The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to receive a uniform change next season. With Adidas taking the reins on the jerseys this season, CBJ fans will see a difference.
New jerseys are coming. According to a report from sportslogos.net, the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to see changes to their jersey’s next season.
Over a dozen #NHL teams will get new uniform designs in 2017-18, we've got the full list of teams here #adidas https://t.co/WWFVziWMCH pic.twitter.com/BEPXSwuh2P
— Chris Creamer | SportsLogos.Net (@sportslogosnet) May 25, 2017
With Adidas taking over, certain changes to the uniform scene are already known. First, there will be no third jerseys next year. This is absolutely devastating for the CBJ as Columbus has the best alternate in the game. Edmonton is reportedly picking up their alternate jersey as their primary home uniform for next season. Let’s hope that option is on the table for the Jackets.
Secondly, Jackets fans won’t have to wait to long to see what the squad will be wearing. The NHL will release the new uniforms at the NHL Expansion Draft and Award weekend in Las Vegas. The weekend of June 21st is setting up to be quite a bash.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Big or Small Changes
As stated in the report, the severity of the changes is unknown. From adopting thirds to changing shades of colors, to wholesale changes who knows what is coming down the pipeline. The Jackets will likely not see monumental changes though.
With the great third uniforms that the Jackets have, a simple promotion could be in order. A likely change would be just the replacement of the star and Ohio flag logo with the cannon emblem. The Jackets could keep the same color scheme for home and away jerseys but put that beautiful cannon on the chest.
A more simple change is to add a waist stripe to the uniform. The CBJ are one of a few teams that don’t don the traditional waist stripe. This simple addition won’t bring much to the table and let’s hope that isn’t the change.
Defining Identity
The Jackets are certainly in a place where they are defining their identity. The record setting season and star studded team has a chance to drastically change the entire definition of Columbus hockey. This team for most of it’s existence has not had a well defined identity other than losing. A top notch jersey could be another strong step forward in defining what this team is all about.
The strong union blue, red, and white colors should remain. The flag emblem, while unique, isn’t a strong symbol that screams Columbus hockey. Staring down the barrel of a cannon though does.
The cannon that helped keep the Union together as Ohioans shed blood in the civil war. The cannon that goes off when the Jackets score, pushing the CBJ closer to a cup. And it’s the cannon that annoys everyone else other than the team and their fans.
The identity is already wrapped around the cannon. Let’s put it on the center of the CBJ uniform now.