Lightning return to black with new third jersey reveal

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The Tampa Bay Lightning officially revealed their new third jersey today, and the theme song was "Back in Black" — literally.

Fans have been itching to have black back in the team's palette and the team has listened. The color was initially lost in the 2011 rebrand — despite the fact that the Lightning were the NHL's first and only black and blue team from the beginning. 

But now a wrong is being righted to an extent.

The new sweater is almost completely black. It deviates only with minimal white trim and a blue collar and shoulder patches. The BOLTS crest, however, is the one element carried over from the previous third.

If you're wondering how I feel about the jersey as a longtime Lightning fan, it's late at night and I need time to collect my thoughts. I'm going to go into more depth in a separate blog post which will include my interview with Lightning president Steve Griggs.

For now I'll admit that on first glance, my reaction wasn't too far from many of the comments I read on Twitter and Instagram throughout the day. I was underwhelmed and somewhat disappointed.

That isn't to say this is a bad jersey. But we all have our expectations and they can't all be met.

Meantime, flip through the photos and feel free to share your take below. I'd love to get a better sense of what you guys think.

Bolts prank players with fake palm tree third jersey

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The Tampa Bay Lightning pulled an awesome practical joke on a handful of players regarding their third jersey. And the video evidence is priceless.

As I may have mentioned, I'm in Tampa this weekend for the unveiling of the Bolts' new third jersey on Saturday. So I decided to catch Friday's preseason game against the Dallas Stars — which was excellent, by the way. I'll take a 6-3 win any day, exhibition or otherwise.

During the first period, the in-game host came out wearing a black jersey with the Lightning bolt on the front and stripes formed by rows of palm trees. To anyone reading this blog, it would've been obvious it wasn't an actual game jersey.

But it seems Lightning players are a bit easier to fool.

The hidden camera footage reveals player reaction to being told this is the team's new third jersey. Highlights include Radko Gudas saying, "That's sick! We have palm trees on the jerseys? That's amazing!"

Really, Radko?

Another guy called it a "Christmas sweater with palm trees on it." When asked how to fix the design, another said "maybe one row" of palm trees.

Yeah, that'll do the trick.

In all, a good joke, well-executed. If anything, it tempers expectations for tomorrow. No way to be disappointed when we can say, at least it doesn't have three rows of palm trees on it.

Be sure to keep an eye on the home page with my Twitter and Instagram updates all day tomorrow. I probably won't get around to putting together a blog post until later Saturday night.

Hope you enjoy the coverage!

Lightning release third teaser photo, set unveiling time

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This morning, the Tampa Bay Lightning shared a third teaser photo of their forthcoming third jersey.

In the progression of the pictures, we're slowing revolving around Stamkos. This latest shot gives us a glimpse at the back. We get a better look at the thick white stripes running down the sleeves and across the shoulders.

It also appears the name and number fonts are not changing from the primary uniforms.

The Bolts also announced the schedule for Saturday's Fan Fest. The third jersey unveiling is scheduled for 11:45am ET.

I'll be there with camera in hand to get photos to you right away. I'm also working to get an interview with someone from the team involved in designing the jersey. Can't wait!

Lightning share another third jersey teaser photo

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A week after the first teaser photo and 10 days from the unveiling, the Tampa Bay Lightning have revealed another sneak peek of the new third jersey.

Today's photo, similarly framed to the first, gives us a look at Stamkos from the left. It appears the shoulder patch from the primary uniforms will carry over. But because the photo is not in color, it's tough to tell whether the patch will be blue or black.

It's also tough to tell much else from either photo. But the countdown is on now to Sat., Sept. 27 when the Bolts will officially reveal the jersey at Fan Fest.

Speaking of Fan Fest, I have big news! I'm going!

I'm off to Tampa next weekend where I plan to live tweet the big jersey reveal. I'm also working to get an interview with someone from the team who was involved in the design process.

That'll be an exciting weekend for sure, but don't forget we have two big jersey unveilings taking place before then.

This Friday, we'll finally get to see the Penguins' new alternate uniform. And next Tuesday, the Capitals will show off their new Winter Classic threads.

Keep an eye on Icethetics. Things are heating up!

Two NHL arenas get new names, new logos

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When they take the ice this fall, the homes of the Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning will have new names. And on Wednesday, the logos for both buildings were revealed.

In Glendale, Jobing.com Arena becomes Gila River Arena — with Gila River Casinos buying the naming rights through 2023. This is the "first federally recognized Tribal naming rights deal with a sports venue that houses one of four major professional sports leagues in the country."

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Times Forum was renamed Amalie Arena. The naming rights were picked up by Tampa-based Amalie Oil Company.

If you've never heard of it, you're part of a big club. I'm from Tampa and I've never heard of it. But that's their problem. They want better name recognition and buying up sports arena naming rights is good for that.

And for the record, it's pronounced like "family," not the weird French film.

Neither of these names or logos are especially interesting. But the jokes are okay.