At the end of a follow-up interview with Willie Mitchell today, I asked him the question that seems to be predominant in a lot of fans’ minds whenever a free agent signs: what number will he wear? Mitchell wore No. 8 in Vancouver, but that’s sort of taken by a 20-year-old Norris Trophy candidate. Mitchell said his favorite number to wear has always been 2, which is also taken (Matt Greene). He said that while he follows the tradition of a defenseman wearing a single-digit number, he doesn’t like 6, or 9, and indicated he would stay away from 4 “out of respect for what Rob Blake did for the organization.” I suggested 22, but Mitchell said he would think about a number that held some significance to him. There’s your hard-hitting news for the early afternoon… I got a lot of good stuff from Mitchell about his recovery, so that should make for a good story in the near future.
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Guess that only leaves No. 1 for a single digit.
[Reply]
Dyland5 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
@Tortfesor, or 5…
[Reply]
Tortfesor Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
@Dyland5,
That would be Peter Harrold.
[Reply]
Real 9 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
@Tortfesor,
that means we have to get rid of Harry….
actually, I’d counted him out ever since the playoffs, when he continually got knocked off the puck and “out-physicaled”….anyway, he was just filling-in until some of our young stars start to twinkle….that time has come..
I nominate #5 – to be worn by Willie Mitchell
You can wear #4 Willie, because none of us care for what Rob Blake did to us.
[Reply]
poe Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
@Mark, Ditto
[Reply]
lakings1420 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
@poe, Then I could put Mitchell over blake on my silver and black kings jersey and bring it out of retirement… did it once with Allison and 41 with a poorly stiched one and Allison noticeably over blakes name got alot of props for that jersey
[Reply]
Kevco Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
@Mark, I’d love to see him i 4, might make us forget Blake sooner!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@Kevco,
I don’t hate blake, but he certainly doesn’t get the retired number treatment. I certainly wouldn’t of had any problem with Mitchel taking #4.
I’m guessing it will be number 88 or 82. And no, Lindros wasn’t that great to think that was a problem.
[Reply]
lowdrive Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
@Mark, you mean leaving the team while it was rebuilding and all the rumors of him actively trying to convince players to go to SJ even after he retired doesn’t fill your heart with warm Rob Blake fuzzies?
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
@lowdrive, Yes, the fuzzies of Rob Blake fill me with warmth
[Reply]
LAfan13 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
@Mark,
Can anyone rehash, the rob blake misshaps for me? I was out of the country for a few years, and i had a huge void/withdrawl from king news.
I know we’re supposed to hate blake, i get that point. But why?
[Reply]
Tito Jackson Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@LAfan13,
See San Jose.
[Reply]
McDonalds Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
@Tito Jackson,
See San Jose… you mean how DL didn’t even offer Blake a new contract, thus leaving the door to San Jose wide open?
If you guys wanna hate on Blake for hopping over to colorado, fine. But San Jose wasn’t really Blake’s doing. What did you want him to do after DL said thanks but no thanks, retire?
KC23 Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 2:48 am
@Tito Jackson,
San Jose had nothing to do with it. Leaving his captain status to go play for the Avs had everything to do about it.
I didn’t blame him myself, but he certainly doesn’t deserve “retired number” status or deserved to be hated by King’s fans imho.
It may be entertainment to us, but it was his livelyhood. I can’t take that personal. It’s just business.
PRMan Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 5:23 am
@LAfan13,
1. While Captain of the Kings, he put his own contract situation ahead of the team’s upcoming playoff run. At one point he literally ripped the C off his jersey.
2. Upon coming back, he never apologized for #1, simply saying, “My name is not Booooo”. He insisted he wanted what was best for the Kings, but when we offered to trade him (to SJ no less) in order to make the team better, he invoked his no-trade clause and made us waste any assets we could have given him. That would have been fine except that he then signed with SJ in the offseason anyway.
Wear #4 Mitchell, we welcome it!
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 5:24 am
@PRMan,
…wasted assets we could have GOTTEN FOR him…
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 9:48 am
@PRMan,
Well said. I support #4 for Mitchell, and when it comes to booing Blake, I always thought people shouldn’t waste their energy (besides, it’s just as tacky.)
gene Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@Mark, I agree 100%. Rob Blake was way over rated. Take his number and make it stand out for kicking ass.
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
@Mark,
We should start a petition to make him wear #4.
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
@5thLine, let’s do it!
[Reply]
Tyler Reply:
August 29th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
@Mark, I’m all down
Wow, pretty classy the way he is not going to take #4 out of respect for Blake. My guess is he wears #44.
[Reply]
Stats1 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
@sstephen17, That would be Drewiske’s number…He could wear 88, but I think too many fans would think of Lindros.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 2:50 am
@Stats1,
Lindros was just a greedy overrated Flyer. Wouldn’t make me think of him for a second.
