Comments on: Unretiring Numbers

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:37:00 +0000

In reply to Rob Discher. I don't have a problem with signing Patrick Kane. So long as he keeps his drinking under control and doesn't go anywhere near the number 19. Let's give him #22 because just like Brett Lebda, Patrick Kane goes waaaaaaaaaay too fast. And just like Patrick Kane, #22 obviously needs to be rehabilitated.

By: danny M

danny M — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:10:00 +0000

I agree with Mike above. Having your number retired is a way of the organization saying that what you have done is special and not likely to be replicated. Its part of their status as legends. Unless it’s Gordie Howe in the alumni game, no one should ever wear the Winged Wheel with #9 on the back. Likewise with everyone else. Plus, from the players standpoint, why would you want to set yourself up for years of comparisons to a legend?

By: Nochal

Nochal — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:50:00 +0000

The newbies are going to need to get their own number. Even though its not up at the Joe, I have “Aurie 6” up in my own rafters at home right alongside the other individuals who contributed so much to Wings organization throughout history.

Side Note: Letting newbies wear the numbers of the greats seems like something the NBA would do. Lets not do that lol.

By: Rob Discher

Rob Discher — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 20:46:00 +0000

In reply to Mike.

Spot-on, Mike. I never thought through the fan/jersey angle, but it’s a good one. All I know is that if some hot-shot dick rolled into Detroit and thought he was worthy of #19, he’s probably not the kind of guy we’d reel in anyway.

…though this is coming from a who suggested we consider signing Kane. Me agreeing with you might not be the best source of validation.

By: Dclem8

Dclem8 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:09:00 +0000

Hell no

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:56:00 +0000

The only way you could honor one of those players is by them making monumental contributions to the team. To wear #19, you would have to be the driving factor in lifting the Red Wings out of mediocrity and shame to the top of the NHL and 3 Stanley Cup victories the way Oh Captain, My Captain Steve Yzerman did. Or something comparable.

To wear #1, you’ve got to be the kind of lights out goaltender Terry Sawchuck was, at a time when goalies didn’t have masks let alone over sized jerseys and pads.

Since you simply cannot know if a player is going to make those contributions until their career is well underway, do they switch jerseys mid season or mid career? I mean, you can do that but why? Also, isn’t that going to piss off the thousands of fans who bought their LastName #X jerseys, only to have them switch to #5 once they acknowledge this new defenseman is worthy of wearing Nicklas Lidstrom’s number? Some people can’t afford to own ONE jersey, let alone two for their favorite player.
You don’t honor and acknowledge a player’s contributions as once in a generational by allowing them to wear someone else’s retired number. You do so by raising THEIR number to the rafters alongside the others.