blue jerseys just with a darker shade of blue? Did the Islanders' reps forget that they had to submit a design by the end of the day? They at least swapped the blue and orange stripes at the bottom of the jersey, I guess. Most teams hit it out of the park with their designs, this one was just lazy.

Final Grade: C-

New York Rangers:

I really mean this when I say it. Meh? Ranger fans were glad to see Lady Liberty as the primary logo, but the rest of the uniform is just boring. There's not enough red to break up the heavy dose of navy blue on this uniform. I like the idea but a little more red or silver would have made a big difference.

Final Grade: B-

Philadelphia Flyers:

Another instance where a team got lazy and went with a jersey they pretty much already have. This looks too similar to the orange look the Flyers have worn since 2008. It's not a bad look, just not what Philadelphia fans wanted.

Final Grade: C+

Pittsburgh Penguins:

These weren't the ones most Pittsburgh fans wanted but they look clean. The Penguins took the reverse retro inspiration to heart on these, literally reversing the colors on the black uniforms worn from 1992-97. These aren't the best ones I've seen but they are solid.

Final Grade: B

Washington Capitals:

I actually like these a lot, with the exception of the number font. The Eagle logo is awesome, and reimagining it in the current color scheme makes it even better. The subtle hints of gold add another element to the look that I really appreciate.

Final Grade: B+

Boston Bruins:

This is definitely one of the best jerseys released this morning. The gold jersey with the spoked B makes its return for the first time since 1967 and "meth bear" even makes an appearance. This is an incredibly clean look.

Final Grade: A

Buffalo Sabres:

The potential is there with these, it really is. What would have made these jerseys is if they had put the famed 'goat head' logo as the primary logo on the front, rather than on the shoulder. The crossed-swords logo never works unless there's an additional element a la the Las Vegas Raiders. Simply just crossing two swords is bland. These could have been great, but instead they're just 'eh.'

Final Grade: C

Detroit Red Wings:

BOOOORING. Is the white supposed to represent the lake effect snow that engulfs Detroit each winter, while the faint grey represents the smoke billowing from factories in the heart of the city? Or is it just a boring look? Probably the latter. I get it, when you're Detroit and have only had one look for the most part, it's going to be hard to redesign a retro jersey. Might I have suggested black, or maybe a nod to the 1927 era look?

Final Grade: D

Florida Panthers:

The return of the pouncing panther logo? Sign me up. It was a shame when the Panthers went away from this look in 2016, adopting a very boring panther in a shield. The colors in this jersey look phenomenal and the striping works extremely well.

Final Grade: B+

Montreal Canadians:

Are there better uniforms the Canadians could have redesigned? Certainly. But these still look cool. The red and white stripes across the chest does well to break up the blue. It's simple but looks good. Montreal didn't take any risks with this look, so the boom or bust potential is a non-factor. This was a safe, but good looking option.

Final Grade: B

Ottawa Senators:

Admittedly I don't know anything about the Senators. Their fans seem to like these but I'm not sold. Perhaps some more gold in the jersey other than just the logo would have made these better? To me, these scream 'average.'

Final Grade: C-

Tamp Bay Lightning:

The defending champs get a look that is worthy of champions. These are sweet, despite the fact that I continue to look at them and think of Air Force Football. The black shadow on the lightning bolt logo makes this jersey.

Final Grade: A-

Toronto Maple Leafs:

Apparently Leafs fans hate these. I saw multiple comments referring to these as Walmart jerseys. I don't think they're that bad, but I don't think they are that great either. Another 'meh' looking jersey. Nothing special but nothing terrible either.

Final Grade: C

Chicago Blackhawks:

These are sweet, but weird that they never really showed the front logo. It's very clear what the logo is, but it's strange that they wouldn't give us a good look at it. Either way, black and red is always an awesome combo, and the Blackhawks will wear black jerseys for the first time since the 2014 Stadium Series. These are certainly one of the best looks from the Reverse Retro collection, I think?

