We're Gonna Need A Discount Rack

As a guy who has a fairly robust hockey jersey collection, I can tell you that there are many jerseys I never would have in my collection simply because they don't have that certain quality that makes people love them or hate them. For example, the Justin Bieber-designed Toronto Maple Leafs jersey would not be in my collection because it's literally forgettable. Compared to jerseys like the Islanders' Fisherman and the Oilers' Todd McFarlane alternates, the Bieber jerseys simply aren't that great. Be prepared for 32 more jerseys that will likely be disappointments as the NHL and Fanatics will be introducing the Hometown Remix jerseys for each team this season.

Outside of a handful of Reverse Retro jerseys, there aren't many seen at games or being worn by fans because those were also mostly forgettable. The Minnesota Wild certainly have one of the better Reverse Retro jerseys as they tapped into the North Stars' colours, but the majority of the jerseys introduced in that league-wide effort have been mothballed. Let's be honest: they weren't that great.

The NHL and Fanatics released the following statement today.

Do you ever get the feeling that the NHL would slap its logo and its teams' logos on anything it could in order to make a buck? Imagine buying NHL-branded bottled water - "the same kind the pros drink!" - or NHL-branded condoms - "even you can score wearing these!" - just because the NHL licensed it. That's what this Hometown Remix campaign feels like: more junk thrown into the merchandise market.

Yes, people will throw $300 or $400 at these jerseys in order to have the latest and greatest because that proves how big of a fan they are, right? Except that there really isn't any purpose to buying these jerseys if they're going to wear them for one season and then mothball them like the Reverse Retro jerseys. Again, the NHL is bleeding fans of their money by tugging on the ol' civic pride, and I cannot justify throwing my hard-earned dollars at this merchandise.

Maybe we'll get another solid jersey like the Minnesota Wild's alternate jersey in this new offering, but when you consider that the NHL and Fanatics are 1-for-32 with the Reverse Retro jerseys from 2022-23 in terms of teams still using them, a 3% chance of seeing these Hometown Remix jerseys stand the test of time is unlikely.

Maybe if merchandise were cheaper and not so disposable, we'd see more jerseys and t-shirts worn by fans. That's not going to happen ever, though, so save your money when this new cash grab is unveiled. You're going to need every penny to buy network broadcasts of your favorite team's 84-game schedule, and I'm guaranteeing that no one will stop you on the way to the fridge in your kitchen to ask you where you got your Hometown Remix jersey this season.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!