Burke mandates lower jersey numbers

[craigwd]

If it's all about "teamwork", get rid of numbers altogether.

[squiggs96]

I think a fair trade is when Burke starts dressing like guys in the 1950s, he can start dressing his team like guys from the 1950s.

[squirtle]

What's going to happen if we draft Sam Bennet? I guess he could use Gilmours Flames number.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by squirtle

What's going to happen if we draft Sam Bennet? I guess he could use Gilmours Flames number.

Its not really a hard rule. I'm sure if there is some sort of special reason, like Jagr and his 68, I'm sure Burke will be ok with it.

[squiggs96]

If #66, #87 and #99 were/are good enough for three of the greatest players of all time, and other numbers like #71, #77 and #88 were/are all worn by high profile players, I think high numbers are okay for anyone who wants to wear one.

I'm really hoping this just means that all of the problems with the Flames are fixed, and Burke can now focus on every miniscule detail.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by TheKing

I absolutely hate the idea that you have to pick low numbers for some completely arbitrary reason, and say it has to do with teamwork dynamics? Stupid.

You can give a mini boost to players who do get their numbers, but at the same time people who don't get their numbers are going to be wondering if they 'fit in' since 'you only get lower numbers if you're truly going to stick around'.

But think about it as a pro player, they just want to play, nobody gives a #### what number is on your back, you just want to play. So I think we're making a big deal out of nothing.

So why do some players buy their numbers from team mates?

Quite frankly I think this is a pretty stupid non-issue. Who the hell cares what number a player chooses and how exactly does picking number 8 over 88 make you a better team player?

[zuluking]

What if, just maybe, this is more a vote of confidence in his young guys? Maybe he is sending a message that these rookies tiptoeing into the league can be confident in picking a lower number and not feeling obligated to choose a "rookie" number. You're a NHLer or you're not - there is no halfway. The lower numbers have been typically traditional in this league and are meaningful to the players (with the odd outlier). Something so simple may in fact be yet another motivator for a young, rebuilding club.

Probably reading to much into it, but that's what we do here...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I think a fair trade is when Burke starts dressing like guys in the 1950s, he can start dressing his team like guys from the 1950s.

He is taking a page from Julian's book: