What’s each NHL workforce’s finest and worst jersey in franchise historical past?

Within the NHL, jerseys are extra than simply uniforms; they’re symbols of a legacy, historical past and satisfaction for groups and their fan bases.

All through the years, groups have revealed jerseys which have stood the take a look at of time. On the opposite facet, there have additionally been some duds that groups couldn’t ditch quickly sufficient.

This week, The Athletic requested its NHL employees for the perfect and worst jerseys for each membership in franchise historical past. Writers had been requested to be as particular as they needed of their alternatives.

What do you assume your favourite workforce’s finest and worst jerseys are? Tell us within the feedback beneath.

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Anaheim Geese

Finest: 1993-2006 Mighty Geese

Lengthy reside the eggplant. The Geese have solely introduced it again on uncommon and particular events since retiring it as their common jersey within the 2006 rebrand, and the present orange duds with the retro emblem mix the Disney and Henry Samueli possession eras. However the eggplant and jade mixture stays a novel one which labored so nicely.

Worst: 2014-24 highway

You may assume that Wild Wing busting by the ice is a slam-dunk alternative. That notorious alternate from 1995-96 has a love-hate component due to the return for the NHL’s 2021 Reverse Retro collection due to its comical weirdness. However the white highway threads from 2014-24 weren’t clear in any respect. An excessive amount of happening. Manner an excessive amount of. — Eric Stephens

Boston Bruins

Finest: 2021 Reverse Retro

The gold jersey and gold socks performed fairly properly in opposition to the black pants.

Worst: 1995-2006 “Pooh Bear” alternate

It’s a cartoon. — Fluto Shinzawa

Buffalo Sabres

Finest: Unique royal blue (1970-1996 and present day)

The Sabres introduced again this basic search for a motive. After attempting a unique shade scheme, a unique emblem and a unique shade of blue, this jersey has confirmed to be timeless.

Worst: 2013-15 yellow alternate

Then Sabres president Ted Black stated of this alternate jersey, “If it’s a turd burger, I’ll should eat it.” And thus the “turd burger” nickname for these jerseys was born. Yellow as a major shade for a Sabres jersey hasn’t been tried since. — Matthew Fairburn

Calgary Flames

Finest: Present

In 2009, Calgary experimented with a crimson homage to the Eighties. What began as an alternate jersey ultimately changed into their dwelling jerseys. Their highway whites had been worn throughout the 2019 Heritage Traditional, additionally a slam dunk. Personally, I’m additionally an enormous fan of the “Blasty” jersey, their present alternates.

Worst: 2011 Heritage Traditional

There are approach too many stripes and the colour scheme is much like an previous sweet you’d discover in your grandma’s purse. Calgary received their out of doors recreation in these jerseys, although, so who am I to guage? However there are approach higher jerseys of their arsenal. Honorable point out: the “Pedestal” jersey of the mid-Nineties. — Julian McKenzie

Carolina Hurricanes

Finest: 2024-25 white Whalers alternate

The Whalers’ emblem and colours are iconic, and the white jersey actually pops with the inexperienced pants. Whereas the franchise has been in Raleigh longer than it was in Hartford, it’s possible the workforce won’t ever get out from below the uniform shadow forged by The Whale.

Worst: 2024-25 white highway

The diagonal “CANES” emblem by no means actually hit its mark, and Carolina appears to have a little bit of an id disaster by not utilizing their foremost emblem because the crest on both of their foremost jerseys. The white jersey seems to be notably unhealthy when often paired with the workforce’s black helmet. Your entire highway uniform is in determined want of a refresh. — Cory Lavalette

Chicago Blackhawks

Finest: 2019 Winter Traditional

The Blackhawks’ conventional crimson jerseys are most individuals’s favorites. That’s truthful. However for me, the 2019 Winter Traditional jersey simply popped, particularly in that out of doors setting, with the black jersey and white stripes. It was an important look.

Worst: 2017-19

No person on the Blackhawks appeared to wish to acknowledge publicly again then how unhealthy the Adidas jerseys had been, however what they did to the collars was unforgivable. Gamers and followers had been happy when the workforce moved on from them. — Scott Powers

Colorado Avalanche

Finest: 1997-2000

The Avalanche have had a whole lot of good alternate jerseys through the years. As a Colorado native, I like the 2022-23 Reverse Retro with the state flag shade scheme, and the 2021 Reverse Retro ode to the Nordiques worn at Lake Tahoe regarded nice. However nothing compares to the basic look with the Yeti foot on the shoulders from the late ’90s.

