The future of patch cards

[SHedberg]

Interesting note in an article on nhl.com.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=405343

the jerseys that will be worn by the Eastern and Western Conference NHL All-Stars will include Reebok's patent-pending Smoothfit™ performance name and numbering technology, which allows players to move more efficiently on the ice and will contribute to improved moisture management. The Smoothfit™ performance name and numbering technology eliminates up to 35 percent of the weight inherent to the traditional name and numbering system, which in many cases, includes multiple layers of twill.

Soooo... are patch cards going to be all pieces of something like an iron-on number from now on? Seems kinda cheesy...

 

[FrozenInferno]

Okay this is getting ridiculous... Why cant RBK just leave the jerseys alone instead of always changing things? The RBK Edge was one thing, but now cutting down the material in numbers and patches to reduce weight is just foolish. This isnt Formula One, shaving a couple of ounces off a jersey isnt going to make any difference.

 

[bidds55]

Okay this is getting ridiculous... Why cant RBK just leave the jerseys alone instead of always changing things? The RBK Edge was one thing, but now cutting down the material in numbers and patches to reduce weight is just foolish. This isnt Formula One, shaving a couple of ounces off a jersey isnt going to make any difference.

Tell it to Bill Bowerman

 

[odjickfan]

Okay this is getting ridiculous... Why cant RBK just leave the jerseys alone instead of always changing things? The RBK Edge was one thing, but now cutting down the material in numbers and patches to reduce weight is just foolish. This isnt Formula One, shaving a couple of ounces off a jersey isnt going to make any difference.

Making new models of jerseys means more fans buying new jerseys to stay up to date with the latest model. More sales = more $$$ for the share-owners.

 

[Burner]

if they want to reduce weight, how about getting rid of those tacky numbers on the chest and all that tacky piping

 

[Chinner]

So....the end of patch cards is near? That would suck.

 

[Hama]

Majestic is already doing it with BP jerseys in baseball - it's only a matter of time

 

[devilhockey3]

I believe nashville already does this? correct me if im wrong

 

[quincy]

Unless I'm very much mistaken, this is likely player performance driven.

 

[jasonspezza19]

Maybe it cost less with the new jersey for the manufacture. I personally love patches but in the end everything can become a bit dull and monotonous. Autographs are one thing but I can honestly do fine without the memorabiliacards in the future. It has lost it's exclusiveness, the value is now rather a reflection of the cost of the pack then the actual piece you got on the card or scarcity.

 

[Burner]

Of course it costs less. Ever hold an edge jersey in one hand and an old CCM/Koho in the other? It's like the difference between a Rolex and a Timex.

Performance driven my ***. It's also why RBK went with 5 templates for all 30 teams to conform to. I remember when they first came out with Edge, they'd tear like paper if they got caught on something or if a player got into a tugging match or in a fight.

RBK destroyed what little sanctity was left in NHL jerseys.

Someone explain to me what those rounded hems do for performance? Some guys look like they're wearing dresses out there.

 

[SHedberg]

Unless I'm very much mistaken, this is likely player performance driven.

:laugh: If you believe that multi-layer letters and numbers are slowing NHL players down, then I have a bridge I'd love to sell you. Seriously dude, have you even held a jersey number and thought to yourself, "Damn, I wish this was 35% lighter... I'd be able to skate so much faster!"

 

[iggyfan]

hold on to the patch cards we do have, in ten years they might actually be worth something

 

[jetsman]

ok i might be missing something here, but all it says is name and number. I'm not seeing anywhere that it says chest emblems or shoulder patches.

To me, this is like the old replica jerseys you saw in the 90s, where numbers weren't stitched in, they were heat-sealed. you still had the patches in the places you wanted them.

As much as anything else, it's a cost-effective measure. Heat-sealing is much cheaper than stitching.

 

[Hama]

ok i might be missing something here, but all it says is name and number. I'm not seeing anywhere that it says chest emblems or shoulder patches.

To me, this is like the old replica jerseys you saw in the 90s, where numbers weren't stitched in, they were heat-sealed. you still had the patches in the places you wanted them.

As much as anything else, it's a cost-effective measure. Heat-sealing is much cheaper than stitching.

The stitching is more for show on the names and numbers - there is adhesive on the back of the twill, heat sealed, then the stitching is applied. How much different is it with that and other sports' jerseys these days?

 

[rectanglez]

i dont see rocket richard going any slower with a sweater
i dont see gretzky slowing down with a ccm jersey

why oh why reebok..

 

[domhas1]

I will never buy a jersey with iron on numbers or anything similar to it...

 

[wildfan1833]

I will never buy a jersey with iron on numbers or anything similar to it...

I'm with you on that one!!!

 

[pathshot]

if they want to reduce weight, how about getting rid of those tacky numbers on the chest and all that tacky piping

or cut Keith Tkachuk!

buh-zing!

 

[JohnnyDrama]

or cut Keith Tkachuk!

buh-zing!