tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561301194277879312024-03-12T19:06:47.669-04:00Hell's Valuable CollectiblesYou're better off making your stuff become valuable yourself, because the ones they sell pre-made are only going to get worseSébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.comBlogger2146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-66263625412981765732023-09-27T19:52:00.077-04:002023-10-22T09:43:56.973-04:00Flames Preview: Mikael Backlund Autographed Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this collectibles blog</a> and <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my personal one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a week, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/12/habs-preview-tyler-toffoli-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Toffoli</a></b> (RW), <b>Milan Lucic</b> (LW), <b>Troy Stetcher</b> (D), <b>Michael Stone</b> (D), <b>Nick Ritchie</b> (LW), <b>Trevor Lewis</b> (C), <b>Dryden Hunt</b> (RW), and <b>Matthew Phillips</b> (C).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Yegor Sherangovich</b> (C), <b>Jordan Oesterle</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (C/LW), <b>xxx</b> (C), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Jakob Pelletier</b> (LW, 22 years old, point-per-game player in the AHL, 26th-overall pick in 2019), <b>Dustin Wolf</b> (G, 22 years old, .932 save percentage in the AHL), <b>Matt Coronato</b> (RW, 20 years old, 13th-overall pick in 2021, point-per-game player in the NCAA), and <b>Connor Zary</b> (C, 22 years old, 24th pick in the 2020 draft).<br><br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45Aa5bR" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Calgary Flames</a></i> are a riddle in a question in quicksand in a parallel universe in a different timeline trying to prentend they were of this worls all along. They are everything you ever thought and its exact opposite. They are a two-year-old having hissy fits in need of a new downtown arena.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
Three-quarters of this team won its division two seasons ago, and although two 100-point players left that team, they were replaced by another division winner in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/jonathan-huberdeau-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Jonathan Huberdeau</a></b> and Stanley Cup winner <b>Nazem Kadri</b>. This is a much better team than what transpired last season.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Previous GM <b>Brad Treliving</b> left because the <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/04/darryl-sutter-2-autographed-items.html" target="_blank">Darryl Sutter</a></b> problem was getting too big - both men were eventually replaced by their direct underling. Will that really be enough to chance the team's culture? Will that really get Huberdeau back to his All-Star level, or incite <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/elias-lindholm-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Elias Lindholm</a></b> to re-sign?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team is too good and too deep to not make the playoffs two years in a row regardless of circumstance, and with a goalie like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/jacob-markstrom-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, once in there, they could make a serious dent into many experts' prognoses.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Fourth in the Pacific Division.<br><br>
With news that he had been <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames-sign-mikael-backlund-extension-1.6980395" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">signed to a two-year contract extension</a>, Flames utility forward <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/09/mikael-backlund-cloth-card.html" target="_blank">Mikael Backlund</a></b> was named the team's 21st captain - and first since <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/01/mark-giordano-three-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mark Giordano</a></b>'s exit at the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/40bLclP" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Seattle Kraken</a></i> expansion draft.<br><br>
Backlund is a cerebral two-way centre who can chip in offensively, able to replace on the first two lines at a whim but at this point in his career ideally situated in the 3C role where he can shut down opposing teams' top lines and pad his stats up when playing againt middle-of-the-lineup players.<br><br>
After missing the playoffs by two points last season, his <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/backlund-lindholm-non-committal-to-future-in-calgary-following-flames-disappointing-season-1.1946038" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">end-of-season presser was steeped in disappointment</a>, and he let float the idea that he might <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/news/seravalli-mikael-backlund-leaning-towards-not-re-signing-with-calgary-flames" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">leave as a free agent next summer</a> or perhaps even ask for a trade, as it seemed the drama surrounding the team had put too much weight on him, but he seems to view the new admninistration in a positive light, enough to warrant sticking around for a couple of extra seasons at least and give it an honest chance. His staying means the Flames don't have to go through a rebuild regardless of Lindholm's status and that the team can contend for a playoff spot (and likely get in).<br><br>
Here he is wearing the Flames' white <i>Reebok</i>-designed uniform on card #178 from the <i>2016-17 O-Pee-Chee</i> set, manufactured under license by <b>Upper Deck</b>, always a favoutite of mine to get signed:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AvgB8YqsQnaGgqBl09IpLBbI-GjbnIOQaotgJeWNR_RbZrQgnhBUsuvPMzJ_lYs5fuWDed_UHfW3pO55pqZXHJra5gPNiNuwdwDJrRmCOh_Sq01FBGxM7TedJ-Vfz_mKaQdtkvZLbkFFtznOZe_bWFIHO3RPew_Jn60pbM21dwkWp8iky_0KAbdlS9_o/s1913/Mikael%20Backlund%20Autographed%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="1373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AvgB8YqsQnaGgqBl09IpLBbI-GjbnIOQaotgJeWNR_RbZrQgnhBUsuvPMzJ_lYs5fuWDed_UHfW3pO55pqZXHJra5gPNiNuwdwDJrRmCOh_Sq01FBGxM7TedJ-Vfz_mKaQdtkvZLbkFFtznOZe_bWFIHO3RPew_Jn60pbM21dwkWp8iky_0KAbdlS9_o/s400/Mikael%20Backlund%20Autographed%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed it in thick black sharpie after a game against the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3S4BNu9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Montréal Canadiens</a></i>, probably that same year.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-27701035716138051422023-09-23T00:35:00.005-04:002023-09-27T00:47:37.160-04:00Sharks Preview: Mike Grier Autograph Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this collectibles blog</a> and <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my personal one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a week, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/10/erik-karlsson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Erik Karlsson</a></b> (D), <b>James Reimer</b> (G), <b>Andrew Agozzino</b> (LW), <b>Noah Gregor</b> (C), <b>Evgeny Svechnikov</b> (LW), <b>Steven Lorentz</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/01/derrick-pouliot-signature-pucks-card.html" target="_blank">Derrick Pouliot</a></b> (D), and <b>Andreas Johnsson</b>.