The NHL's Hometown Remix collection gave all 32 teams the chance to do something different with their uniforms, drawing inspiration from the history, culture, landmarks and traditions that make each city unique.
It's a concept that offers plenty of creative freedom and some teams have embraced the opportunity to revisit forgotten designs, while others have leaned into their city's identity. Some have even taken bolder risks with colours and logos.
The challenge with alternate jerseys is finding the right balance between paying homage to a team's history and creating something that feels fresh. You want something that supporters will be excited to wear, but you also want a design that looks like it belongs to that particular franchise.
There are some designs that are hard to not fall in love with, a few interesting swings and some teams that probably should have gone back to the drawing board.
Here is a ranking of the 32 NHL Hometown Remix jerseys, from best to worst.
1. Anaheim Ducks
It's hard not to put the Ducks at the top of this list when they're bringing back so much nostalgia from the Mighty Ducks era. The bold combination of green, purple and gold immediately transports you back to the 1990s, when the franchise was still establishing its identity.
What makes this particularly effective is that it doesn't simply rely on nostalgia with an "Orange Country" reference stitched into the bottom, which is a clever little touch.
The return to the flying V sleeve design also helps tie everything together. Anaheim has found a way to celebrate its past while incorporating some of the area's personality.
Frankly, if they were to make this their permanent jersey, it would instantly be a hot seller around the league.
2. Buffalo Sabres
Taking the iconic goathead logo and changing its colour scheme is a risky move, but Buffalo has managed to get the best of both worlds with this design.
The red-eyed Buffalo logo is the centrepiece, with a metallic gold outline that gives it an entirely different appearance. The traditional royal blue, gold and white colour combination remains, while the lightning bolts and stars throughout the sleeves add some personality.
Buffalo supporters have always had a soft spot for the goathead era, and this is a creative way to revisit it without simply bringing back an old jersey. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes one of the more popular collectibles among Sabres fans.
3. Nashville Predators
Nashville is synonymous with country music, so it's surprising that the Predators haven't leaned further into the city's honky-tonk culture with their previous jersey designs.
There have been some subtle references over the years, including guitar strings incorporated into numbers and piano keys around the collar, but this is the first time the organization has really committed to the theme.
The result is one of the most creative designs in the entire collection. The jersey takes inspiration from country music stage wear, with intricate filigree detailing across the crest, shoulders and sleeves.
The Maple Leafs had a significant opportunity to celebrate 100 years of franchise history, and the organization did it in a way that brings a nice modern twist to a classic design.
The remixed primary logo is the highlight, featuring an intricate vein pattern that carries throughout the uniform.
The arched Toronto wordmark across the chest gives the jersey a grand presentation and makes it stand out from other jerseys from the past. The hem features several versions of the Maple Leafs logo that have appeared throughout the team's history. It's a nice way to acknowledge the different eras of the franchise.
The one thing holding this back from being higher up is the white striping on the sleeves. It interrupts what otherwise could have been an even cleaner design.
5. Washington Capitals
How fitting is it that Washington has brought back the Capitol Dome logo, a design that takes us back to the era when Alex Ovechkin was first establishing himself in the NHL?
With Ovechkin approaching the end of his legendary career, there's something particularly appropriate about revisiting that period of Capitals history.
The Capitol Dome crest features stars, hockey sticks and the Statue of Freedom, while the return of the screaming eagle on the shoulders adds another layer of nostalgia.
The jersey feels meaningful without becoming overly complicated, and the timing of the throwback makes it even more appealing.
6. Florida Panthers
The Panthers have brought back an excellent throwback logo and given it a South Florida makeover. The result is one of the most eye-catching jerseys in the entire collection.
The sunrise inspiration is an obvious fit for a team based in Sunrise, Florida, with the bright colours carrying throughout the uniform. The coral base is particularly bold. Some will call it pink, but whatever you want to label it, this is a colour choice that few NHL teams would be brave enough to attempt.
The design takes inspiration from the graphic beach shirts of the 1990s, with the throwback shoulder patch becoming the centrepiece. It's colourful, loud and completely different from what we're accustomed to seeing in the NHL.
