If you’re looking for a way to re-crest those Adam Larsson jerseys then you’re in luck because everyone’s favourite cowboy has chosen a new number for the upcoming NHL season.
This afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers announced that Kris Russell will be changing his number from 4 to 6 for the upcoming season to accommodate the Kevin Lowe jersey retirement ceremony that’s set to take place in November when the Rangers are in town. As a result, Russell, who has worn #4 since he joined the Oilers for the 2016-17 season, will be coming into the new season with a fresh look as his former number will soon be hanging in the rafters, which is probably a long overdue honour for a guy that has bled blue and orange since becoming the franchise’s first-ever draft pick all those years ago.
Personally, I think it’s pretty cool of Russell to give up the number for Lowe since there’s no real reason he had to do it if he didn’t want to. I mean, the guy has worn number 4 four for five years now and while it may seem like an easy decision to grab a new number, we are creatures of habit and that’s why I think Russell deserves some credit for the selflessness. The Oilers could have easily waited a year until Russell’s deal with the team is done, but they wanted to get Lowe’s number up in the rafter this season sooner than later and that means Cowboy Kris adds yet another flavour of being a team player to his resume.
With this sweater change, Kris Russell becomes the 20th player in franchise history to dawn the number with Adam Larsson being the last.