<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/mike-hoffman-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mike Hoffman</a></b> (LW), <b>Mackenzie Blackwood</b> (G), <b>Andrej Sustr</b> (D), <b>Givani Smith</b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/anthony-duclair-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Anthony Duclair</a></b> (LW), <b>Filip Zadina</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/mikael-granlund-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mikael Granlund</a></b> (LW), <b>Kyle Burroughs</b> (D), <b>Ryan Carpenter</b> (C), and <b>Jan Rutta</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>William Smith</b> (C, 18 years old, fourth-overall pick in 2023), <b>William Eklund</b> (LW, 20 years old, seventh-overall pick on 2021, 43 points in 54 AHL games last year), <b>Shakir Mukhamadullin</b> (D, 21 years old, 20th overall pick in 2020, 25 points in 67 KHL games and 10 points in 12 AHL games last season), <b>Thomas Bordeleau</b> (C, 21 years old, 22 goals in the AHL in 2022-23), <b>Tristen Robins</b> (C, 21 years old, developpig into a capable two-way forward), <b>Filip Bystedt</b> (C, 19 years old, 20 points in 45 games in Sweden last season), <b>Mattias Havelid</b> (D, 19 years old, 5'9", 165 pounds, so he will need to bulk up playing against men in Sweden), <b>xxx</b> (D), and <b>Alexander Chmelevski</b> (C, 24 years old, 48 points in 65 KHL games last year).<br><br>
There is talent coming up, but the next two seasons should be just as painful as the last one - perhaps even more so with the absence of Karlsson.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The odds are great they finish last in the NHL and get another high pick next summer, and at some point those will add up into a decent young roster like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45gitNC" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ottawa Senators</a></i> or <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZNkfER" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New Jersey Devils</a></i> have. There are a lot of veterans in their final year of their contracts (Hoffman, Duclair) who could be shipped out at the trade deadline for more future assets and furthering the tank job<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:<br>
The defensive corps and the goalies will have all the trouble in the world giving up fewer than 3.5 to 4 goals per game, which is by design - will it demoralize the young talent?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
It's the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZyS6RF" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">San Jose Sharks</a></i>, so I cannot commit to saying their future looks bright, but there likely will be playoffs eventually, and maybe another Western Conference run in the next decade.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Eighth in the Pacific Division, last in the NHL.<br><br>
I really feel bad for GM <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/mike-grier-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Mike Grier</a></b>, whom I really respected and liked as a player, for inheriting <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/doug-wilson-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Doug Wilson</a></b>'s mess, brought upon by a <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/joe-thornton-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">leadership void</a>, hiring bad coaches and doubling down and <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sharks-sign-erik-karlsson-massive-eight-year-extension/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">signing Karlsson to a massive extension</a> when his acquisition didn't even fill a team need (already having <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2010/11/brent-burns-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Brent Burns</a></b> at the same position).<br>
<br>
But Grier was a tough customer on the ice, and I'm sure he'll get to show his Detroit-born and Boston-raised roots as a manager when the time comes, and he will not get pushed around. What's cool is his brother is also a GM, for the NFL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PwBF3F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Miami Dolphins</a></i>, who are having a terrific start to their season.<br><br>
Here is the hockey-playing Grier the way I remember him best, as a member of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rstvRY" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> at the turn of the millennium, on the gold variant signature version of card #54 from <b>In The Gam</b>e's <i>1998-99 Be A Player</i> set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFyHKL-ZurVMUhXAINbKAG7xSezEpI-YoUZE5aZmP8YvKUkjuxybF6MdebmOvXgj8-dNw_4amBMjowkQWUMS8fm84JSUopIpcuu3L56jK_pjlWbawubspPxuX_MGQLn3oPpVXcbl2uVVnBMtmh-8RrN1vQ7MiKnWVI2akbqWW5wo4ArBRRagwk495LrSd/s1899/Mike%20Grier%20Gold%20Autograph%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1899" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFyHKL-ZurVMUhXAINbKAG7xSezEpI-YoUZE5aZmP8YvKUkjuxybF6MdebmOvXgj8-dNw_4amBMjowkQWUMS8fm84JSUopIpcuu3L56jK_pjlWbawubspPxuX_MGQLn3oPpVXcbl2uVVnBMtmh-8RrN1vQ7MiKnWVI2akbqWW5wo4ArBRRagwk495LrSd/s400/Mike%20Grier%20Gold%20Autograph%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It shows him wearing the team's white (then-home) uniform, advancing toward the enemy's zone. He could always be counted on for 20-some goals in his prime and 10 to 15 outside of it, while providing a hard-hitting drive that didn't get called for penalties too often. He rarely made costly mistakes, which is a trait he'll be looking to bring to his new career as well.<br><br>
There is a bronze medal on his mantle as a souvenir for his lone time playing on the adult mens' <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3EUuBJ7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team USA</a></i> squad at the 2004 World Championships.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-66549652764223305192023-09-17T15:16:00.004-04:002023-09-17T15:24:12.812-04:00Predators Preview: Tyson Barrie Autograph Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this collectibles blog</a> and <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my personal one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a couple of weeks, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/10/matt-duchene-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Matt Duchene</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/ryan-johansen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Johansen</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/mark-borowiecki-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Borowiecki</a></b> (D), <b>Zach Sanford</b> (LW), <b>Rasmus Aplund</b> (C), and <b>Cal Foote</b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/ryan-oreilly-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan O'Reilly</a></b> (C), <b>Gustav Nyquist</b> (C), <b>Luke Schenn</b> (D), and <b>Denis Gurianov</b> (LW).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Yaroslav Asparov</b> (G, 21 years old, generally seen as a "can't miss" prospect), <b>Joakim Kemell</b> (RW, 19 years old, exploded in the AHL but could benefit from a bit of seasoning), <b>Luke Evangelista</b> (RW, 21 years old, candidate for the All-Rookie Team), <b>Zachary L'Heureux</b> (LW, 20 years old, has a bit of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/two-claude-lemieux-jersey-cards.html" target="_blank">Claude Lemieux</a></b> in him), <b>Matthew Wood</b> (RW, 18 years old, an NCAA All-Star at age 17 last year), and <b>Fedor Svechkov</b> (C, 20 years old, did not get much of a chance in the KHL last season).<br><br>
