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For hockey fans, it is the most exciting time of the year. The ices are in and the puck has dropped on a new season. Let's dive into the changes each team has made to their center ice design compared to last season. We’ll assess whether the changes are a hit or a miss, giving them either a thumbs up or thumbs down. Anaheim Ducks: Last season, the Ducks kept things simple with a classic checkered center line—letting their bold new ice logo take the spotlight. This year, they’re dialing up the personality with a subtle tribute to their mascot, Wild Wing. His signature logo now appears along the center line, cleverly echoing the stick design from the team’s primary crest. It’s a smart blend of tradition and flair: the checkered look remains intact, but now with a distinct Ducks twist. This upgrade earns a solid UP from me. The Boston Bruins have officially embraced the logo from their 2023–24 Centennial Season, a fan favorite that’s now become their full-time identity. It’s a strong move on the branding front, and the jerseys look fantastic. But when it comes to the ice, there’s a subtle shift worth noting: instead of the home jersey logo designed for black backgrounds, they’ve opted for the away version, better suited to white ice. While that choice makes technical sense, something about the overall presentation feels like a step back compared to last year’s mark. The brand itself is a win, but the ice execution leaves me wanting more. For now, I’m giving this one a DOWN , but this look could grow on me down the road. The Calgary Flames  have inverted their colors at center ice, opting for a white logo on a bold red background. What makes this design work is the subtle smoke/flame effect woven into the red. I've tried this color-inversion concept for other teams without success, but the Flames have absolutely nailed it. This gets a big UP  from me! The Chicago Blackhawks  are celebrating their centennial season by featuring their anniversary logo at center ice. While it's a classy commemorative design, I think they missed an opportunity. Opting for a hollow center line within the anniversary logo would have been better, as the current design obscures too much of their primary crest. Still, for a seasonal tribute, I give it an UP . For their 30th anniversary, the Colorado Avalanche have unveiled a center ice logo that is, frankly, disappointing. While the overall design attempts to be commemorative, its heavy reliance on the overlapping "XXX" is a critical oversight. The meaning associated with those letters is unmistakable and detracts completely from the celebration. The failure to catch this in the design approval stage is baffling. It's a quick DOWN . The Columbus Blue Jackets  are marking their 25th season with a new anniversary logo at center ice. The logo attempts to feature the outline of the state of Ohio, which should be its main draw. Unfortunately, the way the state is cropped in the design makes it lose its familiar shape and impact. Since that geographic element is the primary selling point, its failure earns this ice a DOWN . The Dallas Stars  made a subtle but effective change to their center ice this season. They switched to a hollow center line, which successfully allows more of their alternate "Texas" logo to show through. Although the previous design was perfectly fine, this cleaner look is a definite improvement. It earns an UP . The Detroit Red Wings ' 100th-anniversary logo at center ice is a success, even if I have one minor gripe: covering the classic Winged Wheel with "Hockeytown" in that font feels a bit jarring. That said, the Red Wings did the right thing by giving fans what they wanted, as supporters strongly voted to revive the look. The final result looks great, and the "D" logos subtly lining the center stripe elevate the entire presentation. A big UP  for the team's centennial ice. To commemorate their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, the Florida Panthers have revived their championship center ice. The layout is identical to last season's impressive design, but they made one key adjustment: changing the color used for the Cup details. That minor alteration somehow works even better than the original. Since they took a great look and slightly improved it, it gets an UP . The Los Angeles Kings  are attempting a nostalgic throwback by placing their secondary crown logo at center ice, reminiscent of the old Great Western Forum layout. I appreciate the historical nod, but the execution is too busy. The combination of the secondary logo, the surrounding text, and the large, required Crypto.com Arena text creates a cluttered and overwhelming appearance. They missed the mark on capturing the intended simplicity of that classic look. This attempt falls short, earning a DOWN . The Minnesota Wild 's 25th-anniversary logo is absolutely stunning at center ice. It's a fantastic design. My one significant complaint is the placement of the arena wordmark, which awkwardly throws the entire center ice layout off balance—a design choice I strongly dislike when teams employ it. However, the logo itself is so great that I'll overlook the text issue for now. This gets an UP , but they really need to fix that text placement in the future. The Montreal Canadiens  delivered a genuine surprise by debuting this fancy new center ice design—a marked departure for a team that stuck with the old dual-logo layout until the 2017-18 season. The new look is a classy logo that subtly celebrates their history of Stanley Cup victories through features that resemble the inside of the Cup itself. While the timing is a bit odd given their long championship drought, the design is excellent and earns an UP . I do hope, however, that the team revisits the classic dual-logo layout again sometime in the near future. The Nashville Predators  dropped a surprise with their incredibly creative center ice design this season. It's a fantastic embrace of their colors and their famous nickname, "Smashville." The detail I love most