The Panthers have taken a genuine risk here, and it has paid off.
7. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have produced some excellent alternative jerseys over the years, particularly with their Reverse Retro collections, and this is another solid addition to their wardrobe.
Bringing back purple is always a welcome decision for a franchise that has such a rich history with the colour. The Hollywood-inspired lettering across the chest is particularly impressive, giving the jersey a distinctive identity that feels right at home in Los Angeles.
The palm tree detailing on the sleeves is another attempt to incorporate the city's culture, while the six diamonds inside the jersey represent the six decades of Kings hockey.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets deserve credit for taking a chance with a grey jersey. It's a departure from what we've traditionally seen from the franchise, and it provides a nice backdrop for the cannon crest and player numbers.
The best part of the design is the oversized striping on the sleeves. The arched pattern is a reference to Columbus being known as the Arch City, and it's a clever way to incorporate something specific to the city without making it too obvious.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
It's nice to see Pittsburgh return to blue, a colour that has a significant place in the franchise's history before the team made black and gold its permanent identity.
The pop-art inspiration is a fun approach that separates this from some of the more traditional designs in the collection.
The shoulder patches are also particularly well done, with the old Civic Arena represented through the igloo and Pittsburgh's Three Rivers identity incorporated into the other side. The colours along the hem represent the city's different boroughs.
There are some similarities to the Penguins' Winter Classic look, which is another reason this works. It's a welcome change from some of the mustard-heavy designs we've seen from Pittsburgh, and the return to blue makes this one worth appreciating.
10. Vegas Golden Knights
A casino-inspired jersey is something you would have expected the Golden Knights to introduce when they first entered the NHL. Somehow, it took until now for the organization to fully embrace the obvious connection between Las Vegas and its hockey team.
The design incorporates several elements that make it unmistakably Vegas. The green shoulder yoke takes inspiration from casino table felt, while the sleeves feature a roulette wheel pattern. There are also playing card suits throughout the jersey and a custom number system inspired by playing cards.
It's a distinct look for the franchise and one that finally connects the team's identity with everything surrounding it on the Strip. It might be a little flashy, but when you're talking about Las Vegas, that's the intention.
11. New York Islanders
The Fisherman jersey has had quite the journey. When it was originally introduced, it quickly became one of the most ridiculed designs in hockey. Bringing it back was always going to be a gamble, but the Islanders have managed to give it a much-needed refresh.
The cleaner Fisherman crest works better with the updated colour scheme, while the wavy sleeve striping provides a nice connection to the Atlantic Ocean. The updated lighthouse shoulder patches also bring some Long Island identity into the design.
The result is a jersey that feels much more wearable than the original. It retains the personality of the Fisherman era without looking like a direct copy of one of the most polarizing uniforms in franchise history.
12. Seattle Kraken
The Kraken going with the anchor as the centrepiece of this jersey is a simple but effective decision. Seattle has a long maritime history, and the nautical theme gives the organization plenty of opportunities to create something that feels connected to the city.
There are some nice details here, including the rhododendrons along the hem, but I would have liked to see the Kraken experiment a little more with the colour scheme.
13. Winnipeg Jets
Taking inspiration from the Northern Lights is a great idea for a team based in Winnipeg. The Aurora Borealis is one of the most spectacular natural sights in Canada, and the colour combinations offer plenty of creative possibilities.
The Jets have incorporated the night sky into the crest, with blue and green gradients running down the sleeves. The hem also features an entire aurora scene, while the names and numbers have a glowing effect.
15. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have a pretty distinctive identity already, and the return to Scuba Blue gives this jersey an immediate advantage.
The inspiration comes from the team's pregame Sharks Head, with the aggressive shark-teeth design incorporated into the sleeve striping. It's a strong connection to one of the more recognizable elements of the Sharks' game-night presentation.
The problem is the front crest. The SJ lettering takes up too much of the spotlight, and it actually takes away from the shark imagery that should be the main attraction.
16. Calgary Flames
The Flames have taken an interesting approach by making this jersey a tribute to the Saddledome, which is approaching the end of its run as the team's home arena.
