New uniforms unveiled

The Lightning unveiled its new logo and jerseys today at the team's annual IceFest, choosing to modernize the long-standing existing logo instead of opting for an entirely different look.

The new Lightning logo looks very similar to the old one, only with a more vibrant bolt, the "Tampa Bay" script more readable and the removal of the repetitive word "Lightning" from the logo.

Several Lightning players, including All-Star Martin St. Louis, walked down the red carpet to a stage the West Plaza of The St. Pete Times Forum, along with local TV personalities. Behind them a 50-foot jersey was unrolled from the top of the parking garage.

The release of the logo coincides with the league-wide uniform change to sleeker, tighter uniforms that are supposed to give players more mobility and be lighter.Both the Lightning's new logo and the new uniforms were designed by Reebok. The Lightning approached Reebok two years ago about changing the logo.

"They were presented with a unique opportunity," said J.J. Stelter, senior designer for Reebok. "They were just coming off the lockout and they were the defending World Champions. You don't want to totally re-invent that look. There are still many traditional quinessential Tampa Bay details."

Comments

[Debbie]

Its not as bad as I thought it would be. However, I still like the original much better.

[Matthew]

NEED MORE PICTURES!

[Ralph]

Well, it's definitly not as scary as I've feared and I think we're gonna like it! It looks more modern and a tad more aggressiv, but it also looks like made of wool in this picture... Either it' the reflection or Reebok had several grandmas knit those jerseys!

[Another Joe]

I beleive all NHL jerseys are going to be made out of new material this year. They used them at the All Star game last year. It was the result of a joint effort between the NHL and the players.

Also I like the new uniforms. I think it was time for a little change. The actual logo is the same except at the bottom of the bolt it doesnt say Lightning.

Go Bolts!! Season is almost here!

[Shoop]

TWO YEARS?!?!

TWO YEARS, and THAT's the best they could come up with?!!?!!!!!

Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.

(see my comments in the thread with the actual pic in it.)

[Bill]

Shoop, do you need a tissue?

[Tom]

Shoop is just mad because he couldn't go down the snow slide today at Ice Fest.

With that being said, I think the logo f*@king rocks! It's way more 'NOW'! It's time for a change. The old logo is great, but man, this is the 2007-2008 season! The players looked like they loved the new look today. Kudos to the Lightning for not trashing the old logo, modernizing it, and putting on a hell of an event to let the fans see it today! Did anyone else see Marty St. Louis today? He looked like a pitbull! Dude must have been in the gym working out with Tiger Woods in the off-season!

GO BOLTS! STANLEY NEEDS A NEW TAN!!!

[Phil J.]

I guess its OK. I would rather have seen the words Tampa Bay spelled out larger with a nice bolt in the middle or something like that. I do like it more than the script. All in all I will take a Stanley Cup over any uniform change no matter what the team is wearing....maybe not creamsickle orange and red.

[Jay]

Hmmmm, BEAT!!!!

[Kevin]

What a waste. Horrible font, unimaginative design. Anyone who think s this is great or the original is any better needs to look at some of the other NHL team logos out there. And then have your eyes examined.

[Eric]

The new logo is fine. Almost everybody else I talk to outside of the TB area hated the old one and likes the new one.

[Lightning rod]

Sarasota bill where are you?

[Manny]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[Shoop]

This, with some silver piping to "break up" the black and blue to make the blue more visible, would've been just swell:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/bigshoop/Lightning/newgood1.jpg

[JB]

Looks like a decent third jersey, but I don't like it as the uniform we're gonna have to stare at every single game.

[Joe]

The Senators' new uniform is embarrassing. By comparison, I think we have little to complain about here.

The minor changes in the Bolts' logo design represent a slightly sharper look, but I would not not agrue with those who suggest that a complete overhaul of colors, logo, and design is worth considering.

In the last and aside from marketing implications, uniforms are just that - uniforms. The fate of a hockey team rests with the quality and character of the players who wear it. And, while the Bolts have something far less than the most attractive uniforms, they have a number of incredibly talented players who provide enormous entertainment while winning most of their hockey games.

I will gladly pay to watch Vinny and Marty play, even if they wear burlap bags.

[Nan]

I agree with you Joe. It doesn't matter what our guys wear, I love this team no matter what and can't wait for hockey season to start. Go Bolts!

[Sadie]

one word.......UGLY

[bolts canucks fan]

The main problem with the jersey is that, the organization seemed to have this big build up, as if we will have a totally new look. The new look is very similar to the old one, with "Tampa Bay" left off the jersey and the font and lightning bolt slightly different. It is basically the same jersey with little changes. How does that prompt Tampa's fanbase to purchase new duds and embrace the new look? I have a white and black jersey and that will do me fine. When they really get creative, then I will be a consumer to Bolts apparel again. I think Tampa is way down on merchandise sales, in comparasion to other clubs. Why have a similar look when it obviously doesn't financially work on a grand scale? Hmmm...

My other problem is why does the organization have this insistence in the black and blue colors? I think the color black works well for some teams. Philly has a great black jersey, highlighted by that electric orange and the Broadstreet Bullies attitude from Cups past. And Boston's look is really unique, one that will and has stood the test of time. Maybe we can just have a black jersey for the third team jersey, displayed by San Jose? When I think of Tampa and the lightning storms in Florida, black and blue are not the colors that come to mind. Why not take a chance and jazz up the jersey and do a good job of it, displayed by the Caps' new look. Their black jersey just looked awful. And the white one was not that much better, so they made drastic changes and it works for them. This jersey doesn't have that longivity look at all. And why the insistence of having the state of Florida on the sleeve? If we were the only team in Florida, then it would make sense, but we're not. Why have it in the first place? I like Florida, but I don't want it on my jersey. What's the point, really?...

Enough about the jersey. I'm still a fan, but if I wasn't, there's no way I would own one, if it was the new or the old look. Purely as a fashion statement, Toronto and Edmonton are the class of the NHL. Classy looks and great colors, one that just seems to fit the teams and cities they represent. But, all of this is opinion and now, I'm done with it. I like the new owners and hope the team can improve from the 06 season. Later Bolts bloggers and GO BUCS!

[bolts canucks fan]

My mistake. It was the "Lightning" that was left off. Sorry about that.

[Eric]

You're dealing with hockey...and a team name of "Lightning." There is just not a whole bunch of realistic options in terms of a complete overhaul. You'd risk confusing casual fans as to the name of the team by incorporating something associated with Lightning but not hockey (like Denis' mask, though it is a cool graphic).

Unless they change the name of the team, I think we have the best option already. Unfortunately, a nice incorporation of the 2 like in Washington's new jersey would be tough to pull off.

That said, I would be interested to see what some of the "secondary" colors would look like if switched with the black or white primaries. Blue or silver jerseys highlighted with black/white...it might look good. The San Diego Chargers' powder blue jerseys were the best in football.

[Eric]

By the way, Joe, the new Senator logo is awesome! I hate that team, but I would buy a shirt with that logo on it if it said nothing about the Ottawa Senators.

That emblem is PERFECT for a sports team. It just looks tough.