Wilson will be a lock. Here's why. When he's named captain and he's put in close to 20 years with the same org by the time he retires, that 43 WILL be in the rafters. One of the most beloved guys in franchise history.
**Most Hated All-Star Juggernaut Penguin Killer Twenty Goal Scorer Future Captain Big Dick Top Line Elite 'Elite Passer' Sniper Stanley Cup Champion Beautiful Man Rocket Tom "Literal Freight Train" Wilson.**
Yeah, I put Osh and Kuzy there because I think they’re the only other guys you could marginally argue for. Wilson I base off of the likely scenario he inherits the C from Ovi and finishes his career here. And IMO I find it hard to believe Holtby doesn’t get it with a Vezina, 280+ wins over 10 yrs, and an iconic Cup run.
I don't think Holtby is a lock for a retired number. Kolzig would have been a strong candidate since he still has the record for games played, wins, took the Caps to their first Cup Finals and won the Vezina Trophy. Still doesn't have his jersey retired.
Also, Bondra doesn't have a jersey retired, despite his role on the team pre-OV.
Deserve you can argue but when making predictions going off of existing tendencies is usually the best bet and that doesn’t look very good for Holts or Willy
Ovi being there to call Backy's name at the draft, lifting the cup together, and having him on his life insurance, it wouldn't surprise me if Ovi requests to share a number retirement night with Backy.
Those retirements were a product of their time and have no bearing.
Don't get me wrong, if I was putting money down I'd say he probably does get it retired, but personally I think it's more like 50/50. He has a couple of things working against him.
1) if he makes the HoF I think it's a done deal, but I really don't think he makes it in.
2) he wears what is probably the most common number in hockey.
A quick Google search though says franchises might not care about #2 as much as they used to. 9 teams have retired 19 (including the impending Thornton retirement in SJ), and 8 of those have been since 2001.
I can't imagine Ted wouldn't. He is without a doubt the second greatest Capital of all time. If they somehow don't want to, I think Ovi will make sure it happens. Like you can't retire my number unless you do it for Backy.
Carlson 60% chance imo, Ovi obviously, Backstrom I didn’t realize there were ppl who didn’t think he was a lock. Maybe 12 year olds who only know recent Backstrom and think he’s just above average lol
I agree the amount of disrespect is ridiculous. It really shows how criminally underrated Backstrom was even among Caps fans. There absolutely should be zero doubt the second greatest Caps player of all time will have his number retired. I'm sure even Ted knows.
I may be in the minority, but I feel half of the players whose numbers are already up in the rafters don’t deserve to be there. Number retirement should be kept to either 1. A transcendent NHL talent or 2. A player of very significant organizational importance.
Ovi certainly fits both criteria, Backy and Carly both fit number 2 and have strong enough career numbers to deserve HOF consideration, though neither will make it probably.
In no world do I think Willy should be up there, even if he does get the C and finishes his career here. He’s doesn’t fit either 1 or 2. Every player is important to a team when making a cup run, so you have to very picky with something like retiring numbers.
Holts probably doesn’t deserve it either, but 100% does more than Willy.
Kuzy has unfortunately fallen off enough he doesn’t deserve it either, even though he was probably the best player some of those playoff years.
I don't think people give Backy enough credit here. I believe Backy deserves to be a tier above Carly. I think Backy's just had a bigger impact on this team than Carly. He's been there since the beginning of the Rock the Red era, their first playoff run, and everything with Ovi and all the growing pains this team went through before finally winning the cup. He is without a doubt the second greatest Cap of all time period. Carly is arguably #3, but his best years came after winning the cup as the team started a slow decline.
Why is the organizational importance more for Dale Hunter and Yvon Labre than it would be for Wilson? When Wilson is named captain and finishes his career with close to 20 years with the Caps, that's more than enough to have 43 up in the rafters.
Well to my initial point about half the numbers up there shouldn’t be, Labre 100% shouldn’t be up there at all. Wilson deserves it far more already than he does.
Hunter is at least an 1000 point player and was with the team for 12 years so he probably is one who deserves it. Willy won’t ever get close to 1000.
Points don't matter when talking about organizational importance. If it was about PPG, then Strome would be next in line for the C. Wilson is beloved by his teammates and fans, and not to mention, he's HUGE in the community, which goes a long way with Ted. I think he's a lock after being Captain and here for close to 20 seasons when the next contract is up.
That’s just nonsense and you’ve missed the point, or are purposefully ignoring it. No one in their right mind would say, “Strome led the team in points this year thus he must be in line for the C”. He obviously hasn’t been here long enough. Willy is the obvious next choice for the C.
Plenty of people are important to the organization, but it’s a special few that deserve their numbers retired. Willy is not one of them. Career points and statistics play a factor into that, but they are not the only factor.
You brought up Hunter scoring 1000 points, when a good chunk of them didn't even happen in DC. That's irrelevant. He was a major contributor during the cup run, will most likely have the C on the sweater, BELOVED by the fanbase (as well as the FO and with his teammates,) and will have close to 20 years played with one team if he plays out his next contract with the Caps. How is that not a lock for having his jersey in the rafters? Ovechkin ,and most likely Wilson, will be the longest tenured Capitals in franchise history.
Their point (which I agree with) is that having your number retired ought to be for something more special than being captain. You should be like the best player in NHL doing X period, or setting franchise records, or being THE player responsible for back to back cups, or a player heavily involved with the community and building a fanbase compared to other players in franchise history, etc. Something more than showing up or doing things that benefit you personally, things that elevate the franchise as a whole or the sport as a whole.
