Players around the NHL are starting to get back on the ice in the offseason and a fan noticed something new on the Leafs uniform in a photo taken of William Nylander.
For the most part, we’ve only really seen photos of the jerseys on Mannequins or on players like McDavid’s back at press conferences after signing contracts. Where we haven’t seen them is on the ice. They look pretty similar and there’s a better look at the new collars with the Adidas style, but it’s the helmet that Leafs fans are looking at.
Reddit User and /r/Leafs contributor, rbruce02, noticed that the ear loops and chin strap on Nylander’s helmet are white (They used to be black).
For reference, here’s a photo of what the straps looked like on Nylander’s bucket last season.
Of course, many people won’t care about this. However, any hockey gear-heads know that it can make a pretty big difference. Everybody knows that guy in pickup hockey who swapped out for white ear loops and helmet straps, and it’s definitely noticeable on the ice.
Realistically though, it just makes sense.
The whole aesthetic of the Leafs is blue and white. Now that you see the black straps, you won’t be able to unsee them. We’re wondering if Tampa Bay will be making this switch as well this season – as they were also rocking the black straps with blue and white uniforms.
If this really is a look at the team’s complete new uniform, this is ranks up there among our favourite changes of the offseason.