Worst: 2020 Stadium Collection

These are unhealthy. I admire the try to boost the helmet, however nothing about this design seems to be good. The thought was there, attempting to pay homage to the Air Drive Academy Cadet Chapel with the enormous triangle, but it surely ended up trying just like the gamers had been sporting large napkins tucked into their collars as in the event that they had been about to eat a seafood boil. — Jesse Granger

Columbus Blue Jackets

Finest: 2007-10

Nothing in opposition to Stinger, the Blue Jackets’ human-sized bug mascot, however his lime green-ness has no place on an NHL sweater, particularly a crisp crimson, white and blue basic. In 2004, Stinger was eliminated as a shoulder patch, a great first step. In 2007, the Jackets left behind their unique “CBJ” equipment with a lime inexperienced stick jutting by the center.

Worst: 2000-03

We should always begin by thanking unique GM Doug MacLean, as a result of if it weren’t for him — gasp! barf! — the franchise’s first sweater would have had a inexperienced bug for the first emblem. Appalling. These first-year sweaters maintain up nicely as a retro “oh my God, they wore that” look, however they couldn’t have moved on from them quickly sufficient. — Aaron Portzline

Dallas Stars

Finest: 2020 Winter Traditional

This one is a toss-up for me between a number of completely different choices, however I’ll go along with the revolutionary look that they had on the out of doors recreation 5 years in the past. It was a bit primarily based on the previous Dallas Texans of the US Hockey League and concerned beige pants and old-time leather-looking gloves. The Large Star jerseys from their Cup win additionally rank up there, too.

Worst: 2003-06 “Mooterus” alternate

The Stars’ short-lived black alternates grew to become the topic of ridicule for the bizarre star cow emblem factor, however the crimson, yellow, black and inexperienced with swooshes mixed to make this most likely one of many worst jerseys in fashionable NHL historical past. Moo. — James Mirtle

Detroit Purple Wings

Finest: 2014 Winter Traditional

The Purple Wings’ foremost uniforms are iconic, possible why they don’t have many alternates (and fairly bland ones after they do). However the 2014 Winter Traditional jerseys had been elegant, incorporating historical past and legacy with a definite look that jumps off the sweater. We’ll see what Detroit has deliberate for its centennial season, however these will probably be onerous to high.

Worst: 2021 Reverse Retro

It’s not probably the most offensive-looking jersey on the planet, but it surely’s so boring. It’s onerous to go fallacious with a emblem nearly as good because the winged wheel, however this jersey places that to the take a look at by doing principally nothing else. Frankly, it seems to be like a follow jersey. — Max Bultman

Edmonton Oilers

Finest: 1996-2007 dwelling and highway

The Oilers by no means received sporting these jerseys, however that they had some epic moments. They reached Sport 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Closing. Curtis Joseph, Todd Marchant and Kelly Buchberger all got here up with defining postseason performs. The copper shade is extra emblematic of oil in comparison with orange. The oil driller with a hockey stick on the shoulder is a pleasant contact.

Worst: 2007-2011 dwelling and highway

The NHL got here out with new jerseys forward of the 2007-08 season. The Oilers had been one of many groups that suffered probably the most. The vertical piping down the entrance is off-putting. Reducing off the arm bands below the numbers is weird. No stripes on the backside make them look plain. These had been terrible and fittingly worn throughout the worst period in franchise historical past. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Florida Panthers

Finest: Present

It’s a tricky name as a result of the retro Panthers jersey was a powerful possibility and one I feel many would select right here. However the rebrand below new proprietor Vinnie Viola has modernized the look, and the ’90s one feels higher as a great third jersey.

Worst: 2022-23 Reverse Retro

There’s so much happening right here, and that child blue is fairly wild for a foremost shade. The palm tree may assist usher in free brokers, although. — James Mirtle

Los Angeles Kings

Finest: 1967-88 highway

It’s true that the black-and-white shade scheme with the house plate/chevron emblem represents their most profitable interval, however the “Discussion board blue” and gold period nonetheless guidelines. Variations had been made within the early years, particularly within the shoulder yokes, to raised incorporate each colours within the dwelling and highway units. Even the white 2022-23 Reverse Retro was sharp.