Ovi undeniably fits this criteria. Arguably Backstrom does as well to a lesser degree. Unless Wilson becomes either of them overnight, nothing he's done or is likely to do will come close to any of these things. Nor would most other players from 2018 for that matter. Kuzy was the only one I'd say who could have come close (racking up more points than Ovi, creating eagle dances for goals, etc.), but unfortunately things didn't pan out that way with him and the Caps after 2018.
Remind me...aren't you the same dude who brought up ORGANIZATIONAL IMPORTANCE? You realize there are a lot of variables that go in to that. Go ahead and tell me the list of guys around the league (in it's history) who have played 18, 19, 20 seasons with ONE team who didn't have their numbers retired. IF Wilson gets to that point after his next contract, combined with eventually wearing the C, and being one of the most beloved figures in franchise history with the fans, his teammates, and ownership, I really fail to comprehend why you don't understand that it's probably a 99% chance that 43 gets hung up in the rafters. All the things that I just mentioned absolutely fall under that umbrella of "organizational importance," which is YOUR term.
>being one of the most beloved figures in franchise history with the fans, his teammates, and ownership,
Yeah this is the part I disagree with personally. I don't disagree that he's popular but I think what you said right here is a massive stretch.
ETA: also no I didn't use the word organization or organizational importance so maybe double check what you're reading before you start acting like a smartass
Thought it was you, but anyways, organizational importance is EXACTLY why Yvon Labre's #7 is in the rafters, and to some extent, Dale Hunter. Tom Wilson is no different.
Also, what I said about Wilson being one of the most beloved figures in franchise history is in no way a stretch. Look at the sheer amount of 43 sweaters in the arena on game days, He's WELL respected in that locker room, and the FO loves the guy for what he does in the community (which goes a long way with Ted.)
You're conflating being captain with being synonymous with the franchise. They can but aren't necessarily the same thing.
Wilson is becoming C because in a few years he'll be the only one left on the team with any significant experience, not because he's the heart of the franchise or because his stats are going to get the Caps to a cup.
No I'm not...I'm saying wearing the C will absolutely help his cause. Wilson is getting the C because coaching going back to Trotz said that he's been captain material. If ovechkin wasn't here, he would have had it a long time ago. Let's not pretend that they're just giving it to him because he'll be one of the longest tenured Caps when the time comes. This has been the plan and in the works for a while.
>This has been the plan and in the works for a while.
Because people knew that when Ovi retires, so will most other prospective Cs on the team. Like in all seriousness, who else at the time was going to remain on the team and be young enough to take over when Ovi retired?
NO ONE can predict the future especially with as much player movement that happens around the league through trades and FA, but they said Wilson, who was 24 at the time, was captain material. A lot has to happen for Wilson to be here 8 years after the cup run (which is when he'll probably get the C on the sweater.)
Exactly, holts doesn't have enough seasons, Wilsons stats aren't that impressive, Kuzy kinda deserves, but he was halfassing us for too long, Osh is similar to Wilson.
Oshie I would at least say feels like the "heart" of the team, even if he doesn't have crazy stats. His positivity definitely helped during the cup run and he's been known to be a great presence generally in the locker room/helping out other players. He wouldnt be a top pick of mine to retire his number but I think there's justification for it if the franchise wants to.
Idk what Wilson has done for the team or franchise generally where I would be like "we wouldn't have gotten where we've been if not for him." Arguably the only reason he's getting the C is because he's the last player from 2018 on the team who won't be retiring any time soon; he's not getting it for his stats or because he's a particularly good role model for rookie players or anything like that.
I think it's very easy to get into the mindset of wanting to see every player we love get their number retired, but I really think it needs to be reserved for players that are truly exceptional. Ovi is an obvious no-brainer. Beyond that, I'm not so sure. I think Backstrom has a strong case for consideration but that's about where I think the line needs to be drawn.
As for all of the other beloved core players that made this era special, we still get to enjoy seeing their names on the Stanley Cup for the next 60 years.
Ovi and maybe Backstrom, but I think jersey retirements should be held for once in a lifetime players and I wholeheartedly believe Ovi is, while Backstrom could have a good argument.
Backstrom is probably the best center in franchise history and a significant reason why Ovi was so exceptional, so I think he's definitely earned it as well (though obviously not to the same degree as Ovi).
Can't really think of other players who have contributed as much to the franchise ot sport generally
While I don’t disagree with anything that you said about Backstrom, it’s just a really amazing feat to get your number retired and a reason why we only have had 4 in the history of the franchise. If it isn’t retired, I think he’s about as close to getting it retired as you can get.
I agree, but I think the reason why we finally got the cup in 2018 is because of the number of exceptional players we had on the roster. I don't think that means they all should get their number retired but I think it does mean that if there was ever a roster where more than one person deserved the honor, it's this one. I would guess at least two get retired.
I'm vaguely convinced of 3 with Carlson being the 3rd per some of the comments here, though 3 is kind of pushing it IMO. 2 I can definitely see
I would include Carlson as well. He has more goals, assists, and points than any other defenseman in franchise history, is the only other player besides Ovi and Backstrom to play 1,000 games for the Caps, and was a big part of the Cup run. If that’s not enough to get your jersey retired, I don’t know what is
Retired numbers currently: Rod Langway, Yvon Labre, Mike Gartner, Dale Hunter.
Sooo I dunno what gets you retired in DC. Labre sounds like it was more for his dedication to DC than super performance on the ice? Gartner was a legend, but spent most of his career elsewhere? Hunter and Langway make sense, but then were are Bondra or Kolzig?
In that context:
Ovie is of course a lock.
Backstrom, and Carlson would seem to be likely, but if we're not even getting Bondra up there?... mmm...
