Burke mandates lower jersey numbers

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by redforever

Who cares if there are other teams, junior or NHL level that do this.

It speaks to me of a culture of the old NHL, original 6, where the players were just tokens on the ice, abused by management, and not paid well by management. Those times should be behind us, period, not just in the NHL.

Hockey is a game, and to play it well, management has to sometimes participate in the process, not just mandate.

I am sorry I just can't get worked up about this.

I have never understood the obsession players have with a certain number.

[Itse]

And if high numbers were good enough for all those other great teams, they should also be good enough for Burke. Some of the greatest players in the game, and so forth...

Besides, it's not like jersey numbers are given out at random, some players get preferential treatment for being stars and some players get theirs for no better reason than just being around longer. The more you limit the choice of numbers, the more this is an issue.

Plus; if this is Burke's choice, then isn't this really about Burke, not the team?

[Skaloper]

So Burke is basically saying that he is going to assign players a jersey number with this move. Way to piss off fans ...

[Fischy13]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I wasn't saying all seniors are nuts, just the random ones that seem to always show up to community meetings, ha.

I'm pretty superstitious about numbers myself (You'd have to put a gun to my head to wear 3, 13 or 33), so I could see how a player is.

Lol, those are the only jersey numbers I wear/would pick.

[StrykerSteve]

What a ridiculous mandate.

Who gives a flying leap what number a player wants to wear? They may carry personal emotional significance. What if a young player's father wore a high number and he's always worn it as a tribute to his Dad?

Burke is a dinosaur when it comes to this kind of stuff. Uggh.

[Fischy13]

I think this is a ridiculous decision. If anything, and I know it's slim to likely not a factor, but this can only hinder a potential signing. This decision will never lure a player, only potential for the opposite. Athletes are some if the most superstitious people, and in a game where being in the best possible mindset is important, let them wear what ever damn number they want. To a lesser extent, he will one day get shunned by a potential star dude to the mandatory volunteering he requires. Yes it's great for the fans/community, but again this can only hinder a potential signing, never be a reason to sign.

Forgot to mention too, they could want a number their dad or brother or some other significant reasoning. Only piss these guys off. It's either going to be viewed by the players as what ever or pissed off. Never a positive.

[HerbalMagic]

Originally Posted by Fischy13

I think this is a ridiculous decision. If anything, and I know it's slim to likely not a factor, but this can only hinder a potential signing. This decision will never lure a player, only potential for the opposite. Athletes are some if the most superstitious people, and in a game where being in the best possible mindset is important, let them wear what ever damn number they want. To a lesser extent, he will one day get shunned by a potential star dude to the mandatory volunteering he requires. Yes it's great for the fans/community, but again this can only hinder a potential signing, never be a reason to sign.

You are gonna give up the chance to play in the NHL cause you can't have a high number? Are you high? Why do people care so much about this?

[Fischy13]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

You are gonna give up the chance to play in the NHL cause you can't have a high number? Are you high? Why do people care so much about this?

Not talking about new players. Established stars. If two teams are equal, one has the number you always wear, say 77.... Yes, they care about this. Again, it'll never be viewed as a positive, only meh, or screw this.

[$ven27]

Little bit OT, but why doesn't/can't forwards or Dmen wear #1?

[Southside]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

You are gonna give up the chance to play in the NHL cause you can't have a high number? Are you high? Why do people care so much about this?

Why does Burke care? Crest is on the front. Name and number on the back. As long as the Flaming C is on the front nobody should care. The back of the jersey is for the player, the front for the organization and fans.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by redforever

It speaks to me of a culture where the players now just have a job to do with absolutely no input. Just do as Daddy says.

Oilers are the other end of the spectrum.

[Southside]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

You are gonna give up the chance to play in the NHL cause you can't have a high number? Are you high? Why do people care so much about this?

Why does Burke care? Crest is on the front. Name and number on the back. As long as the Flaming C is on the front nobody should care about the back.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I really don't understand why Burke and Sutter care about things like this. I'm pretty indifferent either way, but kinda feel like this is just a waste of breath to even say anything about it.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

You are gonna give up the chance to play in the NHL cause you can't have a high number? Are you high? Why do people care so much about this?

No one's going to skip the NHL entirely because of it, but in a FA situation where two scenarios are of equal appeal, this could certainly be the tipping point one way or the other.

It really doesn't serve any purpose that I can think of.

[Enoch Root]

I am an old fart who pretty much always fall on the side of tradition with most issues. But I think Burke is off his rocker with this one. Who fricking cares what number they have? You play for the crest on the front right? So why should anyone be concerned with the number on the back?

I am a big Burke fan, but this is one of those situations where I think he gets in his own way. Pick your battles Mr Burke - I don't see this as a hill that is worth dying on. The only thing you will accomplish here is making some people think you're being foolish.

[Bezer]

I really don't have a problem with it but it reminds me of this:

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Southside

Why does Burke care? Crest is on the front. Name and number on the back. As long as the Flaming C is on the front nobody should care about the back.

Which is another reason why the new 3rd jerseys should be burned and forgotten.

[HerbalMagic]

You all keep saying it..."you play for the crest on the front" so why do you care what number is on the back.

I can flip that stupid argument around too.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

You all keep saying it..."you play for the crest on the front" so why do you care what number is on the back.

I can flip that stupid argument around too.

The difference is only one side of the argument is being mandated by the team president.

[Fire]

I don't really care either way. Rightly or wrongly Burke is probably doing this so no individual stands out from the crowd. It's about the team and not the player.

If a player argues with the team about this it's a good indication he's not the type of player Burke wants.