Worst: 1995-96 “Burger King” alternate

I can’t have it this manner. No. A thousand occasions no. (Honorable point out: The 2020 Stadium Collection threads. Not good.) — Eric Stephens

Minnesota Wild

Finest: Present white highway

I’m one of many uncommon individuals who beloved the previous crimson Christmas jerseys. In actual fact, there are a variety of Wild gamers who’ve advised me they want they nonetheless wore them. I additionally beloved the inexperienced basic sweaters again within the early 2010s with ‘Minnesota Wild’ in script. However the present whites look so clear and neat and ideal shut up and on the ice.

Worst: 2022 Winter Traditional

I’m tempted to go along with the North Stars-inspired Subway-looking third jerseys to rile you up, however the Winter Traditional ones had been worse due to the bizarre beige elbow pads and pants that regarded like diapers from afar within the sub-zero Minnesota temperatures. It didn’t assist that the Blues’ jerseys regarded so good and that the Wild performed poorly within the recreation. — Michael Russo

Montreal Canadiens

Finest: Present

This query does probably not apply to the Canadiens. There have been a handful of moments in additional than 100 years of workforce historical past the place the sweater has modified, however the look has largely been extraordinarily constant. There’s a motive for that.

Worst: 2008-10 Centennial “Barber Pole”

These sweaters, initially worn in 1912-13, introduced the Canadiens such unhealthy luck, they stopped utilizing them sooner than they had been imagined to as a part of the workforce’s interminable centennial celebrations. — Arpon Basu

Nashville Predators

Finest: 2009-11 alternate

These beauties, worn within the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, had a navy base, the Predators’ foremost emblem within the middle, a checkerboard sample alongside the waist and tiger skulls on the shoulders. They’re icy, clear and adequate that the franchise ought to have adopted them full-time and eradicated gold as a major shade.

Worst: 2022 Stadium Collection

Simply terrible. “SMASHVILLE” in all caps on two strains, with the tri-star emblem of the Tennessee state flag within the middle. The colour scheme of navy on high, gold within the center and navy on the underside isn’t unhealthy, however the lettering ruins all the pieces. Style is cyclical, however some issues — reminiscent of plaid leisure fits and these jerseys — ought to by no means see the sunshine of day once more. — Joe Rexrode

New Jersey Devils

Finest: 2021-present “Jersey” alternate

The black sweaters with “Jersey” on the entrance are smooth and pop at any time when they’re on the ice. The font is ideal and the bits of crimson nonetheless pop, which is essential given the workforce’s branding.

Worst: 2014 Stadium Collection

A lot of the Devils jerseys look the identical, so it’s onerous to select one out as dramatically worse than the others. The Stadium Collection jersey was fantastic in 2014, however the inexperienced pants don’t all the time do it for me. — Peter Baugh

New York Islanders

Finest: 1978-84 highway

The 1996-98 dwelling jersey is a detailed second, as a result of it combines the basic Islanders emblem with a extremely distinctive stripe sample. The house jersey of the late ’70s simply brings the perfect parts collectively, the orange V-neck provides a basic vibe and the orange bordering on the title/numbers provides extra intrigue, with out being a distraction.

Worst: 2015-17 black alternate

As a lot as a black-and-white shade scheme made sense for the Islanders’ Barclays Heart period, it’s a complete miss. The brand is sharp, however there simply isn’t sufficient character to make it a major emblem (versus a shoulder patch) — particularly on a bland base of a jersey. There are too many black jerseys on this league, and this one was notably forgettable. — Shayna Goldman

New York Rangers

Finest: Present highway

The Rangers’ white highway jerseys are easy, clear and a number of the finest within the league. There’s a motive the look has caught round so lengthy: no want to vary what seems to be good.

Worst: 2014 Stadium Collection

It’s not horrible, but it surely doesn’t look nearly as good because the Rangers’ regular jerseys and it felt slightly boring for an alternate. — Peter Baugh

Ottawa Senators

Finest: 1992-2007 white highway

A basic Senators jersey that stood the take a look at of time for 15 years earlier than they moved away from it at first of the 2007-08 marketing campaign. The hallmark of the jersey is the 2D emblem, which ought to by no means have been taken off their jerseys. Honorable point out to their 2011-17 alternate. You already know, the one Rihanna made well-known?