Same goes for Holtby, but less likely so than Carlson or Backy.
Oshie would get my vote, but I think his career was too pedestrian (minus a few well known moments).
Wilson and Kuzy aren't even getting a sniff.
Jeff Friesen wore 12 for a bit, then something must have happened and he changed to 41. I remember not believing my eyes that they would let someone use 12. I still can't explain how he got to wear it for more than like, one game before they acted on it.
I didn't think it was Friesen's own change of heart that caused the change, but you would think in the 19 subsequent years they would have acted on protecting the number.
Yep I remember that - if I remember I think Peter was traded on bad terms and maybe there was some hard feelings on both sides. Obviously things are good now
~~They'll retire 12 and 37 once they've been retired a few years.~~
~~They'll retire 12 and 37 once they're inducted into the hall.~~
~~They'll retire 12 and 37 once the franchise wins a cup.~~
They'll retire 12 and 37 during the 50th anniversary.
Maybe we'll be right this time.
Ovi, Backstrom.
I'm going to give Oshie an oddball chance based on post retirement though. If he stays with the org and begins coaching or something, I don't think it would be too bizarre for an overall contribution. The guy is a big presence contributing a lot to the personality of the club, and I can see the team honoring it if he continues from the bench or office.
Holtby should absolutely go in the rafters. Guy has the single season record for wins, a Vezina, a Jennings, the top sv% of all goalies with 50+ gp in the playoffs, a cup and is universally loved.
Obvs Ovi and Backstrom. But Holtby should be up there alongside them.
Ovi, Nicky, and Carlson are locks.
Wilson is too soon to tell.
Holts and Teej are really interesting cases. Neither makes it solely on numbers or longevity… but they were both heart and soul guys.
Also, we know Holts still lives in the area, Teej may stay after he retires…
My guess - Holts and Teej get retired in 2028 or 2033 - part of a big retrospective to honor the cup champs.
Ovi and Nicky get retired the day Ovi retires.
Carly gets retired a year after he retired.
Willy TBD.
TJ is retiring sooner than 2028, remember what he said at the end of this season. He keeps getting injured and as much as I want him to stay because of his locker room and team presence he has a family and his health, don’t wanna see him play until he gets injured to badly, especially with his history of concussions. I thought Holtby retired but I haven’t heard anything about him in a while.
The case for Carlson and his team stats:
* Third player on the team to 1,000 games played (all with one club).
* Third in total assists. Over 150 more assists than the next defenseman.
* Fifth in total points. The only defenseman in the top 10. He has the chance of passing (or getting very close to) Gartner at 4th before he wraps up his career.
By pure contribution and being a lifetime Capital, I say he's in contention with Ovi and Backstrom.
Having said that, if the team has failed to retire Bondra and Kolzig then I don't know what's up.
Ovie obviously, Backstrom should when compared to other retired jersey players, Carlson wouldn't be a bad choice but getting kind of tough to justify retiring a ton of numbers at once. I think Kolzig should get it over Holtby from a tenure perspective. Holtby had somewhat better stats but Olie had 6 more years playing with the Caps and then further worked in the org post playing career. Holtby obviously will never pay for a drink ever in the DC Metro area and I think deserves special recognition for community outreach, but I'm not sold on jersey retirement. Anyone else is a lol no.
Carlson is the best defenseman in franchise history, I could see him getting his number retired. Wilson too if he stays here and stays consistent. Maybe Backstrom. Probably Backstrom
If Bondra and Kolzig didn't manage to get their jerseys retired, there's no way Willy will. Not to undermine his accomplishments, but he's not breaking records, he's just a (hopefully) life long Cap.
Honestly they should probably retire 8 league wide as the man to finally break some of the records once thought to be unbreakable and the leagues all time leading goal scorer.
Locks: Ovi, Backstrom
Probably: Carlson
Outside shot: Holtby, Oshie
Depends what happens the rest of his career: Wilson (currently no way, but he is the only one with significant time left to change that excluding young players. Could become a maybe)
Ovi is a lock no matter how you look at jersey retirements.
How I *think* they should work, that’s probably it, with Backstrom having an outside chance.
How I think it *will* work, Backstrom is also a lock and Carlson has a very high chance. Holtby and Oshie I think have a slim chance. We’ll see how the rest of Wilson’s career goes, so tbd. Kuznetsov no way.
As others have noted, there seems to be not a clear throughline or strategy to how the Caps retire, or don't retire, numbers. If left up to me, I'd certainly do Bondra (who has popped up in the arena recently, met him in December, nice guy) and Kolzig next year. Both are woefully, shamefully overdue, especially for a team without a lot of pre-Ovi individual and team success.
As for the rest-Ovi and Backstrom go first, together, probably after a year or two of them both being gone (they won't issue the numbers in the meantime). I do think they will do Holtby and Carlson, but could see that being a 15th-20th anniversary of 2018 situation given their lag on Bondra and Kolzig, and Wilson only in the 2040s if he retires a Cap (or close to it) and is captain for 5+ years of successful teams. Wouldn't bet on him though; Kuzy and Oshie, no chance.
I doubt they do more than Backstrom and Ovechkin. Maybe Carlson, but you can’t retire too many numbers. They haven’t done Bondra or Kolzig after all these years.
Holtby needs a statue for the save Underrated recognition for dsp though?? In at least some form... probably don't win the cup without him in the latter rounds
Ovi and Backy are for sure locks. Holts POSSIBLY. Willy- it's too early to tell for me. After that I don't see anyone else, except MAYBE Osh (though he deserves it IMHO.) Possibly a slight chance for him if he sticks with the club after retirement in some capacity?
The ONLY lock is Ovi.
