CHICAGO _ When it comes to sweaters _ that's hockey for "jersey" _ there's none better than the Blackhawks'.
Of course, in Chicago, Blackhawks sweaters have been a fashion staple for years. But now a new poll of NHL players confirms it's more than just a local preference.
NHL.com surveyed 61 current players on their favorite sweaters, and the Blackhawks won convincingly with 17 first-place votes. The Maple Leafs finished a distant second with five votes. No other teams received more than three votes.
"Growing up I had Colorado and Detroit, my two favorite teams, but Chicago is (a) pretty good (jersey)," Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin said. "I love Pittsburgh, but if you say second one, it's Chicago."
Some players, including the Oilers' Connor McDavid, the Devils' Taylor Hall and the Golden Knights' Marc-Andre Fleury, singled out the home red version as their favorite. The Flyers' Claude Giroux said he was partial to the black alternate sweaters the Hawks have worn occasionally throughout the years.
One of the players polled was Hawks captain Jonathan Toews. He gave the right answer.
"Blackhawks, hands down," Toews said.
