One Player from Each NHL Franchise Who Needs His Number Retired

To have one's jersey retired is the single largest honor that a team can bestow upon its players.

If a team retires your jersey, then you have clearly had a huge impact on the team even if it was for a short amount of time.

Some teams have routines of honoring players that have made an impact on the team but probably shouldn't have had their number retired for all time.

Still, some teams have players that haven't had the honor of having their number retired but absolutely deserve it.

Columbus Blue Jackets/Florida Panthers/Minnesota Wild/Nasvhille Predators/Jets

Though several players have come through these organizations that are very talented, all of these organizations are either too young or have not had a player come through that strikes me as one that should have their number retired just yet.

Though I am always open to suggestions, if anybody thinks these franchises has a player that has earned this honor, please share in the comments section.

Anaheim Ducks

Scott Niedermayer played only five seasons with the Ducks, but he was still a player that made a huge impact on the team.

Before Niedermayer arrived, the Ducks were a team that were capable of making the playoffs but weren't really a team anybody expected to go deep.

Niedermayer changed the Ducks from a very good team into an elite team and provided the leadership necessary to finally bring a Stanley Cup to Southern California.

His abilities and leadership should absolutely be recognized by raising No. 27 to the rafters.

Boston Bruins

I know that when you think back to the Boston Bruins in the 1970s, you immediately think of Peter McNab, right?

Well, you might be surprised!

Peter McNab is in the top 10 of several Boston Bruins statistics yet seems to be overlooked by many people.

McNab holds top 10 positions for the Bruins in the following categories: goals (ninth), points (10th), goals created (10th), even-strength goals (eighth), power-play goals (ninth), game-winning goals (seventh) and shooting percentage (ninth).

To be in the top 10 in that many categories of a franchise with the proud history of the Boston Bruins is pretty remarkable.

Peter McNab could easily have his number retired for the Bruins.

Buffalo Sabres

I am absolutely certain that there are bitter feelings between the people of Buffalo and Dominik Hasek, but the fact remains that Hasek really was this franchise for a long time.

As much as I dislike Hasek, and I do, there is no doubt as to his ability. He took a team that would have been mediocre by most other standards and turned them into a team that was a perennial playoff team.

All of Hasek's individual awards came as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, with exception of his Jennings Trophy in 2008.

With Buffalo, he won two Hart Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards, a Jennings Trophy and six Vezinas.

Regardless of how things ended in Buffalo, he deserves to have his name and number up among the other Buffalo greats.

Calgary Flames

Theo Fleury was always one of the smallest guys out there on the ice, but based off of his play you would never guess it.

Fleury always epitomized the saying, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

He was an incredibly skilled player that consistently produced for the Flames every single year.

It was stunning when the Flames traded him to Colorado, because Fleury was on pace for a 40-goal year and a potential 100-point season.

He found moderate success outside of Calgary but never anything as close to the success he had with the Flames.

His tenacity and skill always gave the Flames a chance, and they should honor that skill, which helped them win a Stanley Cup in 1989, with a jersey retirement.

Carolina Hurricanes

Kevin Dineen was a part of the Carolina Hurricanes franchise well before they ever came to Carolina.

He started his career back in the early 1980s when the team was still the Hartford Whalers.

After a stint away from the franchise, Dineen returned to Hartford just in time to move to Carolina with the team.

Dineen is in the top two or three in every major offensive category for this franchise, though, he will be passed by current Hurricanes captain Eric Staal very soon.

Nonetheless, Dineen has earned a jersey retirement for his many years in the same organization.

Chicago Blackhawks

Jeremy Roenick is a player that will definitely see his name go into the Hockey Hall of Fame before too long, and he should also see his name and number retired in Chicago.

Roenick spent his best seasons in Chicago, three times topping the 100-point mark, and was always one of the most difficult parts about playing the Blackhawks.

Roenick was immensely skilled in all aspects of the game. He could score a goal with some fancy stick work, then plow over you in the neutral zone.

He is one of the best American-born players that has ever played in the NHL, and I believe that he gave so much to the team and the city of Chicago that a number retirement has been well earned.

Colorado Avalanche

Adam Foote was only the second captain in the history of the Colorado Avalanche since they moved to Denver in 1995.

Though he only wore the C for two years, Foote was always a determined leader on the team.

