On Wednesday night, some minor news broke regarding the Calgary Flames and jersey numbers for free agent signings Jacob Markstrom and Chris Tanev.

As everyone expected, Jacob Markstrom will wear #25 for Calgary. But Chris Tanev inherits #8 from incumbent Juuso Valimaki, who shifts to #6.

Markstrom has worn #25 throughout his NHL career and even dating back to his time in Sweden. Nobody had it in Calgary, and despite the number being honoured in the Forever A Flame program in honour of Joe Nieuwendyk years back it’s remained in circulation. The number has been vacant since Nick Shore used it at the end of the 2017-18 season.

Tanev has worn #8 throughout his NHL career, aside from #18 briefly after he arrived from college. (He also wore #8 during his single season in the NCAA). So, being a 500-game NHL veteran, it makes sense that Valimaki made the swap. #8 has been worn by a long list of Flames over the years, most notably the likes of Doug Risebrough, Valeri Bure, Brendan Morrison and Joe Colborne.

Valimaki wore #8 during his rookie season and #42 in training camp, but he wore #6 throughout his junior days with the Tri-City Americans and given his success in the WHL returning to that digit makes a lot of sense. Veteran Dalton Prout had #6 when Valimaki made the NHL roster in 2018-19, so he opted for #8 instead. #6 also has a long varied history, being worn by players including Ken Houston, Ric Nattress, Phil Housley, Cory Sarich and Dennis Wideman. Brandon Davidson wore #6 during his brief Flames tenure last season.