I assumed it was merely an oversight yesterday, but here we are 24 hours later and it hasn't been fixed yet: On the Hurricanes' roster page on their Web site, Josef Melichar is listed as wearing No. 2.
Given that the nameplate over Glen Wesley's locker is barely gone and that the Canes intend to retire that number this season, it seems odd they'd be handing it out to a new guy.
I wasn't going to make a big deal out of it yesterday, but I've asked the team for clarification this morning.
Pitkanen will wear No. 25, at least according to the same roster. Looks like Staal and Whitney will wear the As as well.
UPDATE, 11:17 a.m.: A Hurricanes spokesman said Melichar's number was generated by the NHL, which hosts Carolina's Web site, and he would not be wearing No. 2 with the Hurricanes.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
As of this afternoon, the #2
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 15:01 — ctillAs of this afternoon, the #2 by Melichar has been removed from the website.
No. 2
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 09:40 — Sarah (not verified)I really hope that this is just an oversight on their part. After all, it was publicly announced that Wesley's number would be retired.
I'm pretty sure when they
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 09:35 — Anonymous (not verified)I'm pretty sure when they first list a player, they just list them by the last number that they wore. It will change as soon as they make him pick a new number. Last season both Joe Corvo and Nick Wallin were listed as #7 until Joe picked a new one.
Wesley's nubmer 2
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 09:24 — fizzbeeGiven the fact that it was announced that his number would be retired this year, it is a shock to see it listed as Melichar’s number on the roster.
retired #
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 09:22 — Anonymous (not verified)JR told Wesley they were going to retire #2. that's gotta be a typo. I really HOPE it's a typo.
#2
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 09:07 — Anthony (not verified)I wouldn't be surprised to see him in #22 when the season starts.
The NHL runs those websites, and when they moved Melichar over to the Canes his number must have moved with him. The final decision on the number he wears on opening night is up to the team...not the NHL website.
If the Canes ran the website, maybe this would be a slap in the face...but that's not the case.
#2
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 08:59 — Anonymous (not verified)I wondered the same thing about Melichar and #2 since JR stated during Glen's retirement announcement that they were going to retire #2. Let's hope this is resolved soon.
not to wes
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 08:55 — Anonymous (not verified)Luke, I could not love this blog more; I'm really rather obsessed but I felt the need to say that in my opinion there is probably nobody on the planet less concerned about the #2 situation than Glen Wesley. In light of what has gone down in the past few days with our beloved Canes, I think it might just take more than a sec to work this out. I simply can't imagine Wes taking even one moment to pout about it.
Glen Wesley
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 08:53 — larikatIs Glen Wesley the type of guy that would really take that as a slap in the face? I know he's a gritty defenseman, but I was under the impression that he was a pretty good guy. Looking back, #2 is the number that Melichar has worn in multiple places. I woulder if there may not be a different type of story behind this?