is the incorporation of guitar strings running across the center line—it's brilliant and perfectly on brand. This look is a huge success. An UP  for Smashville! For their centennial season, the New York Rangers  introduced a slightly tweaked center ice, replacing their primary crest with a commemorative 100th-anniversary logo. They also made minor adjustments to the font and circle trim. While the overall look is acceptable, I genuinely prefer their previous layout. The one notable improvement is the center line, where the small Rangers logo outlines have been moved closer together. Unfortunately, the overall change isn't an upgrade. This one gets a DOWN . The Ottawa Senators  have brought back their full circle, cropped logo for center ice this season. While they improved the design by opting for a hollow center line, which is a nice touch, reviving this overall look wasn't the move I was hoping for. I felt last season's attempt at creativity missed the mark, and simply improving the center line isn't enough to make this layout work for me. It's still a DOWN . The Philadelphia Flyers'  center ice layout remains traditional, with the only change being the new arena name. Crucially, the text for the new name is significantly smaller than the old arena text. This reduction in size provides a much cleaner, less cluttered look that truly benefits this classic layout. For fans of traditional ice designs, this is a definite UP . I love that the San Jose Sharks are unafraid to experiment with their center ice each season. For their 35th anniversary, they introduced a new design that accompanies a special jersey. However, the commemorative mark itself is confusing. If you don't know the anniversary already, the only way to get the number "35" is by subtly counting the design elements around the logo—a concept that's too subtle for a celebration. Their design peaked in 2023-24, and this new look marks a continued slide. This is a DOWN . The Seattle Kraken  surprised everyone by bringing the design for their new glow-in-the-dark jerseys to center ice. Contrary to what might be expected, the logo looks genuinely cool on the ice. They also made a smart technical improvement by using a hollow center line this season, which allows the Kraken's eye to remain visible. This unexpected success definitely deserves an UP . The St. Louis Blues'  new logo and colors look fantastic at center ice. The subtle change of replacing the Blue Note with the Fleur-de-lis within the center line is a brilliant touch. However, the center ice suffers from a major imbalance issue—something I've noted before. The Blue Note logo doesn't naturally fill the circular space well, and the team continues to place the arena text awkwardly at the top and bottom, straddling the center line instead of using the text to balance the overall composition. For the strength of the new logo alone, this gets an UP , but the layout definitely needs a creative overhaul next season. The Tampa Bay Lightning  updated their center ice this season due to a new arena name. I expected to prefer the new look over the old Amalie Arena text, but surprisingly, I don't. It's not a step backward, but it's not an improvement either. The change is simply a neutral one —just different. Therefore, I can't give it an UP or a DOWN. The new Utah Mammoth  center ice is truly a sight for sore eyes! After a season of generic "UTAH" branding, the arrival of their actual logo is a huge relief, and it’s a quite nice one at that. They smartly kept the distinctive state of Utah shapes in the center line. This is a great, strong look to introduce the new franchise branding. Knowing their staff includes the former Vegas center ice designer, I'm optimistic for more creative designs in the future. This ice is definitely an UP —or should I say, TUSKS UP ! The Vancouver Canucks  showed creativity with their center ice last season, but the partial roundel circle behind the logo made the design feel slightly off. I appreciate that they recognized this; they kept the elements that worked and removed the background circle this year. That simple adjustment makes the ice look much cleaner and better organized. This revised look is a definite UP . The Vegas Golden Knights  have once again decked out their ice in all gold. While this specific design might not have the same "pop" as some of their previous concepts, it remains uniquely theirs. I appreciate that they consistently keep us guessing with a different look every season. For the continued commitment to originality, this one gets an UP . (Shaking my head) The Washington Capitals have once again missed a huge opportunity at center ice. They could be showcasing their awesome eagle secondary logo, but instead, they rely on the ill-suited primary wordmark. This choice results in the center line dissecting key letters—the "T" and the "i." Adding insult to injury, they removed the stars in the red line, which was the sole design element that previously worked. This is a significant downgrade and a giant DOWN . When will the Caps finally get a good-looking ice? The Winnipeg Jets  are marking their 15th anniversary with a new center ice logo, but the execution is severely flawed. At a quick glance, the number actually reads closer to "16" due to the way the solid red center line cuts across it. Furthermore, that same line needlessly covers a significant portion of the primary logo. It is baffling that they didn't use a hollow center line to allow these commemorative elements to be more visible. The Jets' normal layout is excellent, making this poorly executed anniversary look a clear DOWN . That is our look at all of the center ice changes in the NHL this season. I feel like I was more critical of the designs this year than in previous seasons. I do appreciate teams getting creative but there were some questionable calls this year. What do you think of my reflection on the changes. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. You can also see all of these ices in multiple graphic formats in the NHL Center Ice Archive .