[Reply]
NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
@sstephen17, I agree. And a lot more class than Mark, poe, lakings1420, and Kevco have.
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, So I don’t have class because I don’t think the #4 should receive any special treatment by any of the players who play for the team right now? I’m sorry, but I am more interested in what the jersey says in the front than in the back. You should be too.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, I liked Blake and don’t openly boo him at Staples but I can understand the biterness towards him. He basically forced a trade to Colorado and when he came back, his play was sub-par.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 2:51 am
@sstephen17,
That is my take exactly.
Didn’t Cliche wear number 22?
[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
@Harry,
Mitchell’s a vet, and Cliche hasn’t shown he can stick at the NHL level. Same goes for Drewiske.
I say he can wear 4, 10, 12, 13, 19, 22, 24, 25, 33, 44, or just about anything else.
[Reply]
Kevin Y Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
@KingMe20,
What, they aren’t gonna retire Randy Jones’ #12?
[Reply]
McDonalds Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
@Kevin Y,
Agreed, good catch Kevin. Gotta scratch 12 off that list KingMe20. Jones will soon see his jersey rest next to Luc’s in the rafters.
Mike Martinez Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
@Harry, Ian Laperriere wore it for years last year Jeff Hapern wore it though i cant remember what # Cliche wore
[Reply]
djspock92 Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:54 am
@Mike Martinez, I think Cliche wore 55
[Reply]
i think bernier should wear number 1. mitchell would look good in 33
[Reply]
Harry Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
@jdc60, If Modin DOES return to the Kings… that’s his #
[Reply]
We B Ilya'n Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@Harry,
& a defenseman wearing #33 rehashes Marty McSorley. Ohh, what coulda been…
[Reply]
Daniel48 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@jdc60,
Didn’t Bernier wear 45 in his callups last year and back in 07? So that’s probably the number he’ll go with this year considering #1 was available when he was called up. Is #9 open? Might be Willie’s only choice if he wants a single number…
[Reply]
Jesse Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
@Daniel48,
I dont want Bernier to wear #1 as I want to avoid the possible second coming of Jamie Storr.
[Reply]
jayhay Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
@Daniel48,
Bern also wore 45 in MAN so i think it might be of significance to him
[Reply]
Jason G Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
@Daniel48,
Moller wears 9 doesn’t he?
[Reply]
KINGKRAZY Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@jdc60, That was Pallfy’s Number
. Don’t forget about the LAPD Line and what they did for us. Now that was an exciting line. Who’s been wearing 33 lately any way?
[Reply]
Kevin Y Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
@KINGKRAZY,
Basically Modin… Johnson wore it when he played those 5 late games, when Aaron Miller was here and had #3.
Westgarth… that Fukufuji fellow (?!?!)
That just seems like McSorley’s number… feels weird.
[Reply]
I always liked Mitchell for his hard nosed style of play, but like him even more for his comment about how he wouldn’t wear # 4 for respect to Rob Blake. Blake’s #4 should get retired this year!!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
@Goring19, You are right about that awareness and class that Mitchell keeps displaying. However, in reference to Rob Blake, I dont know what it is, and I cant exactly put my finger on it because like all of us on this site I dont have inside sources but I just get this sense that the relationship between Rob Blake and the Kings is somewhat strained currently. Again, I dont have facts, its just this sense I get from some of Blakes actions recently. Do I think his number should be retired ? I am ok either way.
[Reply]
Kevco Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
@Goring19,
I hope you are joking, maybe San Jose should hang his number up, I don’t want to see it hanging at Staples.
[Reply]
John Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
@Kevco,
So the best defensiveman in Kings history shouldn’t have his number on the wall because he hurt SOME of the fans feelings? WAH!
[Reply]
Kevco Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
@John,
While Blake was great d-man, he was not a great King. I think to have your number retired you be be both a great player and a great King. One or the other alone does not mean you should have your number in the rafters. And My feeling were not hurt, I just think of Blake as a great King, like Luc is!
gene Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
@John, Give us a break, Blake is no where that good and is way over rated. NO way should his number be retired or hung at Staples.
Goring 19 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
@Goring19, Rich, are there 2 Goring 19s listed on this blog? I thought I was the only one. I’m not in favor of anything that has to do with Blake. I feel the same way about Blake the way I feel about when John Lackey jacked the Angels this past off season. I could care less about his #4. Doesn’t mean a thing to me. So Goring19 did you copy my moniker or what or are you someone else disguised as me.
[Reply]
Whitey Widing Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
@Goring 19,
Didn’t copy it. Just happens to me one of my favorite Kings of all time! I will change to something else. As long as someone is keeping Butchie’s name and number alive!
[Reply]
Goring 19 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@Whitey Widing, sounds good number 15, didn’t mean anything by it. I was just a little mystified because I didn’t know too many people who remember Butchie, my favorite of all time too! I’ve been using Goring 19 since I joined the blog and then I saw another comment with my name attached. A little confused but it’s cleared up now. Thanks for switching to Whitey.(R.I.P. Whitey)
8ball Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:48 pm
whitey widing
don’t forget about #’s 11&18.they let ya get that backhander off.
