Burke mandates lower jersey numbers

[Table 5]

Your hair protecting your head was good enough for 50s teams too. Let's go back to that.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

So we will see Cammalleri walk and free up #13 for Gaudreau
Sven goes from #47 to #27
what other numbers do we see coming up?

Even more incentive for Sven. If he doesn't beat out Poirier, Emile will take his spot and his number.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by iggysback05

Perfect. I hate the high, odd numbers. Also, I wish Monahan would wear 19. He's got that Yzerman, Sakic, Toews feel to him.

I like the #23. One of my favorite athletes of all time wore #23, and he was also a great 2 way player

[alan21]

9 12 and 30 are off limits.

Doesnt leave many options. As im sure players would avoid 14 and 2 as well.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Table 5

How? If someones favorite number is 8, why do they get to make a decision based on individualism, and not the guy whose favorite number is 88?

It just comes across as silly.

I understand that. It's a fair argument. I just think that high numbers are usually chosen in an effort to stand out.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by TjRhythmic

I like the #23. One of my favorite athletes of all time wore #23, and he was also a great 2 way player

Nystrom was awesome.
.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wotherspoon #56 to #26

This is such a non-issue. Like Wotherspoon listed above, that's just his rookie camp number, like Hanowski, Van Brabant, like Arnold and Gaudreau joining the team. Those aren't "their" numbers. The Flames don't have a tonne or any guys with high numbers. Baertschi has 47 but that was just his rookie camp number he kept because he liked it.

A 23 man roster, six of those numbers either retired of effectively never worn again (2, 9, 12, 14, 25, 30) you're just limiting yourself for no reason at all. Why is the cut off at 35, why not number 40, or 45?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

What if Bennett wants 93?

Seems like a silly thing to even spend time on.

If an 18 year old kid is going to make a stink about his jersey number, he's not the kind of player Burke would draft anyway.

Sven originally wore 27 in junior and I'm sure he'd be happy to go back to that, the only reason he kept 47 was because lots of people bought that shirt and he didn't want to upset them.

On that note, I hope we see the return of starting goalies wearing number 1. And if it's not coming back, I want a premiere talent to have the balls to wear it as a skater.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I understand that. It's a fair argument. I just think that high numbers are usually chosen in an effort to stand out.

Maybe but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter. Nail Yakupov isn't a show off because he wears the rare number 64, he's a show off because of the player he is. Doug Gilmour insanely high number 93 wasn't reflective of the player he was.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Day Tripper

Lou Lamoriello does the same thing. He did make an exception for Jagr though.

Mogilny as well; I think when you're an established star who comes to NJ, or one of the five greatest players to ever lace em up, you get to keep 68.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Meh, I never understood this need for lower numbers. Why is it so heretical that someone wants to wear an 8 instead of a 2?

The reason I like it is simplicity.

High numbers become more difficult to remember, and with the new kids, recognize.

What I just wrote might be utterly arbitrary, but it's how I feel.

I like defenders to have a single number on their back, too.

I'm just old fashioned.

[Table 5]

This is like one of those community meetings where a senior gets all angry about some small thing that doesn't really matter.

1-98. Pick whatever number you like that is available and isn't retired. It shouldn't be that hard.

[ricosuave]

its ridiculous. a player should wear any number they want, high or low

[Timbo]

Burke should mandate himself to a better haircut like a flat top because IMO this lower number crap will have the same affect as Burke getting that style of haircut. (Nothing) other than make a few traditionalist happy.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

High numbers become more difficult to remember, and with the new kids, recognize.

Personally, I find the outliers much easier to remember than having everyone grouped in a cluster. Trying to see, and remember who 21,22,23, and 24 is, for me is much trickier.

[Clever_Iggy]

Personally, I like lower numbers so I like this, but I imagine this will be unpopular with many CP members (edit - and a day late for those I saw at the Jets-Flames game buying #53 Gaudreau jerseys).

I would have made it sub-50 just to give a little more wiggle room - with 2 (FAF), 9 (retired), 12 (unspoken), 14 (unspoken), 25 (FAF), 30 (retired) - there's more of a likelihood that those that are FAF or otherwise not worn will be reused which gives the FAF program legitimacy which I am against.

[strombad]

I like it, gives the team a bit more of a traditional, classic flavour.

[Resolute 14]

Stupid and pointless, Burke.

[LIP MAN]

Annoying as hell, got a 47 Bart jersey because he said he won't change the number.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Timbo

Burke should mandate himself to a better haircut like a flat top because IMO this lower number crap will have the same affect as Burke getting that style of haircut. Nothing other than make a few traditionalists happy.

I actually think that Burke always looking disheveled, wearing his baggy shirt, tie slung around his neck (while the players always have to wear a presentable suit) is exactly the "me first" attitude he is railing against. Why does he get to be special, while the rest of team has to follow the rules?

If it's all about professionalism and a team-first attitude, it should start at the top.