In the realm of sports, it’s a frequent occurrence for an athlete to offer a present to a fellow team member in return for the entitlement to a specific uniform digit after transferring to a different squad. However, what unfolds when the digit an athlete covets is already claimed by a team’s symbolic character?
Evidently, the identical scenario unfolds.
Immediately prior to the Olympic recess, Artemi Panarin was acquired by the Los Angeles Kings. The seasoned winger intended to resume wearing the uniform digit 72, a number he had donned upon joining the league with the Chicago Blackhawks.
However, a singular impediment arose: Bailey, the Kings’ official mascot, coincidentally already uses that digit. Its rationale? “Due to the perpetual 72-degree temperature in Los Angeles.”
Consequently, an exchange of digits took place.
Panarin shall sport the digit 72, while Bailey was gifted a Rolex timepiece.
Our 72s 🖤 pic.twitter.com/mdthCYTJmm
— LA Kings (@LAKings) February 25, 2026
Ultimately, this “transaction” proved to be mutually beneficial for Bailey. Given that the mascot will never be present on the ice concurrently with Panarin, it retains the right to display the number 72 within the spectator areas.