Jumping Ship...

Dustin Penner
2007-08 Upper Deck #74

Switching Suits in the High Number Series

Browsing 2007-08 Upper Deck, looking at dealt players who are pictured with their new teams in Series 2.

(I believe that Dustin Penner is the only one to have a card in both Series 1 and Series 2)

Immediately thinking of the infamous Dustin Penner "offer sheet"...

Dustin Penner abandons the Anaheim Ducks when the Edmonton Oilers offer to grease his wheels with a big stack of cash.

Pretty sure Brain Burke would have a few additional comments regarding this deal (as former GM of the Anaheim Ducks).

Dustin Penner
2007-08 Upper Deck #314

Don't blame another team for tempting your player with more money - Blame your own player for taking the offer.

Seems all the bikini-clad beach vixens in Southern California just can't compete for all that cold, hard cash in icy Edmonton.

Michael Handzus
2007-08 Upper Deck #341

Michael Handzus left the Philidelphia Flyers to join the Los Angeles Kings.

(Hadn't heard about this deal, but hockey is pretty irrelevant in California)

Bill Guerin
2007-08 Upper Deck #371

Now a grizzled veteran, seems Bill Guerin was named Captain of the New York Islanders immediately after stepping off the plane.

Kevin Weekes
2007-08 Upper Deck #355

Is that a vicious cat on the mask?

Never knew that Kevin Weekes wore 40.
Always associated him with number 80.
Very curious.

Possibly during an exhibition game.
Also speculating that the NDJ organization tried to roll with low numbers.

Have heard that around the millennium, some clubs have attempted to keep player egoes in check by not allowing any player to wear a jersey higher than 40 - With no exceptions, even for a goaltender. Not sure if that's the case here, but interesting nonetheless....

Weekes would ultimately wear the classic goalie jersey number 1 with the Devils (which is why I speculate this may be from an exhibition game).

As for the high numbers, seems a few exceptions were made for Stephane Richer (44) and Doug Gilmour (93)

(Also curiously, players Rocky Trottier and Garry Howatt also briefly wore 88 in 1983 & 1984, respectively)