Hockey fans are obsessive about sweaters. It’s just the way it is. When the news broke that the LA Kings new jersey for the 2024-2025 season would ditch the "home plate" logo in favor of a modernized 90s throwback, the internet basically had a collective meltdown of nostalgia and relief. For over a decade, the Kings rocked a look that was, frankly, a bit corporate. It was fine. It won them two Stanley Cups. But it never really captured the soul of Los Angeles hockey the way the silver and black of the Gretzky era did.
The shift isn't just about selling more merch, though that’s obviously a huge part of the business side of the NHL. It's about identity. By leaning into the "Chevy" logo—the iconic shield used from 1988 to 1998—the team is signaling a return to its most culturally significant era. You’ve probably seen the old-school gear on rappers, skaters, and celebrities who don’t even know what an icing call is. That’s the power of that specific branding. It transcends the rink.
What changed with the LA Kings new jersey?
If you look closely at the new primary home and away kits, you’ll notice they aren't exact carbon copies of what Wayne Gretzky wore when he was setting records at the Great Western Forum. They're refined. The team worked with Adidas and the NHL to sharpen the details.
The most obvious change is the logo itself. The crown has been reworked. It’s cleaner. The typeface used for "KINGS" inside the crest has been updated to be more legible while maintaining that aggressive, angular 90s font. Honestly, the old version looked a bit cluttered when you got up close. This one breathes. Also, the silver is more vibrant. On the ice, under the heavy LED lighting of modern arenas like Crypto.com Arena, the old matte silver often looked like a dull grey. The new fabric technology allows for a metallic sheen that actually looks like, well, silver.
There's also the matter of the "Gretzky tuck." While the jersey cut is the standard NHL Adidas (and now transitioning to Fanatics) template, the stripes on the sleeves and the waist have been adjusted in height. It’s a subtle nod to the proportions of the original 90s jerseys. They’ve also brought back the matte black helmets for the home set. It’s a mean look. It’s intimidating.
Why the "Home Plate" logo had to go
Let’s be real for a second. The previous logo—the one the team used from 2008 until last season—was born during an era of "Reebok Edge" redesigns where every team wanted to look like a tech company. It worked because the team won. You can't argue with 2012 and 2014. Winning makes any jersey look better. But once the winning stopped and the rebuild began, fans started to realize that the "home plate" was kind of boring.
It lacked the "streetwear" appeal of the 90s crest. It didn't have the regal elegance of the 1960s Forum Blue and Gold. It was stuck in a middle ground.
Professional sports branding is cyclical. We’ve seen it with the Anaheim Ducks bringing back the "Mighty" mask and the Buffalo Sabres returning to the royal blue. People want to feel connected to the history of the franchise, and for the Kings, the silver and black era represents the moment hockey became a "thing" in California. Without that 90s jersey, you don't get the expansion to San Jose or Anaheim. You don't get the surge of youth hockey in the desert. It’s the jersey that changed the map of the NHL.
The technical details of the 2024-2025 kits
The transition from Adidas to Fanatics as the official on-ice outfitter has caused some anxiety among collectors. However, for the LA Kings new jersey, the specs remain high-end for the "Authentic Pro" versions.
- The crest is a multi-layered twill with 3D embroidery.
- The silver piping uses a "dimple" texture to catch light differently than the black base.
- The internal fight strap is still reinforced, though that's only on the versions the players actually wear.
One thing people often miss is the collar. The new design features a simplified V-neck. Gone is the weird "toilet seat" collar design that plagued many NHL jerseys for the last five years. It’s a clean, solid black or white break that lets the logo do the talking.
The cultural impact of the silver and black
You can't talk about this jersey without talking about N.W.A., Ice Cube, and the intersection of sports and hip-hop. When the Kings swapped their purple and gold for silver and black in 1988—matching the Raiders who were in LA at the time—it was a seismic shift. The jersey became a symbol of Los Angeles grit.
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By making this the primary look again, the Kings are reclaiming that spot in the culture. It’s a move that appeals to the 40-year-old fan who remembers the 1993 Cup Finals run, but it also hits the Gen Z fan who is obsessed with vintage "blocky" aesthetics. It's smart business. It’s even better branding.
Interestingly, the team is keeping the "Forum Blue" (which is actually purple) as an alternate or "heritage" option. This is the right move. You don't want to overdo it. The silver and black is the steak; the purple and gold is the dessert.
What most people get wrong about the redesign
A common misconception is that this is just a "Reverse Retro" that they decided to keep. That’s not quite right. The Reverse Retro program was about experimenting with color swaps—like putting the 90s logo on a purple jersey. This new primary set is about brand stabilization.
The team spent nearly two years researching fan sentiment before pulling the trigger on this. They found that while the "home plate" had high recognition, it had low "affinity." People knew it, but they didn't love it. The silver and black shield? People love it.
Critical Next Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to pick up an LA Kings new jersey, there are a few things you should do to make sure you get the best version.
- Check the Branding: 2024-2025 is the transition year. If you want the "on-ice" specs, look for the "Premium" tier from the new manufacturer.
- Verify the Logo: Ensure the crest has the updated, sharper "KINGS" font. Some knockoffs are already circulating using the old 90s files, which look slightly different from the 2024 modernized version.
- Size Up for Hoodies: If you plan on wearing the jersey over a sweatshirt (the classic LA look), go one size up. The new cuts are slightly more tailored through the midsection than the old CCM "box" jerseys of the 90s.
- Look for the Silver Sparkle: The authentic versions have a specific metallic thread in the silver sections. If the silver looks like flat grey paint, it’s a replica or a fake.
The Kings are entering a new era with a roster that has a mix of veteran leadership in Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty and young speed. It’s only fitting they do it in the threads that defined the franchise’s first real taste of superstar glory. Whether they can replicate the success of the 2010s in the gear of the 90s remains to be seen, but at least they'll look better while trying.