Dallin Turner
@dallinturner.bsky.social
He/him. Fan of the Utah Jazz, Utah Mammoth, BYU, and DC Comics. Obsessive reviewer of sports logos and newspapers in comic books. Profile pic is me racing in the 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon, dressed as the Genie after he was freed.
And now we come to one of the most controversial logo changes in NHL history. The Vancouver Canucks had a unique look, but it wasn't particularly dynamic. So they overhauled everything in the brightest, boldest way possible. Many people felt it belonged in the recently released "Star Wars" movie.
November 27, 2025 at 5:24 PM
And now we come to one of the most controversial logo changes in NHL history. The Vancouver Canucks had a unique look, but it wasn't particularly dynamic. So they overhauled everything in the brightest, boldest way possible. Many people felt it belonged in the recently released "Star Wars" movie.
In 1977, the St. Louis Blues were sold to Ralston Purina, a local pet food company. For some reason, they decided to muddle their perfect logo by adding an overly large yellow ring behind the beautiful winged music note. It's not much of a downgrade, just an unnecessary alteration.
November 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
In 1977, the St. Louis Blues were sold to Ralston Purina, a local pet food company. For some reason, they decided to muddle their perfect logo by adding an overly large yellow ring behind the beautiful winged music note. It's not much of a downgrade, just an unnecessary alteration.
NHL logo history: 1978
The Minnesota North Star and the Cleveland Barons were both on the brink of folding, so the NHL "merged" them. The Barons completely disappeared and the North Stars remained, leaving the league at 17 teams.
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers lightened their shade of blue.
The Minnesota North Star and the Cleveland Barons were both on the brink of folding, so the NHL "merged" them. The Barons completely disappeared and the North Stars remained, leaving the league at 17 teams.
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers lightened their shade of blue.
November 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
NHL logo history: 1978
The Minnesota North Star and the Cleveland Barons were both on the brink of folding, so the NHL "merged" them. The Barons completely disappeared and the North Stars remained, leaving the league at 17 teams.
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers lightened their shade of blue.
The Minnesota North Star and the Cleveland Barons were both on the brink of folding, so the NHL "merged" them. The Barons completely disappeared and the North Stars remained, leaving the league at 17 teams.
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers lightened their shade of blue.
The Kansas City Scouts also relocated this season, moving to Denver. They were renamed the Colorado Rockies (not to be confused with the future baseball team). And since the Scouts already had red, white, blue and yellow uniforms, the Rockies decided to just use the Colorado state flag as the logo.
November 26, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The Kansas City Scouts also relocated this season, moving to Denver. They were renamed the Colorado Rockies (not to be confused with the future baseball team). And since the Scouts already had red, white, blue and yellow uniforms, the Rockies decided to just use the Colorado state flag as the logo.
NHL logo history: 1976
After years of denying the California Golden Seals' relocation requests, the NHL finally allowed them to move to Cleveland. They changed the name to the Barons in honor of an old American Hockey League team. I find their logo a bit busy and not that impressive.
After years of denying the California Golden Seals' relocation requests, the NHL finally allowed them to move to Cleveland. They changed the name to the Barons in honor of an old American Hockey League team. I find their logo a bit busy and not that impressive.
November 26, 2025 at 10:34 PM
NHL logo history: 1976
After years of denying the California Golden Seals' relocation requests, the NHL finally allowed them to move to Cleveland. They changed the name to the Barons in honor of an old American Hockey League team. I find their logo a bit busy and not that impressive.
After years of denying the California Golden Seals' relocation requests, the NHL finally allowed them to move to Cleveland. They changed the name to the Barons in honor of an old American Hockey League team. I find their logo a bit busy and not that impressive.
NHL logo history: 1975
The NHL now held an 80-game season with 18 teams spread across four divisions in two conferences named after people instead of geographic areas.
The Los Angeles Kings tweaked their logo to mimic the NBA's Lakers. They still use this design today, but with different colors.
The NHL now held an 80-game season with 18 teams spread across four divisions in two conferences named after people instead of geographic areas.
The Los Angeles Kings tweaked their logo to mimic the NBA's Lakers. They still use this design today, but with different colors.