We simply hope each groups are having enjoyable on the Rihanna live performance tonight 🥰 🎶 #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/5ibr7Py4ny

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 13, 2023

Worst: 2008-11 alternate

I’m often an enormous fan of jerseys with black as their base. However this ain’t it. A loud “SENS” on the entrance seems to be cheesy and the way in which the crimson and black are assembled on the jersey simply doesn’t look nice. It’s not a modern jersey price sporting on and off the ice. — Julian McKenzie

Philadelphia Flyers

Finest: 1972-77 white dwelling

When the Flyers launched new sweaters previous to the 2023-24 season, it was noticeable that they regarded fairly much like the sweaters through which they received their solely two Stanley Cup championships.

Worst: 2002-07 alternate

The one time the Flyers messed with their basic emblem got here after they used these monstrosities that didn’t final very lengthy. — Kevin Kurz

Pittsburgh Penguins

Finest: 1992-97 black highway

The 1992-97 sweater, made well-known by Snoop Dogg within the 1994 music video for “Gin and Juice,” is an all-time basic. Whereas it wasn’t completely unique — it seems to be an terrible lot just like the Rangers sweater — one thing in regards to the shade scheme simply pops. Prime Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in these uniforms make it much more particular for Penguins followers.

Drop (that puck) prefer it’s sizzling.

Hello @SnoopDogg! 👋 pic.twitter.com/PyCCXr9zPP

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 13, 2019

Worst: ​2007-2016 black Vegas gold

The Penguins went again to their roots after a decade of those hideous uniforms and have been extra visually pleasing ever since. Only a drab assortment of colours that by no means regarded proper. — Josh Yohe

San Jose Sharks

Finest: 1991-98 highway

Teal. For actual. The Sharks had been unhealthy in these early years, however man, they managed to look so good whereas being horrible. Even with some modifications over the a long time, the colour has labored so nicely that they’ve by no means gone away from it. Good name.

Worst: 2021 Reverse Retro

First off, the Sharks have by no means had some actually terrible designs. Props to them. Even the black-based alternates through the years have been strong. (Black is overdone as a uniform shade, however the pops of teal helped break it up.) This mix wasn’t horrible. It simply wasn’t a winner. — Eric Stephens

Seattle Kraken

Finest: 2024 Winter Traditional

The Kraken’s 2024 Winter Traditional jersey, which paid tribute to the previous Seattle Metropolitans look, is among the coolest single hockey jerseys any NHL workforce has worn throughout the previous decade.

Worst: 2022-23 Reverse Retro

The Kraken’s 2022-23 revere retro sweater paid tribute to the Nineteen Forties period Seattle Ironmen, however in distinction with the opposite clear, easy Seattle seems to be within the franchise’s transient historical past, it was just a bit bit too busy. — Thomas Drance

St. Louis Blues

Finest: 2017 Winter Traditional

The Blues went again to their roots with the jersey idea they wore within the 2017 Winter Traditional in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s a easy, clear look that options the heritage blue shade they used from the late Nineteen Sixties and early ’70s. It’s so good they’ve decided to make it their full-time uniform in 2025-26.

Worst: 1994-98 crimson/present ’90s throwback

The Blues had primarily worn two colours of their historical past — blue and yellow — earlier than introducing crimson within the Nineties. Gamers and followers had been mortified. In ’97, Blues government Jim Woodcock labored wonders to return the workforce to blue. Curiously, with the introduction of retros, the crimson is again — and a few followers even like them. — Jeremy Rutherford

Tampa Bay Lightning

Finest: 2001-07

This look is simply iconic for the Lightning — particularly in black. The shoulder patch with the bolt over Florida is actually clear. The silver shimmer provides the right pop. And the blue accents tie all of it collectively completely, as a border on the underside hem, sleeves and collar. The simplified lettering on the again made the jerseys extra readable by 2001.