Former head coach <b>Barry Trotz</b> took over from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Ze2hL5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nashville Predators</a></i>' only other GM in team history, and the first thing he did was send away all the bad apples in the dressing room, and then he brought in guys who used to think they were franchise players but learned to win Stanley Cups by relying on their teammates - O'Reilly's pivot still got him a Selke and a Conn Smythe, while Schenn won two championships riding the third pair with the mighty <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LfXL96" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i>. <br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
When you have a goalie like <b>Juuse Saros</b>, you have a chance. Factor in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/09/roman-josi-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Roman Josi</a></b> having another two-three years of prime hockey left in him and you have an above-average defense that can win you those 3-2 and 2-1 games.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Is sophomore <b>Tommy Novak</b> really their #1 center? The offense is very below average, but responding to the right system and a few players playing above expectations would help drag the Preds to the middle of the pack.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
They were a playoff bubble team last year and in terms of talent are about on the same level this year, except they have a new head coach in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/07/andrew-brunette-7-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Andrew Brunette</a></b> and his boss is one of the best bench strategists in NHL history, who will be able to help and give his protégé tips at any given time. Trotz and Brunette might be worth a few more wins, say 3 or 4, but that cannot be enough to bring Nashville to the postseason, which isn't the point this year anyway.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Sixth in the Central Division.<br><br>
Trade deadline acquisition <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/09/tyson-barrie-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Tyson Barrie</a></b> came over from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rijmam" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> last season having quarterbacked the best powerplay in NHL history (with the help of <b>Connor McDavid</b>, <b>Leon Draisaitl</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/09/oilers-preview-ryan-nugent-hopkins.html" target="_blank">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a></b> to some extent, I guess). He can handle that task with the Predators as well, with help from Josi.<br><br>
It hasn't always been perfect for Barrie, though. Since <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/08/tyson-barrie-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">the last time I wrote about him</a>, he also had a one-year stint with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3RlClv9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> where it simply did not work out, stepping into an immuable environment, in the midst of a run of regular-season success and spectacular playoff failure; there simply was no place for him on that team. His move to Edmonton proved that it wasn't on him, however, and that he could still be a very appreciated player, both on the ice and in the locker room.<br><br>
He led all NHL defensemen in scoring during the 2020-21 season, with 48 points in just 56 games, finished 12th in All-Star voting, but did not receive a single Norris Trophy vote - the first time in history the points leader at the position is entirely snubbed for the trophy.<br><br>
Here he is sporting the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZmMXfo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Colorado Avalanche</a></i>'s white (away) uniform on card #A-TB from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PHtfYE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">2015-16 Artifacts</a></i> set and <i>Autofacts</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_csh-VlAnUHJiibel2Oe9KNqA156Tyyl5I2x1V5nQLexIqYK6E3-2bVRwLGLgQtkN7EtHJ4hCKf5hiHyW63WASgvhvoWy6GqNLIUJ1jqLTmvIqQgNpfuelXi5kb7YlFC6S4RG0p4kZs8fXKo49pbJwugRLeKJSMqUc8pa-IOHtXGAjM9b64cJE7HW4DP/s2091/Tyson%20Barrie%20Autograph%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="1513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_csh-VlAnUHJiibel2Oe9KNqA156Tyyl5I2x1V5nQLexIqYK6E3-2bVRwLGLgQtkN7EtHJ4hCKf5hiHyW63WASgvhvoWy6GqNLIUJ1jqLTmvIqQgNpfuelXi5kb7YlFC6S4RG0p4kZs8fXKo49pbJwugRLeKJSMqUc8pa-IOHtXGAjM9b64cJE7HW4DP/s400/Tyson%20Barrie%20Autograph%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
Barrie has suited up for <i><a href="https://amzn.to/46fz05e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team Canada</a></i> multiple times, winning silver at the 2011 World Juniors and 2017 World Championships, as well as gold at the 2015 World Championships.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-66022161457612080362023-09-09T15:13:00.009-04:002023-09-17T15:20:35.386-04:00Lightning Preview: Steven Stamkos Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this collectibles blog</a> and <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my personal one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a couple of weeks, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Ross Colton</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/05/alex-killorn-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Alex Killorn</a></b> (LW/C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/corey-perry-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a></b> (RW), <b>Ian Cole</b> (D), <b>Patrick Maroon</b> (LW), <b>Pierre-Édouard Bellemare</b> (D), and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/brian-elliott-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brian Elliott</a></b> (G).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Calvin De Haan</b> (D), <b>Conor Sheary</b> (LW), <b>Josh Archibald</b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/06/luke-glendening-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Luke Glendening</a></b> (C), <b>Logan Brown</b> (LW), and <b>Jonas Johansson</b> (G).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Roman Schmidt</b> (D, 20 years old, will require a year of AHL seasoning), <b>Gage Goncalves</b> (C, 22 years old, will jump straight to the second line in case of injury), <b>Jack Thompson</b> (D, 21 years old, will likely see a handful of games this season), <b>Cole Koepke</b> (LW, 25 years old, a spot in the bottom-six is his to lose), <b>Gabriel Fortier</b> (LW, 23 years old, will likely see 5-10 games this season), <b>Isaac Howard</b> (LW, 19 years old, will play another couple of seasons in the NCAA, <b>Jack Finley</b> (C, 21 years old, will require more AHL seasoning), and <b>Niko Huuhtanen</b> (RW, 20 years old, will play one more season in Finland before playing in the AHL to adapt to the North American ice surface).<br><br>
