On Wednesday evening, the Blackhawks announced the numbers their four new forwards will wear this season — and a change in numbers for one returning forward.
First, the change: Jason Dickinson is changing from 17 to 16. Why the change? Because Nick Foligno is going to wear No. 17 this coming season. Foligno wore 17 in Boston last season.
Taylor Hall is going to wear No. 71. He has previously worn 4, 9 and 91. Seth Jones is currently No. 4 in Chicago, and No. 9 is retired for Bobby Hull. He only wore 91 in Arizona, so… maybe he just doesn’t want to go there.
Corey Perry is going to wear No. 94. He had worn 10 for most of his career, but I’m told he assured Patrick Sharp he wouldn’t tarnish the number. He wore 94 previously in Montreal during his one season there.
Finally, Ryan Donato is going to wear No. 8.