November 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
NHL logo history: 1975
The NHL now held an 80-game season with 18 teams spread across four divisions in two conferences named after people instead of geographic areas.
The Los Angeles Kings tweaked their logo to mimic the NBA's Lakers. They still use this design today, but with different colors.
The NHL now held an 80-game season with 18 teams spread across four divisions in two conferences named after people instead of geographic areas.
The Los Angeles Kings tweaked their logo to mimic the NBA's Lakers. They still use this design today, but with different colors.
The other expansion team went to Kansas City, where they originally wanted to be called the Mohawks. But the Chicago Black Hawks objected, saying it was too close to their name. After holding a fan contest, Kansas City settled on Scouts, inspired by a 1915 statue called The Scout by Cyrus E. Dallin.
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The other expansion team went to Kansas City, where they originally wanted to be called the Mohawks. But the Chicago Black Hawks objected, saying it was too close to their name. After holding a fan contest, Kansas City settled on Scouts, inspired by a 1915 statue called The Scout by Cyrus E. Dallin.
But the biggest news of the year was the NHL adding two new teams to keep competing with the World Hockey Association. Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets, brought the NHL to Washington, D.C. The name Capitals was chosen from a contest and the logo was inspired by the Bullets' design.
November 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
But the biggest news of the year was the NHL adding two new teams to keep competing with the World Hockey Association. Abe Pollin, owner of the NBA's Washington Bullets, brought the NHL to Washington, D.C. The name Capitals was chosen from a contest and the logo was inspired by the Bullets' design.
NHL logo history: 1974
In 1973, the NHL rejected Charles O. Finley's request to move the California Golden Seals to Indianapolis. Unable to find a buyer, he sold the team back to the league. No longer connected to MLB's Oakland Athletics, the NHL changed the Golden Seals' green to a pacific teal.
In 1973, the NHL rejected Charles O. Finley's request to move the California Golden Seals to Indianapolis. Unable to find a buyer, he sold the team back to the league. No longer connected to MLB's Oakland Athletics, the NHL changed the Golden Seals' green to a pacific teal.
November 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
NHL logo history: 1974
In 1973, the NHL rejected Charles O. Finley's request to move the California Golden Seals to Indianapolis. Unable to find a buyer, he sold the team back to the league. No longer connected to MLB's Oakland Athletics, the NHL changed the Golden Seals' green to a pacific teal.
In 1973, the NHL rejected Charles O. Finley's request to move the California Golden Seals to Indianapolis. Unable to find a buyer, he sold the team back to the league. No longer connected to MLB's Oakland Athletics, the NHL changed the Golden Seals' green to a pacific teal.
For the first time since the Brooklyn Americans folded in 1942, the NHL had a second team in New York. But this new team was put in Long Island, hence the name, the New York Islanders. The driving force behind this was William Shea, who had worked with MLB's New York Mets, hence the color choice.
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
For the first time since the Brooklyn Americans folded in 1942, the NHL had a second team in New York. But this new team was put in Long Island, hence the name, the New York Islanders. The driving force behind this was William Shea, who had worked with MLB's New York Mets, hence the color choice.
Tom Cousins, owner of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, brought the NHL down south. He named this team the Atlanta Flames in honor of General William Sherman burning down the city during the Civil War. I really appreciate the abstract simplicity of this logo and how well it pairs with the Hawks' design.
November 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Tom Cousins, owner of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, brought the NHL down south. He named this team the Atlanta Flames in honor of General William Sherman burning down the city during the Civil War. I really appreciate the abstract simplicity of this logo and how well it pairs with the Hawks' design.
NHL logo history: 1972
Despite having added eight teams over the past five years, the NHL felt compelled to add two more teams this season to fend off the World Hockey Association.
But first, the Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the circle around their logo. And this is the design they use today.
Despite having added eight teams over the past five years, the NHL felt compelled to add two more teams this season to fend off the World Hockey Association.
But first, the Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the circle around their logo. And this is the design they use today.
November 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
NHL logo history: 1972
Despite having added eight teams over the past five years, the NHL felt compelled to add two more teams this season to fend off the World Hockey Association.