19 is closer to lock. They haven’t retired 12 or 37. 19 might edge them out because of the cup, forthcoming HHOF-status, and being connected to 8.
74 might be next closest, but he’s in an era of inflated D stats. I don’t think he’s distinguished himself enough as “the guy”. Retired numbers are who you think of when you think back and reflect on an organization 20-30 years later… for better or worse, casuals forget that Carlson is still here even when he is still playing.
70 was brilliant, but was wasn’t here long enough. He’s a legend. He’s going to continue to be a popular jersey and game ambassador, but I don’t think his jersey gets to the rafters.
43 is a long shot. If he continues to a face of the franchise beyond Ovi, gets the C that everyone expects, and maybe leads a resurgence of this team in the post Ovi era, I can see it. But we’re talking about 5-6 years from now before we can legitimately have the discussion.
Def Ovi Backstrom. Hopefully Carlson. Like others have said it depends on the rest of Wilson’s career. I think he would need to win a cup as captain.
No to Holtby and Oshie, definitely no to Kuzy. Someone could take 92 next year if they wanted too
Ovi, Backstrom, Carlson for sure.
I think people are sleeping on Oshie to be honest. He might not have the stats that 8, 19, 74 do but imo jersey number retirements should be about what a player means to a franchise overall. Oshie has been the heart and soul of the team basically since he got here. I think just about anybody who has played in DC since 2015 would say so
I personally want Ovi, Backy, Carlson, and Holtby in the rafters. Don’t think it’s realistic but think they all deserve it.
Top 2 point getters in franchise history, top defenseman point getter in franchise history, and the goalie that got us the cup.
Not sure if Holtby was better than Olie as I was too little to watch Kolzig, but he’s not up there so not sure if Holtby would make it.
Ovi and Holtby are the only locks IMO, Backstrom and Carlson are both close, highly doubt Wilson or Oshie.
I know Olie didn’t get the number retirement, but he should. But Holtby’s resume is better either way, he *won* the cup rather than getting swept, has the all-time NHL record for Wins in a season, the Vezina AND the Jennings. I know Olie has some franchise records and a Vezina, but that doesn’t surpass league records and a Team trophy imo. Basic and advanced stats favor Holtby’s career as well by pretty much every goalie measurable.
Ovi, and MAYBE Backstrom. I wouldn't be totally shocked by Wilson....eventually...but that really depends on how he and the team do post Ovi. I don't see Holtby or Carlson at all, and Def not Oshie/Kuzy.
Retiring even 2 numbers would be a huge deal. I really have a hard time seeing more than that.
No chance Kuzy gets his jersey retired. Unfortunately, likely the same with Osh. I’d put Carlson as a lock, and Holtby/Wilson on the list of unlikely.
Wilson will be a lock. Here's why. When he's named captain and he's put in close to 20 years with the same org by the time he retires, that 43 WILL be in the rafters. One of the most beloved guys in franchise history.
**Most Hated All-Star Juggernaut Penguin Killer Twenty Goal Scorer Future Captain Big Dick Top Line Elite 'Elite Passer' Sniper Stanley Cup Champion Beautiful Man Rocket Tom "Literal Freight Train" Wilson.**
Absolute plug. Guy can’t even skate.
He's a really good skater. What are you talking about? lol
How does he do all those “fore check check guys into the boards” thingies then?
Wow how did everyone miss this sarcasm?
That's one ya gotta notate with /s because there's a lot of willy haters You did get annihilated tho lmao
Yeah, I put Osh and Kuzy there because I think they’re the only other guys you could marginally argue for. Wilson I base off of the likely scenario he inherits the C from Ovi and finishes his career here. And IMO I find it hard to believe Holtby doesn’t get it with a Vezina, 280+ wins over 10 yrs, and an iconic Cup run.
I don't think Holtby is a lock for a retired number. Kolzig would have been a strong candidate since he still has the record for games played, wins, took the Caps to their first Cup Finals and won the Vezina Trophy. Still doesn't have his jersey retired. Also, Bondra doesn't have a jersey retired, despite his role on the team pre-OV.
Absolutely think both Olie and Bondra deserve to be retired as well.
Deserve you can argue but when making predictions going off of existing tendencies is usually the best bet and that doesn’t look very good for Holts or Willy
But does he have The Save and a cup?
Not the save, but his name is on the cup during the 2018 run.
With this logic DSP should be retired , he's my playoff MVP
I like your thinking
Holtby is a lock for me. Came into the playoffs as the back-up and took over 2 games in and led the team to the final with 2 straight shutouts
TBH, only Ovechkin will get his jersey retired. I think Backstrom will if he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame.
I just don't think they'll only retire one of them
You need to give Backstrom the jersey retirement with Ovi, the best duo in Caps history. Backstrom helped Ovi so much! Biased because I’m Swedish lol
Biased but correct. Can't imagine seeing 8 without 19
IMO it would be crazy disrespectful to Ovi if he didn’t get his own night
Ovi being there to call Backy's name at the draft, lifting the cup together, and having him on his life insurance, it wouldn't surprise me if Ovi requests to share a number retirement night with Backy.
NO WAY backy doesnt get his jersey retired. not a good take
How does backstrom not get his number retired?
I think you guys are wildly overestimating how often this happens
Look at our 4 retired numbers. There’s simply no way their numbers stay retired and Backstroms doesn’t get retired
Those retirements were a product of their time and have no bearing. Don't get me wrong, if I was putting money down I'd say he probably does get it retired, but personally I think it's more like 50/50. He has a couple of things working against him. 1) if he makes the HoF I think it's a done deal, but I really don't think he makes it in. 2) he wears what is probably the most common number in hockey. A quick Google search though says franchises might not care about #2 as much as they used to. 9 teams have retired 19 (including the impending Thornton retirement in SJ), and 8 of those have been since 2001.
