An Effort to Keep Things POSITIVE....Let's do some Brainstorming for NHL 20......

[Mats_44]

Ok, whether we like the new packaging and chase figure ideas or not, they ARE a reality and we must learn to live with it or quit the hobby.

So let's keep this positive and try to imagine what cool stuff they might be able to do for the new chase figures and the new inserted repaints or throwback retro repaints.

My case study is for NHL 20 of course, since I really have little to no interest in the other sports lines.

So let's assume that there will be 3 repaint inserts to go along with the 6 regular figures that are already announced.

Here are my ideas about what I'd like to see for the series, keeping in mind that I am trying to predict which 3 of the 6 figures are most likely to be jersey repaints in future series:

Vesa Toskala - regular figure in Leafs blue jersey and clean equipment; chase tweak being a dirty version with puck marks on the pads and blocker. Likely to be done as a white jersey repaint (or maybe the Leafs third jersey if they start those up again next season) in a future series as well simply because the Leafs are so popular.

Jarome Iginla 3 - regular figure in Flames white jersey; chase tweak could be maybe the Stanley Cup patch on his jersey if the Flames make it to the Finals this year. Otherwise, I really can't think of anything else they could do?? Will not be done as a future jersey repaint in a later series.

Nicklas Lindstrom 2 - regular figure in Wings red jersey; chase tweak could be maybe the Stanley Cup patch on his jersey if the Wings make it to the Finals this year. Or another idea could be they could include a replica version of the Norris trophy inside the package?? Not likely just some radical thinking. Will not be done as a future jersey repaint in a later series.

Daniel Briere - regular figure in Flyers black jersey. Chase tweak could be maybe the Stanley Cup patch on his jersey if the Flyers make the Finals this year. Otherwise, I really can't think of anything else they could do?? Will not be done as a future jersey repaint in a later series.

Daniel Sedin 2 - regular figure in Canucks blue jersey. Chase tweak could maybe be his brother Henrik instead but with the same pose so it's not easy to spot at first glance just like they did with the last 2 Sedin figures? Possibly done as a future jersey repaint in a later series since the Canucks are sporting new jersey designs and it would be nice to get a white jersey version as well.

Jonathan Cheechoo - regular figure in Sharks white jersey. Chase tweak could be maybe the Stanley Cup patch on his jersey if the Flyers make the Finals this year. Or another idea could be they could include a replica version of the Maurice Richard trophy inside the package?? Not likely just some radical thinking. Possibly done as a jersey repaint in a later series since the Sharks are sporting new jersey designs and it would be nice to get a teal blue jersey version as well.

Repainted Jerseys or Throwback Retro Player to be included as well (keeping in mind that they can only likely work with players done in Reebok Edge jerseys:

Either Crosby or Malkin repainted in the Penguins retro Winter Classic uniforms. I don't care which of the two guys just as long as that jersey gets done!! Sweet!

Ryan Miller white Sabres jersey repaint. Come on TMP, why was this not done as a chase when it first came out!

Cristobal Huet repainted in white Capitals jersey (white to give people who couldn't find a white Ovechkin a chance at that jersey) and hopefully they can secure the rights to his new sweet looking Caps mask paint job!!

No idea if any of my ideas are realistic but I'm just trying to figure out what the heck TMP could possibly be doing with these chase tweak figures and repaint inserts. As you can see, it's kind of hard to think of any realistic ideas for chase tweaks on players who are not goalies???

Well there you have it, that was my long winded attempt to have some positive commentary and input on these boards. :p :D

[Mats_44]

Sorry for the long read, in summary here is what I propose for NHL 20:

Toskala - blue jersey with clean equipment, dirty puck marks for chase tweak
Iginla - white jersey, chase tweak a Stanley Cup patch or a Richard Trophy included?
Lidstrom - red jersey, chase tweak a Stanley Cup patch or a Norris Trophy included?
Briere - black jersey, chase tweak a patch on the jersey?
D. Sedin - blue jersey, chase tweak maybe his brother Henrik instead with same pose?
Cheechoo - white jersey, chase tweak a Stanley Cup patch or a Richard Trophy included?
Crosby or Malkin Winter Classic retro repaint
Miller white jersey repaint
Huet white jersey Caps repaint with new Caps mask art.

