Monday, October 27, 2008

Are the Sabres Rebranding?

With the fantastic announcement that Buffalo will be hosting the 2011 World Junior Championship, I noticed another interesting detail.



The real deal Sabres logo being used on the backdrop for the announcement is quite telling if you ask me.

Let's look at the facts. The Sabres are introducing a retro-style third jersey this year, bringing back their original and one true logo. When the players were introduced at the home opener, they all stormed out of those vintage crest-emblazoned curtains. We're a month into the season and the vintage logo still looks tremendous at center ice. And now the logo shows up on the backdrop for a major announcement in the hockey community.

Are the Sabres in the first stages of a rebranding? Are they taking steps towards salting the slug? Who knows. But a few big signs seem to be pointing to "yes."

So what do you think?

9 comments:

Charlie @ Sabres Not Slugs.com said...

I couldn't imagine how awful the slug would look next to the USA hockey logo...actually I can. It looks awful with just about everything.

Drew Celestino said...

It's just very fascinating to me to see the classic logo being used so heavily in the last month or so.

The writing seems to be on the wall. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. They're still wearing the slug nightly. But man are they going out of their way to not use it elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

I thought the very same thing when I saw that photo. I think this is the start of the phasing out stage....let's hope! :-D

Unknown said...

I pray it mean's something!
And it's so great to see our real logo more and more, it looks so great on our ice, I've got my 3rd ordered, but it's my #1 all the way! NO SLUGS!!! GO SABRES!

Unknown said...

The Sabres 40th anniversery is next season. Wouldn't be great if they were to bring back the classic logo then.

Anonymous said...

I remember hearing when the slug came out that the logo can only be changed once every 10 years and that is why we had the black and red from 96-06. and as far as the slug goes i have yet to hear anyone mention the similarity between it and the basic HSBC arena logo that is on the front of the podium. I'd say the Sabres are slowly trying to create a modern image by getting everyone used to a newer logo while trying to maintain the heritage that somes with the "old" logo

Anonymous said...

I'd say that everyone needs to get over the fact that the Sabres have changes the logo and accept that the team is trying to maintain an image that identifies the different eras of buffalo hockey. the original "Blue and Gold" was established by the french connection and had little or no luster until the the black and red was defined by Peca and Hasek. The current incarnation of the team is being defined by Miller and Team leaders such as Gaustad or Pominville. So everyone that is whining about the new logo they need to get over it and accept that things have and will continue to change. I don't ever hear anyone saying that the Bills need to go back to the "standing" buffalo on the helmet. It take a while but eventually everyone will get sed to the change.

Drew Celestino said...

If you feel so strongly, perhaps you should leave your name next time.

Oh, and I'm sure you could find quite a few people who would love the Bills to go back to the standing buffalo. Myself included.

Unknown said...

Ah, nothing says "strong in my convictions" like an anonymous posting! The slug was a mistake; period. Funny that the Crossed Sabres, Angy Goat and the Original have all been accepted once they are shown in Blue & gold, yet, the Slug is still the brunt of many jokes.