Tampa Looking More Like Tampa

Last month, it was a bit of a shock when the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they were unveiling new uniforms for the 2011-12 NHL season. It was shocking because teams rarely announce new looks midway through their current season, especially if the changes are as dramatic as the Lightning showed. Apparently, there was a distinct method to their madness in TeeBay, though, as the Lightning came out with some revisions this past Wednesday to their new uniforms that make the Lightning look a lot more like the Lightning we've become accustomed to seeing on a nightly basis.

Back on January 31, I made the following comment in regards to the Lightning ditching the black and silver/gray in its colour scheme: "I feel that the home jersey's brand doesn't have the same effect without the black and silver that it once does, and the Lightning are worse off for it". A number of Lightning fans felt the same way, and the Lightning listened to the people paying their salaries. For once, a sports franchise actually listened to its fans in regards to its redesign!

The Lightning made two subtle changes their already-new uniforms, and these changes bring back part of the soul of that the Lightning seemed to have lost in their re-design. As you can see on the road jersey, they brought back a touch of black to help restore what was their original colour scheme. My only complaint about those numbers now are that the Lightning's numbers really look like the Maple Leafs' old numbers. This will only further the Lightning-Maple Leafs comparisons when it comes to their jerseys.

The second change is on the pants where the Lightning bolt reappears down the leg. It has been there before, and is certainly there this season, but the Lightning had opted to remove it off their new uniforms before the revision was put in place.

There two changes that seem minor are actually very good from this writer's perspective. Both changes keep the links to their history - which includes a Stanley Cup - and both keep the identity of the Lightning intact from what their brand had before the uniform changes. These two small changes get a thumbs-up from me, and I really think the Lightning have taken steps in the right direction thanks to them listening to their fans.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!