[Poochiesdead]

Isn't Huet a FA after the season?

[Mats_44]

Isn't Huet a FA after the season?

Ya, I guess I'm making the assumption that he stays in Washington. To be honest, there really was no other idea that I could come up with for a repaint out of the current Edge sculpts short of say a Jagr Rangers white jersey repaint, but guess what, he's a UFA free agent too.

It might very well be that there are only 2 repaint inserts in NHL 20 instead of 3.

[Thorondor 33]

IMO puck marks on goalies would be cool. I have an NHL 6 Roy like that. :)

[mapleleafsfan15]

I just realized how ******ed the new chases are gonna be if that's what we get.

[Mats_44]

Yep, it's pretty slim pickings for ideas of chase tweaks on hockey figures. I'm really at a loss on these. My suggestions are really kind of loopy and ridiculous due to a lack of being able to think of anything realistic.........really not sure where TMP is going with this idea........

[Poochiesdead]

Not even gonna try to tackle chases cause I can't think of what they could really do and, well, I think the new chase sytems sucks

Toskala - White Jersey, possibely reused
Iginla - white jersey, eventually reused
Lidstrom - red jersey, not reused
Briere - black jersey, possibely reused for the Flyers rumored retro 3rd jersey
D. Sedin - blue jersey, not reused
Cheechoo - white jersey, not reused

Crosby Winter Classic
Miller white jersey repaint
Not sure who else. I would guess alternate Kovalev if he doesn't have a chase...

[PhillyWing19]

Did you really just call Nicklas Lidstrom "Lindstrom?" Ouch. Where is the love for the silky-smooth Swede.. :)

Cool idea for a productive excercise, especially since Mark freely admitted in the primary thread on the story that they did not have any specific ideas on how to differentiate the hockey chases just yet (or none that he felt comfortable sharing at least). Perhaps we can get a "finders fee" for providing ideas free of charge :D (a case of NHL20 works fine for me!)

Here are some quick thoughts on the topic:

Toskala

Agree that his regular will be the blue
Agree that there will likely be a white Leafs repaint in a future line
Possible chase cues: like the puck marks idea


Iginla3

Agree that his reg will be white (since Iginla2 was only done in red in that series)

Possible chase cues -- Playoff beard variant? Iggy grews a good beard/goat doesn't he? Or what about his new playoff mohawk? Precedent has been set with the McCabe mohawk chase...


Lidstrom2

Agree/hope that the reg will be Red Wings red uni

Hope that a future repaint is a white jersey version, but agree that it may not be sexy enough. Still, it could be a while until the next Red Wing figure (unless Franzen or Holmstrom have monster years next year or they sign Ryan Miller when he becomes a UFA :) ). Perhaps a 2008 All-Star Uniform repaint? The precedent was set in NBA with the Dominque Wilkins one. His 2007 All Star uni could work too, since that was a RBK Edge jersey also.

Possible chase cues -- tough one here, perhaps the CCM helmet? I believe he started the year with a CCM lid that featured the old logo and now the one he wears features the new, more italic-looking CCM logotype (long shot, but who knows).

Perhaps they could do no-helmet hockey players too, to symbolize how they look during pre-game warm-ups? Lidstrom usually does not wear a lid during warm-ups, so that is another potential chase feature option (albeit a long shot also)



Danny Briere

Agree that reg will be Flyers black, since Gagne reg in NHL16 was white

Agree that he will not likely get a repaint since Gagne had a chase

Possible chase cues -- I believe that Briere has used both an Easton Stealth S17 stick as well as an Easton Synergy Elite stick this year, and their graphics are vastly different. TMP appears to have no problems with Easton when it comes to licensing, so that could be an easy slam-dunk for them for the chase differentiator.


Daniel Sedin

Agree that reg is likely in Canucks blue -- it's a great-looking jersey and the Canucks old 3rd jersey (hockey stick) is a huge crowd-pleaser in the previous chases where it was used (Linden, Nazzy2, Luongo), so why not make the new blue/green orca the reg this go-round

Agree that he would seem like a prime candidate for a repaint, either as himself in the white or as his brother Henrik

Possible chase cues -- goatee/no goatee? Don't see the Canucks on Vs enough to be able to know too much about his gear, appearance, etc


Jonathan CheeChoo

I believe the reg will be the Sharks blue
Agree that not likely to be a candidate for repaint
Possible chase cues -- see Sedin above. He seems like he rocks a good playoff beard/goat, but I could be wrong.


