The Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday announced, finally, that they're retiring Pavel Bure's No. 10 jersey. That got us thinking—which players, if any, should be next to be so honored by their teams?
We're doing this division-by-division. Today is . Whoops—the Central Division.
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Chicago Blackhawks: Steve Larmer, No. 28
There are for Chicago to honor Larmer, who had five 40-goal seasons and played 884 consecutive games for the Blackhawks, a record for most consecutive with the same team. He's also fourth in franchise history in points, third in goals and one of five Blackhawks to average at least a point per game with the team. The others are Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard and Jeremy Roenick. , but he should be.
Retirees: Glenn Hall (1), Pierre Pilot/Keith Magnuson (3), Bobby Hull (9), Denis Savard (1, Stan Mikita (21), Tony Esposito (35).
Future candidates: Jonathan Toews (19), Patrick Kane (8.
Colorado Avalanche: Milan Hejduk, No. 23
Hejduk, 37, wants to play another season,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], in keeping him around. Regardless, he should be a lock to have his number set aside. He's second in franchise history in games played (1020), fourth in goals (375) and points (805), fifth in assists (430) and captained the team from 2011-13. He also was part of a Cup team. This one is easy.
Retirees: Joe Sakic (19), Peter Forsberg (21), Patrick Roy (33), Adam Foote (52), Ray Bourque (77).
Future candidates: Matt Duchene (9), Gabriel Landeskog (92).
Dallas Stars: Brenden Morrow, No. 10
Morrow is currently a free agent and finished last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], but he remains an icon in Dallas, where was the captain for seven years and, along with Mike Modano, one of the faces of the the franchise. Unlike Modano, Morrow wasn't part of the 1999 Stanley Cup team. Other guys from that squad—Sergei Zubov, Derian Hatcher, Joe Nieuwendyk ()—should be honored in time, but Morrow will probably get it first. Modano's No. 9 to make space.
Retirees: Neal Broten (7), Bill Goldsworthy (, Modano, Bill Masterton (19).
Note: Broten, Goldsworthy and Masterton played for the franchise when it was in Minnesota.
Future candidates: Jamie Benn (19).
Minnesota Wild: None, with an asterisk
The Wild have only been around for 13 years; Marian Gaborik would've been the best candidate—he was the team's first draft pick and All-Star—but he signed with the New York Rangers in 2009. Derek Boogaard, who died tragically and controversially in 2011,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], also could've been an option and should be in the future, but at the moment, Matt Cooke is wearing No. 24. He asked Boogaard's family's permission, which was honorable but unnecessary; if the team doesn't want anyone to wear Boogaard's number, they should hang it from the rafters.
Future candidates: Mikko Koivu (9),[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Zach Parise (11), Ryan Suter (20).
Note: In its inaugural season, the franchise retired No. 1 in honor of the fans.
Nashville Predators: Wade Belak, No. 3
This is the flip side of Minnesota's situation. Belak, according to police, took his own life in 2011. The tragedy resonated across the league, but particularly in Nashville, where he played the last three seasons of his career. The Predators haven't yet given out No. 3. It'd be a fitting honor for a beloved player and a show of support for people battling depression.
UPDATE: Rookie defenseman Seth Jones is going to wear No,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]. 3.
Future candidates: Shea Weber (6),[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Pekka Rinne (35).

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