The red-and-gold combination is a strong starting point, and the details throughout the uniform make it clear that plenty of thought went into the design. The front crest incorporates the texture of the Saddledome's ceiling, while the sleeve detailing takes inspiration from the arena's distinctive windows.
When you're dealing with one of the most iconic uniforms in professional sports, there's always going to be a challenge in trying to do something different without taking away from what makes it special.
Montreal has made an effort to celebrate the city's multicultural history, incorporating the white pine, fleur-de-lys, rose, thistle and clover into the sleeve detailing. The crest also features architectural-inspired etching, while the side panels reference Mount Royal.
Unfortunately, I think the overall colour choice holds this back. The all-white presentation doesn't provide enough contrast to allow the crest and sleeve elements to stand out. A more traditional off-white or beige base could have given the jersey a warmer appearance and helped the details pop.
18. Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is arguably one of the easiest markets in the NHL to build a hometown-inspired jersey around. This is the State of Hockey, with its outdoor rinks, frozen lakes and deep-rooted hockey culture providing plenty of inspiration.
The Wild have gone with a celestial theme, featuring a crescent moon against a black base. The sleeves include the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations, while the numbers feature twin stars representing the Twin Cities.
The colours work well together, and the concept certainly fits the state's northern identity. We just wish there had been a little more added to make the design stand out.
18. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have taken inspiration from Philadelphia's history, particularly the Liberty Bell and the city's connection to American independence.
The darker colour scheme offers something different from the traditional orange and black, and the six stripes around the sleeves represent the franchise's 60th anniversary. The Liberty Bell inscription is also incorporated into the detailing, while the hem features references to the U.S. Constitution and the country's founding.
It's an ambitious design with plenty of historical significance, but the striping becomes a little overwhelming.
19. Carolina Hurricanes
The biggest departure is the decision for Carolina to put its mascot Stormy on the front crest, something the Hurricanes haven't done before.
I like the effort to connect the jersey to Raleigh rather than simply producing another variation of the team's existing uniform. Whether Stormy belongs as the primary crest is another question, but at least the Hurricanes have tried something different.
20. Ottawa Senators
The Senators have gone with a black-and-gold design that draws inspiration from Ottawa's Gothic architecture and the city's historic landmarks.
The metallic gold crest is a nice touch, giving the familiar Senators logo a more refined appearance. The sleeve striping also incorporates architectural patterns, while the shoulder patches celebrate Ottawa's bilingual identity with English and French versions of the logo.
However, the overall approach feels more restrained, and the team should have taken a bigger creative swing.
The Canucks have the right idea with a jersey inspired by Vancouver's skyline, waterfront and nighttime atmosphere. It's a city with a very distinct look, and there are plenty of ways to translate that into a hockey uniform.
Our biggest issue is the colour scheme. The darker blue and silver combination doesn't quite deliver the visual impact we were hoping for.
There was an opportunity to borrow from the black and yellow colours of the iconic flying skate era. That could have given the jersey a much stronger personality while still allowing Vancouver to experiment with its city-inspired design.
The concept is there, but the colours don't quite do it justice.
22. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado already had an obvious direction available with its Nordiques history, but having used that design in previous alternate collections, the Avalanche needed to find another way to celebrate the state.
The Rocky Mountains provide a natural source of inspiration, and the organization has incorporated them through an elevation pattern that appears on the crest and numbers. The combination of blue, white and metallic silver also gives the jersey a frosted appearance that fits the Colorado landscape.
Our issue is with the decision to move away from the traditional Avalanche logo. The jersey would have been stronger with the familiar crest incorporated into the mountain-inspired design. There is a good idea here, but the execution doesn't quite bring everything together.
23. St. Louis Blues
Black doesn't really suit the Blues, and that's the biggest problem with this jersey.
The organization has tried several variations of its traditional look over the years, so we understand the desire to move in a different direction.
The updated crest is an interesting take on the Blues logo, and the architectural influence gives the numbers a different appearance.