He was unheralded for most of his career because he was a shutdown defender that didn't produce a lot of offensive points.

Foote finished his career with a plus/minus rating of plus-99, which is unbelievable for a player who was out against the opposition's best players night after night.

His effectiveness as a leader and as a rough defenseman will most likely earn No. 52 a spot in the rafters before too long.

Dallas Stars

Ed Belfour had great seasons in Chicago, even winning a couple of Vezina Trophies while he was there, but he is probably more fondly remembered in Dallas.

Ed Belfour and the Dallas Stars had an understanding with each other. Each of them needed the other in order to win the Stanley Cup.

Belfour finally helped that become a reality in 1999, when the Stars managed to outlast the Buffalo Sabres in a series more remembered for the final goal than anything else.

Belfour's ability to help the team finally get over the hump and become Stanley Cup champions should warrant the Stars lifting his number up to the rafters in Dallas.

Detroit Red Wings

Chris Chelios was traded to the Red Wings in 1999 in a deal that stunned many because of what a rivalry the Blackhawks and Red Wings have.

Chelios wasn't very offensively prolific in Detroit, but he was the same defensive fortress that he had been throughout his career.

Chelios' solid play on the blue line allowed him to play well into his 40s and allowed the Red Wings to always have one of the most skilled and calm bluelines out there.

I'm surprised Detroit hadn't raised his number up yet.

Edmonton Oilers

I have to cheat for the Edmonton Oilers because everybody that I would have said already has their number retired.

For Edmonton, I'll go with the player who will be the next one to have his number retired once he does finally hang up the skates.

Ryan Smyth is an Alberta-grown player who has always loved playing for the pride of Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers.

He cried when he was traded away from Edmonton, and then made it clear he wanted to come back. He has been so dedicated to that franchise, and they will reward him.

Los Angeles Kings

Rob Blake served as the captain of the Los Angeles Kings twice.

He really became a household name in the NHL when playing with the Kings as well, winning a Norris Trophy in 1998.

The way Blake was able to turn a game with an open-ice hip check as well as his booming slap shot should earn him a place in the Staples Center rafters.

Montreal Canadiens

Jacques Lemaire was a part of eight Stanley Cup championship teams during his time with the Montreal Canadiens.

Lemaire is mostly remembered for being the architect of the neutral zone trap that had so much success with the New Jersey Devils, but really, he could be remembered for his offense when he played for Montreal.

He is seventh all time in goals (366), fifth all time in assists (469) and seventh all time in points (835) for the Canadiens.

To be in those positions for a franchise like the Canadiens is very impressive, and I think he should have his number retired.

New Jersey Devils

Claude Lemieux was a vital part to this Devils team when they were learning how to win.

Scott Stevens was definitely the leader of the team, but Claude Lemieux was the guy that really stepped things up when it mattered to help bring the Stanley Cup to New Jersey for the first time.

Lemieux won the Conn Smythe trophy in 1995 after the Devils swept the Detroit Red Wings, was traded to Colorado the next year and came back to help New Jersey win another Cup later in his career.

I would say that he was a pretty memorable part of that franchise, and he is worthy of having his number retired.

New York Islanders

Pat LaFontaine has already had his number retired in Buffalo, but it wouldn't be a stretch to think that he could have his number retired in New York as well.

He played more games and had more consistent production in his time on the Island than he did in Buffalo.

Obviously, Buffalo remembers him from his amazing year where he rang up an astonishing 148 points, but he was far more consistent as an Islander.

I think that if Buffalo would raise his number, then the Islanders should have an easy decision.

New York Rangers

Yes, I know the picture doesn't match up, just call me cautious.

Jean Ratelle would seem to be a no-brainer for the Rangers to retire, considering his place in the career standings with the Rangers.

Ratelle is second all time in goals for the Rangers and third all time in assists and points.

He's also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. What's the hold up, New York?

Ottawa Senators

The newer version of the Ottawa Senators that came back into the league in 1992 have seen some pretty talented players, but not too many that might have their numbers retired.

I decided to go with Patrick Lalime on this one.

His career started off quickly when he was with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he found a consistent home in Ottawa.

He leads the Ottawa franchise in every major goaltending category.