But first, the Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the circle around their logo. And this is the design they use today.
Despite having added eight teams over the past five years, the NHL felt compelled to add two more teams this season to fend off the World Hockey Association.
But first, the Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the circle around their logo. And this is the design they use today.
NHL logo history: 1971
The NHL still divided its 14 teams into an East and a West Division that had little relevance on actual geography (Vancouver was East and Philadelphia was West).
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers perfected their logo. Just the right font size. Nice lines and colors. I love it!
The NHL still divided its 14 teams into an East and a West Division that had little relevance on actual geography (Vancouver was East and Philadelphia was West).
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers perfected their logo. Just the right font size. Nice lines and colors. I love it!
November 26, 2025 at 1:44 AM
NHL logo history: 1971
The NHL still divided its 14 teams into an East and a West Division that had little relevance on actual geography (Vancouver was East and Philadelphia was West).
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers perfected their logo. Just the right font size. Nice lines and colors. I love it!
The NHL still divided its 14 teams into an East and a West Division that had little relevance on actual geography (Vancouver was East and Philadelphia was West).
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers perfected their logo. Just the right font size. Nice lines and colors. I love it!
Charles O. Finley lived up to his reputation as an eccentric owner and abruptly changed the name of the Bay Area Seals to the California Golden Seals after just two games into the 1970-71 season. They apparently kept using their funny-looking seal, but only as an alternate logo.
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Charles O. Finley lived up to his reputation as an eccentric owner and abruptly changed the name of the Bay Area Seals to the California Golden Seals after just two games into the 1970-71 season. They apparently kept using their funny-looking seal, but only as an alternate logo.
The Oakland Seals, meanwhile, were sold to Charles O. Finley, the owner of MLB's Oakland Athletics. He gave the Seals the same colors as the Athletics, but he oddly changed their name to the Bay Area Seals. According to @sportslogos.net, their primary logo became just the stylized team name.
November 25, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The Oakland Seals, meanwhile, were sold to Charles O. Finley, the owner of MLB's Oakland Athletics. He gave the Seals the same colors as the Athletics, but he oddly changed their name to the Bay Area Seals. According to @sportslogos.net, their primary logo became just the stylized team name.
The Seals also tried to move to Buffalo, but that was rejected. Since there was already an ownership group that tried to join in 1967, the NHL granted them a franchise in 1970. A fan contest gave them the name Sabres, as the owners wanted to avoid using Bisons (although they put on in their logo).
November 25, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The Seals also tried to move to Buffalo, but that was rejected. Since there was already an ownership group that tried to join in 1967, the NHL granted them a franchise in 1970. A fan contest gave them the name Sabres, as the owners wanted to avoid using Bisons (although they put on in their logo).
The Oakland Seals struggled right out the gate and almost immediately tried to move to Vancouver, but NHL wouldn't let them. Instead, the league compromised and allowed the Vancouver Canucks of the Western Hockey League to join. This franchise dates back to 1945 and had one of the more unique logos.
November 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The Oakland Seals struggled right out the gate and almost immediately tried to move to Vancouver, but NHL wouldn't let them. Instead, the league compromised and allowed the Vancouver Canucks of the Western Hockey League to join. This franchise dates back to 1945 and had one of the more unique logos.
NHL logo history: 1970
Just three years after doubling in size, the NHL decided to add two more teams. And it was mostly because of the Oakland Seals. But more on that later.
For now, here is the Toronto Maple Leafs simplifying their new logo. I consider this a bit of a downgrade.
Just three years after doubling in size, the NHL decided to add two more teams. And it was mostly because of the Oakland Seals. But more on that later.
For now, here is the Toronto Maple Leafs simplifying their new logo. I consider this a bit of a downgrade.
November 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
NHL logo history: 1970
Just three years after doubling in size, the NHL decided to add two more teams. And it was mostly because of the Oakland Seals. But more on that later.
For now, here is the Toronto Maple Leafs simplifying their new logo. I consider this a bit of a downgrade.
Just three years after doubling in size, the NHL decided to add two more teams. And it was mostly because of the Oakland Seals. But more on that later.
