Candy 'Canes

The Carolina Hurricanes rolled out their new uniforms for the 2013-14 season today, and I have to admit that I was slightly underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong in that I was looking for some massive change, but these uniforms feel very incomplete to me after watching the Hurricanes over the last fifteen seasons. While I understand that change in inevitable, sometimes it's best to just leave things alone.

As per the Carolina Hurricanes' website, here are the noted changes for the upcoming season:

BOTH SWEATERS

• There is a smaller, lighter crest on both sweaters. The logo outline was changed from metallic to matte silver finish.
• The warning flag pattern was moved from the base of the sweater to inside the neckline.
• Lettering and numbering changed to a clean, round, sans-serif-based font.
• The shoulder patches were removed from both sweaters.

RED SWEATERS

• A cleaner look was established, highlighting the team’s dominant color. All striping is white, with black being used in the neckline and to outline letters and numbers.
• Bold white stripes highlight the arms and base for a classic look.
• White lacing is used on the black collar.

WHITE SWEATERS

• A red shoulder yoke was established, which extends on the back to include the nameplate. The feature is unique in the NHL.
• Numbers and letters were changed from red with a black outline to black with a silver outline.
• Bold striping to establish a classic look.

PANTS AND GLOVES

• The Hurricanes logo and bottom black band were removed from the pants.
• All glove sets are predominantly red with small white highlights. Black and silver has been removed.

Seems like a pretty good rundown, but there are some other notes that should catch one's eyes this season:

• The jersey crest is now about 15 percent smaller in terms of being "smaller" and "lighter".
• The warning flag pattern has now been moved inside the neckline, making it useless in a design concept.
• The black alternate uniform will remain in rotation with these new uniforms.

Here's GM Jim Rutherford's take on these new designs.

"The process of making these changes began several years ago. We are pleased with the results, and proud that our team was able to design the new look internally. Doug Warf's staff including Ben Aycock, Andrew Roman and Lauren Baxter devoted a lot of time and energy to this process, taking input from our hockey department to create uniforms that our players love, and our fans will hopefully enjoy as well.

Ok, so let's break these down, shall we?

There's a distinct feeling of Team Canada rising from these uniforms. The back of the uniforms, especially, look like Team Canada's design with the extended yoke on the road jersey.

Seabrook? Toews? Perry? Did we make trades?

I miss the warning flag stripe that made the Hurricanes' uniforms entirely unique in the NHL world. Why anyone would design a uniform with a major piece of the team's identity on the inside has missed the boat entirely. I get that the logo on the front is the team's brand, but those warning flag stripes made the Hurricanes unique, and that's something that will stand out when looking at thirty teams' uniforms.

Also, I'm thoroughly disappointed with the Hurricanes keeping the black alternate when they have reduced the amount of black used through their home and road uniforms. If you're reducing black overall, you could have cut it by 33% in all uniforms by ditching the black uniform. In any case, I'm still not a fan of those.

Honestly, these are simpler uniforms than what the Hurricanes used to wear, but there's nothing that makes them stand out in any way. If that was the goal of the Hurricanes, they've reached it, but I was expecting more from the Hurricanes. As to what I was expecting? Not sure, but these feel incomplete.

I can tell you that they don't need any additional sleeve stripes. Otherwise, they could move from being the Hurricanes to the Candycanes. I'll be back later tonight with the Dallas Stars new uniforms as they unveil at 7pm CT. For the HBIC Playoff Pool competitors, I'll have updates tomorrow!

Until later, keep your sticks on the ice!