KC23 Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 3:04 am
@Goring 19,
Butch Goring. The only player in King’s history to be carried off the ice on his team mates shoulders … and I was there. Best event of any kind I have ever witnessed. Game 6 against Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins playoff game.
Down by 2 goals in the 3rd period … we get two to tie and Butch puts in the overtime winner. You truely could not even hear yourself yell it was so loud.
Five minute standing ovation before the game even started. Was kind of wierd though because there was a moment of silence of the death of Jack Kent Cooke’s mother just after … then right back to a standing ovation as the game started.
I don’t care what anyone says, that was the best game in King’s history.
[Reply]
Anonymous Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
@Goring19, No! No! No! Don’t retire blakes jersey. He gets boooed everytime he touches the puck now u want to put his jersey up next to luc & gretzkey, No! He has no respect for our team so I don’t have any for him. F Rob Blake! Luc didn’t get boooed when he came back as a visitor, just goes to show everyone hates the prick.
[Reply]
luckyluc13 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
@Goring19,I would have to disagree with the Kings retiring Blake’s number.I don’t want to see it hanging in Staples and if they do retire it,I will be sure not to attend that game.If Mitchell were to take number 4,I would be happy.I have never met Blake but I don’t care for the way he left the team,when and how he did.He seems to be like Kovi,it’s all about the money and Not about his team or teammates.Don’t get me wrong,Blake had great skills,but his team attitude sucked
[Reply]
Whitey Widing Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
@luckyluc13,
Blake left cause the Kings sucked and had sucked for a few years and the future wasn’t looking good. I think where ever he played his teammates had the utmost respect for him. If he was a shitty teammate and guy, I doubt he would have been picked to play on all the Canadian Olympic and World Cup teams. The guy is a no doubter hall of famer!!
[Reply]
5-Hole Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@Whitey Widing,
I’m not all that sure about the HOF for Blake. Yes he was a good defenseman, and he won the Norris once, but I don’t think he was elite. As for the Kings…I think there is too many hard feelings between Blake and Kings fans to see his number retired. Had he finished his career here I would say yes, but leaving the way he did for NoCal, I say no way. Goring’s #19 deserves to be up there way more than Blake’s.
(heck for that matter, Jim Fox’s #19 deserves to be there more than Blake!)
Dominick Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 5:41 am
On the Blake issue I don’t like the idea of seeing a bunch of fans booing him, because of some unfortunate, miss guided hostility. If Luke Robitaille has nothing but respect for the guy, then everything else is moot.
Some fans feel jaded because of how he left, but it doesn’t change the fact that he did contribute when he was here.Wether we won a championship or not doesn’t matter, any more than it matters with any other King out there.
Hockey fans who don’t look thru a magnifiying glass care about how he left the Kings, and only look at wether he was a good player or not.
I wouldn’t consider his # being retired as fair to the fans, because when you look up at the rafters it should be unanimous and beyond reproach, but I think it is also unfortunate that so many Kingsfans are devided on his status as a King.
8ball Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:56 pm
whitey
i remember when it was U-HAUL after the
trailer.
44 is drewiske and halpern wore 22 right? I would rather have him not take 22 out of respect for laparierre than him not take 4 out of respect for blake
[Reply]
I could honestly care less what number he wears. The fact is, we now have 2 of the most dominant, shutdown defensemen in all the NHL with Scuderi and Mitchell, where most teams are very lucky to even have 1 !
[Reply]
Please take #4 considering what Blake did for this organization.
[Reply]
Hahaha yeah, you can take #4 Willie! Also, Drewiske wears 44.. It’ll be interesting to see which number he’ll take
[Reply]
8ball Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@AK47,great user-name.270-win myself.
[Reply]
I say #77 for the year he was born in.
[Reply]
Darrell Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
@blckbsct, I would vote against this considering what Gary Shuchuk did for the organization.
[Reply]
feel free to use #4 willie. by all means!
[Reply]
It will never happen, but I vote 4.
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Out of respect of what that previous player who wore #4 did for the organization?
What did he do for the organization besides be a big pain in the A for it?
Please, someone else wear #4 and let’s move forward from the dark time that last a player wore it.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
@ForgetFlake!, Yah, That Rob Blake really sucked. Personally, I wish they would bring back the “Escort Service” Headed up by..Tim “Muddy” Watters, Charlie “Cruddy” Huddy, and Daryl “Get burnt to the ouside” Sydor…Sure do miss those 40 to 60 shot on goal games !
[Reply]
Michael J Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
@puck73, Aah! A Clone… or former Clone.
No, no Escort Service, the Kings d-corps is just fine.
[Reply]
I dont care what number he wears, just please get him out of that ugly blue jersey and take a new picture of him with a Kings jersey on.
