On Thursday, Artemi Panarin was traded from the New York Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings, marking one of the NHL season’s significant moves. As he prepares to join his new team, Panarin is facing an unexpected dilemma about his jersey number, as the usual choice he favors may already be assigned—to the Kings‘ mascot, Bailey.
The Importance and Challenges of Jersey Numbers for Players
Jersey numbers often carry sentimental value for players, representing personal history or paying homage to important influences in their careers. While these digits don’t affect how an athlete plays on the ice, they hold emotional significance and can become a point of negotiation when players join new teams.
It is common during trades or free agency signings for players to discover their preferred number has already been claimed by a teammate. Sometimes negotiations or exchanges happen, such as Stefon Diggs paying $100,000 for #1 after joining the Houston Texans, or Deion Sanders gifting a BMW to acquire #21 at the Dallas Cowboys.
Panarin’s Previous Jersey Number History and Current Constraints
Artemi Panarin originally wore #72 during his career in the KHL and continued with this number at the NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. However, after moving to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017, he switched to #9 because Sergei Bobrovsky already had #72. When Panarin joined the Rangers in 2019, he adopted #10 due to #9 and #72 being unavailable; numbers #9 and #72 were retired in honor of Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves at Madison Square Garden.
Now with the Kings, Panarin is again unable to select his usual number #10 because veteran Corey Perry currently wears it. The number #9 is also spoken for by Adrian Kempe. Panarin has considered returning to #72 but is uncertain if that number is truly available since it is associated with Bailey, the Kings’ lion mascot.
Discussion of the Mascot’s Claim to Number 72
Panarin spoke about the issue on Thursday, stating,
“Every number what I like is [taken]. I would love 72 but the mascot is 72 there. I don’t know if I can do that. Just thinking probably like one more day and then pick it.”
— Artemi Panarin, NHL Forward
Though mascots are not official players and therefore not on the active roster, Bailey’s unofficial claim to #72 adds an unusual twist to Panarin’s number dilemma. The mascot initially adopted #72 as a nod to the average Los Angeles temperature during warmer months when introduced in 2007, though that number may not precisely reflect current conditions.
Bailey has also playfully engaged with the situation on social media, hinting he might be open to a trade involving “some bread from The Breadman” for the number.
Panarin, I’m listening… pic.twitter.com/5q7NuCkotM
— Bailey LA Kings (@BaileyLAKings) February 6, 2026
Next Steps for Panarin’s Jersey Number Decision
As of now, Artemi Panarin has not finalized which jersey number he will wear with the Los Angeles Kings. Whether he will convince the mascot to yield #72, negotiate with teammates, or choose an entirely new number remains to be seen. This small but symbolic choice may attract attention as he begins his tenure with the Kings, highlighting the unique complexities players can face off the ice.
The situation also reflects how jersey numbers can become intertwined with team culture, fan identity, and even mascot branding, adding a layer of intrigue to roster changes. Fans and the team alike are awaiting Panarin’s decision, which may influence how he is embraced by Kings supporters in the coming season.
Panarin, I’m listening… pic.twitter.com/5q7NuCkotM
— Bailey LA Kings (@BaileyLAKings) February 6, 2026