I think the idea of the Norris and/or Richard Trophies is phenomenal, but not going to hold my breadth, since it would add a tangible cost to those versions. Still, it would be very sweet to see them.

Love the idea of a Crosby, Malkin or Staal in the Pens baby blue Winter Classic jersey, or the Ryan Miller in the Sabres white uni from the same game (yeah yeah I know that one had laces, but we've been through that arguement before -- see Lundqvist, Henrik figure from Ser13)

Big vote for All Star uniform versions too -- would be cool and one of the few ways to add some variety depending how long it is before 3rd jerseys make a return to the NHL in the Edge system.

Up for more ideas too....

[Mats_44]

Perhaps on the Kovalev, but it's kind of silly to release him in back to back series though.........

[Mats_44]

Did you really just call Nicklas Lidstrom "Lindstrom?" Ouch. Where is the love for the silky-smooth Swede.. :)

Oops, I forgot to edit it but it's not my fault. I simply cut and paste the series from the news story on this web site and they mispelled his name as well as Toskala's:

NHL SERIES 20 (December 2008)
- Vesa Toslaka - Toronto Maple Leafs
- Jarome Iginla 3 - Calgary Flames
- Nicklas Lindstrom 2 - Detroit Red Wings
- Daniel Briere - Philadelphia Flyers
- Daniel Sedin - Vancouver Canucks
- Jonathan Cheechoo - San Jose Sharks

See for yourself!

http://www.spawn.com/news/news3.aspx?id=13235

:D

[Thorondor 33]

Scalpers are going to start dropping like flies. :p

[Poochiesdead]

Perhaps on the Kovalev, but it's kind of silly to release him in back to back series though.........Yea I was just looking at what they could do with the figures in the next few series now that they have a plan in place. Looking at what they could do the Canadiens are far and away the most popular team of those that have a figure in those series. I could also see maybe a white jersey Smyth but considering the outcry for Paul Stastny and no one else from the Avs, I doubt they do it.

[Mats_44]

I like the idea of the no helmets, but really can that be considered a slight tweak that would only be noticeable to the educated and informed collector?? Seems like a pretty glaring difference to me that any monkey could spot at first sight! :D

[Mats_44]

Scalpers are going to start dropping like flies. :p

They should have already started doing that a long time ago, there's been no money to be made in scalping for a long time now.........

[Mats_44]

I did want to suggest the Miller with the Winter Classic uniform, but that would require them to sculpt a new head with the touque on it which seems unlikely as it would be an extra cost for them. As much as I'd love to see it, just a regular Sabres white repaint is more likely.

[Jason62]

hell I would make a touque if they gave me everything else for the figure.

[Mats_44]

LOL man every time I see your avatar I cringe. Those boobs are morbidly OBESE!! :eek:

[WingNut 25]

Why wouldn't they release a Lidstrom in another jersey in a later line? He's a Wing and best defenesman in the world.

[PhillyWing19]

I like the idea of the no helmets, but really can that be considered a slight tweak that would only be noticeable to the educated and informed collector?? Seems like a pretty glaring difference to me that any monkey could spot at first sight! :D

Yeah, I agree, but I figure as long as we're being positive, let's be as positive as possible! ;)

It probably would be extra $$$ to produce, but if TMP has acknowledged that NHL figs will be the hardest to chase-i-cize under the new strategy, then at least let's give them some ideas that we would be willing to spend our $$$ to collect.

Needless to say, I would gladly drop another $10.99 -- $12.99 to get a no-helmet, red jersey chase Nik Lidstrom to go with my helmeted, red jersey regular one.

Would I spend that same $10.99 -- $12.99 to get one where the tape on his stick handle is red instead of white? Doubtful.

