Tampa Bay Lightning

Made for part two of an NHL redesign series I started. The Lightning had a bit of a controversial rebrand for this season, not because it looks horrible or anything but because they simplified their look maybe a little too much. Steve Yzerman and the team management were going for a simple, iconic look like the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, and now they look more like the Maple Wings Sponsored By Intel than they do the Tampa Bay Lightning.

I don't personally hate the way they look, in fact I think the Bolts needed to simplify their logo. To be honest I find myself really liking the whole thing for having a satisfyingly clean feel to it. But again, they overdid it and I'm aware that a number of fans don't like the rebrand at all. So I put together my own version, borrowing the good things from the new design and working in some more familiar elements to create an overall better identity.