Breaking a team moratorium, Tampa Bay Lightning's Matt Carle will wear No. 25 next season

Lightning defenseman Matt Carle wanted it clear he did not request to wear jersey No. 25 on a whim. He understands what the number — worn for four years by revered captain Dave Andreychuk and by no one since his 2006 retirement — represents to the team and its fans.

So when Carle, signed in July as a free agent, asked for the number, it was done delicately.

"It started with some discussions with (GM) Steve Yzerman, and we got Dave's blessing as well," Carle said Friday. "That was a big thing for me."

"It's just a number to me," said Andreychuk, team vice president of fan and business development. "I know you relate the number to the guy, but … (Carle is) comfortable with that number. He had a good couple of years in Philly. I know how he feels."