Nate Thompson Photo by Linda Hamilton
After a season of changes for the Lightning, more seemed to be on the horizon where their jerseys are concerned. It was rumored that Tampa could see a new 3rd jersey after wearing the blue “Bolts” uniforms primarily for Saturday games since the 2008-2009. According to Raw Charge, that’s going to stay largely the same.
The only difference seems to be an updated shoulder patch. The photo of Nate used in this post was taken from November of 2011. As you can see, they were still rocking the second primary team logo that debuted in 2007.
A lot of people are fans of the 3rd jerseys judging by the amount of them seen in the stands at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. My own correspondent Jason Haas owns one. Personally, I’m not that keen on them and was really hoping for an update.
Before last season, I would have said I didn’t like all that blue. A moot point now that the home uniforms are 90% blue. Maybe it’s the fact that their nickname is featured on the front. We all call them the Bolts, I just don’t like it on display that much. I equate it to the Devils having an alternate with “Devs” on it or a “Canes” jersey for Carolina.
My least favorite part of the current 3rd jerseys? It says “Tampa Bay” on the bottom hem of the back of the sweater. Yes, our alternate uniform has a tramp stamp. A tramp stamp. That’s just not classy.
What would I like to see instead? Possibly a jersey featuring the current shoulder patch. This logo is so cool, my only concern is that it wouldn’t translate as well if it was that much larger.
After black was largely removed from the new primary kits, fans were assured that it wouldn’t be taken away completely. Some outlines were added back in, but a black alternate jersey could be a way to bring it back in. It’s a slippery slope from cool black jersey to a Black Ice abomination, however.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a suggestion as to what would be better. People like it and it sells and that might be all that matters. If nothing else, the blue Bolts jersey is better than the original alternate.
And so the love-hate relationship continues…