But the black base takes away some of the personality that makes the Blues' traditional colour scheme so recognizable. There's nothing inherently wrong with experimenting, but this feels like a case where the team may have been better off sticking closer to its roots.
24. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning and the St. Louis Blues probably should have shared an email before finalizing their designs to avoid some of the similarities in their approaches.
Tampa Bay has gone with a black base and brought back the Stadium Series skull as its primary crest.
The problem is that the overall design doesn't feel particularly distinctive. Tampa has had some excellent black-and-white looks throughout its history, and returning to that colour combination would have been a much better direction.
25. Detroit Red Wings
This jersey feels like such a missed opportunity.
There is certainly some history represented here, but it feels like the team has simply taken its regular jersey and added a few extra details.
The octopus is a great inclusion, and the Hockeytown theme could have been explored much further. For a franchise with this much history and personality, we expected something more ambitious.
26. New Jersey Devils
The Devils have generally played it safe with their uniform designs, and this Hometown Remix offering doesn't do much to change that perception.
The black-and-red combination is certainly appropriate for a team known as the Black and Red, and the decision to remove the NJ logo from its enclosing circle gives the crest a slightly different appearance.
The Devils have taken a familiar identity and made some minor adjustments rather than creating something that feels like a genuine departure.
27. Boston Bruins
The idea of going back to brown and drawing inspiration from the Bruins' inaugural season is a good one. It's a colour combination that immediately connects the uniform to the franchise's early history.
The college-inspired lettering and varsity-style presentation are also appropriate for a city with such a strong connection to university sports. The brick pattern along the hem, inspired by Boston's Freedom Trail, is another thoughtful hometown reference.
Unfortunately, the overall design is too basic.
28. New York Rangers
The Rangers have an opportunity every time they introduce an alternate jersey to do something special with one of the biggest hockey markets in the world. Unfortunately, they rarely seem interested in taking too many chances.
This design puts the Statue of Liberty front and centre, with silver detailing inspired by New York's famous architecture. The NEW YORK wordmark replaces the traditional RANGERS lettering, while the sleeve patterns reference the base of Lady Liberty's torch.
We would have liked to see the Rangers go in a completely different direction rather than relying on another variation of their traditional identity. New York has no shortage of inspiration, and this feels like a missed opportunity to create something genuinely unique.
29. Dallas Stars
The Stars' continued insistence on using neon green throughout their rebrand hasn't worked, and this jersey does little to change that opinion.
Dallas has a rich hockey history, including some memorable uniforms from previous eras. This was an opportunity to revisit some of that history while introducing something fresh. Instead, the Stars have doubled down on a colour scheme that still hasn't won us over.
30. Utah Mammoth
The Mammoth introducing a blue jersey isn't particularly surprising, especially considering the team's existing colour palette and the natural connection to Utah's mountain landscape.
The U Tusk logo takes centre stage, while the shoulder yoke and sleeve striping are designed to form the shape of tusks when the player has their arms down. The snow-shimmer detailing and Wasatch Mountain Range along the hem are also thoughtful additions.
There's nothing particularly wrong with the execution, but it feels uninspired.
Utah has an opportunity to create a unique visual identity, but this feels like a fairly predictable first step.
31. Edmonton Oilers
The all-navy uniforms the Oilers moved away from a few years ago weren't particularly popular, and this Hometown Remix jersey brings back some of those memories.
The black base is intended to represent the oil industry and the grit associated with Edmonton. The tonal crest is paired with traditional striping, while the warning orange provides the main splash of colour.
Unfortunately, the logo is difficult to see at first glance, and the dark presentation doesn't do much to improve the overall look.
We understand what the Oilers were trying to accomplish, but this is one of those cases where the concept doesn't translate particularly well onto the ice.
32. Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago had an opportunity to do something really interesting with this jersey, but unfortunately, it's our least favourite of the entire collection.
The green base is certainly a bold choice, particularly for a franchise that has traditionally been associated with its iconic red, black and white colour scheme.
If the goal was to create something memorable, Chicago missed the mark. The franchise has such a recognizable look that moving away from it needed to produce something truly special. This simply doesn't.