No other team in the NHL has seen its depth depleted like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LdGbTi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> in the past three to five years; the Bolts have lost the equivalent of three top-of-the-food-chain third lines in the past two offseasons and trade deadlines, in addition to a slew of first- and second-round draft picks. You would think that would close their contending window for a while, but their elite talent is so good that it will not affect them for the next two, three or perhaps even four seasons. After all, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b> is fresh off a 113-point season, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/brayden-point-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brayden Point</a></b> got his usual 95 and even broke the 50-goal barrier, while <b>Steven Stamkos</b> added yet another point-per-game season to his Hall of Fame resume. Add to that a pair of #1 defenders in <b>Mikhail Sergachev</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/09/victor-hedman-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Victor Hedman</a></b> - don't get fooled by Hedman's dipping offensive stats, he's still dominant, he just surrendered some prime producing moments like first-line powerplay time to Sergachev, but they both played nearly 24 minutes a game and had simlar plus/minus and possession stats - and a top-five goalie who still has the best legs in the game in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/09/lightning-preview-andrei-vasilevskiy.html" target="_blank">Andrei Vasilevskiy</a></b>, and there is still an All-Star team's worth of players in the middle or end of their primes as the foundation.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/44LIyUp" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> may have equivalent star forwards, but no team in the East has the type of elite defensemen the Lightning has. With support from <b>Brandon Hagel</b>, Sheary, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/nick-paul-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Nick Paul</a></b> and <b>Anthony Cirelli</b>, there will be plenty of offense to win between 50 and 60 games this season.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Can <b>Tanner Jeannot</b> step up and prove invaluable like Hagel did last year? At a cost of a first, a second and a third-round pick, or in context, a possible 2025 middle-six player, a 2026 top-six forward and a 50/50 shot at a depth player, he needs to be responsible for 2-3 wins this year and 3-5 wins next year as well as a few important playoff moments (say a couple of game-winning goals) to justify the cost of acquiring him from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Lc5xRG" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nashville Predators</a></i>. Anti-vaxer Archibald lost a year and a half of play due to Covid travel restricioons while with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Rx0UFR" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> and has lost a step, going from third-liner with occasional bumps to <b><a href="https://amzn.to/3Evc6Le" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Connor McDavid</a></b>'s line to part-time fourth-liner. Should he make the team, he will probably <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-man-arrested-attempting-cross-atlantic-human-powered-hamster-w-rcna103873" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">love Florida</a>.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
Don't get me wrong: they <i><u>are</u></i> at the tail end of their contending window and are probably no match for the likes of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PeVKvh" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dallas Stars</a></i> or <i><a href="Vegas%20Golden%20Knights" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i> out West, but they can take anyone in the East (yes, including the equally depth-deprived Leafs and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Lcgxys" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i>, as well as the inexperienced <i><a href="https://amzn.to/463XYo1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New Jersey Devils</a></i> and coach cemetery <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Lh1Gmq" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York Rangers</a></i>), and there is no guarantee the Western finalist won't also be a team with its own issues. And this time around, for the first time in four years and just the second in six seasons, Tampa Bay has had a short postseason, getting eliminated in seven games in the first round. They are well-rested and (probably) hungry.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Second in the Atlantic Division.<br><br>
As mentionned before, Steven Stamkos is carving himself quite the career, with little to no signs of slowing down at age 33. His days of leading the league in scoring (51 goals in 2009-10 and 60 goals in 2011-12) are probably a thing of the past in the era of McDavid, <b>Auston Matthews</b>, <b>David Pastrnak</b> and <b>Leon Draisaitl</b> - and with <b>Alex Ovechkin</b> still around - but his 84 points were still 23rd in the NHL last season, which would have put him first on 17 teams.<br><br>
He's been around or over the point-per-game mark every year since 2016-17 after a dip in 2014-15 (43 goals and 72 points in 82 games) and 2015-16 (36 goals and 64 points in 77 games), two seasons in which his points totals may have dipped but during which he garnered some Lady Byng consideration - and even finished fourth in right wingers for the end of season All-Star Teams and finished 11th in Hart voting in 2014-15.<br><br>
He has 515 goals, 541 assists and 1056 career points in 1003 regular-season games so far, and another 45 goals, 50 assists and 95 points in 123 playoff games. The only time his playoff shooting percentage was below 10% was in 2015-16, when he played just 11:55 in a single game and did not score on his two shots taken; however, his lone 2:47 of ice time in the 2019-20 is the stuff of legends, as he scored on his only shot, despite being on the ice for just three shifts in total. The goal gave the Bolts a 2-0 lead, paving the way to a 5-2 victory.<br><br>
Here he is wearing Tampa's white (away) uniform, on card #6 from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2014-15 SP Game-Used Edition</i> set and Jersey Card sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM6-S3r6nZN2dpL34hT0W8saFVqie-PsWCQdyIAskHE3upwGgBtbfrYy4u6BV2gZnGq0EpO8qbnHRZuDHSvqEl-kLeWMOgV3pfOXHQl19bkeMPwbHMcXzvdklf3kY8r7LDCVfFszzytwJ9DwT47gDNWJhmAoUEJbpZw8xgxrfSbRNQYxfnr0sLmjgJvyh/s2091/Steven%20Stamkos%20Jersey%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="1493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM6-S3r6nZN2dpL34hT0W8saFVqie-PsWCQdyIAskHE3upwGgBtbfrYy4u6BV2gZnGq0EpO8qbnHRZuDHSvqEl-kLeWMOgV3pfOXHQl19bkeMPwbHMcXzvdklf3kY8r7LDCVfFszzytwJ9DwT47gDNWJhmAoUEJbpZw8xgxrfSbRNQYxfnr0sLmjgJvyh/s400/Steven%20Stamkos%20Jersey%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a matching game-worn jersey swatch.<br><br>
Internationally, he has won gold medals in 2008 (World Juniors) and 2016 (World Cup) and was a silver medalist at the 2009 World Championships playing for <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3sGs6r0" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team Canada</a></i>. He has also represented his country in 2007 (U18s and Ivan Hlinka tournaments), as well as the 2010 and 2013 World Championships.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-31167471297157170142023-09-06T22:49:00.208-04:002023-11-13T00:41:30.150-05:00Kraken Preview: Jared McCann Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this collectibles blog</a> and <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my personal one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a week, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Joonas Donskoi</b> (RW), <b>Daniel Sprong</b> (RW), <b>Carson Soucy</b> (D), <b>Ryan Donato</b> (RW), <b>Martin Jones</b> (G), <b>Morgan Geekie</b> (RW), and <b>Jesper Froden</b> (RW/LW).<br><br>
