NHL: Three Former Players That Deserve to Have Their Number Retired
The hockey Hall of Fame is a special place where NHL players who excelled at the game of hockey are enshrined and remembered.
These players played above and beyond, recognized by the sport as elite players who recorded eye-popping numbers or won many championships.
While the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a great honor itself, there is another way to celebrate a player’s achievements. This honor is made by retiring the player’s number and hanging it from the rafters. This could be a way of saying it is the specific team’s Hall of Fame.
Players who have their jersey numbers retired by teams went out of their way to make sure the team was successful, be successful on the ice themselves, and work closely with the community. These players are recognized by all in the organization and are given the proper recognition.
Here are three former NHL players that deserve to have their numbers retired.
However, what about the player who did exactly that but is still waiting for their jersey to be retired and hung from the rafters?
There are a few Hall of Fame-worthy players who are still waiting for that honor, even though they rank high in every statistical category in the franchise’s history. Is it the player who did not want the honor? Is it the organization that does not want their jersey in the rafters?
In this article, we look at three players who stand out among the list of players who do not have this honor and a few possibilities on why this has yet to occur. The players listed below should have their numbers retired sooner than later.
Whatever the reason for them not being up already is a mystery, however, these players rose to the challenge and played above their expectations to hoist the Stanley Cup, which they did at one point in their career.
Sergei Fedorov, most known for his time as a member of the Detroit Red Wings, has a Hall of Fame resume with the organization. There is nothing he did not accomplish during his time in Detroit that would not make him worthy of a number retirement.
During his NHL career, he played in 1,248 games, recording 483 goals and 696 assists for 1,179 points and was a +261. He was just as lethal in the playoffs, scoring 52 goals and 124 assists for 176 points in 183 games.
During his 13-year stint in Detroit, he scored 400 goals with 554 assists for 954 points and was a +276. He played in 6 all-star games, won 3 Stanley Cups, won 2 Selke Trophies, won a Hart Memorial Trophy, and a Ted Lindsay Award.
He was so elite at forward that he spent some time on defense during his last few years in Detroit, where he was equally effective.
Some say that he does not have his jersey number retired because he left Detroit to sign a free agent deal with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Whether it is true or not, Detroit has a new owner and new management that should put his number in the rafters based on stats alone.
Should it be done? Absolutely. Will it be done? We wait and see.
Aside from Gordie Howe and current general manager, Steve Yzerman, Fedorov may be the best player in Red Wings history. He did everything for them and played in every situation.
Regardless of leaving as a free agent, it is time for him to get his moment and be up there with some of the greatest hockey players Detroit has ever seen.
Forward Jacques Lemaire played 12 years for the Montreal Canadiens, posting 366 goals and 469 assists for 835 points and was a +344 in 853 games played.
As most may recall, the Canadiens had some loaded teams filled with Hall of Famers. To their credit, Montreal has 14 players who have their number retired and jerseys hung in the rafters and Lemaire is not one of them.
With the success he had with the Canadiens, one has to wonder why he is not placed up there with some of his teammates and be recognized as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Lemaire was part of eight Stanley Cup championship teams. After he retired, he was elected to the NHL Hall of Fame in 1984. Lemaire appeared in the playoffs 11 years, contributing 61 goals and 78 assists for 139 points in 145 games.
After he retired from the game, he began a coaching career that saw him coach for 17 seasons with a record of 617-458-187 for 1,421 points.
He coached the Canadiens in his first two coaching years, compiling a record of 48-37-12 in 97 games. He was also 15-13 in coaching the Canadiens in the playoffs.
As one of the great Canadiens, nobody knows why he does not have a jersey retired. Just like Fedorov, he did everything he could to produce a Stanley Cup.
Maybe his time will eventually come as he is more than deserving of his moment. After all, he did win 8 Stanley Cups with the organization.
Pittsburgh Penguins right winger Jaromir Jagr spent 11 years with the Penguins, racking up 439 goals and 640 assists for 1,079 points in 806 games and was a +207. He also played in the playoffs with the Penguins, posting 65 goals and 82 assists for 147 points in 140 games.
Drafted by Pittsburgh 5th overall in the 1990 NHL Draft, he went on to win 2 Stanley Cups with the Penguins. Known for his hair in the 1990s, he had a very straightforward approach when it came to scoring.
While being limited on dekes he scored in a variety of ways and was just as dangerous on the power play as he was on a regular shift. Aside from elite center Mario Lemieux, Jagr may be the best player to put on a Penguins sweater.
He won various awards in the NHL, played in many all-star games, and even carried the Penguins when Lemieux was out of action due to back issues. His salute after goals celebration had become a fan favorite that fans would do the celebration after he scored.
Jagr should have been recognized by now and had his jersey in the rafters. Just like Fedorov and Lemaire, he did everything in his power to make Pittsburgh a powerhouse during every season.
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Although he was not the quickest skater he made up for it by using his creativity once inside the offensive zone to create chances. Jagr deserves his moment as a Penguin and should have his number retired sooner than later.