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The 10 best (and 5 worst) logos from the amazing 'Simpsons x NHL' series

harrison mooney
Boston Bruins, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

It's always fun when graphic designers apply their skills to imaginative reworkings of the NHL's 30 logos. There's so much material there, and when you combine it with a little skill and creativity, you can occasionally create something truly remarkable.

Such is the case with Mark Avery Kenny's remarkable "Simpsons x NHL" series, which blended the League's 30 logos with characters from The Simpsons, and reached its conclusion today with Kenny's last batch of 10. See them all at his Instagram page.

They're all pretty fantastic, and they show a fairly intimidate knowledge of the Simpsons -- using the Buffaslug as Nelson Muntz's hair curl is proof positive that this guy knows Springfield inside and out, for instance -- but some rise above the fray. Here are our 10 favourites:

No. 10: Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Edmonton Oilers, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

Using the oil drop as Moe's keg is a great idea. Not to mention the current Oilers are about as well taken-care-of as Moe's bar.

No. 9. Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Ottawa Senators, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

It just fits so well. Although we all know Principal Skinner is probably a Rangers fan. Presumably, he picked up an affinity for the Blueshirts in Albany, where he also learned to call hamburgers steamed hams.

No. 8: New York Rangers

New York Rangers, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
New York Rangers, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

Speaking of the Rangers, here's their reimagining. Replacing Lady Liberty with Lisa Simpson is downright flawless.

No. 7: New York Islanders

New York Islanders, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
New York Islanders, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

Meanwhile, the sea captain is replaced by the Sea Captain. Too easy. But now I have an inkling to hear Garth Snow sigh, "Yarr. I don't know what I'm doing."

No. 6: Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Pittsburgh Penguins, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

The Penguin is now Bart Simpson, whose hockey skill was on display in "Lisa on Ice", the classic Simpsons hockey episode. "Kill, Bart! Kill, Bart!" (Or, I guess if you're a Flyers fan, "Kill Bart! Kill Bart!"

No. 5: Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Philadelphia Flyers, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

And speaking of the Flyers, the home of the Broad Street Bullies gets Springfield's bullies. Again, this was an easy choice, since we've long suspected Bobby Clarke and Jimbo Jones have long shared an ability to swing a sack of doorknobs. Are any of the bullies Flyers fans on the show? We don't know, although we do know Kearney is a Cubs fan. It's why he became a bully.

No. 4: St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
St. Louis Blues, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

The most conservative member of the Simpson family is paired with one of hockey's most conservative teams. Also the blue hair might have had something to do with it.

No. 3: Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Dallas Stars, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

Now the "D" stands for Disco Stu. Although there's no way he'd allow his likeness to be used like this. Disco Stu doesn't advertise.

No. 2: New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
New Jersey Devils, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

Ned Flanders occasionally appears as the devil in the Simpson' Treehouse of Horror series, so it's only fitting that he make an appearance in the New Jersey Devils' logo. Screw Flanders, eh Rangers fans?

No. 1: Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Phoenix Coyotes, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

 

Santa's Little Helper as the coyote is just inspired.

***

And, for a little bonus material, the bottom five. Not that these are bad. They're just not quite as good as the others.

No. 26: Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Minnesota Wild, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

I like using the sun as Maggie's pacifier, but this one's just a bit too much of a diversion from the original for me.

No. 27: Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Carolina Hurricanes, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

Just doesn't quite work for me, in part because of the colour, but also because I don't get the association. Maybe Mr. Burns should have been in the Wild logo, and instead of using Maggie's pacifier as the sun, Burns could have blocked it out?

No. 28: Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Nashville Predators, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

He may excel at eating skunks and losing toes, but Cletus doesn't quite work as the Predators' logo.

No. 29: Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Toronto Maple Leafs, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

Some of the other combinations were stellar. But I don't really see how Kenny arrived at Groundskeeper Willie for Toronto. Probably should have been this kid.

No. 30: Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.
Colorado Avalanche, from the 'NHL x Simpsons' series by ak_47studios.

I see what he was going for here, having the big "A" stand for Apu like the "D" stood for Disco Stu. It just doesn't quite work. Maybe it should have been Artie Ziff?