<b><u>Key arrivals</u></b>: <b>Pierre-Édouard Bellemare</b> (C), <b>Brian Dumoulin</b> (D), <b>Kailer Yamamoto</b> (RW), and <b>Connor Carrick</b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Shane Wright</b> (C, 19 years old, went from projected first-overall pick to fourth to being sent down to Juniors to being named captain of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3srlQ6X" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team Canada</a></i>'s World Juniors team to ending up sixth in team scoring - fourth among centres! - and a full 16 points behind <b>Connor Bedard</b> in seven games, still probably a future middle-six player), <b>Ryker Evans</b> (D, 21 years old, 44 points in 77 AHL games last season), <b>David Goyette</b> (C, 19 years old, a bit on the short side but dominant in the OHL), <b>Ty Nelson</b> (D, 19 years old, undersized speedy defenseman with nice offensive skills), <b>Jagged Firkus</b> (RW, 19 years old, good offensive skills but needs to add muscle to his 153-pound frame), and <b>Eduard Sale</b> (W, 18 years old, was named the 2022-23 Rookie Of The Year in Czechia).<br><br>
I didn't have them in the playoffs last year and they ended up eliminating the reigning Stanley Cup champion <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3QU2RLI" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Colorado Avalanche</a></i>, so I'm aware I may have to eat my words at some point, but this roster is two goalies, a GM and a head coach short of making an actual permanent dent in a divisional race of the playoffs. Like the light blue on their white uniform, it's probably NHL-caliber, but... there's just something missing.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3FVzSkk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Seattle Kraken</a></i> have been on an upward trajectory since coming into the NHL two seasons ago, with steady progress and smart salary cap management. They had 13 players hit the double-digit mark in goals last season - six of them with 20 or more - two more at nine, and one apiece at eight and seven. As far as I remember, I have never seen this balanced an offense <i>in practice</i>.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
What about that goaltending, eh? Team goaltending below ,900 is simply unacceptable in today's NHL.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
GM <b>Ron Francis</b> wanted depth - essentially icing four second lines - but without the elite talent that the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/40BnfEy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i> have; hopefully the draft can remedy that in time. There is definitely a solid base, but Francis has not poven to be able to get to that next step as a manager, to take a very good roster and turn it into a champion, which is why he was let go in 2018 as GM of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3stFdfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i>.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Fifth in the Pacific Division.<br><br>
<b>Jared McCann</b> led the Kraken with 40 goals last year in what may end up proving to be a career year, but he can certainly hit 30-35 goals on a consistent basis. A former first-round pick (24th overall in 2014, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3QUJ2Uq" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vancouver Canucks</a></i>), fans expected McCann to be a top-six player right away and the fact that he wasn't seemed to have hurt his confidence.<br><br>
A trade to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3FWAc26" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Florida Panthers</a></i> didn't fix anything, and as the league forged an opinion that he may be at best a third-liner, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ufNV1G" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> offered him that role on a silver platter; not only did he excel at it, but he also showed that he still had that sparkle - so much so that the Pens were convinced the Kraken would select him in the expansion draft; to at least recoup an asset, they traded his rights to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3stGfIq" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i>, who wanted to ensure <b>Alexander Kerfoot</b> remained with the organization; offering up McCann nearly guaranteed he would be taken, thus semi-protecting Kerfoot for the remainder of his contract with the Leafs. He signed a two-year deal with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/40x8u5G" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arizona Coyotes</a></i> this summer, as the Leafs went through an organizational shift at the bottom of their roster.<br><br>
In the second of a five-year deal with a cap hit of $5M, McCann will no doubt be worth his salary for the remainder of his contract. He loves being relied upon for goals and it will be at least three or four years until Seattle can develop a finisher who will be able to challenge him for his spot. This is a perfect fit for both player and team.<br><br>
Here he is as a rookie with the Canucks, wearing their white (away) uniform, on card #J-JM from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2015-16 Champ's</i> set and <i>Relics</i> / <i>Rookie Relics</i> sub-sets:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL4d2KHXQUMJybe-K0q7PFXKUYX8rdiF6efzIc8ZLfrfOTM5IXWFfajWiPnwQo-5jwM_0EcCb4QQOlIVwoycNZfi1cKX3JiVUZjyAnIk8R83sw65bP3Gbqaqv3TyvgtYCNMsnp38Pt2lF4ieXF2JecmqPG67u3TICcXl75vptpdY2o5ELbWwAql_SaJNG/s1909/Jared%20McCann%20Jersey%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="1373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL4d2KHXQUMJybe-K0q7PFXKUYX8rdiF6efzIc8ZLfrfOTM5IXWFfajWiPnwQo-5jwM_0EcCb4QQOlIVwoycNZfi1cKX3JiVUZjyAnIk8R83sw65bP3Gbqaqv3TyvgtYCNMsnp38Pt2lF4ieXF2JecmqPG67u3TICcXl75vptpdY2o5ELbWwAql_SaJNG/s400/Jared%20McCann%20Jersey%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a blue "event-worn" jersey swatch from a rookie photo shoot.<br><br>
Internationally, McCann suited up for Canada at the 2019 World Championships, winning silver and finishing the tournament with 2 goals and 5 points in 10 games.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-87042827021166768932023-09-05T15:50:00.187-04:002023-09-19T17:20:59.877-04:00Flyers Preview: Keith Jones Autographed Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this collectibles blog</a> and <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my personal one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camps being set to start in a couple of weeks, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Kevin Hayes</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/ivan-provorov-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ivan Provorov</a></b> (D), <b>Kevin Connaughton</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/two-james-van-riemsdyk-swatch-cards.html" target="_blank">James Van Riemsdyk</a></b> (LW), <b>Kiefer Bellows</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/anthony-deangelo-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Tony DeAngelo</a></b> (D), <b>Brendan Lemieux</b> (LW), and <b>Justin Braun</b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Marc Staal</b> (D), <b>Sean Walker</b> (D), <b>Garnet Hathaway</b> (RW), <b>Ryan Poehling</b> (C), <b>Cal Petersen</b> (G), and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/victor-mete-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Victor Mete</a></b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Matvei Michkov</b> (RW, 18 years old, in the KHL for at least three more years), <b>Tyson Foerster</b> (RW, 21 years old, had 48 points in 66 games in his AHL rookie season last year), <b>Bobby Brink</b> (RW, 22 years old, missed most of last season due to injury), <b>Cutter Gauthier</b> (C/LW, 19 years old, looked like a star in the NCAA as well as the World Juniors), <b>Emil Andrae</b> (D, 21 years old, impressed in the Swedish league and AHL last season), and <b>Elliot Desnoyers</b> (LW, 21 years old, 44 points in 65 AHL games last season).<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