[Reply]
i vote for 4! besides Blakey was a sauce…i liked boo n him better than cheering him when he came back! play for the ducks or sharks no retired number thats that!
[Reply]
99? 20? I got a few more…
[Reply]
Kopi’s got 11…. 2011, the year the KINGS make a surprising push to the finals.
Willie, take 12 while it’s available…. 2012, the year the KINGS win their first Stanley Cup !!
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
@KINGSfan, Nooooooo not #12,that was Jone’s number,why would you want him too wear that pylons number,why?.The number should be reyired and burned,isn’t 2012 the reas the world is supposed to end?.
[Reply]
Wear #1, you do have the longest stick in the NHL, although you seem to humble to wear that #.
[Reply]
So I’m confused, when Scuds came to the Kings after just winning the Stanley Cypress he was DENIED number 4 which he wore with the Pens, but for Mitchell it is available???? (no disrespect to Willie) but I thought it was seriously disrespectful towards Scuds. And the Kings bloody well better NOT retire number 4 with Blakes name in it or there will be an uprising at Staples Center.
[Reply]
I’m in a conundrum here,it would be cool if he wore #88 because that is what is on my jersey,along with MITCHELL,and yes I do play and I’m a defenceman,buuut I don’t want you guys calling me a kook at FF,LOL.I’ve always liked double numbers.I’ve had #22,#55 and #88(my son was born in 1988,hence the #88).It also looks as if “dinner with Kovalsmuck”will be over,per TSN,finally,hopefully,I looked up P Elias and thik he would be a good LW for us,seeings how NJ has too dump salary.
[Reply]
Charlie Huddy!!!
[Reply]
Take number 4, Blake left the first time as an a-hole and when he came back he performed poorly. That number’s all yours Willie.
[Reply]
How about #71 in fond memory of Kovalchuk!
[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@dana,
That’s funny.
[Reply]
Really, why should any of us care what freaking number he wears? his game won’t be any better or worse if he wears 4 or 444.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
@deadcatbounce, Numbers just matter man.
When I say 99, 66, 68, 88 etc etc. You think of something specific in hockey terms.
And anyone who has played team sports before will tell you that they care what number they wear, at least a little bit.
[Reply]
deadcatbounce Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
@VanKingsFan, Personally, I preferred low numbers, but in the end what does it really matter to fans? I could care less who wears what number so long as they win, and I’m glad at least to see that Mitchell doesn’t hold the same kind of bitterness toward Blake as a lot of people on here do. Dude wanted another cup. Can anybody blame him???
[Reply]
He’ll wear 14 and Williams will be wished to the cornfield. Mark it down
[Reply]
We B Ilya'n Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
@deadite77,
Nice. I like the Twilight Zone reference too.
[Reply]
broncoskings Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@deadite77,
come on thats Matty’s #(Norstrom), lol, how about #7 in memory of the greatest QB in NFL history( Elway), oh wait wrong league
[Reply]
Rob Blake deserves zero respect. #4 is yours Willie.
F – Blake
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@concussionman02, No respect..REALLY ? i Wonder if you are one of those people who yells BRUUUUUUUCE whenever that bank defrauding,coin collecting,baseball card trading,soap on the rope using Bruce Mcnalls ugly mug is shown up on the scoreboard ?
[Reply]
concussionman02 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@puck73, yes, Really!! Blake did nothing for this organization and does not deserve so much respect that a player can’t wear number 4. I don’t blame him for leaving to win a cup, that was his choice. However, I am also not going to lick his taint just because he won a norris trophy as a King. That is an individual accomplishment and means nothing in the long run to the team. He did not help this organiztion win anything. When he came back he was completly useless. His number will never be retired in LA and the majority of the fans seem to agree with that as do I.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
@concussionman02, So Blake did nothing here huh ? Now I think I know why you have a moniker like “concussion”.
puck73 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@concussionman02, Since your arguement for not retiring Rob’s jersey is “He didnt win anything” then what did Luc Robitaille win while he was “Here”? What did Marcel Dionne win while he was “Here”? What did Dave Taylor win while he was “Here”? What did Wayne Gretzky win while he was “Here” and what did Rogie Vachon win while he was “Here” Answer…NO STANLEY CUP CUPS ! Now remember, this is your arguement, not mine !
Blake left because he wanted to win a Stanley Cup and the Kings weren’t close. Luc Robitaille did the same thing.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/luc_robitaille/
John Lackey didn’t jack the Angels. he got paid $22 million more than the Halos offer. he would have been an idiot to stay. It wasn’t like he left for $5k more.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@Eric, It’s good to see that there are people on this site that think rationally…cant argue with facts like those.
[Reply]
Goring 19 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@Eric, it wasn’t about the money Lackey took, it was what he said about Angel fans. That’s what I was pissed about.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 2:43 am
@Eric,
Luc did not leave because he wanted to go somewhere else to win the Cup. He left because of poor communcation by the front office about his contract. His words, not mine.