(and there's another idea for you, Mark! :D )


Short List of Likely "Tweaks" that may not be worth the cost of a 2nd figure
Puck marks vs no puck marks
Playoff beard vs clean shaven
Different stick/gloves/helmet/pants logos
Different stick/sock tape


or

Short List of "Tweaks" well worth the extra cost of a 2nd figure

Helmet vs no helmet -- maybe do 1 a series, like the McCabe was in NHL13?
Trophy vs no trophy -- very cool idea BTW :)
etc


I am completely open to buying chase versions of figures under the new strategy, but in my opinion, they really need to be creative and truly different elements. If TMP can execute that, then I will be as loyal supporter as I have been, without doubt.

If it's just a mailed-in, cop-out kind of difference, then it's just not worth the cost of a near dupe figure. I'll just buy the 1 of the nearly identical 2 figures I prefer and/or can find at retail.

I'd like to think that they'd be open to making a creative effort in doing this given all the controversey the announcement has created. We can still dream, can't we? :D

[Mats_44]

Why wouldn't they release a Lidstrom in another jersey in a later line? He's a Wing and best defenesman in the world.

I dunno. Maybe they will. I'm just going with my personal preference. It was either him or Toskala. :p

[PhillyWing19]

Why wouldn't they release a Lidstrom in another jersey in a later line? He's a Wing and best defenesman in the world.


I wholeheartedly agree and wish for that to happen.

For whatever reason though, Nik does not always get the props that other elite players seem to get. Whether it's because he's so good and smooth at what he does and people don't notice the fact that he rarely ever makes a mistake, or perhaps because he is an example of true class (like Yzerman, Sakic, etc) and not running around trying to decapitate or maim people (read: Pronger) he seems a little more under the radar to the aforementioned "casual collector" and thus not an immediate, "no-brainer" for a repaint fig.

I'm hoping we get both, and am incredibly happy to have a second fig of him, especially because the facial likeness of his first was not the best. I am also managing my expectations however, given the new world order of chases/repaints.

Here's to hoping we get both versions though!

[Mats_44]

chase-i-cize...........LOL

[Mats_44]

The reality is that the Wings white jerseys and the Leafs white jerseys are perhaps the most boring white jerseys in the entire league so it's hard to justify doing them as repaint inserts because they are not exactly exciting ideas.

[PhillyWing19]

The reality is that the Wings white jerseys and the Leafs white jerseys are perhaps the most boring white jerseys in the entire league so it's hard to justify doing them as repaint inserts because they are not exactly exciting ideas.


Or the most "classic" aka: sophisticated, depending on your point of view. ;)

From what I recall, they both usually perform well in the "What's the Best Jersey" contests on ESPN.com or SI.com or whoever does that.

I'd rather have them then a "Mooterus" Modano repaint :p

That's why I am one of the 7 people actually ecstatic about the Leafs Fuhr Repaint in NHL19 -- I am a huge fan of the original six unis, and any derivatives of them, including the modern ones in the Edge.

[Mats_44]

Or the most "classic" aka: sophisticated, depending on your point of view. ;)

From what I recall, they both usually perform well in the "What's the Best Jersey" contests on ESPN.com or SI.com or whoever does that.

I'd rather have them then a "Mooterus" Modano repaint :p

That's why I am one of the 7 people actually ecstatic about the Leafs Fuhr Repaint in NHL19 -- I am a huge fan of the original six unis, and any derivatives of them, including the modern ones in the Edge.

But my guess is that the red jersey for the Wings and the blue jersey for the Leafs are the ones that win those contests, not the white ones.

I agree with you on the Fuhr Leafs figure, it's a great choice for the jersey, except I can not get past the fake mask art on the helmet and the fake branding on the equipment. That stuff just drives me nuts and ruins the legitimacy of the figure.

[RoninJai]

But my guess is that the red jersey for the Wings and the blue jersey for the Leafs are the ones that win those contests, not the white ones.

Nope. White Jersey w/ Red accents.

[Mats_44]

Nope. White Jersey w/ Red accents.

Hmmmm, odd.

[Mats_44]

Another thing I am wondering about........will these extra repaint figures or throwbacks be announced ahead of time as being part of the lineups or will they simply be inserted as a suprise to be discovered once the first cases get cracked open??

