Friday Four: Blackhawks, Sharks among best jerseys of all time

With the NHL season having been paused on March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, Kevin Weekes will continue his Friday Four. The NHL Network analyst and former goalie will be blogging about four of his favorite or memorable items on a certain topic. Today, his four choices for the best NHL jerseys of all time.

Chicago Blackhawks

What I love about the Blackhawks is that in their almost-100 seasons, their sweaters haven't changed much, nor have they needed to. Whether it's the red jersey with black and white trim, or the white jersey with black and red trim, these jerseys have a clean and crisp look. It also features a "C" on the shoulder with two crossed tomahawks. And the Blackhawks crest is one of the most recognizable in the game. They debuted this jersey in 1955-56 and it has undergone only minor changes since, showing how great it is.
Even when wearing alternate jerseys, usually for outdoor games, they always look good. The alternate black jersey with the vintage Blackhawks logo inside a circle of the words 'Black Hawks Chicago,' is a great nod to their past.

New York Rangers

Like the Blackhawks, the Rangers are an Original Six team with plenty of history and although they've had a few more designs over the years, their current one is one of the best. The blue and white jerseys with "RANGERS" running diagonally from right shoulder to left hip is very identifiable.
What I also like about the Rangers is they pay tribute to their history in outdoor games. They have either used an older crest logo or had "NEW YORK" run diagonally across the chest in a simple look.

Los Angeles Kings (Wayne Gretzky era)

When Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Kings by the Edmonton Oilers in 1988, it put hockey in Southern California on the map as well as -- in my mind -- one of the best jerseys. Los Angeles' original jersey -- purple and gold with an old-fashioned crown -- wasn't bad, but it's the color scheme and logo made famous by Gretzky that I like.
The black and silver look with a smaller Kings logo and crown on the crest was only used from 1988-98 but made an impact. Initially, the black jerseys featured silver numbers with silver and white trim. Even the white jerseys, with silver numbers and silver and black trim, were great.

San Jose Sharks (original)

I am a huge fan of the Sharks original jerseys, which debuted in 1991. None other than Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey himself, debuted the jersey. The teal sweater with the shark chomping a hockey stick bursting out of a triangle on the crest is a great look. And the black and white trim on the sleeves give it sort of a vintage look. The details and trim have changed a bit over the years, but the enduring chomping shark logo is one of the best.