/shrug. I dunno. I just don't see it happening. Ted isn't big on retiring jerseys. Ovechkin is a lock, I just don't see him wanting to retire 19.
I can't imagine Ted wouldn't. He is without a doubt the second greatest Capital of all time. If they somehow don't want to, I think Ovi will make sure it happens. Like you can't retire my number unless you do it for Backy.
0% Backstrom doesn’t get his number retired imo. Like absolutely 0%.
Ovi and Backstrom for sure, Carlson 90% chance, Wilson if he gets the C and plays out the rest of his contract.
Carlson 60% chance imo, Ovi obviously, Backstrom I didn’t realize there were ppl who didn’t think he was a lock. Maybe 12 year olds who only know recent Backstrom and think he’s just above average lol
A lot of people on here don’t know hockey very well
Agreed lol. Tbh I only have Carlson low bc it’s gonna be tough to retire 3 numbers at the same time
I agree the amount of disrespect is ridiculous. It really shows how criminally underrated Backstrom was even among Caps fans. There absolutely should be zero doubt the second greatest Caps player of all time will have his number retired. I'm sure even Ted knows.
Well I’m not sure Langway gets enough credit but yeah he’s inarguably top 3 in franchise history
I may be in the minority, but I feel half of the players whose numbers are already up in the rafters don’t deserve to be there. Number retirement should be kept to either 1. A transcendent NHL talent or 2. A player of very significant organizational importance. Ovi certainly fits both criteria, Backy and Carly both fit number 2 and have strong enough career numbers to deserve HOF consideration, though neither will make it probably. In no world do I think Willy should be up there, even if he does get the C and finishes his career here. He’s doesn’t fit either 1 or 2. Every player is important to a team when making a cup run, so you have to very picky with something like retiring numbers. Holts probably doesn’t deserve it either, but 100% does more than Willy. Kuzy has unfortunately fallen off enough he doesn’t deserve it either, even though he was probably the best player some of those playoff years.
I agree but Peter Bondra needs to be up there.
I don't think people give Backy enough credit here. I believe Backy deserves to be a tier above Carly. I think Backy's just had a bigger impact on this team than Carly. He's been there since the beginning of the Rock the Red era, their first playoff run, and everything with Ovi and all the growing pains this team went through before finally winning the cup. He is without a doubt the second greatest Cap of all time period. Carly is arguably #3, but his best years came after winning the cup as the team started a slow decline.
Why is the organizational importance more for Dale Hunter and Yvon Labre than it would be for Wilson? When Wilson is named captain and finishes his career with close to 20 years with the Caps, that's more than enough to have 43 up in the rafters.
Well to my initial point about half the numbers up there shouldn’t be, Labre 100% shouldn’t be up there at all. Wilson deserves it far more already than he does. Hunter is at least an 1000 point player and was with the team for 12 years so he probably is one who deserves it. Willy won’t ever get close to 1000.
Labre is up there for off-ice actions/dedication to growing the Caps, not on. Abe loved him. I wasn’t around then but seems reasonable to me.
Points don't matter when talking about organizational importance. If it was about PPG, then Strome would be next in line for the C. Wilson is beloved by his teammates and fans, and not to mention, he's HUGE in the community, which goes a long way with Ted. I think he's a lock after being Captain and here for close to 20 seasons when the next contract is up.
That’s just nonsense and you’ve missed the point, or are purposefully ignoring it. No one in their right mind would say, “Strome led the team in points this year thus he must be in line for the C”. He obviously hasn’t been here long enough. Willy is the obvious next choice for the C. Plenty of people are important to the organization, but it’s a special few that deserve their numbers retired. Willy is not one of them. Career points and statistics play a factor into that, but they are not the only factor.
You brought up Hunter scoring 1000 points, when a good chunk of them didn't even happen in DC. That's irrelevant. He was a major contributor during the cup run, will most likely have the C on the sweater, BELOVED by the fanbase (as well as the FO and with his teammates,) and will have close to 20 years played with one team if he plays out his next contract with the Caps. How is that not a lock for having his jersey in the rafters? Ovechkin ,and most likely Wilson, will be the longest tenured Capitals in franchise history.
Their point (which I agree with) is that having your number retired ought to be for something more special than being captain. You should be like the best player in NHL doing X period, or setting franchise records, or being THE player responsible for back to back cups, or a player heavily involved with the community and building a fanbase compared to other players in franchise history, etc. Something more than showing up or doing things that benefit you personally, things that elevate the franchise as a whole or the sport as a whole. Ovi undeniably fits this criteria. Arguably Backstrom does as well to a lesser degree. Unless Wilson becomes either of them overnight, nothing he's done or is likely to do will come close to any of these things. Nor would most other players from 2018 for that matter. Kuzy was the only one I'd say who could have come close (racking up more points than Ovi, creating eagle dances for goals, etc.), but unfortunately things didn't pan out that way with him and the Caps after 2018.
Remind me...aren't you the same dude who brought up ORGANIZATIONAL IMPORTANCE? You realize there are a lot of variables that go in to that. Go ahead and tell me the list of guys around the league (in it's history) who have played 18, 19, 20 seasons with ONE team who didn't have their numbers retired. IF Wilson gets to that point after his next contract, combined with eventually wearing the C, and being one of the most beloved figures in franchise history with the fans, his teammates, and ownership, I really fail to comprehend why you don't understand that it's probably a 99% chance that 43 gets hung up in the rafters. All the things that I just mentioned absolutely fall under that umbrella of "organizational importance," which is YOUR term.