There is a plan in place, and GM <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/daniel-briere-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Daniel Brière</a></b> will be stockpiling young players and draft capital for the next few seasons; head coach <b>John Tortorella</b> will instill good habits with the help of veterans he knows well, such as Staal. There might not be another generational talent to tank for in the next three or four drafts, but what matters is drafting talented players who work hard to have a competitive <i>team</i> when the time is right.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Who will be kept as part of the core among young veterans like <b>Travis Konecny</b>, <b>Carter Hart</b> and <b>Travis Sanheim</b>?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This isn't an accidental bottoming out, this is a calculated move to turn over nearly the entire roster and hopefully contend when the current veteran cream of the Metropolitan Division - your <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45MbjS9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45RCJWI" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York Rangers</a></i>, and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45RWFJh" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> - start to drop in the standings in four or five seasons, with just the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LnqFUP" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New Jersey Devils</a></i> remaining as a power, and even then, possibly in decline.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Eighth in the Metropolitan Division, bottom-five in the NHL.<br><br>
The day <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37602067/flyers-name-tv-analyst-president-give-danny-briere-gm-title" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brière was announced as the new team GM</a>, <b>Keith Jones</b> got the nod as the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3EI0gxl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>' new team President of Hockey Operations, a job for which his co-analyst on TNT NHL broadcasts, <b>Ed Olczyk</b>, was also up for; ultimately, as is their modus operandi, the team went with their alumnus.<br><br>
A solid middle-six player with some power forward skills, Jones skated part-time with the likes of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/07/joe-sakic-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Joe Sakic</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/peter-forsberg-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Peter Forsberg</a></b>, <b>Eric Lindros</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/john-leclair-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">John LeClair</a></b> in his day, and was a respected member of the dressing room. So much so that his good relations with just about everyone around the league will surely help the Flyers and Brière in their relationships with other teams.<br><br>
I mostly remember Jones on the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LtaB48" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i>; he was like a "clean" version of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/03/tom-wilson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tom Wilson</a></b>, both having in common that they <i>look</i> like they <i>should</i> consistently score 30-40 goals, with neither having topped the 25-goal mark as of 2023.<br><br>
Having watched Jones analyze the game and crack jokes for the past 10-15 years on TV (all within acceptable social standards), however, I am relatively confident that he can handle a front office job on one of the premiere rich organizations in the sport. I certainly wish him well.<br><br>
Here he is sporting the Flyers' black (third / home) uniform on card #304 from <b>Pacific</b>'s flagship <i><a href="https://amzn.to/48iyEN1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1999-2000 Pacific</a></i> set, crashing into the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZpJGMn" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York Rangers</a></i>' <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/05/mike-richter-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mike Richter</a></b>:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxnbrrG2FljRSBq-rMYjXwJQ-yf6n1QET3kXr5d5zQwf5cr7vr2rAaTWS2aPSUN2DUkF7uwuXMnwsIKuEdQ_Yp86unCBV2Rj1OaJK9qGaPC08mrJlOdmg-NqsUg45kJvcMZPTmpZrNV3VpbuhNwPiUBqybVjUkwwas2CaNtiEA0qoT-hIoJ_ONDF0IrYP/s1911/Keith%20Jones%20Autographed%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1911" data-original-width="1369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxnbrrG2FljRSBq-rMYjXwJQ-yf6n1QET3kXr5d5zQwf5cr7vr2rAaTWS2aPSUN2DUkF7uwuXMnwsIKuEdQ_Yp86unCBV2Rj1OaJK9qGaPC08mrJlOdmg-NqsUg45kJvcMZPTmpZrNV3VpbuhNwPiUBqybVjUkwwas2CaNtiEA0qoT-hIoJ_ONDF0IrYP/s400/Keith%20Jones%20Autographed%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed it in blue sharpie as a guest at a card convention, back when one didn't have to pay extra on top of the entry ticket to get autographs at those events, circa 2005 or so.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-39262706251689648382023-07-01T11:10:00.001-04:002023-07-03T20:09:06.333-04:00Jacob Bernard-Docker: Two Autographed Cards(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPBhjpPTZqGieHU1Lcc86vZokskC0i6tQhJAn6BL4YXTz9ZS34qbv0qppMXocnvho6Xr8Y4jnNDqFjgO2lPsiA4Q98VEy8s-q348J5lYQfA-TK5oxv-HpFpC60g83gmgsPnsgFtU_Epc9_rWf2ODEiB_b5L21jecHeFnh8WJrWVRVoNrrjCLxiew6cMdO/s2737/Jacob%20Bernard-Docker%20Two%20Signed%20Cards.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1910" data-original-width="2737" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPBhjpPTZqGieHU1Lcc86vZokskC0i6tQhJAn6BL4YXTz9ZS34qbv0qppMXocnvho6Xr8Y4jnNDqFjgO2lPsiA4Q98VEy8s-q348J5lYQfA-TK5oxv-HpFpC60g83gmgsPnsgFtU_Epc9_rWf2ODEiB_b5L21jecHeFnh8WJrWVRVoNrrjCLxiew6cMdO/s400/Jacob%20Bernard-Docker%20Two%20Signed%20Cards.jpg"/></a></div>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3pz2nj7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ottawa Senators</a></i> took care of a tidy bit of business to open up July 1st with the signing of defensive prospect <b>Jacob Bernard-Docker</b> to <a href="https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-sign-defenceman-jacob-bernard-docker-to-a-two-year-contract/c-345154592" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a two-year deal worth a total of $1.61M</a>.<br><br>
The 2018 first-round draft pick (26th overall) spent three seasons with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rcrDfy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks</a></i> before turning pro in 2020-21. Despite a 7-goal, 25-point seasin in 32 games in 2019-20, he is projected more as a bottom-four, defensive prospect in the NHL, one who will spend time on the penalty kill. He is said to have decent skating ability and a good first pass, and is expected to make the jump to the NHL Sens team in a relatively permanent manner by the end of this two-year deal.<br><br>
In the meantime, he has been selected to play for <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3JHAbBF" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team Canada</a></i> at the 2020 World Juniors and 2021 World Championships, both times earning a gold medal.<br><br>
