#99 retirement league wide, any controversy?

[salty justice]

Originally Posted by Egostick

#$ and #66 should be retired as well. Can you imagine some dude skating around with #66 on?

I find it more unlikely to see a guy wearing #$. No one man can live up to Cashin's legacy.

[JimLahey89]

Originally Posted by JaymzB

I agree. Jean Beliveau does deserve that honour.

I was kind of thinking of another number 4...

[vadim sharifijanov]

other than brian boucher and a few minor guys, almost no goalie has worn #33 in a long time. i always suspected this was out of respect for roy, or at least not wanting to have to live up to his career.

[Chardo]

Originally Posted by arrbez

I don't think you give Jordan enough respect. True he led the league in scoring every single healthy season he played prior to his final comeback in Washington. But just as importantly, Jordan made the NBA all-defensive squad 9 times in 11 full seasons with Chicago, including being named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1988. He's also a SIX time playoff MVP, winning the championship in six consecutive seasons.

I consider Jordan and Gretzky to be very much on the same level.

Actually I gave Jordan just the right amount of respect. Read my post. I said he's probably the greatest player ever, but not so much better than Magic, Kareem, Wilt, Shaq, or others. I believe that's accurate.

[Beukeboom Fan]

Originally Posted by Chardo

Actually I gave Jordan just the right amount of respect. Read my post. I said he's probably the greatest player ever, but not so much better than Magic, Kareem, Wilt, Shaq, or others. I believe that's accurate.

I'm a huge MJ fan, and his place among the NBA all time greats is a really interesting discussion. For me though, the difference comes down to TGO changing his game and dominating his peers at a level that Jordan could only dream of.

All of this is compounded by the huge differences in hockey vs basketball. Basketball players typically play 80-90% of the minutes in a game, and individually are much more impactful on the teams success than positional hockey players.

The thing to me is that Gretzky was not only a dominant offensive player. He revolutionized his sport and was a class act and ambassador for the game as well. That is what justifies retiring his number league wide.

[trevchar1971]

Originally Posted by Squiffy

It was as no-brainer a move as I can possibly think of, and you could poll every single person associated with the NHL, past or present, and not one would say they have a problem with it.. if that clears up your controversy question at all lol..

It just seemed to be the right thing to do to honour the greatest one of them all. No objections by most pro players and hockey people.

[Wondercarrot]

I was clearly under-exaggerating to tell that despite his acheivements, he was still just a player who played in a few teams. When some teams that weren't around at his time can't use his number, doesn't make any sense.

I agree it doesnt make any sense, if you're a robot.

[gintonic]

Originally Posted by FleeingKostitsyn

Understatement of the century. Wayne Gretzky was "good"... I suppose Mario Lemieux was decent.

Uh, actually I would say that he (Lemieux) was highly overrated.

[Butch 19]

Originally Posted by gintonic

Uh, actually I would say that he (Lemieux) was highly overrated.

No! - you didn't!

Now this thread will never go away.

[saskganesh]

I'm sure Wilf Paiemont is pleased "his" number is retired league-wide.

[Shareefruck]

Everytime a thread like this shows up, my only response is that Bobby Orr was every bit as "decent/tolerable ()" as Gretzky, if not more.

Overall impact on the other hand..

[PDO]

Originally Posted by Patrick

On one hand I don't understand why teams like the Wild or Predators have to retire a number for a player who never was associated with them but on the other hand even if it wasn't retired league wide I doubt anybody would ever wear 99 for a very long time.
Posted via Mobile Device

Easy answer.

There wouldn't be a team in Nashville if Gretzky didn't play hockey.