The Tampa Bay Lightning will have a new name for their home arena. Benchmark International Arena. This rebranding marks the end of a decade-long partnership with Amalie Motor Oil and ushers in a fresh identity for one of the NHL’s most iconic venues. Benchmark International, a global mergers and acquisitions firm headquartered in Tampa, brings not only its name but also a commitment to community investment. The partnership includes over $3 million in nonprofit contributions aimed at supporting health, education, and hunger initiatives in the region. Since its opening in 1996, the arena has undergone several name changes, each reflecting a different era in Tampa Bay sports history: Year Arena Name Notes 1996–2002 Ice Palace Original name upon opening 2002–2012 St. Pete Times Forum Named after the local newspaper 2012–2014 Tampa Bay Times Forum Reflecting the paper’s rebranding 2014–2025 Amalie Arena Named after Amalie Oil Company 2025– Benchmark International Arena Current name, honoring a Tampa-based M&A firm Before settling into their downtown home, the Lightning played in a series of temporary venues: Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds (1992–1993)   A modest 11,000-seat venue where the Lightning stunned the Chicago Blackhawks in their first regular-season game. Florida Suncoast Dome / Thunderdome (1993–1996)   Located in St. Petersburg, this baseball-designed stadium was reconfigured for hockey. It’s now known as Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. These early years were marked by scrappy determination and a growing fan base, laying the groundwork for the franchise’s eventual success—including three Stanley Cup championships. The Benchmark International Arena will undergo a phased rebranding, including: New exterior and interior signage Digital integrations Renaming of the premium club level to the Benchmark International Club Level, featuring “The Mark” as its signature all-inclusive experience. Finally, lets take a look at what the center ice layout could look like with the new branding. This is just our guess. We have not seen any official layouts at this time.

The Detroit Red Wings are gearing up for their 100th NHL season in 2025–26 with a nostalgic and fan-driven twist. Following a public vote, the team announced that the “Hey Hey Hockeytown” logo will be featured at center ice in Little Caesars Arena. This design pays tribute to the franchise’s rich history, combining a redrawn version of the classic 1934 Winged Wheel, a modernized “100” emblem to mark the centennial, and the iconic “Hockeytown” wordmark first introduced in 1996. The fan vote, held in partnership with Meijer, saw an enthusiastic response, with over 20,000 votes cast in the first 72 hours. “Hey Hey Hockeytown” emerged as the clear favorite, reflecting the community’s deep connection to the team’s legacy. Asia Gholston, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, noted that the overwhelming participation shows fans are excited to celebrate 100 years of Red Wings hockey. The new logo will debut this fall as part of the Centennial season, which also includes single-game ticket sales and a lineup of commemorative events. While it’s not yet confirmed whether the “Hockeytown” wordmark will remain beyond this season, its return to center ice serves as a powerful symbol of Detroit’s enduring hockey pride. You can view the full rink graphics here .

A few years ago, the NHL stopped putting playoff logos on ice. Fans want them and while we can't make that happen, we can do the next best thing: As each NHL  team secures a spot in the Stanley Cup  playoffs, we will be posting HD ice graphics that include our concept for what the new playoff branding could look like on ice if the NHL were to listen to the fans again. Here are all 16 teams that are in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Download 3D View | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View

After 25 years of calling it "The X," Minnesota Wild fans will walk into a newly christened arena this fall: Grand Casino Arena. The name change marks the end of Xcel Energy’s quarter-century naming rights deal and the beginning of a 14-year partnership between Minnesota Sports and Entertainment and Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley, enterprises of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. While fans may struggle to stop calling it “The X,” the Wild and Grand Casino are promising a seamless — and exciting — transition. The name change also comes at a pivotal time. The Wild and the City of St. Paul are pushing for a nearly half-billion-dollar renovation of the arena to modernize the building and enhance fan experience. That effort, paired with the new name, could usher in a fresh new identity for one of the NHL’s most beloved homes. So, what does all of this mean for the ice itself? Come October, Wild fans may look down during the national anthem and see "Grand Casino Arena" gleaming at center ice — a bold new logo painted over the frozen stage where legends skate. We may also see the 25'th Anniversary logo of the Minnesota Wild at center ice. Here is our concept of what the ice might look like.

The Utah Mammoth has officially stomped onto the NHL scene, marking a bold new chapter for professional hockey in the state. After a 13-month process involving four rounds of fan voting and over 850,000 votes, the franchise unveiled its permanent identity. The name pays homage to the mammoths that roamed Utah during the last Ice Age, symbolizing strength, resilience, and an unstoppable force on the ice. The Mountain Mammoth logo is a striking representation of Utah’s landscape and heritage. It features the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains, the outline of the state embedded in the peaks, and curved tusks forming a bold “U”. The team’s colors—Rock Black, Mountain Blue, and Salt White—remain consistent with the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season. As the home of the center ice archive, it’s only fitting that we look ahead to what Utah’s center ice might become. Our concept rink design keeps it simple, featuring only the primary logo at center ice. However, given the talent behind Utah’s graphics team—including a designer from Vegas who played a key role in crafting some truly unique and visually stunning ice layouts—we wouldn’t be surprised to see something more inventive for Utah. The possibilities are wide open, and if history is any indicator, we could be in for something bold, creative, and unmistakably Mammoth. What do you think of the new branding? What name would you have liked to see the team go with. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Comcast Spectacor and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) have announced that home to the Flyers, 76ers, and top-tier global events—will be renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and will remain through the 2030-2031 season. The venue itself is no stranger to change. Following a multi-year, $400 million renovation, the arena has been redesigned from top to bottom, reaffirming its status as a world-class venue for sports and entertainment. The partnership between Comcast and HBSE signals a commitment to innovation, improving fan experiences, and keeping the arena at the cutting edge of technology. The arena currently known as Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia has undergone several name changes since its opening in 1996. Initially, it was called CoreStates Center (1996–1998), then became First Union Center (1998–2003), followed by Wachovia Center (2003–2010). In 2010, it was renamed Wells Fargo Center after Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia. Now, as part of a new partnership, the arena will be renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena, effective September 1, 2025, with the name set to remain through the 2030-2031 season. This will run through the end of the arena's life as a new arena is expected to replace it at that time. With the arena’s new name set, it’s clear that center ice is in for a refresh next season. Fans remain strongly in favor of the dual Flyers logo, and the tradition of the triple red stripe for the center line will likely return as well. That leaves just one big question—how will the new arena name be incorporated into the design? Here is a concept which seems most likely. We will be keeping an eye out for any clues that might suggest what direction they will be taking for the ice layout, but we will know for sure in September.

