One of the nostalgia pieces from the 2021 National Hockey League season was the Reverse Retro jersey line. The 31 teams of the time each brought back an old jersey, some a simple revival while others remixed to match the color schemes of today. The jerseys received tremendous coverage during their unveiling in November 2020, and most were met with positive reviews; however, the jerseys were one-year choices and scrapped after the season.

A recent report by Icethetics on their podcast confirmed that a new slate of 32 Reverse Retro jerseys will be coming next season. For teams that missed the mark, it’s a chance to make up for a potential wrong choice or bad jersey design, but for teams that hit home runs with their first Reverse Retro, a strong follow-up could be fun for the team. The New York Islanders are in an interesting situation.

Their last jersey had a lot of potential with a potential Fisherman jersey comeback, but fans were disappointed when the team unveiled a navy version of their home jersey. Although it was a sharp design, it received backlash from both fans and media, citing it as boring and lazy. However, with the second wave of Reverse Retro jerseys coming out, the Islanders can find a way to tap into their creative side with a new look. However, what are the potential options for the Islanders’ 2022 Reverse Retro?

White Navies

Similar to their first take on the Reverse Retro, the team can complete the navy jersey set with a white take on their navy uniforms. Harkening back to the days of Shawn Bates, Alexei Yashin, and Mike Peca, the jersey is a fine look. Also, the navy does stick out in a unique way as it did on the initial jersey. With the navy as the primary, the white and orange popped on the original Reverse Retro, and the white helps the navy and orange to stick out as well. If the Islanders want to continue to embrace navy blue in their uniform set, this is a fine choice for their 2022 Reverse Retro. However, much like the first incarnation, it does have the potential for criticism for being boring or unoriginal upon release.

Orange Comet

Staying in this era of Islanders hockey, the next possibility is the “Orange Comet” uniforms of the early 2000s. In fact, the jersey can check multiple boxes if the Islanders decide to go this route. There is the potential to keep the orange and navy blue color scheme around from their original jersey, but it can also check the boxes of creativity. The jersey is unique in the navy blue and white sections throughout, from the shoulders to the sides. Also, the team could modify the jersey to fulfill the “reverse” angle as well, whether it be making the navy blue into a royal color or inverting the original jersey. However, regardless of how the Islanders decide to use this uniform, it could be a standout among the 32 new uniforms with its unique design, and the color scheme can add a lot to its appeal on the ice.

Fisherman/Wave

Now, we get to the elephant in the room. Even as the Fisherman jerseys are beloved by some today, it doesn’t quite hold the highest standing in the organization today. Many of the team’s alumni from the Stanley Cup days despise the logo and what it represents, and other Islanders’ executives may have had a say in not bringing it back. Also, the jersey has its share of haters among the Islanders’ fanbase as well, despising the look and being vocal against it. As a result, despite being a cult classic among some hockey fans, the controversial nature among hockey fans and executives renders it doubtful to return.

However, if the team wanted to go back to the late ’90s, the safer choice could be the wave jerseys. Even as there is a bit much going on, the crest reverted to the team’s original look while creating new elements as well. The wave is a unique look with the two shades of navy and light blue meeting on the jersey and waist, along with orange and white stripes on top. Also, the lighthouse logo was unveiled during that era, so the Islanders could not only bring back the 90’s colors but also potentially resurrect the lighthouse as well. As a result, despite not being to the level of the Fisherman uniforms to some, the wave uniform could act as a compromise for fans. It keeps the original look of the Islanders intact while also bringing back the colors and alternate logo that came with it as well.

While these three are the main choices for the Islanders’ next Reverse Retro, there are other options available as well. For one, the team could revive the first incarnation of black jerseys from the early 2010s, seeking to improve a jersey that has mixed impressions on fans. Also, the team’s final take on navy blue late in the 2000s could be in play, featuring a more unique take on the navy blue and orange color scheme. However, with the wide range of options available, the Islanders have an interesting decision to make for its 2022 Reverse Retro. Following the mixed reviews of their original jersey, the Islanders can potentially improve upon their original take and make another strong jersey.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.