It's super weird that 2, 3, 4, and 5 are all available and have been available since the start of the 23-24 season and none of the new defender acquisitions over the last two years have taken any of them. Poolman I guess was technically #5 until being dumped in the Brannstrom deal.
The last player to wear #4 was Madison Bowey back in 2021, which is crazy.
The Current D, for their careers, Hronek has been #17 in Det, Hughes brothers like 43, Soucy has been 7, Pettersson has been 28 in both Ana/Pitt and that wasn't available here for Bourdon, Forbert has worn 27 before, Juhlsson has worn 47 before.
Wallinder wears 5 in BU, so that's available for him once he signs. D. Petey has taken 25.
Sometimes like in the old days we get a rush on single digits like with Ohlund/Hamhuis, Bieksa/Sopel, Ballard, Salo, etc. Right now, not so much. Seeing more skaters take something above 29.
Could very well be a D core of 43, 29, 25 on left with 17, 5, and whatever Mancini takes in the near future as the starting 6. He wore 23 in Hartford. No clue what he wore with NYR. 20, 26 are open and I guess 23 since Lekky isn’t a regular.