In recent seasons, the NCAA's Men's Regional Championship games featured a simplistic and somewhat non-descriptive center-ice logo. However, this year they've introduced a fresh design that integrates familiar elements with new, dynamic features. The updated logo retains the skater from previous iterations but now includes a graphic interpretation of the Regional Championship trophy. Additionally, the year of the tournament is prominently displayed, creating a clear time marker for highlights and replays—a detail that could enhance historical context for future audiences. The customized center circle continues to incorporate the arena name at the top and the city/state at the bottom. However, spacing and alignment issues sometimes arise, especially as they attempt to balance the text across the red line. Despite these occasional imbalances, the personalized design helps ground the event in its specific location and adds to its identity. This revised approach feels like a step forward, adding both aesthetic appeal and functional clarity to the branding. What do you think of this evolution? Does it strike the right balance between tradition and innovation? Here are the four center ice layouts used in the 2025 Men's Regional Championship. Be sure to check out the NCAA center ice archive to view the full rink designs.

Last season, the Boston Bruins celebrated their centennial with a series of special logos and uniforms that resonated deeply with fans. The vintage-inspired designs, harkening back to the team's storied history, were widely praised for their elegance and respect for tradition. Now, whispers of a permanent return to these beloved aesthetics are circulating, fueled by a recent jersey sighting and stirring up a fervent debate among the Black and Gold faithful. The buzz began following a CBC feature on Fanatics' operations in Canada. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted brand-new Bruins jerseys bearing the centennial crest, albeit on a slightly modified version of the team's standard home jersey. This subtle tweak, incorporating the classic centennial logo into the familiar black and gold, has ignited speculation that the Bruins organization is poised to adopt this design as their full-time look for the upcoming season. The potential switch back to the centennial-inspired design also raises the question of how it will impact the look of the ice itself. Center ice logos are a crucial element of the game-day experience, and a new jersey would necessitate a corresponding change. To illustrate this, let's explore two possible center ice designs, assuming the Bruins do indeed adopt the centennial crest permanently: Option 1 A return to the previous season's center ice. Option 2 The crest from the road jersey which inverts the black and gold in the logo. Which layout would you prefer to see at center ice?

The St. Louis Blues may be getting a new look soon. According to a report by Icethetics , the team is considering a rebrand that would include a new primary logo. The current Blue Note logo has been in use since 1998, but it is rumored that the team is looking to go back to a more classic look. The new logo is said to be inspired by the team's history, and it could be a throwback to the original Blue Note logo from the 1960s. While the team has not officially confirmed anything, the report has sparked a lot of speculation among fans. Many are excited about the possibility of a new logo, while others are hesitant to see the team's iconic Blue Note logo change. Of course, as the home of the Center Ice Archive, we can't wait to see what such a logo might look like on ice. Let's take a look at a couple concepts. Here is the new potential primary logo at center ice, along with the secondary logo within the center line. As with most of my Blues' concepts, I have moved the arena text to the sides to add more balance. With this next concept, I included the Gateway Arch, which not only is an iconic symbol that overlooks downtown St. Louis but also acts as a balance in the center circle. I would encourage you to check out Icethetics Jersey Watch video where he discusses the Blues potential rebrand along many other possibilities for new logos/jerseys around the league. What do you think of this potential new look for the Blues?

The Philadelphia Flyers are undergoing a series of notable changes, both on and off the ice. While the recent news of head coach John Tortorella's dismissal grabbed headlines, another update went almost unnoticed—the team redesigned their ice surface mid-season. During a break in Flyers home games in mid-March, the ice underwent a subtle yet meaningful update. At the start of the season, fans were surprised by the team's choice of a solid red line at center ice, a departure from the traditional design that had been a hallmark of Flyers history. For years, the Flyers' center line featured two thin white stripes flanking the red, creating a distinct three-stripe appearance. Starting with the game on March 27, the classic design made its long-awaited return. Apart from this change, the only other adjustment was the replacement of a corner advertisement with one that provided better on-ice visibility. This redesign was a welcome nod to tradition, rekindling nostalgia for longtime fans. Unfortunately, with the season winding down, this fresh yet familiar look won't be seen for much longer. Hopefully, the Flyers carry this iconic design forward into the next season, blending history with the promise of a new era for the team. Check out the Flyers 2025 rink page to view the new ice layout.

