Next Number to be retired

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

You know, I legitimately never thought about that. It's entirely possible. I think Desert Rat got it right calling him a Mauler though. If that picture is real, good god.

That's what I'm saying dude.

I actually looked for more pictures of him to see if he was legitimately that jacked, and there were times when his shoulders looked bigger but he never seemed this huge and cut.

That kind of bulk THAT lean usually isn't natural.

I mean it can be, but you'd be in the gym most of your day to keep that swell.

But yeah.

I still wouldn't mess with him today, he could probably still throw an elbow with the best of them.

[Desert Rat 78]

After looking at the photo more closely, the sun doesn't reflect off his head the way it does his body so I'm leaning towards fake now.

I wouldn't mind lowering the super high exclusivity of our retired numbers policy.

In addition to you guys other arguments supporting #13 and #40, just being dominant two way players who spent their entire careers in Detroit and representing the Wings with 100 percent class should be enough. Bob Gainey is retired in Montreal I believe, so the Eurotwins should be up there.

[Mckinley25 677]

After looking at the photo more closely, the sun doesn't reflect off his head the way it does his body so I'm leaning towards fake now.

I wouldn't mind lowering the super high exclusivity of our retired numbers policy.

In addition to you guys other arguments supporting #13 and #40, just being dominant two way players who spent their entire careers in Detroit and representing the Wings with 100 percent class should be enough. Bob Gainey is retired in Montreal I believe, so the Eurotwins should be up there.

There's a color version of the photo on Gordiehowe.com, I think it's real.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I think if an argument has to be made whether a player should get his number retired or not, he probably shouldn't.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

There's a color version of the photo on Gordiehowe.com, I think it's real.

Theres also a picture that flashes through the banner where he's sitting at his locker where his shoulders/neck muscles are that big and cut.

I also believe its real.

[Desert Rat 78]

Yeah he signed it and is charging $149.00 for it so.....real.

Thanks McKinley25.

[kliq 3,755]

I think if an argument has to be made whether a player should get his number retired or not, he probably shouldn't.

I don't think this is fair to say, there are always people who are going to complain and challenge any jersey being retired not named Yzerman or Lidstrom.

I'm sure there was a time when people were against Lindsey or Abel or Delvecchio's jersey being retired saying that the standard was Gordie Howe. I'm also sure that in 60 years from now people will be saying "this guy is good, but he's no legend like Datsyuk". As time goes on, perception changes.

The problem with making a decision on Zetterberg, is the guy is only 34. Wait 4-6 more years, and when the guy retires I'm sure people will change their tune.

I understand that nutrition and training argument is universally accepted as fact and I agree with it. (I know you were half joking about this too)

However most players today don't have that much muscle and Grandpa strength.

People like Rocky Marciano (who stood eye to eye with Joe

Pesci) had all time strength and could rock a 300lb punching bag during training harder than most fighters ever.

I just don't like when legends get diminished by the bigger faster argument.

Babe Ruth has been getting a lot of heat on social media lately for being out of shape and playing against inferior competition but I would like a Major Leaguer to try and crack homers with that redwood tree he used.

I fully understand that I'm on sketchy ground posting a shirtless Guy twice on LGW too btw.

Its not diminishing legends at all. To be the best of your generation 50 years ago is just as impressive as being the best of your generation today. The fact of the matter is that athletes ARE bigger, stronger, and faster then they used to be. Sure there may be an outlier back in the 50's, but if you tool average speed o the top 30 players back then, and then 30 players today, it wouldnt even be close. The only thing that brings the legends down a peg when comparing them to current players is that they were not playing against the best in the world, but rather the best of North America, though that's not their fault.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

After looking at the photo more closely, the sun doesn't reflect off his head the way it does his body so I'm leaning towards fake now.

I wouldn't mind lowering the super high exclusivity of our retired numbers policy.

In addition to you guys other arguments supporting #13 and #40, just being dominant two way players who spent their entire careers in Detroit and representing the Wings with 100 percent class should be enough. Bob Gainey is retired in Montreal I believe, so the Eurotwins should be up there.

Nothing fake about this picture, though.

[kipwinger 8,522]

Nothing fake about this picture, though.

All things considered, would you say that this picture represents the "Golden Age" of the NHL? I mean, did it ever get any better?

[Echolalia 2,961]

I don't think this is fair to say, there are always people who are going to complain and challenge any jersey being retired not named Yzerman or Lidstrom.

I'm sure there was a time when people were against Lindsey or Abel or Delvecchio's jersey being retired saying that the standard was Gordie Howe. I'm also sure that in 60 years from now people will be saying "this guy is good, but he's no legend like Datsyuk". As time goes on, perception changes.

The problem with making a decision on Zetterberg, is the guy is only 34. Wait 4-6 more years, and when the guy retires I'm sure people will change their tune.

Well to be fair Yzerman and Lidstrom are the only two jerseys that have been retired in the past 50 years. There have been quite a few players to wear the Winged Wheel that have made quite a case for getting their number retired also. Lots of people have made good cases for Fedorov. Lots of people have made good cases for Osgood. Hasek was a generational talent and won his two Cups with the Red Wings. Chelios is considered by many to be the best American defensman in history, and he played more games for the Red Wings than any other team, winning a couple Cups in the process. The only problem for each of these players is there is some argument against their case. Fedorov left Detroit. Osgood wasn't considered one of the best goalies of his generation. Hasek's prime was with another team. Chelios' prime was with another team. Consequently none of their numbers are hanging in Joe Louis right now. On just about any other team, they would be (in fact a couple of them do have their jerseys retired with other teams).

Abel, Delvecchio, etc I can't comment on because I wasn't around back then to know how they compared to others, or whether there was a community debate about their numbers retired. Hell, management was even different back then so the criteria was likely different as well. As such I suppose I'm only making my case for the past 30 years or so.

As for Zetterberg and Datsyuk, I agree with you that they could make a definitive case for themselves over the next few years, such that nobody can bring up a decent argument against retiring their numbers. They've both done a ton for this team and the community, and they're both leaders and generational talents. Perhaps another Cup, or MVP, or Conn Smyth 5-on-3 penalty kill shift against Crosby will put them over the top and make the community unanimously want to see their numbers retired. I certainly hope so, especially because that likely means another Stanley Cup for Detroit in the next five years.

[Desert Rat 78]

Mother

Of

God

That pic is nuts lol!

Why is Messier's hand so low?

Why is Moose wearing an hand towel?

It's gonna be a long time before I can erase that image from my mind.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

All things considered, would you say that this picture represents the "Golden Age" of the NHL? I mean, did it ever get any better?

This is one of my favorite WTF sports pictures.

Now, back to the topic. Interesting note, there are only 6 players in Wings history to play 1,000 games for the franchise. Howe, Lidstrom, Yzerman, Delvecchio, Draper and Holmstrom. Draper and Homer weren't top players so they'll never get their jersey retired. And of course 1,000 games isn't a necessity to have your jersey retired. However, it'd be hard to keep Datsyuk and Zetterberg away from the rafters if they each play 1,000 games being star players for most of their careers. I can't think of too many teams that have had a star player play 1,000 games for the franchise and not have their number retired.

Edited February 19, 2015 by GMRwings1983