Burke mandates lower jersey numbers

[Calgary Highlander]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Baertschi has 47 but that was just his rookie camp number he kept because he liked it.

Actually, Baertschi said he kept it because a bunch of people had already bought his jersey. Said he didn't want people spending money only to have an out-of-date jersey number. I thought that was a cool little gesture by Sven.

[Igster]

I guess Burke is just doing everything within his power to NOT become the Oilers. Sounds like a solid plan.

[puckluck2]

This is a big eff you to everyone with a 47 Baertschi jersey. Do the Flames think we are rich? I know they don't mean it as a money grab but this is exactly what it will be.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

This is a big eff you to everyone with a 47 Baertschi jersey. Do the Flames think we are rich? I know they don't mean it as a money grab but this is exactly what it will be.

1) They should provide discounted pricing on getting jerseys for current roster players re-done.

2) Former numbered jerseys will look cool (I always liked seeing #24 Iginla jerseys).

[$ven27]

Don't see why it matters. It's just a number.

[YYC in LAX]

So with Cammi likely gone next year, Gaudreau will likely get 13. That's a number I can get behind for a long time.

[puckluck2]

Has anyone who has had a jersey re-numbered noticed or do they look like any other jersey? In other words can you tell if a jersey has been re-numbered?

[Rubicant]

Mcdavids 97 won't fit too well into this.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

This is a big eff you to everyone with a 47 Baertschi jersey. Do the Flames think we are rich? I know they don't mean it as a money grab but this is exactly what it will be.

Why should it matter? I actually like the old numbers that remind me of a quirk in the player's career, like #45 for Jordan.

Seeing someone wearing a 47 Baertschi jersey says they became of fan of him early in his career. Not such a bad thing?

Certainly not a jersey faux-pas.

[kn]

About time. This isn't a frickin' football team.

[stignasty]

#firstworldproblems

[googol]

Originally Posted by BloodFetish

Why should it matter? I actually like the old numbers that remind me of a quirk in the player's career, like #45 for Jordan.

Seeing someone wearing a 47 Baertschi jersey says they became of fan of him early in his career. Not such a bad thing?

Certainly not a jersey faux-pas.

And why should it matter that numbers be lower. Imagine if Gretzky or Crosby were forced to lower their numbers by their team's president. How archaic is that?

[PeteMoss]

Burying the lede here. How does this effect our chances to resign BUTLER?

[pylon]

I like it. Having a bunch a random weird numbers looks beer leaguish. There is a certain tradition to lower numbers. The only issue you can run into is becoming the Canadiens, where you had so many amazing players, 17/35 numbers up to 35 are retired, and you are forced to use weird ones. I can't see that being a huge issue for the Flames in the next 50 years, but I will certainly be happy if it does, as it means we became that good and ended up with that many superstars.

I have no issue with generational players like Lemieux, Gretzky, Crosby, Ovechkin etc using numbers that stand out, as they are highly unique, special players. But when 4th liner plugs are rocking numbers that stand out, it looks goofy. Or like a CFL team.

One exception though, Mike Commodore was such an a-hole for not wearing 64. Steve Heinze wearing 57 awesome too.

[MisterJoji]

What's the point? Taking into account untouchables, FAF and current players, the only numbers currently available are:

1, 4, 10, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33 and 35 (Assuming Bouma, Colbourne, Byron re-sign, Roberts and Kipper are made FAF, and Cammy, Westgarth, MacDonald walk). If a kid wants to wear 85 what is the harm?

[Flash Walken]

I look at it a bit like Brent Sutter telling all those junior players that if they wanted to play for him, they had to get haircuts.

It may be arbitrary, but it's a professional standard. I don't get to pick my employee ID number at work. I'm not trying to say they are the same thing, exactly, but it's a similar principle I think. It's an organizational standard, and I think the Flames franchise could use more of those.

[strombad]

Does anyone think Burke might push for retro threads? For whatever reason this whole thing brought the thought up in my mind, and wasn't he partly responsible for the Leafs adopting more "classic" home/away kits?

[EldrickOnIce]

Point well made though... Since it's mandated change, the Flames should replace a fan Jersey, if so desired.

[Antithesis]

I'm sorry but how can people be OK with exceptions? If this is being put in place to strengthen team-over-individual, allowing exceptions screams "I am more important than all of these other guys". This is such a bizarre thing for Burke to concern himself with.

[Aleks]

Is it April 1?