Maple Leafs Sport New Look With Blue Helmets on White Jerseys in Stockholm
The Toronto Maple Leafs also brought back the Borje Salming patch they wore for two games after the legendary player's passing last year.
STOCKHOLM — The Toronto Maple Leafs are sporting a new look for the games in Stockholm, Sweden.
All week, the club had practice with their road white socks and blue helmets and they will sport that look on Friday when the club takes on the Detroit Red Wings at Avicii Arena.
It's not apparent why the club chose this look but the Leafs aren't the first club to wear dark helmets with white jerseys.
Last season, the Carolina Hurricanes switched things up by wearing their helmets and their white jerseys and have since made it a permanent switch.
The Leafs always wear blue pants and blue gloves regardless of where they play and the switch to blue helmets full-time would just add to carrying around less gear.
The NHL approved a rule change at the last GM meetings that allowed teams to wear either helmet with different jerseys as long as it doesn't clash with the opposing team's jersey. The reasoning is it allows for more flexibility for teams that sell certain jersey ads for home and road games and when teams choose to wear a different jersey at home. The visiting team can keep the same helmet color/ad scheme to fulfill sponsorship obligations.
The club is playing two games in Sweden this weekend as part of the NHL's annual Global Series. The Leafs are also wearing the Borje Salming patch they debuted after the Hall-of-Fame defenseman passed away last year following a battle with ALS.
Related
News from THN.com