The NHL unveiled their new uniform design today, which was met with great anticipation and hullabaloo.

Well, not really.

The announcement kicked off the festivities for All-Star... uh, Midweek? What's the deal with that? Why is the All-Star game on a Wednesday? Who are the wizards that came up with that? But I digress.

NHL commish Gary Bettman took to an elaborate stage to announce the next generation of hockey jerseys designed by the NHL and Reebok. "This is evolution, not revolution," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "It took three years to get this right." According to NHL.com, close to 100 different versions were created in tweaking the jerseys to make it just right. I guess there's saying something in planning. Apparently four different fabrics are used in the new jerseys, which will make the new jerseys lighter, drier, and provide more protection.

To me, it seemed less like an official NHL press conference, and more like a commercial for Reebok. Back in 2004, when Reebok bought Hockey Company Holdings Inc., it provided the athletic shoe company a sort of a hat trick of three of the major sports. They also have deals to provide the NHL and NBA with game jerseys and sell licensed apparel. Ever since I heard Reebok was going to provide the NHL with new uniforms, I knew that they were going to change up the jerseys. They did the same thing with football and basketball.

Not that I had a problem with new jerseys. The current Kings jerseys struck me as weird when I first saw them, with silver-flecked thread and the odd placement of "Los Angeles" at the bottom. The color selction was weird, too. Black and purple? That's the color of bruises, which is appropriate in hockey, I suppose.

Monday's press conference touted the new generation jerseys as a way to bring the sport into the "new era." They even brought out NHL Heir Apparent Sidney Crosby to pump up the new uniform. "I'm pretty picky about my equipment, so I'm probably a good one to test it on." But what else is Sid the Kid going to say? He's been the official spokesman for Reebok hockey since before he strapped on the skates for Pittsburgh.

Don't get me wrong: there's nothing wrong with the NHL updating their uniforms. They should have the best equipment they can to play at the highest possible level. But all this talk of the uniforms being "a system" and making players "quicker" seems hollow. At the press conference, they described the jerseys as "14 percent lighter." A whole 14 percent? You mean it can't get any lighter? Couldn't they find one percent somewhere to round it up to 15? They also said the new jerseys have a nine percent reduction in drag. I'm sorry, but does a jersey that's 14 percent lighter and have nine percent less wind resistance seem pretty minute?

The jerseys are apparently water resistant, which will make the jerseys lighter at the end of the game, because they won't be bogged down in sweat. I just hope that blood will still stay on the jersey. The socks are different, too. According to the snazzy new Reebok site, tape will become a thing of the past, because the new socks are tighter, hugging the pads tighter. Whatever. I never heard any complaints of players upset about having to tape up their socks.

The real excitement will be when they actually unveil the new jersey designs for the clubs. There has been plenty of speculation that fans of the Original Six will rise up if the unis of their favorite team is drastically changed. Already, several teams have been forward-thinking enough to design jerseys that will be incorporated into the new uniform design. Just last Friday, the Blue Jackets announced that they will be changing the logo on the front of the home and away jerseys next season. What will the Kings do? You've seen my proposed designs. I imagine that they won't be too far off of that.

Whatever happens, Reebok looks to make a mint off of this deal. For a fan to purchase an authentic RBK Edge personalized jersey, it will run them $425, as opposed to $280 now being charged for an authentic personalized jersey from NHL.com. Personally, I may pick up a replica. But truth be told, I'm going to wait until the current jerseys go on sale, then go on a little spending spree. Can you say Kopitar authentic?