With the NHL a few days removed from unveiling its Reverse Retro uniforms, certain fanbases have gone back through time to see if the uniforms picked were the right call. Were there any other jerseys that were more worthy of being revived? Does the jersey not capture the aesthetic of the original? Did the team hit a home run with its choice?

That is what we will discuss in this series. In the spring, we released a series of articles discussing probable retro jersey candidates for every team in the league. However, with every Reverse Retro fully unveiled, we will now revisit our selections in the original series, as well as provide thoughts of the finished product. We’ll be covering each division individually in the same order as before, so let’s see how we did with our NHL Reverse Retro predictions in the Metropolitan Division.

Carolina Hurricanes:

Prediction: Green Whalers

Actual: Gray Whalers

When it was speculated that teams were adding a fourth jersey to their rotations, the Carolina Hurricanes had an easy choice. The team used the uniform of the Hartford Whalers as a retro for the past two years, and the jersey was a huge hit with Hurricanes and hockey fans alike.

Fortunately enough, the Whalers’ jerseys will be back as the team’s fourth jersey. However, the uniform will look slightly different, as a darker shade of white will be the primary color of the jersey instead of the older green. The use of green and blue stripes is also slightly different on this uniform than before. However, regardless of differences, the jersey is a sharp look, and the Hurricanes made the right choice.

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Prediction: Blue Wand

Actual: Red Wand

Columbus didn’t really have much to choose from besides their current primary, alternate, and original logo. The latter of the three was the most likely candidate, and it prevailed in the end with a brand new jersey. Instead of the older navy blue or white as the base color, red is the primary color of the uniform.

The outsides of the sleeves are white running toward the wrist where navy blue takes over with a white star pattern. The font of the older uniforms also returns with navy blue numbers on the sleeves and white letters and numbers on the back. Add some navy and white stripes near the waist, and the Jackets made an older concept work fairly well here, although some disagree.

New Jersey Devils:

Prediction: Red and Green

Actual: Green and Red

When we made our prediction, the original choice was the red and green uniforms the team worn during its early years and in the Stadium Series in 2014. However, the team brought back that jersey with a twist. Instead of red being the primary, the secondary green takes centerstage instead.

Essentially, the green and red on the original uniform are inverted, and it doesn’t look bad at all. There are enough red and white touches throughout the jersey to break up the green and not make it as overbearing. As a result, the green will make a return to the Devils’ uniform lineup with a new concept that does the original color scheme justice.

New York Islanders:

Predicted: Fishsticks

Actual: Navy Dynasty

The Islanders were a team that had a lot of potential for their Reverse Retro. A lot of options were available, including the highly divisive Fisherman jersey. However, the Islanders’ dynasty players and portions of Islanders and NHL fans highly dislike the retro jersey, and thus the team took the safe route and didn’t revive it. Rather, they brought back a remake of the jersey from those Stanley Cup teams with a slight changes instead.

For one, a navy blue color acts as the primary for this uniform instead of royal blue. Also, the orange and white stripes on the normal home jersey switch places on this design. Although the reviews by the fanbase have been mixed with some viewing it as a missed opportunity, it is simple yet effective as an homage to the great, Stanley Cup winning teams.

New York Rangers:

Predicted: Lady Liberty

Actual: Lady Liberty

Another easy decision for the jersey fell with the New York Rangers. The fans have desperately wanted the team to revive the Lady Liberty jersey from the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Thankfully for Rangers and hockey fans, that jersey will take the ice once again next season. Although the logo returned, the jersey just can’t do it justice.

Outside of a red and white stripe near the elbow, nothing else complements it to make it stand out. The jersey took away and red and white section near the sleeves, and it just makes the jersey very boring. As a result, it was the right call to revive the jersey, but it can be viewed as an “almost” type jersey that just missed being perfect.

Philadelphia Flyers:

Predicted: 2012 Winter Classic

Actual:Inverted 1995

The Flyers didn’t have a lot of options to choose from for their NHL reverse retro jersey. Our initial prediction was the 2012 Winter Classic uniform was making a return, but we were off by 17 years. Instead, the team brought back its jerseys from 1995, but with an interesting twist. Instead of white sleeves with black at the end, the colors switch spots to add an interesting dynamic to the sweater.

It is a toss-up to see which of the two is the superior jersey, but it is a fine jersey either way. A return of the Winter Classic jersey was a welcome option, but it was a bit of a long shot. As a result, we will use these jerseys as a fine alternative.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Predicted: 2008 Winter Classic

Actual: 90’s Diagonal

The Penguins had a lot of interesting options when choosing their jersey. The team could have returned to its roots with a powder blue jersey, as we had predicted, gone back to the 90’s with the Robot Penguin, or make a callback to one of their outdoor game appearances. However, the team did harken back to the days of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr with a jersey from that era, but not the Robot Penguin logo.

Instead, the team chose the diagonal “Pittsburgh” text jersey. Other than the text taking the forefront, there are several yellow and black stripes on the sleeves and waist, and the Penguins alternate logo is on the shoulders. It may not be the best or flashiest option available for the Penguins, but it is a decent jersey nonetheless.

Washington Capitals:

Predicted: Screaming Eagle

Actual: Updated Screaming Eagle

Like the Blue Jackets, the Capitals went back in time and updated a previous jersey. The choice was the Screaming Eagle uniform from the late 90’s to early 2000’s. While the original wasn’t bad by any stretch with a black, white, brown, and light blue color scheme, the Caps saw this as an opportunity to make what was old new again.

In doing this, the Capitals knocked it out of the park. Red acts as the primary color on the uniform, and the logo was updated to match the new colors. Add diagonal navy blue and white stripes on the sleeves, the “Capitals” text on the waist stripe, and an updated Capitol Building logo on the shoulders, and the Capitals have one of the best Reverse Retros in the Metropolitan Division and the NHL. It is a great crossover between the old and new, and it perfectly encapsulates the spirit of America.

Overall, a lot of our predictions did come to fruition. Only three of the uniforms predicted, including the Islanders, Flyers, and Penguins, were wrong. After looking at our NHL reverse retro predictions in the Metropolitan Division, our next edition of this series will revisit our predictions in the Atlantic, so stay tuned for our next addition!