[Reply]
willie,
if you’re reading this.
take #4
Blake WHO?
[Reply]
He should wear #71 out of disrespect for Ilya Kovalchuk!
[Reply]
MR King Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
@MR King,
Whoops I meant #17… but he can’t have that either because of Simmonds.
[Reply]
I love number 25 even though Pronger pretty much ruined it with the Ducks.
[Reply]
Does anybody else kind of see that as a hint that Dean said “yeah stay away from four willie… were hanging it in the rafters this season”? … sure hope thats not the case.
[Reply]
when i traded for Hamhuis (like the kings were rumored to at the trade deadline) in my NHL 10 game, i gave him #4.
[Reply]
He could wear 6, as I’m pretty sure OD isn’t coming back since he signed in Philly. It’s available and doesn’t honor or disrespect anyone.
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 10:40 am
@Stats1,
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 10:42 am
@Stats1, That’s a good call, right there!
[Reply]
WOW!!
My Kings friends, some of you have given some horrible choices! You must not think about numbers, you must feel them; you must establish peace in your mind with number combinations.
The color guy for the Stars broadcast, Daryl Reaugh, had discussed this before with seriousness. He noted that Randy Jones’ 12 was a very strange choice for a d-man, not because it was over 9, but because it was a hockey anomoly to have a 12 on D.
We all know how people reacted to him here, and how unfair it was.
If Willie really loves 8, he could go with 8×2 for twice the power and choose 16. If he chooses to stay with a single digit, it has to be 7. It is the most powerful single digit. Don’t ask why, just try to picture him playing and what the number will look like on his back.
If he wants to make a bold statement that he plans on winning a Cup this year, he might be really hard core and choose 71 or 77, especially, if as someone has mentiioned, he was born in 77.
It would not be at all foolish for him to check with his mom or dad, who ever drove him to practice the most in his youth.
4 obviously has too much negative power for Kings fans right now.
Bernie needs to take 1. Harrold needs to drop 5. Richie needs to drop 15. Get all of the #5s off of the Kings uniforms. That number just somehow does not work.
Some have said that the important numbers in your life are to be found right in front of your face. Although I am a life-long Kings fan, I have a ‘Hawks wallpaper on my lap-top. It is a cool picture of the starter’s backs looking into the rafters during the anthem. So when I play lotto, I always get one quick pick and one choice with 2 7 8 10 19 and a power ball of 8 (because Kanes number is too big for lotto, it has be broken into two numbers).
Whatever number WM chooses, I am waiting for an excuse to change my wall-papaer from ‘Hawks to Kings; I will know if he made the right choice when my numbers hit.
(I missed $20 mil. in Texas Lotto by one number last year! I only ended up with $1900. I was more bummed than happy but it was fun to go to the lotto office and see that it really does exist!)
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jpizzle313 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968, Dont forget scuds wheres 7 DERRRR!
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,
7 is Scuderi’s number. 16 is retired.
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sstephen17 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Actually, YOU must not be the one thinking much about numbers. Obviously #16 is retired and #7 belongs to a Cup-winning, veteran defenseman.
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We B Ilya'n Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,
Schenn is bringing #55… enjoy!
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Tookie Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,
Is this Vick the brick Jacobs?
You’re supposed to be on the air right now with Pat and Petros filling in for Hartman.
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Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
@Tookie,
Bro, you found me out!!!
Seriously, I have not listened to VTB in awhile. Next week I will go on the internet radio for a little reminder.
I do have a fur coat, but it is impossible to wear it where I am now.
P.S. Barrie G has a good post below; I think we should all check it out.
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I would rather see them hang a plaque that says “Kovi-Gate 2010″ than retiring Blake’s jersey.
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I don’t hate Blake, but I also wouldn’t care if Willie took #4. Even though he doesn’t like them maybe he could revisit 6 and 9, both good numbers. Or he could come out of the side hatch with 0 as he seems truly humble. 13 could be good if he isn’t superstitious.
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Kwaz Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@Kwaz,
Actually 13 seems kinda like a sniping forwards number.
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7 + 1 = 8
71 almost ended his carrer
Take 71, own the number AND the player !!
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I heard that #24 was available.
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He says he likes #2. Maybe Greene likes 6, 9, or 69? HAHAHA
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Rob Blake was a waste of a Kings Jersey. Let them hang his Jersey in S.J. or Col. But not at Staples. He doesnt deserve the that at all.
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You all need to layoff Blake. Remember the time when Johnson just about killed that Avalanche player (I used to think it was Smyth, but it may have been Stastny) by sending him flying over the bench an into the bar where the glass begins? Laperriere dropped the gloves and was going pound him when Blake grabbed Lappy and talked him down? If Blake didn’t care about the team, he would’ve let Jack take a beating. #4 should be retired. Stop crying like a bunch of old women!