The sizes and shapes of professional hockey rinks have evolved over the years. Even today, while most leagues have standardized rink dimensions, there are still noticeable variations in size and layout. Let’s explore some of the most common rink designs! Standard North American Rink - Used in all 32 NHL arenas. The standard North American ice rink size used in the NHL is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. This rink size became the standard for the league in 1929, ensuring consistency across all arenas. It is considered ideal for the NHL because it balances speed, physicality, and skill, creating an exciting style of play with fast transitions, high-impact checking, and ample scoring opportunities. The smaller width compared to international rinks (which are 100 feet wide) leads to tighter gameplay, more board battles, and an emphasis on quick decision-making, making it well-suited for the NHL’s fast-paced and physical style of hockey. Standard International Rink The standard international ice rink size is 200 feet long by 100 feet wide (61 meters by 30 meters). This larger width, compared to the NHL’s 85-foot-wide rink, provides more open ice, emphasizing skating, puck control, and tactical play over physicality. It is the standard for international competitions, including the Olympics and IIHF events, and is commonly used in European leagues. The extra space allows for a more strategic, possession-based game with fewer body checks and more focus on skillful passing and positioning. This rink size became widely adopted in the early 20th century, particularly in European countries, and remains the preferred dimension for international play today. Note: Due to the image dimensions, the site has shrunk this image. It is actually the same length as the rink above. Shortened Ice Rinks Some hockey teams, including the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres, historically played on shorter ice rinks, which were less than the standard 200 feet in length. For example, the old Boston Garden had a rink measuring 191 feet by 83 feet, while the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium had a 185-foot-long rink. These smaller rinks created a tighter, more physical game, with less room for players to maneuver, leading to more board battles, quick plays, and an increased emphasis on defensive positioning. While the NHL has since standardized its rink size to 200 by 85 feet, some lower-level leagues, older arenas, and college or minor league teams still use shorter rinks today. These rinks tend to favor gritty, physical play over open-ice speed and finesse, making them unique in how they influence the style of hockey played on them. Corner Radius While all NHL rinks follow the standard 200-foot by 85-foot dimensions, the corner board radius can vary slightly between arenas, affecting gameplay. The NHL standard corner radius is 28 feet, which provides a moderate curve that allows for smooth puck movement and controlled rebounds. However, some older rinks and non-NHL venues have used different corner radii, impacting how the puck caroms off the boards and how players navigate the ice. For example: Madison Square Garden (New York Rangers) historically had tighter corners, making for more abrupt rebounds and favoring a physical, grinding style of play. Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (former home of the Sabres) had a small corner radius, contributing to unpredictable puck bounces. Some European and Olympic-sized rinks feature a much larger radius, up to 30 feet or more, creating more gradual, sweeping corners that facilitate fluid play and wide turns. The 2011 NHL arena standardization efforts aimed to unify rink dimensions, including corner radii, to ensure consistency across all venues. However, slight differences still exist, making each arena subtly unique and allowing for different styles of play based on how the puck reacts off the boards. The examples below show the NHL standard radius of 28 feet, then 20 feet which I have found to be a bit more common in NCAA rinks, followed by very short corners which you might find in some older rinks like TD Place in Ottawa. I have been unable to verify the exact dimensions of their corner boards. Which rink style do you prefer, and why? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

The NHL is no stranger to having retro nights, and different teams celebrate in unique ways. We have seen throwback jerseys, 90's game presentation, and even vintage scoreboard graphics taking over the state-of-the-art video boards. However, one thing we haven't seen are vintage ice designs. Changing up the ice designs for a single game would certainly be the most-costly way to celebrate, but would it be unreasonable? Considering the NHL already requires every playoff team to swap out their corner in-ice advertisements each year, surely this would not be all that different. Special events such as the Allstar Game often require the entire rink to be painted over with new logos and ads which can later be shaved off brining the return of the original layout. So, what if each team repainted their ice for just one night? For this post we will stick with the current neutral zone dimensions with the current faceoff circles, goal crease, trapezoids, etc. We will be looking at what each team could do to bring a piece of their ice history into the current rink layout. Along the way, we will break a few of the ice regulations such as interrupting the red line, but nothing that the NHL hasn't broken itself with events such as the Winter Classic. Here is what we have come up with. Anaheim Ducks Inspired by the 1995 season, we bring back the Mighty Duck and the unique red line pattern. Boston Bruins Inspired by the 1994 season and the last non-commemorative ice layout used at the Boston Garden. Buffalo Sabres Inspired by the 1997 season with the Hasek era logo. Calgary Flames Inspired by the 1995 season. Carolina Hurricanes Inspired by the 1998 season. Chicago Blackhawks Inspired by the 1994 season. This was the final layout used in the Chicago Stadium. Colorado Avalanche The Avalanche have always had a giant primary logo at center ice (aside from anniversary logos) so this one is more of a hypothetical layout. We gave it a retro feel with two smaller logos and the 1996 red line. Columbus Blue Jackets Inspired by the 2001 season. Dallas Stars Inspired by the 1999 season. Detroit Red Wings Inspired by the 2000 season, the Hockeytown text returns. The Little Caesars Arena text has been turned blue to look more like the Joe Louis Arena text of the time. This might seem unlikely for a brand to change their colors for such a night, but the brand is all under the same umbrella as the team. Edmonton Oilers Inspired by the 1994 season, the Rogers Place logo is perfect for bringing back that Northlands Coliseum vibe. Florida Panthers Inspired by the 2001 season. We brought back the oldest version of the head-only logo. This would have been from the "National Car Rental Center" days. Los Angeles Kings Inspired by the 1997 season, Crytpo.com Arena is far from the Great Western Forum namesake, but it will have to do for this layout. Minnesota Wild Inspired by the 2002 season. The arena name is set to change next season so we hope whatever the new name is might fit in well with this layout. Montreal Canadiens Inspired by the final season in the Montreal Forum, we are bringing back the much smaller dual layout and red line design. Nashville Predators Inspired by the 1999 season. New Jersey Devils Inspired by the 1983 season with a unique layout for the old green and red logos. New York Islanders Inspired by the 1996 season, bring on the fisherman logo. New York Rangers Bringing back the exact center ice layout from the 1997 season. Ottawa Senators Inspired by their first layout in the inaugural 1993 season. Their first ice featured 2 Senators logos and 2 67's logos which represented the two teams to call this home ice. It seemed pretty fitting to feature the Senators logos 4 times to bring back that same general look. Philadelphia Flyers Inspired by the 1982 season at the old Spectrum. We do not know what the arena name will be next season, but perhaps it would look best to just used "Philadelphia" on the ice for this one game. This was styled to bring back memories of the "Spectrum" text that was featured on the '82 center ice. Pittsburgh Penguins Bringing back Igloo vibes with this 1995 inspiration. San Jose Sharks Inspired by the 1998 season. Seattle Kraken It is pretty tough to have a retro night when your team is only a couple seasons old. For Seattle, we are just giving them a dual logo treatment. St. Louis Blues Inspired by the 1999 season at Kiel Center. Tampa Bay Lightning Inspired by the 1998 season. Toronto Maple Leafs Inspired by the 1995 season at Maple Leaf Gardens. Vancouver Canucks Inspired by the 1971 season as the Canucks joined the NHL. Vegas Golden Knights Another team with a very short history. The Golden Knights always have the most impressive and unique designs, so we will give them a retro vide by simply using their primary logo on both sides of the red line. Washington Capitals Inspired by the 1988 season. Winnipeg Jets Inspired by both the 1991 and 1996 seasons. We brought back the 1991 season logo, but the red line comes from the final season for the original Jets team. Note: We did not include Utah as they have no history to work off of, and do not yet have a brand to really work with. What would you like to see on ice for a Retro Night? Let us know in the comments below.

Another NHL season is upon us, and all 32 teams have unveiled their center ice designs. This year, a burst of creativity has emerged from several teams, and the NHL has even relaxed its rules on team logos crossing the center line. Let's dive into the changes each team has made to their center ice design compared to last season. We’ll assess whether the changes are a hit or a miss, giving them either a thumbs up or thumbs down. Anaheim Ducks Last season, the Ducks celebrated their 30th anniversary with one of the most striking ice layouts we've seen. We knew that look would disappear forever at season's end, and it left us feeling a bit melancholic. That is, until the announcement of the Mighty Ducks logo's return. Seeing the modernized Mighty Duck at center ice again was a nostalgic delight, a true sight for sore eyes. This was an easy UP from us. Boston Bruins Last season, the Bruins marked their 100th anniversary with a nostalgic vintage logo at center ice. This season, their primary logo makes a comeback, but with a twist: the center spoke now intersects the center line. It’s a subtle change, yet a stylish touch. Plus, for the first time in many years, the Bruins have added a pattern to their red line. These subtle touches earn an UP . Calgary Flames Calgary made a minor tweak this season by swapping out their primary logo on the center line for their alternate logo, "Sparky". It's a subtle shift, but it adds a fresh touch to their design, and it deserves an UP . Carolina Hurricanes The Hurricanes made a necessary update to their center ice due to a change in arena naming rights this off-season. Lenovo Center not only sounds more appealing than PNC Arena, but its new wordmark also blends seamlessly with the overall ice design. An added bonus is how well the corporate branding complements the Hurricanes' color scheme. That's definitely an UP . Chicago Blackhawks The Blackhawks stuck to their familiar playbook this season, making their usual tweak: alternating the checkered red line so the center dot now falls within the white section. They've been swapping between these two variations since 2010. While the design itself isn't bad, the predictable back-and-forth has grown a bit tiresome. This earns a DOWN, simply because we’re craving something fresh and innovative. Colorado Avalanche The Avalanche introduced a minor update to their corporate arena branding, resulting in a somewhat cleaner appearance. Consequently, we will hesitantly classify this as an improvement, although a more substantial effort will be required in the subsequent year to get an UP from us. Florida Panthers The Panthers seem to have borrowed a play from the Golden Knights' book by celebrating their Stanley Cup victory with a center ice design that features the cup. The design is undeniably cool, and it would be fantastic if this became a tradition for the championship team moving forward. We're giving it an UP , despite our disappointment in the team for firing an employee who leaked a photo before the official reveal. Los Angeles Kings For years, we've voiced our dissatisfaction with the Los Angeles Kings' home plate logo. Indeed, any alternative would have been an improvement, and reverting to the Gretzky-era logo was an excellent decision. The new crown, prominently displayed along the center line, and the logo visible through the hollow center line, represent a significant upgrade. UP UP UP UP New Jersey Devils Just because it's possible to hollow out the red line in the logo doesn't mean it's a good idea. I believe the logo doesn't benefit from the hollow red line. Additionally, the adjustment made to the logo to ensure the horns are unaffected by the center line makes the logo look bizarre. That's a DOWN . Ottawa Senators Incorporating the Senators logo within a circle proved challenging, leading the team to adopt the circle as part of the logo itself. While the clean aesthetic of last year's ice design is preferred, the creativity of this new approach is also appreciated. The red line pattern is a nice nod to their logo as well. UP Philadelphia Flyers Last season, the Flyers heeded their vocal fanbase's wishes to reinstate the iconic dual logo layout, which they had recently replaced with a single, large logo. This year, the team adhered to the fans' preference, but for reasons unknown, they chose a plain center red line. We would have preferred a checkered, candy-striped, or some other patterned design. DOWN San Jose Sharks Last season, the Sharks made a daring move with their center ice design, and this year, they've introduced another fresh layout. Although the new design is impressive, we really miss the unique design from last year. Additionally, when reading the arena text from left to right, it seems to read "at San Jose SAP Center". Why did they arrange it like that this season? While we would rather have the old design, it feels unfair to give this new look a down, so we will just give this one a PASS . St. Louis Blues The Blues have managed to further unbalance their center ice. The logo is now so enlarged that it's impossible to center it within the circle. The Blue Notes along the center line add a nice touch, yet they're too cramped next to the circle. The arena text should be positioned on both the left and right sides of the circle to achieve balance. A layout that has the potential to be clean and appealing has once again become somewhat cluttered. DOWN Toronto Maple Leafs The Leafs have retained their iconic red line design, reminiscent of the Canadian flag, while incorporating a new hollow center line within the circle, enhancing the visibility of their team's name alongside their primary logo. That is a big UP . Vancouver Canucks The Canucks decided to get creative, which we always appreciate. However, this layout is a bit odd. While we can't say we love the layout, I'm not ready to say I hate it either. We will just give this a PASS. Vegas Golden Knights The Golden Knights are a season removed from winning the cup, so they had to come up with something new to replace that creative Stanley Cup design. This year they simplified center ice just a bit, but it has a very sharp, yet still unique look. Bonus points for adding the Nevada state outline in the red line design. UP Washington Capitals Each season, we hope to see the "Weagle" logo, the Capitals' alternate emblem, at center ice. The Capitals' center ice design is consistently our least favorite. Yet, as this season approached, we anticipated settling for an anniversary layout, which promised some variation. Now, after witnessing this change, we find ourselves longing for the previous design. The current anniversary logo is off-center and appears overly cluttered. Perhaps one day, we'll appreciate the Capitals' ice design... perhaps one day. DOWN What do you think of this year's ice designs? Let us know in the comments below.

Thanks to a season ticket holder seat selection event, we now have an idea of what center ice could look like this fall. The team installed their ice surface so fans would have an idea of what their view would look like from their potential seats. While photos were not permitted at this event, that did not stop a photo of center ice from hitting the internet. This was just enough to allow us to create a full rink graphic for this layout. Check out the rink below. To view this graphic and other views in high-resolution detail, click here: https://www.thefaceoff.net/center-ice/c4fa6a2e-db64-4312-9e26-fc7d5c235b39 What do you think of this rink layout for the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural season?