Here he is sporting #5 on the white (home) version of his country's uniform, on card #27 from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2020-21 Team Canada Juniors/Women</i> set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-9t1Mirzm32hF6VNhgJF7z9-E1VX9_2mDfO8WfCUdQzxIzOJYvmsAPpHRx7JE-PqRyMRE9vBLFLQIug2ka38enUicOoiTYnc7QRjMV5PfxpMgKt1cSCZLfxgGMJ6U2dIvCP7Y4PKFyc5ISflPk6823O8_rJqyeHOgadKROhCUEHWYoQVtZ4VAXx0RuAU/s1904/Jacob%20Bernard-Docker%20Canada%20White.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="1350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-9t1Mirzm32hF6VNhgJF7z9-E1VX9_2mDfO8WfCUdQzxIzOJYvmsAPpHRx7JE-PqRyMRE9vBLFLQIug2ka38enUicOoiTYnc7QRjMV5PfxpMgKt1cSCZLfxgGMJ6U2dIvCP7Y4PKFyc5ISflPk6823O8_rJqyeHOgadKROhCUEHWYoQVtZ4VAXx0RuAU/s400/Jacob%20Bernard-Docker%20Canada%20White.jpg"/></a></div>
And here is a headshot of him wearing the red (away) jersey from the same collection, but the <i>2018 Draft Class</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOT4SDJrFFp5bO87wd2Ev68cumqJRzbWkMo4ljk8BE6zgEQyNyQ8TtLmTWKSh2BHTSiFgfrIsf1YRb5eseTKPvr2hnybvUSJd0QMKtfZ7rcI-BIHvZlUKvdR6K0RUvZQublF1SP7yJAS8e4nScRm1vFL8_ZwWr9R-xq7p5HB6kS8Dpf8SS_NzAH0A_LfGi/s1904/Jacob%20Bernard-Docker%20Canada%20Red.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="1362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOT4SDJrFFp5bO87wd2Ev68cumqJRzbWkMo4ljk8BE6zgEQyNyQ8TtLmTWKSh2BHTSiFgfrIsf1YRb5eseTKPvr2hnybvUSJd0QMKtfZ7rcI-BIHvZlUKvdR6K0RUvZQublF1SP7yJAS8e4nScRm1vFL8_ZwWr9R-xq7p5HB6kS8Dpf8SS_NzAH0A_LfGi/s400/Jacob%20Bernard-Docker%20Canada%20Red.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed both in thin blue sharpie while playing with the AHL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3JHJFwt" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Belleville Senators</a></i> last season, adding his #5 at the end.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-25744789745813648432023-06-16T16:26:00.128-04:002023-07-03T18:09:08.491-04:00Oliver Ekman-Larsson Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
At times, it's looked like the <i><a href="about:invalid#zSoyz" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vancouver Canucks</a></i>' management team comprising of President <b>Jim Rutherford</b> and GM <b>Patrik Allvin</b> have been in over their heads with this team, which they took over in a different contending window from when they led the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3NVSPYX" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> to two straight Stanley Cups out of the gate, having missed out on one and now being cap-strapped with key building pieces like <b>Thatcher Demko</b>, <b>Elias Pettersson</b>, <b>J.T. Miller</b>, and <b>Quinn Hughes</b>.<br><br>
Former captain <b>Bo Horvat</b> was sent to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/44s8N2d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York Islanders</a></i> at the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLuQ8zPY9rM" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">last trade deadline</a>, and rumours abounded that the likes of <b>Brock Boeser</b>, <b>Connor Garland</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/04/oliver-ekman-larsson-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Oliver Ekman-Larsson</a></b> would eventually follow suit.<br><br>
In the absence of a market for OEL's contract, however, the Canucks found themselves left with the option of <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37865636/vancouver-canucks-buy-oliver-ekman-larsson-contract" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">terminating and buying out his contract</a>, which brings tremendous cap relief this upcoming season and the next but will impact the team until the 2028-29 season.<br><br>
I expect him to find a taker on a one-year deal around $2M to play on a team's third pair when free agency opens up on July 1st, but anything over those two thresholds would be a risk in my opinion (except for a team looking to reach the cap floor, in which case he'd probably rake in a million more as an experienced former captain for a team like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/44gcMj2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i> or <i><a href="https://amzn.to/46KwPYu" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Anaheim Ducks</a></i>, and maybe also serve as deadline bait, as a rebuilding team would look to trade him for a mid-round (third or fourth) pick to a contender for a playoff run.<br><br>
He spent his best years with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3JJZumy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arizona Coyotes</a></i>, where he was one of very few bright spots in his eleven seasons with the franchise, twice leading them in points despite being a defenseman; he captained the team from 2018 to 2021 and represented them in the 2015 and 2018 All-Star Games. Here he is sporting their mid-2010s white (away) unifrom, on card #TS-OE from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3NY5ydB" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">2015-16 Artifacts</a></i> collection (and <i>Treasured Swatches</i> sub-set):
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsMTyvE1iQN_8p1-3RvdxG29kOS2NqGVtq3Z7vciL_o8L_WLvwNGmB6slh0JlTdebCWkl2ZIMSv8Goz0TqYeYVt_aO1voSjcrrn98-d6sFM16gh1VT-Z1MuO1yBWEtadzNfAk9uEzmfhjb_T0WiWGvfQETcogqEpxV7_BzZJDfdKHWgZUzkiJ-BzNBg76/s1918/Oliver%20Ekman-Larsson%20Artifacts%20Jersey%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1918" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsMTyvE1iQN_8p1-3RvdxG29kOS2NqGVtq3Z7vciL_o8L_WLvwNGmB6slh0JlTdebCWkl2ZIMSv8Goz0TqYeYVt_aO1voSjcrrn98-d6sFM16gh1VT-Z1MuO1yBWEtadzNfAk9uEzmfhjb_T0WiWGvfQETcogqEpxV7_BzZJDfdKHWgZUzkiJ-BzNBg76/s400/Oliver%20Ekman-Larsson%20Artifacts%20Jersey%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
Artifacts used to be one of the two sets I most looked forward to seeing every year, with <i>Ice.</i>Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-53843168487443164292023-04-02T23:52:00.001-04:002023-04-03T00:42:26.724-04:00Blaster Box Break: 2022-23 Artifacts(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzh82UjQFlxGBNyCYRCdBaM-KvSTIp30vlPapLotiwsrNBedGOSCth1TGWhcg2nUiWl4PKWmbtcNZ5Fee9yWEl7IN9Wpz0kNSvsjAP-AZdfFj2Uq5VMH3obhgXVLE5tbQGGtBEBhM2s_lHyA_J9D8aCsG0HZfyF5Jl2mB5pIWhQ9f5DuQPgVDo9Q75A/s3360/2223-Artifacts-box.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="3360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzh82UjQFlxGBNyCYRCdBaM-KvSTIp30vlPapLotiwsrNBedGOSCth1TGWhcg2nUiWl4PKWmbtcNZ5Fee9yWEl7IN9Wpz0kNSvsjAP-AZdfFj2Uq5VMH3obhgXVLE5tbQGGtBEBhM2s_lHyA_J9D8aCsG0HZfyF5Jl2mB5pIWhQ9f5DuQPgVDo9Q75A/s400/2223-Artifacts-box.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNkk7b7AzlHu8ZlAC2_5zLYxyALMBulI8i5S28YPukXMyyFem9EaRkg9W0xiJon58BgQC8j1pWdUXWJijB5oJTwAR3YoImxklokDEECQErpRIRc8G1TAWIcRkmSAqCOI-SXHrfQt4XjBqnAtL_tx-AulrmDCkaEaeqeJysKjx9IpyRXg_oFzE4GC1tA/s2508/2223-Artifacts-pack.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="1476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNkk7b7AzlHu8ZlAC2_5zLYxyALMBulI8i5S28YPukXMyyFem9EaRkg9W0xiJon58BgQC8j1pWdUXWJijB5oJTwAR3YoImxklokDEECQErpRIRc8G1TAWIcRkmSAqCOI-SXHrfQt4XjBqnAtL_tx-AulrmDCkaEaeqeJysKjx9IpyRXg_oFzE4GC1tA/s400/2223-Artifacts-pack.jpg"/></a></div>
I made a series of bad decisions today at <b>Toys 'R' Us</b>, including purchasing my kids clearance <i>Ghosbusters</i> and <i>Incredibles</i> plush toys that they ended up wanting noting to do with, but mostly having to do with knowing I had $35-40 of expendable money to put on hockey cards or <b>McFarlane</b> figurines, ending up deciding between blaster boxes of two <b>Upper Deck</b> products: <i><a href="https://amzn.to/42S7auO" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">2022-23 O-Pee-Chee</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/42YIb9i" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">2022-23 Artifacts</a></i>, at $43 plus tax apiece (essentially $50, above my target limit).