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VanKingsFan Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
@Kaiser Soze, It was Smyth that got ridden into the boards
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broncokings Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@Kaiser Soze, Wasn’t JJ living with Rob then also..
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Why so much negativity for Blake? Anybody else would have done the same thing… the ultimate prize in hockey is the cup and lets face it, they were never close for most of Blake’s years. When he left for San Jose he made $1 million more per season because of a low-ball Kings offer. I’ll bet 100% of you would have done the same thing, especially knowing that there is a short time to make money playing any sport. I can’t blame him for leaving even though I love the Kings.
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Barrie G Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
@Shutout, I agree with what Shutout says, why the constant Blake bashing?
GET OVER IT and grow up folks! How old are we? Seriously?
I am a lifelong Kings fan and don’t let it eat me me alive like all of you. It’s ridiculous. This thread is supposed to be about Mitchell’s new number and it has gone off the rails into Rob Blake land as usual.
Great, a minority of the Kings fan base that posts on LA Kings Insider don’t like Blake. That point was made very clear and evident when he retired and yet it keeps coming up………..like Kovlachuk.
Seriously, let it go people, focus on the team and players that are currently on the roster, and cheer like heck for the boys!
I implore you all to stop all this whiny ass Rob Blake stuff, it is very unbecoming for fans that are supposedly so classy and astute.
Moving on.
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Rainman Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 10:50 am
@Barrie G, Bravo Sir!!
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MR King Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
@Shutout, Oddly enough I agree with you.
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Anyone see the Devils are making an offer to Kovi supposedly somewhere in the $100M for 15 years, which is again much higher than our original offer of $80M for 15 years. A $6.6M cap hit each year for the next 15 years.
But considering how much the Kings need a viable scorer and that the Kings were willing to absorb a $5.3M cap hit, wouldnt you think that he is still an option for the Kings to pursue?
I am curious to hear your thoughts on if the Kings should pursue him still (and since one on can guarantee “the core players” will stay for sure, I am aware of that arguement). I am curious to know if the extra $1.3M wouldnt be worth it for this type of player?
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tuan jim Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
@PV Kings,
For this type of player, yes. At 15 years, maybe.
For Kovy, no.
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flex Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
@tuan jim, Why No,what is wrong with Kovi.He knows his value.There are several players in Nhl,less giftet and make aroung 6-7 million.
I would love to have Kovi in Kings uniform.
We realy need him.Of course 100million for 15 years is fair amount.
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tuan jim Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
@flex,
Fair, schmair.
Gretzky himself wasn’t worth at 15-year signing at age 27. Nor was Dionne.
The only reason I put “maybe” after the mention of so long a term is to reduce the salary cap.
Sure I’d like a sniper like Kovalchuk at less than a $7 mil cap hit. But we already know that he won’t take that kinda money — even from a team he says he wants to play for.
And a 15-year deal cannot be drafted to get around the CBA.
I kinda like 22. But then again I’m sorta biased.
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A proponderence of the posters on this website are against Flake being honored with raising his jersey to the rafters. Luc and company should take notice. These are the people who buy the tickets and support the Kings and have done so in good times and bad. Let Willie have #4 and give it some meaning again. Give the fans a real thank you!!!
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Barrie G Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
@persnickety, no offense, but a “real thank you” would not be handing out Rob Blake’s number to Willie Mitchell. C’mon dude, really?
A REAL thanks to all of us loyal, die-hards who have cheered our hearts out for this franchise would be a making it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
And, if we don’t get it the first time out since 93′, soon after, WINNING the Stanley Cup would be a true “thanks”.
Are Kings fans really that mired in mediocrity after all the years of losing that you would now accept someone getting jersey # 4 as a “real thank you”?
I’d have to call that pathetic.
As a lifelong fan I want the Cup as my “thanks”.
Peace out.
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persnickety Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
@Barrie G, Not withstanding that the ultimate goal and thank you would be the CUP, to protect #4 out of respect for Flake and the possibility that it could be retired is like honoring a turncoat spy with burial at Arlington. I have no respect for Flake. He left the first time for $$$$ (6.5 mill was not enough for him) and when he came back, he just coasted mired in mediocrity. He now works for SJ and tries to subvert our young guys. Give away his number and show him how we really feel. If #4 is returned to whoever wants it, give Scuds first option.
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I think it’ll be #24. That’s the number he first wore when he came into the league, and we don’t need another single-digit number.
#22 makes sense, because… it’s just a nice, round number for all-around good players, I guess. Just feels right. And unless Halpern comes back…
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If he wants #4…hand it up to him on a platter.
As for Blake…Any “team captain” that rips off the “C” and stomps it, isn’t acting right and definitely shouldn’t be captain or have his damn number retired.
Blake was good but not uber-great in his first stint with the Kings…He was worse and absolute crap in his subsequent incarnations with the Kings.
Retire #19 with Goring on the back.
