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.