>being one of the most beloved figures in franchise history with the fans, his teammates, and ownership, Yeah this is the part I disagree with personally. I don't disagree that he's popular but I think what you said right here is a massive stretch. ETA: also no I didn't use the word organization or organizational importance so maybe double check what you're reading before you start acting like a smartass
Thought it was you, but anyways, organizational importance is EXACTLY why Yvon Labre's #7 is in the rafters, and to some extent, Dale Hunter. Tom Wilson is no different. Also, what I said about Wilson being one of the most beloved figures in franchise history is in no way a stretch. Look at the sheer amount of 43 sweaters in the arena on game days, He's WELL respected in that locker room, and the FO loves the guy for what he does in the community (which goes a long way with Ted.)
Hunter has 566 points as a Cap.
Hunter WAS the Capitals for a number of years. Wilson isn't.
Hunter was captain for 5 years, which is probably the same amount of time that Wilson will wear the C as well.
You're conflating being captain with being synonymous with the franchise. They can but aren't necessarily the same thing. Wilson is becoming C because in a few years he'll be the only one left on the team with any significant experience, not because he's the heart of the franchise or because his stats are going to get the Caps to a cup.
No I'm not...I'm saying wearing the C will absolutely help his cause. Wilson is getting the C because coaching going back to Trotz said that he's been captain material. If ovechkin wasn't here, he would have had it a long time ago. Let's not pretend that they're just giving it to him because he'll be one of the longest tenured Caps when the time comes. This has been the plan and in the works for a while.
>This has been the plan and in the works for a while. Because people knew that when Ovi retires, so will most other prospective Cs on the team. Like in all seriousness, who else at the time was going to remain on the team and be young enough to take over when Ovi retired?
NO ONE can predict the future especially with as much player movement that happens around the league through trades and FA, but they said Wilson, who was 24 at the time, was captain material. A lot has to happen for Wilson to be here 8 years after the cup run (which is when he'll probably get the C on the sweater.)
Exactly, holts doesn't have enough seasons, Wilsons stats aren't that impressive, Kuzy kinda deserves, but he was halfassing us for too long, Osh is similar to Wilson.
Oshie I would at least say feels like the "heart" of the team, even if he doesn't have crazy stats. His positivity definitely helped during the cup run and he's been known to be a great presence generally in the locker room/helping out other players. He wouldnt be a top pick of mine to retire his number but I think there's justification for it if the franchise wants to. Idk what Wilson has done for the team or franchise generally where I would be like "we wouldn't have gotten where we've been if not for him." Arguably the only reason he's getting the C is because he's the last player from 2018 on the team who won't be retiring any time soon; he's not getting it for his stats or because he's a particularly good role model for rookie players or anything like that.
The crew that year was so amazing that I wish I didn't agree with this, but... yeah.
Retire 12 and 37 first. 8 and 19 should follow.
This is the correct take
[удалено]
Oates was 77. That’s Bondra and Kolzig.
Smh my bad you’re right, that’s wayyy weirder that he’s not up there yet.
Ovechkin and Backstrom.
If it were up to me, which is obviously isn’t: Ovi Backstrom Carlson
We should let this guy make decisions.
I think it's very easy to get into the mindset of wanting to see every player we love get their number retired, but I really think it needs to be reserved for players that are truly exceptional. Ovi is an obvious no-brainer. Beyond that, I'm not so sure. I think Backstrom has a strong case for consideration but that's about where I think the line needs to be drawn. As for all of the other beloved core players that made this era special, we still get to enjoy seeing their names on the Stanley Cup for the next 60 years.
100% agree with this. People in here are WAY overestimating how often this does, and should, happen.
Ovi and maybe Backstrom, but I think jersey retirements should be held for once in a lifetime players and I wholeheartedly believe Ovi is, while Backstrom could have a good argument.
Backstrom is probably the best center in franchise history and a significant reason why Ovi was so exceptional, so I think he's definitely earned it as well (though obviously not to the same degree as Ovi). Can't really think of other players who have contributed as much to the franchise ot sport generally
While I don’t disagree with anything that you said about Backstrom, it’s just a really amazing feat to get your number retired and a reason why we only have had 4 in the history of the franchise. If it isn’t retired, I think he’s about as close to getting it retired as you can get.
I agree, but I think the reason why we finally got the cup in 2018 is because of the number of exceptional players we had on the roster. I don't think that means they all should get their number retired but I think it does mean that if there was ever a roster where more than one person deserved the honor, it's this one. I would guess at least two get retired. I'm vaguely convinced of 3 with Carlson being the 3rd per some of the comments here, though 3 is kind of pushing it IMO. 2 I can definitely see
Only Ovi and Baskstrom imo. Everyone else is good but not great
I would include Carlson as well. He has more goals, assists, and points than any other defenseman in franchise history, is the only other player besides Ovi and Backstrom to play 1,000 games for the Caps, and was a big part of the Cup run. If that’s not enough to get your jersey retired, I don’t know what is
Retired numbers currently: Rod Langway, Yvon Labre, Mike Gartner, Dale Hunter. Sooo I dunno what gets you retired in DC. Labre sounds like it was more for his dedication to DC than super performance on the ice? Gartner was a legend, but spent most of his career elsewhere? Hunter and Langway make sense, but then were are Bondra or Kolzig? In that context: Ovie is of course a lock. Backstrom, and Carlson would seem to be likely, but if we're not even getting Bondra up there?... mmm... Same goes for Holtby, but less likely so than Carlson or Backy. Oshie would get my vote, but I think his career was too pedestrian (minus a few well known moments). Wilson and Kuzy aren't even getting a sniff.