Give Willie Mitchell any single digit number that he wants (players with less NHL seniority) except for #8 and move on. This ain’t rocket science.
This is, of course, my opinion and your mileage may vary!
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Deke'r Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
@KingsFan19, Great idea, take an established players number….that should improve team chemistry!! I say he’ll pick 13 cause he’s b-b-b-b-bad!
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kaiser soze Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 7:21 am
@KingsFan19, “…rips off the ‘C’ and stomps on it…”??? And where did you here this? From the same source that said he was trying to get our young players to go to San Jose? If you are going to throw out these types of statements, I think you need to include your sources and any applicable reference material.
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Off topic, but if Kovi’s new contract of $100M over 15 years is approved, it can only mean a larger cap hit for the Devils. The Devils only have about $3.5M of cap room. They would have to move Zach Parise ($5M) since he would be an RFA next year anyways, and not add any salary which means draft picks only. The Kings have tons of cap space for this year and nobody to spend it on. There you have it !!! Zach Parise, the newest LA KIngs.
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Kevin Y Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 9:18 am
@UglyinLA,
That sounds great… but of course, the Kings had no other competition for Kovalchuk besides NJ and the KHL.
You know how many teams are gonna pursue Parise if he is made available?
Besides Mitchell, when has DL ever outbid a key FA?
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Some of the discussion here is very interesting!
I know many don’t care.
I think the small group who actually takes the time to post here knows that I take numbers very seriously but all of this talk of good or bad or retired numbers got me thinking…
There is someone who is making the most important decision he has ever had to make in his life about numbers. I believe in my soul it really is that important to him. He used to wear number 9…
Think about it.
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puck73 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968, Bob Nevin ?
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Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
@puck73,
Thanks for asking!! That is an old school Kings name for sure!
You and my dad would be able to have a good old school Kings chat if my dad was still around.
I was actually talking about MIKE MODANO. He wore 9 his whole career but that number sits in retirement for his idol, the guy he wears that number for in the first place. I wonder what he will wear now.
After I posted, I noticed the news about Bernie Nicholls’ mom. All the doubters out there, tell me numbers do not matter!!
# 9 on the brain…
As it turns out, # 9 in the heart as well.
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Real 9 Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 12:04 am
@puck73,
#9 before Nevin was Ralph Backstrom, before that Real 9 [my handle] Lemieux….and I think Cowboy Flett wore it in the 1st yr. ’67-’68
later there were others….wasn’t Bernie Nicholls #9 ? …
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Only half jokingly, but who cares? Numbers don’t have magical powers….
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I can’t believe you even mentioned 9.
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Deadmarsh Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@quisp,
Everyone underestimates Moller.
Even Parse.
Wait till this year.
They’ll see!
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Interesting that’s he doesn’t want to wear 4 out of respect for LA. Does he know that Blake doesn’t respect LA. I know I’m just an average die-hard fan but I was one of the few that was a Blake supporter up until he said he was offended that LA would trade him when he was having he worst season ever and then didn’t resign to a contract he deserved only to sign with LAs biggest rival.
I wouldn’t respect the Kings decision if they wanted to retire a guys number who bailed on his team.
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Maybe the Kings should ban the # 4 from ever being worn again “for what Blake did to the organization.”
Something like “the number we don’t speak of.”
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I say he takes 77 in honor of Paul Coffey (to my knowledge the first and last 77 on our team) not only was he a great player but he was a winner as well. Also, I think the Kings will make a BIG trade before the season starts and get a BIG TIME SCORER!! You heard it here first!! Also, Rich, can you give us an update on Ryan Smyth’s health I heard he broke his foot a couple of months ago. Go Kings!!!
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Michael J Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
@LucLivesOn,
Rod Buskas
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LucLivesOn Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
@Michael J, Thanks, also just remembered that Gary Unger wore 77 in the early 80′s for a season I think.
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edwood2 Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
@LucLivesOn, I believe Rob Cowie also wore 77
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Has anyone ever had the balls to wear #69? I’m just asking.
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Kuffs Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 2:37 am
@Dominick,
Actually yes, but i think it’s only one player…
Mel Angelstad wore #69 in his merely 2 games NHL carrer in Washington Capitals.
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Kevin Y Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 9:16 am
@Kuffs,
HAHA that’s great… Don’t see anybody ever picking that number, unless every other number is retired in some 400 years (unless the world does end in 2012)
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numbers….I can’t see #33 without it reminding me of Marty McSorley, probably the best enforcer and one of the best team players, dressing room guys in Kings history…..but for the “stick incident” in the ’93 Cup finals, where his stick was found to be illegal, and it turned the entire series, the momentum, around in favor of Montreal….it has stuck in my craw all these years, as I’m sure it has for many others, that we very well might have won the Stanley Cup that year, except for that incident….more about that series and “the curse”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Stanley_Cup_Finals
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Nitrohockey Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@Real 9, I never buy that excuse. That incident was early in the series. The Kings had so many chances but just couldn’t put it away. Players (including Gretzky) deflecting the puck in their own net, admittedly bad officiating, and coaching staff and trainers sneaking into locker rooms to measure sticks. That was one game. I’d argue that if the team was that emotionally fragile that one penalty cost the series then they didn’t deserve to win it anyway. But, we did get the curse of no Stanley Cup for Canadian teams out of it.
