There’s nothing like a good ole ranking list.
If you’re a diehard BarDown fan then you’ve probably been keeping up with our tier list videos, in which we’ve covered reverse retro jerseys and goal celebrations, to name a few. But what about NHL logos? No tier list for this one yet, but I’m going to give my own version a shot. Rather than giving them a letter grade, I’ll be going from 32-1 and decide once and for all which team has the best emblem in the league.
So sit back, kick your feet up, and enjoy my controversial takes.
32. DALLAS STARS
Their old logo was way cooler. Go back to your roots and make this new ‘D’ a thing of the past already.
31. LA KINGS
If only the Kings ditched the shield and just stuck with the helmet. Could be one of the coolest logos in the league.
30. ANAHEIM DUCKS
Similarly to the previous two teams listed, the Ducks’ old logo is way nicer than their current one. In fact, it might be the nicest one in NHL history. As for the new duck foot… nothing to write home about.
29. FLORIDA PANTHERS
Bring back the old cat! Why change something that didn’t need fixing? This one’s okay but it’s kind of meh.
28. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
The Jacket’s logo is kind of cool but it’s also a bit too cartoony. Nothing against it, just doesn’t stick out for all the right reasons.
27. SEATTLE KRAKEN
Seattle’s logo looks a lot better on its jerseys but the logo itself is good… but not great. Love the addition of the red eye but its just not up to par with the logos to come.
26. NEW YORK RANGERS
Am I missing something here? This logo isn’t that nice. If the Rangers were not an Original Six team then this one would get no love at all.
25. CAROLINA HURRICANES
I really don’t mind the Hurricanes logo, but I will say it’s a bit basic. The colours do work nicely together, though.
24. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
I actually like the Lightning’s logo but you can’t help but notice how basic it is. Zero creativity, unlike the logo they won with in ’04.
23. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
If their primary logo was the bald eagle then this would be a different story. The We love the three stars in this one and the ‘L’ as the hockey sticks but other than that… meh.
22. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
There are some pretty cool elements in this one. The island, the writing, the puck coming off of the ‘Y’, it all works nicely together. It’s good a logo, but not great.
21. ARIZONA COYOTES
The howling Coyote is pretty cool but can we all agree that the Kachina should be considered the primary logo?! It’s back for home games… but why not away, too?! Again, still like this one though.
20. MONTREAL CANADIENS
Yes, I get it. Classic, Original Six, blah, blah. But what’s so special here? It’s a ‘C’ with an ‘H’ in the middle. Whatever it’s middle of the pack. Just because there’s history behind it, doesn’t mean it’s one of the nicest.
19. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
This is where I think the list starts to get interesting. Nashville has a pretty cool logo and the colours actually work nicely together on it (unlike that stinky mustard jersey). Pretty into it, but there are just so many darn nice logos in this league!
18. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Another classic Original Six logo.
17. WINNIPEG JETS
Very cool how this one pays homage to the Royal Canadian Air Force. But there are some other great logos from the past that are a bit nicer. Still a cool one nonetheless.
16. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
The Orca coming out of the water is iconic. But the flying skate? Get it back on a full-time basis. If you haven’t notice, I’m a sucker for old jerseys.
15. COLORADO AVALANCHE
This one’s pretty cool. In 50 years from now, hockey fans are going to look back at the Avs logo and say ‘wow, get me a hat with that logo on it.’ Love the colour combination, too.
14. BOSTON BRUINS
I dunno, I just like this one. The B sticks out beautifully and the black and yellow is awesome. Not top-ten worthy but still a nice one.
13. EDMONTON OILERS
The Oilers logo is pretty darn cool. The oil drop at the top is a simple, but neat touch and the font is just awesome. Works well on their their jerseys, shirts, hoodies, and especially snapbacks.
12. SAN JOSE SHARKS
Was a little more into the Sharks’ older logo (which can be seen on their reverse retro jerseys) but this one is still great. San Jose did a solid job with this one.
11. ST. LOUIS BLUES
The Blues’ logo is simple and classy. The music note is another iconic and one that’s very cool-looking. Sometimes, less it more.
10. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
What hasn’t this team done right? For crying out loud. The Knight helmet with the ‘V’ in the middle is genius. Well done, Vegas. Now do something wrong for once.
9. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Just a classic, good looking logo that will forever hold a place in the NHL’s top ten. Sorry Habs fans but this one is definitely nicer than the ‘C’.
8. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Okay I’m going to say it: the Devils’ logo does not get the respect it deserves. The ‘N’ and the ‘J’ combining with the horns at the top? Pretty genius. Like it more in green but it’s still a beauty.
7. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
I don’t care what anyone says. One of the best logos in the league, without question in my books. The flying ‘P’ with the black and orange all comes together so well. Hope it never changes.
6. BUFFALO SABRES
Their team may suck, but their logo doesn’t. I also love the old red Sabre, but this one almost has the look of a family crest and I love it. It will never get old.
5. OTTAWA SENATORS
Thank goodness the team went back to the 2D senator. What is there not to like about this one? It just works, and is much nicer than the creepy 3D version. Oh baby, this one is so nice.
4. MINNESTOA WILD
Serious props to the Wild for turning mother nature into a bear for their logo. 10/10 creativity and the colours work beautifully together. Had a really tough time leaving it out of the top three, but…
3. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Man do I love this logo. The skating penguin with the yellow background is just so awesome. Plus… a penguin for a logo? So unique. A lot of people probably think it should hold the number one spot, but let’s remember this is a subjective list…
2. DETROIT RED WINGS
The wheel with the wing coming off the back for the motor city… jeez, you can’t really do it much better than that. The logo is a huge reason why the Red Wings arguably have the nicest jersey in the league, and this one is probably one of the best in all of sports. You might not believe my first choice, but there’s one that’s gone unmentioned…
1 . CALGARY FLAMES
This is a red-hot take (get it?), but the Calgary Flames have the NHL’s best logo. The simple burning ‘C’ is so underappreciated, especially the white one on the old school red jerseys. They really could not have done a better job with this one, and yes, we love Blasty too but the ‘C’ is nicer.
Okay, so this is my list. What does your top 5 look like?
