Hey friend! Have you heard about whether 99 is retired in NHL? It’s a pretty controversial topic, and you’ll notice that a lot of people feel strongly about it in both directions. Personally, I’m not in favour of retirements like this because it can have a negative impact on the sport in terms of morale and image.
For starters, cheap nhl jerseys players are already extremely talented and have to work hard for the standings they achieve. So when someone is retired, it can feel like a slap in the face for them – like their hard work didn’t even matter, and that someone else, who might not have even been as successful, is replacing them. It can also give off a sense of elitism, which then taints the NHL to some degree – that the people who are in power can make decisions like this regardless of the impact it has on the players or the overall sport.
Moreover, retirements like this can create a sense of inflexibility in the cheap nhl jerseys. Yes, Wayne Gretzky did some incredible things, but why can’t achievements like his just be celebrated and remembered in another way than retiring a number? By retiring his number, it’s almost as though any other accomplishment in the NHL will now be shadowed by his legendary name – and it can leave a lot of the current players feeling like their achievements don’t really compare.
Not to mention, retiring his number also creates a lot of confusion around the NHL. 99 has been retired everywhere else, which means that every time a team takes the ice and there’s no 99 on it, everyone has to remember why that is – and if everyone keeps having to make those mental references, it can ultimately slow the game down. It’s an unnecessary reminder of a player’s success – an acknowledgement that doesn’t have to be made when there are other, less disruptive ways of acknowledging his accomplishments.
It doesn’t help that the debate over Wayne Gretzky and his 99 has gone on for so long. He’s such a legendary figure that a lot of people feel very passionately about it either way, and it’s been hard for teams to decide what to do when they’re met with mixed opinions. Some teams have given him honourary retirements, while others have shied away from doing the same – it’s a pretty thin line, and it’s taken quite a bit of time for teams to get to this current place.
Now, here’s the thing – I understand why people would want to honour his accomplishments. Gretzky has done so much for the sport, and it’s almost impossible to go anywhere without seeing his recognisable name. But I don’t agree that the best way to honour him is with a retirement – that’s too one-dimensional, and it limits potential for new players to come in and make a name for themselves.
That’s why I think that giving Gretzky a special award or honourary retirement might be a better solution. That way, it still shows that his contributions to the NHL are appreciated and honoured, but it still allows for individual recognition for other players. It’s a win-win situation, and I think it could be done in a way that doesn’t devalue the work that everyone else has done.
I’ve seen some people make the argument that retiring his number should be a sign of respect – and I can see where they’re coming from. But I would argue that there are other ways to show respect – like celebrating his accomplishments, letting teams use special designations, or even creating a special championship in his honour. These things would be just as impactful as a number retirement, and could actually provide the NHL with more opportunities to improve.
Ultimately, everyone is going to have their own opinion about whether Gretzky should be retired in the NHL – and what’s more, it’s likely to remain this way until a performance has come along to eclipse his own. While I disagree with retiring his number, I do think there are other ways of paying tribute to him that still manage to provide the NHL with the opportunity to grow and develop. It’s a difficult line to toe, but I think it’s important that the game be pushed and innovated for the benefit of everyone.