Worst: 2023-present black alternate

The black alternate looks like a tease of the originals, however falls brief. It’s slightly extra fascinating than the black “BOLTS” third from 2014, however with extra blue accents, this ought to be a cooler jersey. The brand is simply too small and the striping sample is simply fallacious. There’s a lot squandered potential. — Shayna Goldman

Toronto Maple Leafs

Finest: 1934-37

There’s simply one thing about these jerseys that I actually dig. Clear, crisp and basic with two completely different variations of the old-school Leafs emblem. I particularly just like the white version, with the horizontal blue strains. Deliver these again!

Worst: 1978-1992

It’s largely in regards to the emblem, which screams company. There’s no soul to this look both. It’s bland and boring. — Jonas Siegel

Utah Mammoth

Finest: 2025-present Mammoth

We haven’t formally seen these uniforms in an NHL recreation but, but it surely was both these or their inaugural jerseys from this previous season. The Mammoth title and emblem are an enormous improve in comparison with the generic branding from this previous season.

Worst: 2024-25 Utah Hockey Membership

The colour scheme of Utah’s first jerseys was good, however these uniforms had been generic-looking and lacked a transparent emblem. The Mammoth branding and emblem will probably be vital upgrades this coming season. — Harman Dayal

Vancouver Canucks

Finest: 2007-2019 Vancouver wordmark orca

That is an unpopular opinion within the Vancouver market, particularly given Canucks followers’ refusal to see the “Flying skate” emblem because the design abomination that it very clearly is. The orca jersey with the “Vancouver” wordmark on the entrance, mixed with stick-in-rink adornments on the shoulders, is the cleanest and finest jersey in franchise historical past.

Worst: 1978-1985 “Flying V”

The “Flying V” was designed in session with snake oil salespeople psychologists to be “aggressive,” and it’s undoubtedly aggressively ugly. Mustard yellow, an ugly two-colored V-shaped sash on the entrance, the spaghetti-plate flying skate on the shoulders and one other “Flying V” on the pants. An absolute mess. — Thomas Drance

Vegas Golden Knights

Finest: 2022-23 Reverse Retro

Vegas has all the time been inventive with its jerseys, however none have been cooler — or regarded higher — than their 2022-23 Reverse Retro jerseys with glow-in-the-dark numbers. The colour scheme is sweet. The old-school Las Vegas on line casino font has such a great vibe, and it glows at the hours of darkness! They’re simply my favourite sweaters within the workforce’s brief historical past.

be careful for me, I am about to glow 🤩#GlowKnightsGlow | #ReverseRetro pic.twitter.com/NCobDnowoh

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 27, 2022

Worst: 2024 Winter Traditional

The Golden Knights have solely worn a handful of various jerseys over the past eight years, so there wasn’t so much to select from. The Winter Traditional jerseys from 2024 are probably the most blah of the bunch, for my cash. I perceive what they had been going for, with a classic, wild west sort of really feel, however I’m not a fan of the cream shade or the unusual “V” emblem. — Jesse Granger

Washington Capitals

Finest: 2022-23 Reverse Retro/2024-present alternate

The fan base loves the “Screaming Eagle” jersey, and so does Alex Ovechkin, so it’s the choose. Washington’s alt jersey historical past isn’t nice and its present look (profitable because it’s been) is slightly stale.

Worst: 2015 Winter Traditional

Fauxback seems to be will be tough, and this one actually qualifies. There are some historic nods, which is ok, however … maroon? For the Capitals? Nope. — Sean Gentille

Winnipeg Jets

Finest: 2019 Heritage Traditional

That is a straightforward, apparent reply — besides it’s additionally agonizing, as a result of the white model of Winnipeg’s heritage jerseys can be an all-time basic. We go for the blue model right here out of affection for the depth of the blue, the crimson accents and fond recollections of Bryan Little’s overtime-winning aim in opposition to Calgary on the 2019 Heritage Traditional.

Worst: 2018-21 “Aviator Blue”

Winnipeg was formidable with this design, selecting a brand new, brilliant blue shade palette — a daring and comparatively distinctive alternative within the scheme of NHL jerseys. There are additionally delicate design parts, reminiscent of an F-18 fighter hidden within the Jets’ emblem. Nonetheless, the “aviator” did not seize public creativeness, feeling extra like a one-off than a brand new Jets basic. — Murat Ates

— Analysis courtesy of The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Andre Ringuette, Dave Sandford / NHLI, Bruce Bennett / Getty Pictures)