So I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors swirling about the possible return of the third jersey this season for NHL teams. There have been images appearing all over the internet of potential jerseys for select teams. The guys over at Icethetics have been following the story since the rumors first began, and they have images of all the thrid jersey designs from the teams that may have submitted a proposal to the NHL. For the Penguins, the potential third jersey was an easy selection. With the success of the Winter Classic and the sales of the throwback blue jersey, the 1968 design is expected to be the alternate jersey for the upcoming season.
But I began to think, if I could choose any past jersey to bring back to become the new third jersey, which would I pick? There have been a number of different designs over the years, some all-time favorites and some forever hated. So let’s take a look back at some of the “best” vintage Pens jerseys.
The Pen’s first jersey, unveiled in their inaugural NHL season in 1967.
Some crazy color mash-ups in the early 1970's.
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The Penguins finally turned all black and gold in January of 1980.
Slight changes throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s.
Another logo change in the 1992 season, along with the diagonal city name. Also one of the original third jerseys in the NHL was introduced in January of 1996, eventually becoming the teams’ away sweater in the late 90’s.
I have to admit, other than the baby blue Winter Classic throwbacks, my favorite vintage jerseys are the all-yellow sweaters introduced in 1980 (4th set, far left) and the original 1996 third jersey (6th set, far right). Those are my opinions, but I want to know what you think. If you had the power to choose an alternate throwback jersey for the upcoming season, which would it be? Which are your favorites? Or would you introduce a new look, perhaps like one of these?? (All below images courtesy of Icethetics)
~Dan @ Pittsburgh Puck Talk
The first jersey, hands-down. Diagonal lettering is always sweet, and the blue has come back in style after being “out” for quite some time.
I also like the diagonally-lettered black jerseys, though they aren’t old enough yet to be really retro-looking. Plus there’s an abundance of black jerseys now, unlike when the Pens and B’s were the only ones.
bostonblueline.blogspot.com
I personaly like the blue jerseys myself. But and one of third would look cool.
if your going retro, you need the powder blue
Im a big fan of the eary-90s Cup era jerseys, but as an alternate I’d have to choose the primarily yellow one from the 80s. We already have a black one and white one, so yellow is really the most obvious choice for an alternate.
the 3rd jersey from 96. I’m not sure but i can only remember 2 or 3 losses when we wore those. but all the concept ones are pretty cool too.
The Cup Jersey’s are the best. 2 Stanley Cups while wearing those uni’s so why not bring them back when they move into the new barn?
Before I read the content of this blog, I said I’d love to see the old “yellow” jersey again. I guess we agree on that front.
The old alternate jersey reminds me of a time when true die hard fans were following the Pens struggles. It was tough to be a Pens fan back then! It was also one of the first true attempts at an alternate jersey.
I still love the jerseyes from the late 80s/early 90s. Especially the road black. They just look so good. Didn’t hurt that we clinched the two Cups wearing them either. I also like the original 3rd/late 90s road jersey. Thought they looked cool the first time they wore them.
Totally agree with Buckles. If there is one jersey I’d love to see brought back it is those.
Then again, you can’t argue with results. If you are buying a Penguins jersey you have to at least THINK about the new baby blue.
Those yellow jerseys that were used back in the early 80′s were ugly! I once saw the Penguins play an exhibition game @ the Igloo where they wore those hideous things! It looked like 6 bumble bees were on the ice! And I gotta go w/the “baby blue” unis they wore in the Winter Classic last year, they brought back a lot of fond memories!
I like the blue with the logo in a circle but they should have used the old, old logo with the scarf for the outdoor game.
But the Cup year jerseys are the best. The yellow pops on TV. The numbers on the sleeves are better than the shoulders and they were using iron on numbers before that. UGH!! That’s was so low budget. Bets the crap out of that “Vegas gold” they wear now.
No doubt…Bring back the cup jerseys! Now is the time…Bring back Pittsburgh’s true colors…yellow and black…Im tired of this gold color you see everywhere, and we jumped on for marketing…Pittsburgh yellow will sell, just ask the Steelers…Imagine Sid and Geno skating wearing those cup year jerseys…Awesome
i like those 1970′s jerseys, just change the color of that awful yellow triangle in it, i like the combinations of dark/light blue, white, and black.
them jerseys yeenzs created are terrible, i could shit out something better lookn than that