For now, here is the Toronto Maple Leafs simplifying their new logo. I consider this a bit of a downgrade.
NHL logo history: 1968
The 12-team NHL expanded to a 74-game season, but left the Original Six in the East Division, while all the new teams were dumped in the West. I think the Pittsburgh Penguins changed their logo to an angry penguin because they were mad about the geographic inconsistencies.
The 12-team NHL expanded to a 74-game season, but left the Original Six in the East Division, while all the new teams were dumped in the West. I think the Pittsburgh Penguins changed their logo to an angry penguin because they were mad about the geographic inconsistencies.
November 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM
NHL logo history: 1968
The 12-team NHL expanded to a 74-game season, but left the Original Six in the East Division, while all the new teams were dumped in the West. I think the Pittsburgh Penguins changed their logo to an angry penguin because they were mad about the geographic inconsistencies.
The 12-team NHL expanded to a 74-game season, but left the Original Six in the East Division, while all the new teams were dumped in the West. I think the Pittsburgh Penguins changed their logo to an angry penguin because they were mad about the geographic inconsistencies.
Just a couple of months after joining the NHL, the franchise changed its name again to the Oakland Seals. They altered the blue C into an O, but they left that strange ... is that supposed to be a seal? It looks like it was drawn by somebody who had only seen a seal once as a small child at the zoo.
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Just a couple of months after joining the NHL, the franchise changed its name again to the Oakland Seals. They altered the blue C into an O, but they left that strange ... is that supposed to be a seal? It looks like it was drawn by somebody who had only seen a seal once as a small child at the zoo.
I have saved the best for last — one of the most bizarre logos I've ever seen! The only new NHL team that was already an existing franchise was the California Seals, which began as the San Fransisco Seals in the Western Hockey League in 1961. They were renamed after moving to Oakland in 1966.
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I have saved the best for last — one of the most bizarre logos I've ever seen! The only new NHL team that was already an existing franchise was the California Seals, which began as the San Fransisco Seals in the Western Hockey League in 1961. They were renamed after moving to Oakland in 1966.
After the St. Louis Eagles folded in 1935, the Montreal Maroons attempted to revive their team there in 1945. But that fell through and the city had to wait until 1967 for the NHL to return. Their name is a direct reference to a 1914 jazz song written by W. C. Handy called "The Saint Louis Blues."
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
After the St. Louis Eagles folded in 1935, the Montreal Maroons attempted to revive their team there in 1945. But that fell through and the city had to wait until 1967 for the NHL to return. Their name is a direct reference to a 1914 jazz song written by W. C. Handy called "The Saint Louis Blues."
After the NHL's Pittsburgh Pirates left in 1930, the city got a new hockey team called the Pittsburgh Hornets, which played in the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1967. Rather than bringing the Hornets into the NHL, they killed that franchise and started a brand-new one called the Penguins.
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
After the NHL's Pittsburgh Pirates left in 1930, the city got a new hockey team called the Pittsburgh Hornets, which played in the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1967. Rather than bringing the Hornets into the NHL, they killed that franchise and started a brand-new one called the Penguins.
After the Philadelphia Quakers collapsed in 1931, the NHL almost returned in 1946, as the Montreal Maroons sought relocation. That deal fell through, and Philadelphia had to wait until 1967 to get a team. The owner's sister suggested the name Flyers and they gave it one of the best sports logos ever
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
After the Philadelphia Quakers collapsed in 1931, the NHL almost returned in 1946, as the Montreal Maroons sought relocation. That deal fell through, and Philadelphia had to wait until 1967 to get a team. The owner's sister suggested the name Flyers and they gave it one of the best sports logos ever
A group of nine men brought another expansion team to the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. They also held a fan contest to name the team, settling on the Minnesota North Stars — a reference to the state motto, "L'Étoile du Nord" or "The Star of the North." It's an odd logo, but I kind of like it.
November 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A group of nine men brought another expansion team to the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. They also held a fan contest to name the team, settling on the Minnesota North Stars — a reference to the state motto, "L'Étoile du Nord" or "The Star of the North." It's an odd logo, but I kind of like it.