UP - Anaheim Ducks I have never been too impressed with a Ducks center ice since they ditched the Mighty Ducks brand, so bringing back of piece of it was bound to score a few points with me. But what sets it over the top is the roundel including both the current and previous team names. Since it is an anniversary logo, we won't see it again, but I would love if they found a way to incorporate the roundel into future looks. Also, please bring back the Mighty Duck for good. UP - Arizona Coyotes This is a big up. It would be hard for them to impress me much given the restrictions set in place due to their shared arena situation. The last two seasons at Gila River Arena were perfection on ice. The addition of a checkered red line adds a touch of detail to the ice which it needed. The less obnoxious arena text is nice too. UP - Boston Bruins How cool is it to see this throwback logo taking up the entire center circle. That said, I prefer their normal logo. The Bruins are only using this logo one time, to celebrate their 100'th Anniversary, so for that reason, I am glad it is on the ice this season. UP - Buffalo Sabres The Sabres finally took a page from the Bruins playbook by enlarging their logo so it made up the entire center circle. That alone made this ice nearly perfect, but the team had more in store for fans. The swords in the red line were just the touch to finish it off. DOWN - Calgary Flames The Flames returned to their familiar primary logo red line pattern this season. While there is nothing wrong with it, the unique flame design last season was a classy look for the team. I was really hoping they would keep that design at least a couple more seasons. UP - Carolina Hurricanes The Hurricanes celebrated their 25'th anniversary last season with a special logo at center ice. This year it is back to the primary logo at center ice. Always good to see the primary eye of the Hurricane at center ice. None - Chicago Blackhawks Another season where the only change is whether the center dot lands in the red or in the white on the center line. The Blackhawks have a great center ice, but it might be nice to change it up a little. I can't really give them an up or a down for this. None - Colorado Avalanche The Avalanche do not change up their ice much. While a new center line design would be fun, they have had the current one since they first started playing in Pepsi Center (now Ball Arena.) I can appreciate their respect for tradition. UP - Columbus Blue Jackets Last season the Jackets moved the arena text to both sides of the center line. It was really the only change that their ice needed, and I am glad they kept that design for this season. UP - Dallas Stars The Stars have brought back their Texas outline alternate logo to center ice. We first saw this look in the 2021/22 season, and it was a shame to see it go away last year. The one drawback this time around is the new arena wordmark surrounding center ice. The old look was better, but the logo is enough to make this an "Up." UP - Detroit Red Wings First off, let me say that I am in the camp that never wants to see "Hockeytown" written across the logo ever again. Why anyone would want to tarnish such an iconic logo, I will never understand. The Red Wings have nearly the same checkered red line pattern since the 1963/64 season, so a major change was not expected. The Red Wings stead gave us a very similar checkered red line, while adding the winged wheel logo to the red spaces between each white box. A subtle change, but a good one. UP - Edmonton Oilers I have been uploading concepts for several years with an oil drop red line, so imagine my excitement to see it become a reality. In my concepts, I used an inverted design where the inside of the red line was white, and the oil drops were red. I chose this because it would be a nice callback to the many years at Northlands Coliseum. UP - Florida Panthers The Panthers went two seasons with no corporate arena name which allowed for a clean look at center ice. With a new arena name, it was no surprise to see text around the circle once again. While the text colors reflect the branding of Amerant Bank, they clash with the colors of the Panthers logo. While the arena name is disappointing, it can't really be helped. However, the Panthers use of the 30'th anniversary logo on the ice brings back the Panther breaking a hockey stick logo that has been sorely missed. DOWN - Los Angeles Kings The Kings only changed the arena wordmark placement this season by moving it to the sides. While this move gives the center ice a symmetrical look which is more pleasing to the eye, I simply cannot give them an UP until they replace that horrible home plate logo. NONE - Minnesota Wild The Wild made no real changes to their center ice this season. DOWN - Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens made no changes to their center ice this season. I would like to see the arena logos go back to the four corners of the circle rather than the sides, and perhaps go back to the dual logo format for the team logo. DOWN - Nashville Predators The Predators are celebrating their 25'th anniversary with a special logo at center ice. Unfortunately, the logo just doesn't quite live up to the normal center ice look with the primary logo. NONE - New Jersey Devils The Devils did not make any changes to their center ice this season. UP - New York Islanders The Islanders logo looks great at center ice. I would be hard to imagine any future anniversary logo being good enough to warrant placing it at center ice. Last year's anniversary logo is one of the worst we have seen on ice. So glad it has been replaced. NONE - New York Rangers No change to the New York Rangers center ice this season. While they have a great center ice, it might be about time for a change. DOWN - Ottawa Senators The Senators have kept their center ice the same for four seasons now. The only problem I have with it is that the arena wordmark is so large that it feels like it overpowers the team logo. UP - Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers have listened to their fans and reverted back to a dual logo layout and brought back their popular center line design. NONE - Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins made no changes to center ice this season. UP - San Jose Sharks The Sharks brought the biggest surprise this season by bringing a brand-new look to center ice without the excuse of an anniversary or a primary logo change. The shark fin look is beautiful, while the candy stripe shark fin center line completes the look. Can we give this one a Super Up? None - Seattle Kraken Three seasons in, and the Kraken have had the same ice each season. It is a great look but would love to see them change up something. DOWN - St. Louis Blues The Blues made no changes to their center ice again this season, but they should have. The Blue note is iconic, but also lacks the ability to provide balance to the center ice circle. Moving the Enterprise Center text to the sides of the circle would help balance things out. Also, it is time for a better (or any) center line design. UP - Tampa Bay Lightning The Lightning have gone back to their primary logo this season which is a bold and clean look. I just wish they would dry something new with the center line. It is a bit distracting as it is. UP - Toronto Maple Leafs No change this season for the Maple Leafs, but honestly, I can't think of anything that would improve it. NONE - Vancouver Canucks The only change this season is the center line pattern being inverted horizontally. I really have no thoughts on that. It seems to make no difference in the overall look. UP - Vegas Golden Knights Each season the Vegas Golden Knights have brough us a unique new look. This season they incorporated their Stanley Cup Championship into the design. I look forward to their work each and every season. I also think this logo is a step up from the previous season. DOWN - Washington Capitals This is still the worst center ice in the NHL in my opinion. The Weagle would look SO much better. The lack of effort to even move the text around so the red line doesn't cover it is laughable. DOWN - Winnipeg Jets The Jets made their arena text larger and lost the "life" box emblem. Somehow this just looks a bit generic. My guess is Canada Life did not feel like people could read their logo very well. What are your thoughts on this year's center ice designs? Let us know in the comments or on Threads.