He leads in games played by a goalie (283), wins (146), goals against average (2.32), save percentage (.908) and shutouts (30).

Currently, Lalime is way ahead of the next player on the list.

Philadelphia Flyers

Ron Hextall is perhaps the most identifiable goalie in the history of the Flyers organization.

Part of this was because he was a fantastic goalie, but other parts of it have to do with the way that he played the game.

He also became the first goalie ever to score a goal, as he was one of the best puck-handling goalies ever to play the game.

Then there was his physical presence. It isn't often you talk about the physical presence of a goalie, but I can't recall a goalie who was ever penalized as much as he was.

Then add in the fact that the Flyers have had a difficult time finding a solid starting goalie ever since he left.

Perhaps if the Flyers retired his number, it might cure their curse of goalies.

That, and he deserves it.

Phoenix Coyotes

Keith Tkachuk, another fantastic American-born NHLer, came to Phoenix with the old Winnipeg Jets.

Tkachuk was the captain of this franchise up until the point that he was traded away, one of the most foolish moves in team history.

He was a hard-nosed player that played a power game for a long time. He had some epic battles with defenders like Adam Foote throughout his career and was magic in front of the net.

His leadership and ability definitely merit his number being retired.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Paul Coffey is a legend of the game, no doubt about that.

He has had his number retired in Edmonton and could definitely see the same thing happen for him in Pittsburgh.

Coffey played five seasons in Pittsburgh and was part of their Stanley Cup championship team 1991 and had some pretty amazing seasons there.

True, he didn't spend a lot of time there, but he's a fixture in the game, and the franchise was lucky to have him as a part of their team.

Coffey should have his number retired.

San Jose Sharks

Owen Nolan spent the majority of his career in San Jose and was one of the best captains that this team had.

He was a consistent power forward that always led by example and was well respected by his team.

After his long stay in San Jose, he became a bit of a league journeyman, but he would make a lot of sense as the first number that the San Jose Sharks should retire.

St. Louis Blues

Pavol Demitra spent the majority of his NHL career playing for the St. Louis Blues, and he was a great player for this franchise.

He played eight seasons in St. Louis and is in the top six in every major offensive category for the team.

Forgetting that he was a part of the tragic KHL crash this past summer, his production for this franchise alone warrants a place in the rafters.

Adding in the tragedy and it is a perfectly appropriate way to honor an immensely talented player who gave the majority of his NHL career to the St. Louis Blues.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Dave Andreychuk served as captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning towards the end of his career when many people had written him off.

In 2004, Andreychuk found himself as part of an incredibly talented young team that surprised a lot of people when they won the Cup.

As captain and emotional leader of this team, Andreychuk had a huge part to do with their success and absolutely deserves to have his number retired down in Tampa.

Toronto Maple Leafs

If ever there was a more consistent player in his time than Mats Sundin, it would be very difficult to find him.

Sundin played with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 13 years. In all but one of those years, he played 70 games or more.

In all but one of those years, he had more than 70 points.

In all but three of those years, he had more than 30 goals.

Mats Sundin was an absolute machine, yet was always blasted in Toronto because he couldn't lead the team back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

It was never about his ability as a player or as a leader that Toronto couldn't get back to the promised land, and Sundin absolutely should have his number retired in Toronto.

A more deserving player there absolutely is not.

Vancouver Canucks

The Russian Rocket made things incredibly exciting to watch during his time with the Vancouver Canucks.

He had back-to-back 60-goal seasons in Vancouver and added another 50-goal season later in his career.

Bure made this team incredibly exciting to watch and helped lead them to within one game of the Stanley Cup in 1994 against the New York Rangers.

They fell just short, but Pavel Bure was a huge part of that team and is still fifth all time for the Vancouver Canucks in goals scored.

Washington Capitals

Looking at Peter Bondra's numbers as a member of the Washington Capitals, I can't imagine why this guy's number wasn't retired a long time ago.

Peter Bondra is the all-time leader for the Washington Capitals in goals scored (472) and points (825).

He spent almost his entire career in Washington and really made the team an exciting one to watch, and he played on some pretty bad Capitals teams.

Peter Bondra should have had his number retired immediately upon his retirement.

Kevin Goff is a Featured Columnist for the Colorado Avalanche and NHL on Bleacher Report. For more NHL news and discussion,