If you were to rank all 32 NHL teams’ uniforms, the Red Wings look would be pretty high on the list. Maybe not the highest, as some other looks would give them a run, but if there’s one defining feature, it’s that they don’t regularly wear a third jersey.
And in many cases, I endorse this since third (and fourth) jerseys have been an eyesore across the pro sports landscape. The MLB, NFL, and NBA have gotten completely out of hand and half their uniforms look like minor league costumes, so it’s good to see the NHL hasn’t followed them. Yet, anyway.
Yeah, the NHL’s added an ad program in recent years, but to be frank, I hardly notice them. So, I’m not going to chastise the league for adding a simple rectangular ad that you can’t even see half the time. Forgive me, but it wasn’t until I conducted some research on this article did I even realize the Wings had an ad on their jersey, the thing blends in so well.
So, let’s not chastise for the sake of chastising. That said, I really wouldn’t mind it if the Wings did adopt a permanent third jersey, as their 2025 Stadium Series threads look like instant classics.
Red Wings need to keep that Stadium Series sweater of theirs
Overall, that ‘Detroit’ script is just classic, and it blends perfectly with the red pants and white and red striping pattern on the socks. The only thing I wouldn’t be so keen on adding is the helmet. Yeah, it’s good for a one-off look, but the shell looks like the Wings are trying to cosplay as the University of Alabama, so I’ll pass on it.
As you can see, I glossed over the ‘storytelling’ aspect of these uniforms because I’ve heard too much of it from the other three sports leagues that only becomes obvious when the manufacturer points it out.
Isn’t that the case with every single City Connect uniform in MLB, or any “just because we can” uniform when NFL teams add in a new helmet shell? Unless it’s a classic, anyway.
No, in this case, it’s a good, clean, classic look that I wouldn’t mind seeing a few times a year. We don’t need to get into ‘storytelling mode’ or anything like that to appreciate these threads.
In fact, let’s hope the NFL, NBA, and MLB are tuning in to the Stadium Series since they could take something from the NHL’s playbook. Don’t go crazy with a special uniform that, again, I wouldn’t mind seeing as a third uniform and give fans some excellent game aesthetics.