I never thought I’d be doing this again, yet here we are. It’s time to begin the continuation of a now annual tradition around here at DTFR. It’s time to rank the NHL mascots.
For the first time since January 2017, here’s the latest look at things. Be sure to check out yesterday’s ranking (31st-21st) and stay tuned for tomorrow’s top-10.
20) Tommy Hawk (Chicago Blackhawks) Last year’s ranking 14th
The Blackhawks jersey is a timeless classic, but time has been catching up on Tommy Hawk. First of all, he’s a hawk that looks more like a penguin and second, he’s now been traded to the Arizona Coyotes for cap relief purposes, I’m being told by my producer.
Score big this #ValentinesDay https://t.co/QKcDkxqBMD pic.twitter.com/CFVKebqwed
— Tommy Hawk (@BhawkTommyHawk) February 6, 2018
19) Gnash (Nashville Predators) Last year’s ranking 17th
Gnash isn’t that bad looking, but Nashville’s home jersey lost its edge in the transition from Reebok EDGE 2.0 to ADIZERO technology. Because of that, we get a pretty average looking mascot that has many talents including entertaining the Tennessee Titans when they aren’t chugging beers and swinging catfish around at a playoff game.
Number 4 should be referred to as Ryan Ells. There is no “I” in his attitude and his game therefore it should be removed from his name. #teamplayer pic.twitter.com/m96PuNCRLm
— Gnash (@Gnash00) August 17, 2018
18) Thunderbug (Tampa Bay Lightning) Last year’s ranking 15th
Thunderbug may lay claim to having a dominant team on the ice in front of him, but that doesn’t ignore his electrifying averageness. That’s right, Thunderbug is average. He’s cute and cuddly, but he’s cuter in cartoon form on one of those pamphlets at the All-Star Game promoting the mascots game or whatever.
Preseason is here!!! It’s been way too long since we’ve seen our @TBLightning on the ice here at @AmalieArena ⚡️⚡️⚡️ >:) #GameDay #GoBolts #CARvsTBL pic.twitter.com/C8zbdYCjQs
— ThunderBug (@ThunderBugTBL) September 18, 2018
17) Wild Wing (Anaheim Ducks) Last year’s ranking 3rd
The Ducks introduced their one-year only third jerseys for 2018-19 and it cost them. Not necessarily on the ice– as a regular season game has yet to have been played– but it cost them in this mascot ranking because Wild Wing shouldn’t have to wear a sweater that screams “all 25 years of the franchise in one shirt”. Next!
As you all know, we play plenty of Sunday games during the season.
Wild Wing has something VERY special planned for those nights.
🎟: https://t.co/4q3oR5OzKL pic.twitter.com/1oT77bHLrh
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) September 23, 2018
16) Mick E. Moose (Winnipeg Jets) Last year’s ranking 11th
Winnipeg may be flying high, but like the Anaheim Ducks, the Jets introduced some sub-par alternate sweaters to the world this season. Now, they aren’t as bad as Anaheim’s, but something tells me Thrasher would look better in baby blue rather than Mick E. Moose.
It’s been a GREAT morning at the Manitoba Stampede Parade in Morris! pic.twitter.com/BqCMOyViQl
— Mick E Moose (@MickEMoose_00) July 21, 2018
15) Stinger (Columbus Blue Jackets) Last year’s ranking 27th
After careful consideration, Stinger’s moved up above a lot of the competition, but still has higher to climb. Another year has passed since Boomer working the mascot tandem with Stinger and the Blue Jackets brought back their quality third jerseys (albeit with the new-age number font and everything that they currently have on their home and road sweaters). It’s a redemptive year for Stinger, even though Columbus has still yet to win a playoff series.
Have you donated equipment towards the @CBJfoundation Equipment Sale yet? The green net is at the Easton Chiller, send in photos of you donating to be our next big winner!! #NHLGreen #CBJ https://t.co/28LspK9lsU pic.twitter.com/1JVo3w2nMg
— Stinger (@StingerCBJ) August 10, 2018
14) Louie (St. Louis Blues) Last year’s ranking 12th
There’s nothing to complain about a plain looking bear, but Louie is kind of a Carlton the Bear knockoff. Nobody tell the Toronto Maple Leafs that though. It’s just another average year unless the Blues really wow him on the ice and finally win a Cup. Regardless, Louie puts on a smile every night and goes to work knowing one of these years Doug Armstrong will probably trade him and take the offseason to make the team that much better.
Keep an eye out for the @stlmetro bus that I helped to paint! #HelpedIsAStrongWord pic.twitter.com/5s6Jvgj4oZ
— LouieSTLBlues (@LouieSTLBlues) September 22, 2018
13) N.J. Devil (New Jersey Devils) Last year’s ranking 16th
Taylor Hall won the Hart Trophy last season as one of the hottest players on the ice, but there’s something even hotter in Jersey. It’s the Devil himself. Well, the N.J. Devil, that is. He’s on the rise and could be in the top-10 in 2019’s rankings depending on how he takes care of division rival, Gritty, trying to steal his spotlight. We’ll leave it up to his devilish plans.
— NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) September 27, 2018
12) Victor E. Green (Dallas Stars) Last year’s ranking 19th
A star is rising in the big-D and it’s not just Tyler Seguin’s cap hit beginning in the 2019-20 season thanks to his extension he signed with the Stars this month. Victor E. Green’s starting to take on more of the role of a veteran mascot, what with Chance and Gritty having been introduced after him now.
🎉🎉🎉STARS WIN!!!🎉🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/7a4aQv9NdS
— Victor E. Green (@VictorEGreen) September 25, 2018
11) Carlton the Bear (Toronto Maple Leafs) Last year’s ranking 13th
John Tavares signed with the Leafs for $11.000 million a year through the 2024-25 season, so it’s fitting that Carlton finished 11th in this year’s ranking. Symbolism or something. Enough said.
Waiting for the season to start like….#TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/2xL0TGeaWW
— CarltonTheBear (@CarltonTheBear) September 25, 2018