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Bob Bobson Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
@Nitrohockey, Agreed, that one incident was mostly memorable due to its oddity. It cost us a game but the turning point but the real problem was our inability to win in overtime.
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Goring 19 Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
@Bob Bobson, that incident is still hard to come to grips with. Nevertheless, we had our chances. BTW the Canadiens I believe won every overtime game they played in all the quaterfinal, semifinal, conference and finals in ’93 Something like 10 straight OT games won.
Bob Bobson Reply:
August 29th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
@Goring 19, Yup, that team was unstoppable in OT. I guess I should rephrase it to “our real probelm was our inability to win in regulation”. Agreed as well about that incident being difficult to deal with.
Kenny Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
@Real 9, To put it bluntly, I AM SO SICK of people bringing that up about Marty and that stick. Let it go already. What Marty gave to the Kings trumps that stick drama any day.
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KC23 Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 2:37 am
@Kenny,
Quote ” I AM SO SICK of people bringing that up about Marty and that stick …”
Amen.
They tend to forget the hit that Marty put on Gilmore in the first game of the Torono series is a large part how we got into the finals. Among many other contrabutions.
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Please take number 4. Blake was always about himself above the team. Decent player but doesn’t deserve the retired number treatment.
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How about the number “Double Zero?” As a stay at home defenseman, hopefully Willie will be able to help the Kings post several shutouts this season!
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How about the symbol for pi?
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I feel like i always like players everyone else hates. I love blake. I bought a jerseys with his name on it with an A and the stanley cup finals patch.
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I know Moller wears #9, but perhaps he’d give it up for Willie. My all time favorite who worn #9 was Bernie Nicholls.
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Real 9 Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
@KFII,
you didn’t read….Rich reported “..he doesn’t like 6, or 9..”
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KFII Reply:
August 29th, 2010 at 8:10 am
@Real 9,
My bad. I did read it, but I guess I’ll have to blame it on short term memory loss. Those are both great numbers, I wonder why he doesn’t like them.
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An insignificant observation for a slow news day post:
Doesn’t Willie look like ‘Bob’ from those Enzyte commercials?
Just saying…
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take 4 it needs a new start and with you and you philosophy it would be a step up.. willie mitchell # 4
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Willie I’m begging you please wear #4 most of us have no respect for Blake and he has no respect for the Kings, Blake’s name should be Judas.
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I’m hearing that JJ might be move for Penner (BOGUS).. JJ’s staying……….. Also hearing Savard to Phoenix,if they get him?.. IMO .. they will win the divsion,with the signing of Whitney and resigning of Stempniak.. They would be very strong if they get Savard?…
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How about take the 2 and the 8 and combine them for 28. Many NHL defenseman have worn this. Rafalski, Steve Dushesne, Don Sweeney, Wade Brookbank, Carlo Colaiacovo, Eric Desjardins (remember game #2, 93 cup finals) , Karl Dykhuis, Garry Galley, Nicolas Havelid, Reed Larson, Craig Muni, Robyn Regehr, Kjell Samuelson
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How about take the 2 and the 8 and combine them for 28. Many NHL defenseman have worn this. Rafalski, Steve Dushesne, Don Sweeney, Wade Brookbank, Carlo Colaiacovo, Eric Desjardins (remember game #2, 93 cup finals) , Karl Dykhuis, Garry Galley, Nicolas Havelid, Reed Larson, Craig Muni, Robyn Regehr, Kjell Samuelsson. I know it isn’t single digit but definitely wouldn’t look out of place either.
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Real 9 Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 11:27 am
@R.E.M. Murray,
other than the fact that #28 is already taken,
I can’t think of a single reason why WM can’t wear it….
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I would take Penner for JJ strsight up any day of the week.
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“..Eric Desjardins (remember game #2, 93 cup finals)”
I believe he still holds the record by scoring a hat trick in that game….only time in a Cup final a hat trick was scored by a D-man…
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RE:#4 The only tattoo Flake ever would possibly have on his butt is $$$$and more $$$$. His #4 should not be held sacred
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1, 3, 5, or lucky “7″ anybody?
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I don’t feel like #4 is forever assigned to Rob Blake. He was a fine player for the kings but does not reach Luc, or Wayne status, retired “NO” I say how bout #10 kings have never had a standout #10. However, all the chat about #’s is kinda silly ( as I add to the thread, LOL )
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dead meat i know
bigger players-bigger rinks. it’s not that big of a
deal.200 feet.the old igloo in pp.
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