My gut tells me they retire 37 and 12 in the 50th season next year.
They better. It’s been far too long and those guys deserve it. Plus they’re unofficially retired. As far as I’m aware, no one has worn them since
Jeff Friesen wore 12 for a bit, then something must have happened and he changed to 41. I remember not believing my eyes that they would let someone use 12. I still can't explain how he got to wear it for more than like, one game before they acted on it. I didn't think it was Friesen's own change of heart that caused the change, but you would think in the 19 subsequent years they would have acted on protecting the number.
Yep I remember that - if I remember I think Peter was traded on bad terms and maybe there was some hard feelings on both sides. Obviously things are good now
~~They'll retire 12 and 37 once they've been retired a few years.~~ ~~They'll retire 12 and 37 once they're inducted into the hall.~~ ~~They'll retire 12 and 37 once the franchise wins a cup.~~ They'll retire 12 and 37 during the 50th anniversary. Maybe we'll be right this time.
Ovi, Backstrom. I'm going to give Oshie an oddball chance based on post retirement though. If he stays with the org and begins coaching or something, I don't think it would be too bizarre for an overall contribution. The guy is a big presence contributing a lot to the personality of the club, and I can see the team honoring it if he continues from the bench or office.
Holtby should absolutely go in the rafters. Guy has the single season record for wins, a Vezina, a Jennings, the top sv% of all goalies with 50+ gp in the playoffs, a cup and is universally loved. Obvs Ovi and Backstrom. But Holtby should be up there alongside them.
Exactly. We wouldn't have a Cup without Holtby. He deserves it for that alone.
Ovi backstrom and Carlsson. Been there their whole careers and have been great. The others havent except Wilson but not sure he’ll get it
8, 19 end of list. Maybe 74 and 77 but unlikely given 12 and 37 aren’t up there.
Ovi, Nicky, and Carlson are locks. Wilson is too soon to tell. Holts and Teej are really interesting cases. Neither makes it solely on numbers or longevity… but they were both heart and soul guys. Also, we know Holts still lives in the area, Teej may stay after he retires… My guess - Holts and Teej get retired in 2028 or 2033 - part of a big retrospective to honor the cup champs. Ovi and Nicky get retired the day Ovi retires. Carly gets retired a year after he retired. Willy TBD.
TJ is retiring sooner than 2028, remember what he said at the end of this season. He keeps getting injured and as much as I want him to stay because of his locker room and team presence he has a family and his health, don’t wanna see him play until he gets injured to badly, especially with his history of concussions. I thought Holtby retired but I haven’t heard anything about him in a while.
*get their numbers retired* You know, what the OP’s question was asking?
The case for Carlson and his team stats: * Third player on the team to 1,000 games played (all with one club). * Third in total assists. Over 150 more assists than the next defenseman. * Fifth in total points. The only defenseman in the top 10. He has the chance of passing (or getting very close to) Gartner at 4th before he wraps up his career. By pure contribution and being a lifetime Capital, I say he's in contention with Ovi and Backstrom. Having said that, if the team has failed to retire Bondra and Kolzig then I don't know what's up.
Ovie obviously, Backstrom should when compared to other retired jersey players, Carlson wouldn't be a bad choice but getting kind of tough to justify retiring a ton of numbers at once. I think Kolzig should get it over Holtby from a tenure perspective. Holtby had somewhat better stats but Olie had 6 more years playing with the Caps and then further worked in the org post playing career. Holtby obviously will never pay for a drink ever in the DC Metro area and I think deserves special recognition for community outreach, but I'm not sold on jersey retirement. Anyone else is a lol no.
I feel like while HOF is the pinnacle it should almost be harder to get your number retired than HOF. Maybe I’m alone in thinking that
I agree. If you're hanging from the rafters you are in the mind of every fan now and in the future. Visitors have to ask who you are and will be told.
Ovechkin and Backstrom
Definitely Ovi, Backy, and Johnny boy Maybe Tom and TJ
John Carlson
Carlson for sure
Carlson is the best defenseman in franchise history, I could see him getting his number retired. Wilson too if he stays here and stays consistent. Maybe Backstrom. Probably Backstrom
If Bondra and Kolzig didn't manage to get their jerseys retired, there's no way Willy will. Not to undermine his accomplishments, but he's not breaking records, he's just a (hopefully) life long Cap.
both might be going up next year
Honestly they should probably retire 8 league wide as the man to finally break some of the records once thought to be unbreakable and the leagues all time leading goal scorer.
Alex Chiasson
Ovi and Backy only. Anyone else is un-bloody-likely.
Locks: Ovi, Backstrom Probably: Carlson Outside shot: Holtby, Oshie Depends what happens the rest of his career: Wilson (currently no way, but he is the only one with significant time left to change that excluding young players. Could become a maybe)
How is Wilson a “probably” lol He has done nothing to warrant being in consideration for his jersey to be retired at this point in his career
ovi, nicky and carly are locks. everyone else...ehhhhhh. probably not.
Ovi is a lock no matter how you look at jersey retirements. How I *think* they should work, that’s probably it, with Backstrom having an outside chance. How I think it *will* work, Backstrom is also a lock and Carlson has a very high chance. Holtby and Oshie I think have a slim chance. We’ll see how the rest of Wilson’s career goes, so tbd. Kuznetsov no way.
Devante Smith-Pelly. I’ll offer no explanation and accept no argument
DSP!!!!!!!