Final Grade: A-

Colorado Avalanche:

These are so much better than the jerseys the Avalanche wear currently. The Quebec Nordiques aren't quite at the same level as the Hartford Whalers in terms of nostalgia, so I don't have the same problem with these as I do with Carolina's Whalers jerseys. Also, the Avalanche put their own twist on the look and didn't just recreate the old Quebec jerseys, and the Igloo logo with the Avalanche colors looks very clean. This was well done.

Final Grade: B+

Dallas Stars:

Another boring, mostly white look. Did the Red Wings copy Dallas or did Dallas copy the Red Wings? Making the space below the star outline green would have raised these by a whole letter grade. But as it stands these leave a lot to be desired.

Final Grade: D

Minnesota Wild:

This is the classic 'A for effort' kind of jersey. I get what they were trying for, but why not just do the classic 'M' jersey but in modern colors? Give the people what they want. When I first saw these I thought they were cool but the more I look at them the less I like them.

Final Grade: D+

Nashville Predators:

Another team took the Reverse Retro idea very literally, just inverting the colors worn in 1998. But you can't knock them for executing the idea that was proposed. I love the shoulder patch with the skull but these would have looked much better in navy. But again, the whole "reverse" thing.

Final Grade: C+

St. Louis Blues:

Again, another literal "Reverse Retro" look. It's not terrible but I do not like the colors. It looks like something out of Looney Tunes. I appreciate the idea, but St. Louis should have gone in a different direction.

Final Grade: D-

Winnipeg Jets:

Throwing it back to 1979, these jerseys look clean. The grey and various shades of blue work well together and I like that they went with grey rather than black or white, which most other teams would have. It's unique and it looks cool, even if the fans don't love them.

Final Grade: B

Anaheim Ducks:

These are something. And they are something that I like a lot. The colors are elite and the duck jumping from the frozen lake is awesome. Ducks fans don't seem to like them but I think these are fun, which is what a alternate jersey should be.

Final Grade: A-

Arizona Coyotes:

Try to design a jersey that looks more 1990's, I dare you. The sports uniforms in Arizona in the 1990's perfectly encapsulates the style of that era and they still look awesome here 30 years later. There's nothing to dislike about these at all. Perfectly done.

Final Grade: A

Calgary Flames:

I don't know what I'm looking at with this one but I do know that it doesn't look good. I get it, it's the old Blasty logo, but it just doesn't look good. There are retro looks that every team should keep around, then there are looks that should never be worn again. Guess which category these fall in.

Final Grade: D-

Edmonton Oilers:

As far as the white jerseys go, these may be the best. I actually enjoy the fact that they left the Oilers logo unfilled. The balance of the orange shoulders, the stripes and the white jersey works well. Nothing to write home about, but not bad either.

Final Grade: B-

Los Angeles Kings:

These are Ok. The old crown logo would have been so much better, but alas, they went with the current logo. Can the Kings keep bringing titles to LA this year? Probably not. But at least they have new jerseys that their fans seem to enjoy. I'm just not one of them

Final Grade: C-

San Jose Sharks:

These are dope. The grey resembles a shark, and the sleeves look awesome. I don't even know what else to say because simply put, these look awesome.

Final Grade: A-

Vancouver Canucks:

A spin on the 2001 alternates, the colors on this edition look unreal. This may be my favorite color scheme of all the jerseys. BUT, I hate gradients. Falcons, Jazz, whoever else, gradient jerseys never look cool. If they would have gone with simple stipes at the bottom this one would be in the top three of the Reverse Retro collection. But they didn't so they drop a full letter grade.

Final Grade: B

Las Vegas Golden Knights:

How does a team that has only been around for a few years have a retro look? Well, it's not easy but Vegas did it perfectly. The red beckoning back to the Vegas Wranglers, the striping paying homage to the Las Vegas Thunder and their secondary logo takes center stage on the chest. The jersey itself doesn't look great, but the ideas behind it were perfectly planned.

Overall Grade: B