Ryan Kesler Autographed Card

One player who was probably sad to remain in place after the trade deadline is Ryan Kesler. The Vancouver Canucks are going nowhere fast, and now are chasing a playoff spot with two unproven goalies, including Jacob Markström, who is now in his fourth season of not quite being able to find a regular spot in the NHL. A year or two removed from being a powerhouse with a Vezina nominee and gold medalist (2010) in nets, gold medalist twins (2006) as the offensive weapons with two other 30-goal scorers (one with a Selke) and a potable defense corps, they look like basement dwellers at the moment.

I had sent Kesler the four cards pictured above on April 2nd, 2012, and got them back on February 12th, 2014. You might wonder where the autograph from the title is... it's on the card pictured top-left, but on the back of the card, in black sharpie:

It still has a picture, but the signature doesn't hide it, just the text on the back of the card. Plus, it's the same pic as in front anyway, showing him with the Canucks' white (away) uniform, with the assistant captain's 'A'. The card is from Panini's 2010-11 Donruss set (card #18, though I cropped the top off, sorry).

Kesler is a heart-and-soul guy, a shot blocker who can be counted on to check the opposition's best scorers (he did win the Selke in 2010-11, after all) while accumulating 60-75 points a year. He has earned an Olympic silver medal (2010) and World Juniors gold (2004) while suiting up for Team USA. I could see him playing for - and possibly captaining - an American team wearing blue next season.