Toronto Maple Leafs: Grading Every Reverse Retro Jersey From A-Z

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Toronto Maple Leafs logo on jersey during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Toronto Maple Leafs logo on jersey during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs

Tony DeAngelo? (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The F Grades

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils jersey is made up of red and green tones. My first thought upon seeing this is “Christmas time has come early this year!” Of course, they didn’t have much to work with unless they wished to copy their AHL teams design but I really cannot stand how this jersey looks.

Detroit Red Wings

This is basically just their practice jerseys. As the Red Wings are an original 6 team, they have so much history to go off of and thus the bar is already pretty high. Their jersey is based on what they wore during their ninth Stanley Cup Championship and in the Centennial Classic, but really just looks like what prospects wear at training camp.

The jersey doesn’t scream about this long history (like the Ducks and Hurricanes jersey do) and I really think this is not worth the money. It is very bland and unoriginal.

Montreal Canadians

I really like how the darker blue looks but, similar to the Islanders critique, it is basically just a new colour. Once again, they had so much potential (such as the 2008–10 heritage classic) and have just used a darker hue?

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders teased the fisherman logo and then produce….a darker version of their current logo. What even is the point of this? They then released a backpack collaboration with the Fisherman logo, but the retro jersey shows that much not has changed since their inaugural season in 1972.

Dallas Stars

What. An. Eyesore. I actually really liked the Dallas Stars’ jersey during the 2020 NHL Winter Classic but this version has too much white. I also image these will look worse when contrasted against the white ice as well. No one has worn white skates since the California Golden Seals!

Chicago Blackhawks

I honestly feel as if the NHL is trolling us at this point. They had the opportunity to make a jersey without the racist logo but instead just take pictures sideways or from behind.

What is the point of that? As USA Today says, it just shows the logo needs to be changed.