New York Islanders Ranking Franchises Third Jerseys

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UNIONDALE, NY – OCTOBER 29: Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik #77 of the New York Islanders is on the ice during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Nassau Coliseum on October 29, 2005 in Uniondale, New York. The Sabres won 6-4. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Orange

In 2002 the New York Islanders introduced a primarily orange alternate jersey. For the entirety of the franchise’s existence at that point orange was a secondary color, but, for some reason, in 2002 the Isles decided it needed to become a primary color.

They were awful. Not only because they looked bad, which they did. But their creation was 100% marketing. Most of the NHL had official third jerseys so the Islanders needed one too!

It was the same argument we all used on our parents when we were kids when we were jealous of some other kids new toy we didn’t have. “Everyone else has one…” (said in the whiniest voice possible).

The orange jerseys were to give the Islanders a fresh new identity. They hoped it could be a winning identity. If by winning they meant make the playoffs and get bounced in the first round, they were bang on.

Back in 2002, the New York Islanders made the playoffs for the first time since the 1993-94 season. For the next two seasons, the Islanders would make the postseason and lose 4-1 to the Ottawa Senators and 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning.