Tag: Nick Lanciani

  • Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Nashville Predators

    Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Nashville Predators

    By: Nick Lanciani

    My look at what retired numbers around the league may look like in the future continues. While there’s only a finite set of numbers to utilize on the back of a jersey, many teams choose to retire (or honor) some numbers based on extraordinary circumstances, dedication to the organization, or legendary status.

    Many thoughts went through my head in each and every consideration. Feel free to agree or disagree- I want to know what you, the fans, consider worthy when evaluating a player, their career, and whether or not their number should be retired by a franchise. I am interested in seeing what you have to say, assuming you are actually a fan of the team and/or player that you argue for or against. Drop us a line in the comments or tweet to @DtFrozenRiver using #DTFRNumbersGame.

    For each team, I thought of former and current players that should have their numbers retired now or once they hang up the skates.

    UnknownNashville Predators

    Current Retired Numbers- None

    Recommended Numbers to Retire

    11 David Legwand

    When Legwand retires he’ll likely be the first to have his number retired in franchise history for the Nashville Predators. It’s fitting that he was their first successfully developed player- and longtime face of the franchise- so it will truly be something special for all to enjoy (fans, front office, and former teammates alike).

    6 Shea Weber

    When Weber retires, Nashville will have lost one of their best defenseman ever. Other than that, he’s Shea Weber and he’s spent his entire career with Nashville, thus far (aside from that offer sheet he signed with Philadelphia, but was ultimately matched by the Predators). He’s a shoe in for his number to be raised to the rafters of the Bridgestone Arena.

    35 Pekka Rinne

    And so is Rinne. He’s one of maybe five or six elite goaltenders in the world. He’ll likely be a Predator for life (and so will his number when it’s enshrined above the ice).

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #18- Goalies, Cross Checking, and Our Best Friend Torts

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #18- Goalies, Cross Checking, and Our Best Friend Torts

    The Down the Frozen River crew covered a lot of topics the week after Thanksgiving in the United States. Hear what they have to say about the latest news and notes from around the NHL in this week’s #DTFRPodcast.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter and/or drop us a line on Facebook– your thoughts might make it on our show!

  • Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Montreal Canadiens

    Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Montreal Canadiens

    By: Nick Lanciani

    I’m back with my continued exploration of what retired numbers around the league may look like in the future continues. While there’s only a finite set of numbers to utilize on the back of a jersey, many teams choose to retire (or honor) some numbers based on extraordinary circumstances, dedication to the organization, or legendary status.

    Many thoughts went through my head in each and every consideration. Feel free to agree or disagree- I want to know what you, the fans, consider worthy when evaluating a player, their career, and whether or not their number should be retired by a franchise. I am interested in seeing what you have to say, assuming you are actually a fan of the team and/or player that you argue for or against. Drop us a line in the comments or tweet to @DtFrozenRiver using #DTFRNumbersGame.

    For each team, I thought of former and current players that should have their numbers retired now or once they hang up the skates.

    UnknownMontreal Canadiens

    Current Retired Numbers- 1 Jacques Plante, 2 Doug Harvey, 3 Émile Bouchard, 4 Jean Beliveau, 5 Bernie Geoffrion/Guy Lapointe, 7 Howie Morenz, 9 Maurice Richard, 10 Guy Lafleur, 12 Yvan Cournoyer/Dickie Moore, 16 Henri Richard/Elmer Lach, 18 Serge Savard, 19 Larry Robinson, 23 Bob Gainey, 29 Ken Dryden, 33 Patrick Roy

    Recommended Numbers to Retire

    11 Saku Koivu

    To have your number retired by the Montreal Canadiens is perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments in all of sports. Koivu was the definition of what it meant to be a Canadien in the 1990s and early 2000s, as well as the definition of courage in his battle with cancer. Saku Koivu was an exceptional player for Montreal and even Boston fans will agree with that statement. It was weird watching Koivu in a Ducks jersey, but it would be even weirder if the Canadiens don’t retire his jersey number.

    Other Notes

    Eventually, I’ll probably add Carey Price (number 31), Max Pacioretty (number 67) and P.K. Subban (number 76) to this list, but for the immediate future the Canadiens really should retire Koivu’s number and make Brendan Gallagher wear something else.

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #17- Many Things

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #17- Many Things

    The Down the Frozen River crew covered a lot of topics the week before Thanksgiving in the United States. Hear what they have to say about the latest news and notes from around the NHL in this week’s #DTFRPodcast.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter and/or drop us a line on Facebook– your thoughts might make it on our show!

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #16- Ethics (Not Bonhoeffer)

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #16- Ethics (Not Bonhoeffer)

    We recorded this on Thursday. It wouldn’t have been right if we shared it yesterday. Paris, our thoughts are with you.

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #15- We’re Time Travelers Now

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #15- We’re Time Travelers Now

    This week we talked about the New York Rangers, leading scorers, and reminisced on the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter and/or drop us a line on Facebook– your thoughts might make it on our show!

    https://soundcloud.com/down-the-frozen-river/dtfr-podcast-15-were-time-travelers-now

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #14- Don’t Let Us Frighten You

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #14- Don’t Let Us Frighten You

    Instead of writing what the Down the Frozen River crew talked about this week like usual, I’m not going to write anything about the subject matter- therefore forcing you to listen to the entire episode! Trick or treat.

    For the record, we recorded this yesterday, but life sometimes delays how quickly we get this edited and up on this site.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter– your thoughts might make it on our show!

    https://soundcloud.com/down-the-frozen-river/dtfr-podcast-14-dont-let-us-frighten-you

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #13- Torts, Goalies, and Other Essentials

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #13- Torts, Goalies, and Other Essentials

    The Down the Frozen River Crew talks about the latest in league standings, Winners and Losers, more surprises, other things, and makes several plugs for themselves. Also, Antti Raanta’s only played in 1 game (0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%), which is not considered by the NHL.com stats page to be leading the league in goalie stats, so you lucked out this time, Reto Berra.

    Connor didn’t butcher any names, although he did talk about a keg in a machine instead of a cog… wonder what’s on his mind. Oh and Colby may or may have not spilled the beans on our next marketing campaign. Nick, as usual, did Nick things.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter– your thoughts might make it on our show! Please interact with us- seriously, tell us we’re idiots if you want, we can take it.

    https://soundcloud.com/down-the-frozen-river/dtfr-podcast-13-torts-goalies-and-other-essentials

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #12- Surprise Surprise, Connor Only Messed Up Once

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #12- Surprise Surprise, Connor Only Messed Up Once

    The Down the Frozen River crew talks about many things as week one (and a half) of the 2015-2016 regular season has gone by. Standings, winners and losers, and a couple of new segments debut in this episode of the Down the Frozen River Podcast. Connor only messed up one name and Colby will be back next time.

    Surprisingly mentioned this week- Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo. Surprisingly not mentioned this week- Zach Boychuk, Pete Blackburn, DJ Bean.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter- your thoughts might make it on our show! Please interact with us.

    https://soundcloud.com/down-the-frozen-river/dtfr-podcast-12-surprise-surprise-connor-only-messed-up-once

  • Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Minnesota Wild

    Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Minnesota Wild

    By: Nick Lanciani

    My look at what retired numbers around the league may look like in the future continues. While there’s only a finite set of numbers to utilize on the back of a jersey, many teams choose to retire (or honor) some numbers based on extraordinary circumstances, dedication to the organization, or legendary status.

    Many thoughts went through my head in each and every consideration. Feel free to agree or disagree- I want to know what you, the fans, consider worthy when evaluating a player, their career, and whether or not their number should be retired by a franchise. I am interested in seeing what you have to say, assuming you are actually a fan of the team and/or player that you argue for or against. Drop us a line in the comments or tweet to @DtFrozenRiver using #DTFRNumbersGame.

    For each team, I thought of former and current players that should have their numbers retired now or once they hang up the skates.

    Unknown-4Minnesota Wild

    Current Retired Numbers- 1 Minnesota Fans

    Recommended Numbers to Retire

    9 Mikko Koivu

    Koivu has been one of the first- if not the first- products of the Minnesota Wild’s system. The franchise itself is still young, having first appeared in the 2000-2001 season, so not many players have gone through Minnesota for their entire career, or under extraordinary circumstances, hence as things stand right now, we’ll likely only see the Wild retire a number in the next ten or fifteen years.

    Zach Parise's legend continues to grow each year in Minnesota. Will he lead them on a Cup run in the near future? (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
    Zach Parise’s legend continues to grow each year in Minnesota. Will he lead them on a Cup run in the near future? (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

    11 Zach Parise

    Provided Parise spends the majority of his career with the Wild, there’s a good chance they’ll honor him and his legendary Minnesota family. Also, if he keeps scoring hat tricks like the one he had Thursday night, they’ll probably honor him too.

    20 Ryan Suter

    Likewise, it’s the same case with Suter- minus the hat tricks (see above).

    Other Notes

    Minnesota fans are number 1 in the State of Hockey, especially after having to live through the whole North Stars relocation to Dallas- probably hence why the number is set aside to make that connection between a committed franchise and their fans.

    Otherwise, I really got nothing for you in terms of what the future could look like for the Minnesota Wild’s rafters.