Now that the obligatory, sarcastic Leaf comment is out of the way, the team did look good. I am not going to make any more analysis than that, but it was still just nice to have hockey back.
One thing that really bothers me about the franchise, and always has, is alot of the simple cosmetic touches. Pre-game intros have looked the exact same for several years now. Post game victory celebrations still look the same. Changing canned animations like goals and wins seems like a no-brainer, and a really easy way to make a game seem more updated. Yet EA refuses (or is simply just too lazy) to come up with new ones.
I am really getting into the "Be a Pro" mode this year though. The ability to sim to your next shift is huge for making the mode more playable. Nobody likes sitting on the bench in real life, never mind in a videogame, so taking that out of the game is huge.
It is also really disappointing to see that the new Winnipeg Jets jerseys still aren't in the game. I had NHL 11, and by the time the first jersey update was released, I had long since gotten bored of the game. I fear this update might take just as long. I usually get bored of the NHL games by the time the regular season gets going for real. It would be nice to get some games in with the Jets wearing something other than their hideous 1980's era uniform. I can't understand why EA included those unis and not the much better looking 1990's era sweater. That sweater would fit right in in today's NHL, and be one of the best looking ones to.
On to a pair of recently leaked third sweaters. The Senators and Maple Leafs both had their unveilings ruined by the Sabres arena store, and it confirms what most people have known for a while now. The Senators will be wearing a "throw back" looking uniform with thick black and red hoops, while the Maple Leafs will be wearing a 1967 inspired blue sweater.
As a Maple Leaf fan, I am a bit jealous here. The Senators jersey looks amazing, but I am quite underwhelmed by the Leafs sweater. The Sens sweater is something they have been sorely missing for over a decade. Namely, a GOOD sweater. Ever since Ottawa introduced their '3D' head logo, with the red and black, wavy stripe jersey, they have consistently been one of the ugliest teams in the league, so it is great that somebody in Ottawa has gotten a clue and made a jersey that looks distinctive and classic.
The Leafs jersey, while directly taken from the Leafs once glorious past (and it may still grow on me, particularly once I see it in action), is very boring looking. Though I think my reaction may have a bit to do with the fact that this sweater will be replacing one of, if not the best sweater in the entire league. The white, 36-point Maple Leaf sweater that Toronto has worn for about the last decade was hockey personified. I dont think there was a person on this earth who didn't agree that it was one of the best sweaters in the league. So, considering that, this sweater has a lot to live up to. I am happy to see the Leafs embracing the 67 era logo though. One thing about the Leafs I really like is the unique fact that they have, essentially, three different logos that are all immediately recognizable as symbols of the Maple Leafs organization (to hockey fans anyway).
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