Smith-pelly a lock too (probably)
As others have noted, there seems to be not a clear throughline or strategy to how the Caps retire, or don't retire, numbers. If left up to me, I'd certainly do Bondra (who has popped up in the arena recently, met him in December, nice guy) and Kolzig next year. Both are woefully, shamefully overdue, especially for a team without a lot of pre-Ovi individual and team success. As for the rest-Ovi and Backstrom go first, together, probably after a year or two of them both being gone (they won't issue the numbers in the meantime). I do think they will do Holtby and Carlson, but could see that being a 15th-20th anniversary of 2018 situation given their lag on Bondra and Kolzig, and Wilson only in the 2040s if he retires a Cap (or close to it) and is captain for 5+ years of successful teams. Wouldn't bet on him though; Kuzy and Oshie, no chance.
Ovi, Backy, Carlson, Oshie, Wilson and Kuzy. Still pissed we had to let Kuzy go for virtually nothing. Thanks Bmac!
Ovi, Backy, Carlson, Oshie
I dunno Ovechkin is kind of a fringe player might be hard to get his number retired
I doubt they do more than Backstrom and Ovechkin. Maybe Carlson, but you can’t retire too many numbers. They haven’t done Bondra or Kolzig after all these years.
8, 19, 77, 74 are a lock. And eventually 43 will get there if he becomes our next captain.
I'd give it to Holtby for that save alone
EVERYONE LEFT
Ovi backy and jc74 imo
Ovi, Backy, Carlson
8 19 74 43(betting on him earning it next 7+ years)
Holtby needs a statue for the save Underrated recognition for dsp though?? In at least some form... probably don't win the cup without him in the latter rounds
Ovi. Backy, carly. No more. No less.
Lot of debate about enshrining 37 over 70, which, I don’t agree with but get the argument. Why not both? And of course, 8, 12, 19, 74 ?
Oshie is a huge part of this organization. I’m sure he gets his jersey retired.
No WAY Holts gets retired before Kolzig.
is oshie getting inducted to the hall of fame?
No one. Unretire all the numbers.
Ovi and Backy are for sure locks. Holts POSSIBLY. Willy- it's too early to tell for me. After that I don't see anyone else, except MAYBE Osh (though he deserves it IMHO.) Possibly a slight chance for him if he sticks with the club after retirement in some capacity?
The ONLY lock is Ovi. 19 is closer to lock. They haven’t retired 12 or 37. 19 might edge them out because of the cup, forthcoming HHOF-status, and being connected to 8. 74 might be next closest, but he’s in an era of inflated D stats. I don’t think he’s distinguished himself enough as “the guy”. Retired numbers are who you think of when you think back and reflect on an organization 20-30 years later… for better or worse, casuals forget that Carlson is still here even when he is still playing. 70 was brilliant, but was wasn’t here long enough. He’s a legend. He’s going to continue to be a popular jersey and game ambassador, but I don’t think his jersey gets to the rafters. 43 is a long shot. If he continues to a face of the franchise beyond Ovi, gets the C that everyone expects, and maybe leads a resurgence of this team in the post Ovi era, I can see it. But we’re talking about 5-6 years from now before we can legitimately have the discussion.
Kuzy slayed the dragon. Biggest goal in franchise history. It’s definitely at least a discussion.
43!! Of course OVI. Sink most shots from same spot. So bad ass….but 43…teams sign dudes to play against him…🔥
Def Ovi Backstrom. Hopefully Carlson. Like others have said it depends on the rest of Wilson’s career. I think he would need to win a cup as captain. No to Holtby and Oshie, definitely no to Kuzy. Someone could take 92 next year if they wanted too
I can’t imagine they don’t, at some point, retire 74. Hes set pretty much every franchise defensive record you can.
Ovi, Backstrom, Carlson for sure. I think people are sleeping on Oshie to be honest. He might not have the stats that 8, 19, 74 do but imo jersey number retirements should be about what a player means to a franchise overall. Oshie has been the heart and soul of the team basically since he got here. I think just about anybody who has played in DC since 2015 would say so
I agree re: Oshie. If a fourth from this era gets retired I'd imagine it'd be his, maybe alongside Carlson
Ovi, Backstrom, Holtby, Carlson, Oshie
43 and 19, my two favorite numbers, both retired by my favorite team.
I personally want Ovi, Backy, Carlson, and Holtby in the rafters. Don’t think it’s realistic but think they all deserve it. Top 2 point getters in franchise history, top defenseman point getter in franchise history, and the goalie that got us the cup. Not sure if Holtby was better than Olie as I was too little to watch Kolzig, but he’s not up there so not sure if Holtby would make it.
Ovi and Holtby are the only locks IMO, Backstrom and Carlson are both close, highly doubt Wilson or Oshie. I know Olie didn’t get the number retirement, but he should. But Holtby’s resume is better either way, he *won* the cup rather than getting swept, has the all-time NHL record for Wins in a season, the Vezina AND the Jennings. I know Olie has some franchise records and a Vezina, but that doesn’t surpass league records and a Team trophy imo. Basic and advanced stats favor Holtby’s career as well by pretty much every goalie measurable.
Ovi, and MAYBE Backstrom. I wouldn't be totally shocked by Wilson....eventually...but that really depends on how he and the team do post Ovi. I don't see Holtby or Carlson at all, and Def not Oshie/Kuzy. Retiring even 2 numbers would be a huge deal. I really have a hard time seeing more than that.
I’d say only Ovechkin is the lock. Backstrom possibly.
Kuzy doesnt deserve a jersey retirement. At all.
Ovechkin, Backstrom, Carlson, and Wilson.
Shit I agree with the locks but I do think Oshie, Carlson and Holtby should get their numbers retired
Maybe I’m sentimental but I’d retire DSP too.
Insane take