This was requested by someone on the Leafs board but I liked it so much that I thought I'd post it here. Idea based off the Boston sports one of a similar vein in the wallpapers thread:

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/039/a/2/Toronto_Maple_Leafs_Defenders_by_russmatuss.jpg

What do you guys think?

Pretty nice! I like it...

I'm not sure if you wanted any recommendations or not, but the only thing I'd consider changing is making the players more a part of the backgorund by lowering the opacity on them. I feel that that the skyline would be the strongest focal point, and the players as they are detract from that, making it seem a little busy. The same goes for the font; lowering the opacity would probably help it blend into the water better, which I'm assuming was your intention. However, this is just my opinion...

Other than that, I love the concept! I remember seeing the Boston one, and was actually hoping someone would consider doing a Toronto theme. Fantastic work!!

Dude, that is outstanding wallpaper. Really good job !

Pretty nice! I like it...

I'm not sure if you wanted any recommendations or not, but the only thing I'd consider changing is making the players more a part of the backgorund by lowering the opacity on them. I feel that that the skyline would be the strongest focal point, and the players as they are detract from that, making it seem a little busy. The same goes for the font; lowering the opacity would probably help it blend into the water better, which I'm assuming was your intention. However, this is just my opinion...

Other than that, I love the concept! I remember seeing the Boston one, and was actually hoping someone would consider doing a Toronto theme. Fantastic work!!

Thanks for the kind words, and for the feedback. When I first read what you put I thought 'ugh that will look horrible' but I tried it out and I owe you an apology because I think the recommendations you said made the piece blend a lot better. Here it is with 50% opacity for the players and text:

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/041/b/b/Leafs_Defenders_half_opacity_by_russmatuss.jpg

And here's a little something that I found just by playing with the different effects that you can put on layers (overlay, screen etc.). It's the Lighter Color effect and I think it looks like the players blend into the sky more, however it looks better on some players than others (Komisarek > Phaneuf).

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/041/4/e/Leafs_Defenders_lightened_by_russmatuss.jpg

lol no apology necessary. it was just my opinion, so you had no obligation to agree with me... ;P

They both look great! I know it's a little more subtle than the original, but I think it really adds a bit of separation between the players and the skyline, helping both stand out from one another. As for the effects you used, I'm a huge fan of them myself, s you never really know what you're going to get until you try them out. Sometimes I find that's the best way to get results that you love; just try crap out and see what works and what doesn't... lol

Anyway, I'm glad it worked out for you. Job very well done!