[Jason62]

LOL man every time I see your avatar I cringe. Those boobs are morbidly OBESE!! :eek:

That pic makes em look bigger then I think they are. I have seen worse breasts out there....

[right between the eyes]

For eighteen grand they better get peoples attention:p

[trucrew]

There is so much negativity since the news release came out. I was skeptical when the first package change occurred but everything went well with that... Lets just stay positive, like Matts_44 said and everything is going to be okay :)

[right between the eyes]

I'd only pull out my wallet for Toskala's (hoping for a new pose)

Rick DiPietro and to a lesser extent a more recent Marty Turco. Only way i buy the other usual suspects is if they're newer reusable poses.

[MapleLeafs20]

I've now excepted the packaging, and I've warmed up to the chase figure idea, I just REALLY wish the Toskala isn't in the Miller pose.

[freezerbox]

I like the no helmet idea, for those who actually warm up sans helmet, or play a style of game that they might actually lose their helmet, or take it off (Jarome to fight).

[mikey1]

How about they charge a couple of dollars more and make some real chases.

[WingNut 25]

To add to the comment about the Wings white jerseys aka the best jerseys in the NHL, each regular Red Wings figure ever made was in the white.

[PhillyWing19]

To add to the comment about the Wings white jerseys aka the best jerseys in the NHL, each regular Red Wings figure ever made was in the white.


For the most part, that is correct.

Hasek2 in NHL Series 7 regular was red jersey. Chase was white.

As far as the jerseys themselves go, I like them both, though I do prefer the red one just a bit more. The red on red of the jersey and pants is a great look, so that's why I hope Nik's reg fig is a red this go-round, though I do hope they make both.

[cflames89]

Play-off beards would be cool.

I still want to get a no-helmet, play-off beard, Stanley Cup patch Jarome Iginla figure, LOL!!!!!

[mikey1]

I'd like to see Crosby in the Winter Classic Jersey.

[WingNut 25]

For the most part, that is correct.

Hasek2 in NHL Series 7 regular was red jersey. Chase was white.

Totally forgot about that one.

[PhillyWing19]

I agree with you on the Fuhr Leafs figure, it's a great choice for the jersey, except I can not get past the fake mask art on the helmet and the fake branding on the equipment. That stuff just drives me nuts and ruins the legitimacy of the figure.


Mats -- The mask issue is disappointing, but I was expecting it. The gear does not bother me as much for some reason.

How do you feel about the leaf on the sweater not being technically accurate either?

If you look at the 2-up, the leaf graphic is different than the ones that the Leafs wore on their actual NHL 75th Anniversary Season jerseys in 1991-1992.

The Leaf on that jersey was more curvy and asymetrical with the top left portion of the leaf having more little spikes on it than the right side, while the Leaf on the TMP Fuhr figure is perfectly symetrical, like an opposite version of the leaf on the Leafs' recent white 3rd jersey (the ones that they wore up through last season, prior to the Edge nixing 3rd jerseys), but obviously done in on a blue background instread of white.

I know it's a severe knit-pick, but it's just something that I noticed.

Actual Leafs 75th Anniversary Jersey

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/phillywing19/FuhrTBTC.jpg

Fuhr 2-Up Image

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/phillywing19/nhl19_gfuhr-leafs_photo_02_dp.jpg

Leafs White 3rd Jersey (up through 2006/2007)

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/phillywing19/LeafsVintageWhtRBK.jpg

[Mats_44]

The Fuhr figure just reeks of a sloppy last minute throw together. Which is exactly what it was. It's hard to have much respect for that figure, even as a Leafs fan.

[EDBSIP]

a Ducks Selanne better be a surprise fig!

[right between the eyes]

a Ducks Selanne better be a surprise fig!

A bigger surprise would be Neidermayer Stanley Cup pose.

[glove-save]

I think the puck mark v no puck mark is weak, but the only way you can have a chase with a small "tweak" on a goalie figure.

mask v no mask would be cool since they are a bit more accurate on face sculpts as they are on masks. The fact thay are not getting the rights to do a goalies mask properly has IMO made the latest goalie figs a disappointment.

[Mats_44]

A bigger surprise would be Neidermayer Stanley Cup pose.

With that disgusting ugly bird's nest of a beard? No thanks!! LOL