Were the Brooklyn black jerseys the worst in NY Islanders franchise history?

When the New York Islanders unveiled their black jerseys in 2015 following their move to Brooklyn, the response was… mixed at best. The move was part of a broader effort to align the team’s identity with the aesthetics of their new home at Barclays Center. Black, sleek, and modern, the jerseys were meant to appeal to a Brooklyn audience accustomed to minimalist fashion and design—think Brooklyn Nets. But for a franchise rooted in blue and orange tradition, the look felt like a departure from everything the Islanders stood for.

The jersey ditched almost all the iconic blue and orange, instead opting for monochromatic tones, block lettering, and an urban-style edge. While some fans embraced the “Brooklyn look,” most longtime Islanders supporters were left confused, frustrated, or just outright disappointed.

"As much as a black-and-white color scheme made sense for the Islanders’ Barclays Center era, it’s a total miss. The logo is sharp, but there just isn’t enough character to make it a primary logo (versus a shoulder patch) — especially on a bland base of a jersey. There are too many black jerseys in this league, and this one was particularly forgettable," wrote Shayna Goldman in The Athletic for a story that listed each team's best and worst jerseys.

Yes, the jersey lacked any true connection to the franchise’s rich history and four Stanley Cups. But were they the worst uniforms the Isles have ever worn?

Not quite.

For purposes of this argument, let's put aside the Fisherman logo, and the jersey redesign that came from that. This is about the jerseys the Islanders wore when their primary logo was the original.

That dishonor still belongs to the 2011–2012 black alternates, which were, by most accounts, an absolute eyesore. They looked more like a beer league knockoff than a professional hockey sweater. Fans and critics alike panned the look, and the jersey was retired just as quickly as it debuted.

I stand by my earlier position on this jersey," wrote Icethetics after an earlier jersey leak was confirmed in 2011. "While it may be one of the ugliest the Isles have ever worn — and that's saying something — I like that they've decided to use the third jersey for its intended purpose. It shows off an alternate look, completely different from what we're used to seeing."

The jerseys featured a wordmark with a number underneath in the front that resembled a basketball tank top. The side panels on the jersey and pants formed a diamond when worn together. There was nothing good or memorable about them. It was a peculiar choice during an unusual period.

In hindsight, the 2015 black jerseys were more forgettable than offensive—an awkward phase in an identity crisis. But the 2011–2012 alternates? They remain the low point of the Islanders’ uniform history, an actual fashion disaster on ice.