A jersey is an important symbol in the hockey world. For many, it’s a sacred relic that’s donned by only the most diligent and disciplined hockey players, who all ban together under one emblem to play their hearts out for the team and each other.
Hockey fans, on the other hand, love to debate the aesthetics of jerseys. It’s why fans got so up in arms about advertisement patches on jerseys not too long ago. Any slight change to a team’s iconic look is scrutinized and argued about to no end.
MORE NHL: Ranking all 32 NHL team logos, from worst to best (2023 edition)
It’s been a few years since we looked at and ranked the NHL’s slate of home jerseys, but folks, we’re back! Since then, teams have made some significant changes to their home sweaters, for the better and for the worse. Plus, this season is the last time Adidas will produce the NHL’s jerseys before Fanatics takes over in 2024-25, so many of these looks will likely change going forward.
Without further ado, here are all 32 current NHL home jerseys for the 2023-24 season, ranked from worst to first.
32
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks name and logo have remained unchanged despite cries for its removal due to the harmful effects of Native American appropriation. It’s past time for Chicago to change course but until they do, they sit dead last in our rankings.
31
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks will be wearing Mighty Ducks alternates for the 2023-24 season, which is a solid first step. While I appreciate the cleverness of the Ducks current primary logo, Anaheim should return to their Mighty Ducks roots full time.
30
Florida Panthers
Florida’s jerseys have a nice color palate, but look too much like a modern soccer kit rather than a hockey sweater. The Panthers have had this look since 2017 and it might just be time for a redesign.
29
Los Angeles Kings
There’s nothing egregiously wrong with the Kings’ jerseys, but they suffer largely in these rankings for just being … boring. Black, silver and white are a solid color combination, but in a league with more unique and lively designs, the Kings fall way short.
28
Nashville Predators
Yellow is a very overpowering color and the Predators have way too much of it. Adding more navy blue or white to the mix to offset their bold yellow would make this a more palatable jersey to look at for sure.
27
Columbus Blue Jackets
Nice nods to the state of Ohio aside, the Blue Jackets’ logo and jersey leave a lot to be desired. Columbus has been sitting on this jersey concept since the mid-2000s and it feels ripe for a refresh to bring it into the modern NHL era.
26
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks just don’t have a lot going for them here. The jersey is fine and the logo is nice, as always, but Vancouver has kept this look around for some time now. This jersey just doesn’t excite me like some others do later down this list.
25
Washington Capitals
The Capitals’ script logo has worn out its welcome, as the team should move to their secondary logo featured on their shoulder patch full time. Or, better yet, bring back the Screaming Eagle and update it with their current color scheme.
24
Colorado Avalanche
I applaud the Avalanche for having one of the NHL’s more unique color schemes, but the blue pants blend right in with their jerseys and ruin the whole effect. Colorado had something cooking here with these jerseys, but swung too far in one direction to make them fully work.
23
Ottawa Senators
The Senators did the right thing in moving back to their old logo, but these jerseys could still use a few touchups. Adding a bit of white — or even a hint of gold — to their home jersey would offset the black and red combo they’ve got going on.
22
Tampa Bay Lightning
While Tampa Bay’s jerseys are easy on the eyes, big points are knocked off for being a carbon copy of the Maple Leafs’ iconic sweaters. When your team is named after a powerful force of nature, it feels like there was a missed opportunity to go bigger here.
21
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes really had something going with their home red jerseys, but have since swapped them out for these primary black ones with the hurricane warning logo instead. While it was neat to see them do so for one season, it’d be nice to see a return to their classic red sweaters.
20
Vegas Golden Knights
Much like the Hurricanes, the Golden Knights swapped to using their gold alternates as their home jerseys last season. While I get their desire to keep their championship vibes rolling into the 2023-24 season, the Golden Knights’ gray sweaters were the far better home jersey compared to these. Too much gold for my liking!
19
Winnipeg Jets
It’s a shame the Jets won’t commit to fully using their old logo — even though it’s not the same Jets team — because their current offerings have gotten stale in recent years. The Jets’ current color scheme is nice, but it’s utilized in a very basic way that is outclassed by other jerseys on this list.
18
Dallas Stars
The Stars really rock this shade of green, but it’d be nice to see their jersey get a bit of a face lift to make them even better. I was never a fan of the collar some jerseys had with Adidas, but given that Fanatics will take over making jerseys next season, we might not have known how good we’ve had it.
17
Philadelphia Flyers
After a decade-plus with the same jerseys, the Flyers tweaked their offerings for the 2023-24 season and beyond. The Flyers have since gone back to their original deeper orange, with their jerseys modeling those of the 1980s and 1990s teams. It’s a great look, but the solid color numbers make the jersey look unfinished in an unfortunate way.
16
New York Islanders
The Islanders haven’t messed around much with their home jerseys and for good reason. The big stripes of white and orange at the bottom and on the sleeves help balance out the deep blue of this sweater quite nicely. Who knows how long this jersey can hold out before it starts to get stale in New York, but it’s very solid all the same.
15
Boston Bruins
The Bruins severely downgraded their home kit for their 100th anniversary jerseys. The lack of color on the shoulders throws the balance of this jersey off completely, with the yellow itself changed from their previously bold shade to a lighter, more metallic coloration. It still works well because it’s the Bruins, but it’s a definite disappointment for sure.
14
San Jose Sharks
Teal is a great color and the Sharks rock it well. The recent additions of small stripes of black and white to the bottom of the jersey alongside the sleeves really helped tone down the teal enough to look cohesive and uniform. My only quibble? These jerseys could have used a dash more orange to make it really pop off the ice.
13
New Jersey Devils
The Devils have one of the best logos in the sport and it’s highlighted front and center with their jersey. The black shoulder pads and modest arm striping frame direct your focus right to the crest, as intended. A little on the basic side, but given how sharp the Devils’ emblem is, we’ll let it slide because it’s just that good.
12
Arizona Coyotes
The Kachina jersey never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s a relic of the 1990s in the best way possible and I’m glad the Coyotes have stuck with it in recent years. It just has way more personality than their previous offerings ever did.
11
Calgary Flames
I have to applaud the Flames for not using black in their home jersey at all. These bold lines and bright colors might not work for every team, but Calgary takes it to a new level with these blazing sweaters worthy of the Flames name.
10
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken have been around the block for a little while now in the NHL and yet, I still can’t believe how well they knocked their branding out of the park right away. While Seattle’s home sweaters aren’t as good as their gorgeous away jerseys, the Kraken really made a statement with these sweaters. The subtle red stripes to match the logo are a personal highlight.
9
St. Louis Blues
The Blues have rocked this jersey for some time now and it’s yet to fall out of favor. The thin, horizontal striping frames their logo nicely and the color scheme is easy on the eyes. A very simple jersey, but an effective one all the same.
8
Edmonton Oilers
Hockey fans, rejoice! No longer will we have to avert our eyes from the orange monstrosities that were the Oilers previous home jerseys. In 2022, the Oilers went back to their primary blue sweaters at home and we’re all better off for it. The Oilers current home jerseys are a gorgeous mix of blue, orange and white, with a pattern that harkens back to their Stanley Cup days. Never change from these again, Edmonton.
7
Detroit Red Wings
One of the NHL’s most classic jerseys, without a doubt. The Red Wings got it right on the first try and have never had to change it since. That, right there, is how you know a jersey is good.
6
Buffalo Sabres
It’s funny how a slight color tweak can completely change the look of a jersey. Back in 2021, the Sabres returned to their original royal blue, giving the team a much-needed facelift for their jerseys as well. The yellow and white give the jersey some much needed pop while the Sabres’ superb logo remains the focus in the center.
5
Minnesota Wild
While the Wild’s logo has garnered criticism over the years for its ambiguity, the rest of Minnesota’s get up is top of the class. The cream-colored stripes with a touch of red balance out the forest green really nicely without looking too much like Christmas has come early. Overall, a top tier jersey worthy of the State of Hockey.
4
New York Rangers
No one does script lettering like the Rangers. These classic jerseys have been mostly untouched in New York’s history as an Original Six team and it’s not hard to see why. In a league of modern logos and fresh takes, the Rangers will forever have a place in our hearts for their classy look.
3
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs jerseys were always iconic, but this edition with the stylized maple leaf is their best version yet. A simple blue and white jersey with hardly any frills. Can’t get much better than that.
2
Pittsburgh Penguins
Between the gorgeous color blocking of yellow and white and the Penguins iconic logo, Pittsburgh hit a home run with this jersey. This shade of yellow suits the Penguins so much better than their muddy gold they used for about a decade in the early 2000s, with this sunflower shade making the details pop in a very satisfying way. An incredibly crisp and clean jersey through and through.
1
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have kept this simple jersey design throughout their entire history and it still works in 2023. Stripes frame the Canadiens’ iconic logo, with the same alternating color blocks wrapping around the arms and waist. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect hockey jersey and we don’t see the Canadiens changing this anytime soon.
