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NHL implements change to their jersey policy and it's the perfect treat for fans
Photo credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Fans have noticed that the NHL's jersey policy has been changed in a recent Original Six matchup between the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.
The hockey match wasn't iconic for only the color clash on the ice. Who doesn't love a good retro jersey? Both of the team's choices of uniform were iconic, calling back to the days of "old-time" hockey.
Later in the game, the looks matched the feel as the Red Wings and Rangers engaged in a line brawl, similar to what we've seen in the annals of NHL history.
Though it wouldn't be as historic as, say, the Quebec Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens' Good Friday Massacre, it was memorable.
Made more so by Gary Bettman and the NHL, allowing both the Red Wings and Rangers to engage in a red versus blue battle.
The NHL Changes Its Jersey Policy for the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers Game on Sunday
The contrast was beautiful, with both teams calling back to their past(s). The Red Wings wore their beautiful Centennial Season uniform on Sunday.
So did their foes, the New York Rangers.
"The Beautiful Game"
Both teams are celebrating their Centennial Seasons, which could've been another pretext for the NHL to drop its usual prohibitive rulings.
According to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, the NHL is changing its jersey policy on color vs. color matchups:
"The night was a rarity from an equipment perspective. Normally, away teams wear white jerseys while the home club dresses in its primary color. The visiting Red Wings taking the ice in red was a surprise, but according to an NHL spokesperson, the league's marketing department has actively encouraged teams to explore color-on-color jersey matchups. The idea has been brought up at general manager and board meetings, the spokesperson said. After all, hockey is played on a white surface, so the primary-color jersey combinations pop nicely, as they did Sunday.
The Rangers and Red Wings had to get permission from the NHL to both wear non-white jerseys, just as teams sometimes have done in the past for outdoor games. Detroit and the Toronto Maple Leafs wore their primary colors at the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers did the same at the 2021 game at Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nev."
The Rangers and Red Wings had to get permission from the NHL to both wear non-white jerseys, just as teams sometimes have done in the past for outdoor games. Detroit and the Toronto Maple Leafs wore their primary colors at the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers did the same at the 2021 game at Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nev."
While this isn't a given for two teams who share the same color palette, this will be allowed for two teams who have bright colors and will contrast in the example.
For example, the Rangers and the Maple Leafs wouldn't be able to pull this off.
But the San Jose Sharks (teal) and the Anaheim Ducks (orange) could make it work with the league's new rules. Or to give you another example, the Minnesota Wild (green) and the Nashville Predators (gold).
This could be another way of garnering attention on the ice and giving the special event jerseys more eyes during the year.
Either way, this is a great decision for a league that's known for making plenty of bad ones.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 18 | 381 ANSWERS NHL implements change to their jersey policy and it's the perfect treat for fans Did you enjoy seeing both the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers wear both of their Centennial uniforms on the ice at the same time? | ||
| Yes | 348 | 91.3 % |
| No | 33 | 8.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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