<br><br>
I should have steered clear, or at the very least gone with OPC, which was sure to get me double the amount of cards, and have them be easier to get signed as well. But no, I essentially played the lottery of 7 packs of 5 cards and paid more than a buck per card, got maybe three that I might be able to get signed (I'll probably end up aiming for ten, but I'm not confident at all), and was not giddy about any of the players I pulled. No <i><a href="https://amzn.to/40X2mT6" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Edmonton Oilers</a></i>, no <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3K3gymM" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Colorado Avalanche</a></i>, no <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3zp9EmO" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Montréal Canadiens</a></i>, no <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3m92HTX" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Calgary Flames</a></i>, a single <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nIwV0s" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Ottawa Senators</a></i> player.<br><br>
Let's take a look at what I did get. First off, the set's theme this year is "blue". This used to be a set that had embossed textures, Egyptian-esque themes and colours relating to lost treasure and sand, like tones of grey, beige, light/nearly pastel versions of more traditional colours, with a classy bit of white to tie it all together. Not this year. It gets tackier every second I look at it, pretend British Royal drapes and a cheap design that a high schooler would have gotten down better:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgHqAP4GiCx5WH_Tc33i5r6gx5BPvuKRKFieMVIGmEVoAEVfPyO1N5LuJUhM7QNpaVHhbDfIjNz-XQg9_XXXu4Ypo_jxwzAPZaT9cAqRHoFbQUu9222M28jM2aYfHMjkmRi0rmeRkVh64YyxDLeQxdF_4MGuJjiafr3AiYdRZToiXi-icosDANG_Avw/s2730/2223-Artifacts-base.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1910" data-original-width="2730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgHqAP4GiCx5WH_Tc33i5r6gx5BPvuKRKFieMVIGmEVoAEVfPyO1N5LuJUhM7QNpaVHhbDfIjNz-XQg9_XXXu4Ypo_jxwzAPZaT9cAqRHoFbQUu9222M28jM2aYfHMjkmRi0rmeRkVh64YyxDLeQxdF_4MGuJjiafr3AiYdRZToiXi-icosDANG_Avw/s400/2223-Artifacts-base.jpg"/></a></div>
At first glance, they look alright; the style is relatively reminiscent of past editions but definitely new, and the scan doesn't do the silver foil (ARTIFACTS brand, team logo and brand name), although the scan provides a depth to the blue artwork on the sides that the eyes can't even begin to see, kind of like when Advanced Stats had <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2010/01/benoit-pouliot-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Benoît Pouloit</a></b> as one of the best play-drivers in the league and yet everyone except Oilers GM <b>Craig MacTavish</b> knew that was absolute rubbish. this is worse than that. The backs feature five years of basic statistics as well as the player's height, weight, shooting side and birthdate (but neither birthplace, hometown or nationality).<br><br>
Upper Deck having been infected by the O-Pee-Chee coloured variants/parallels virus since 2006-07, I did land three "Turquoise" parallels of <b>Moritz Seider</b>, <b>Patrick Kane</b> and <b>John Carlson</b>:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivteXSm1uW7QzJblwYJoyzKP5VFdg0N48o3OT1iSr2eDz9R668QhY74PJTYaVBYrOcDpnH91tcvtzKVS2vYLmWrW7z3zOONzcjvmbreXj_-jlLqbokWVfaJDCTFW68thsE2pnEF0aS_XgGyn_yrAn5NQ8SpSIggHGBaLc-rEd_RMsCtJStyUYWFIqycA/s4169/2223-Artifacts-turquoise%20%282%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="4169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivteXSm1uW7QzJblwYJoyzKP5VFdg0N48o3OT1iSr2eDz9R668QhY74PJTYaVBYrOcDpnH91tcvtzKVS2vYLmWrW7z3zOONzcjvmbreXj_-jlLqbokWVfaJDCTFW68thsE2pnEF0aS_XgGyn_yrAn5NQ8SpSIggHGBaLc-rEd_RMsCtJStyUYWFIqycA/s400/2223-Artifacts-turquoise%20%282%29.jpg"/></a></div>
I exaggerated the green hue and put a bit of extra brightness on the filter to show that the foil is indeed a bit greener than just 'blue", but not all-out green, as that is probably reserved for the "Emerald" parallels.<br><br>
The "one true hit" I got in this box is this "Indigo" parallel of <b>Nicklas Backstrom</b>, numbered 2/10:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i9dq-B8yu55IgMWARNruUiq3OiSZMmDDxlrRBhVdVQzdvAns5axyGtQMYT9pMFvspVKDlcIhuXC8L2bxxMbur8ZHZc0g4kNY3k9LnC3kaxMcRwBdo_cJtakUSTDRh6-rRf_joT03kNi8xBSuuqJ2ij0YFyFGF1YNbDD1_5o3OkWlavOXBQTU8UoDug/s1913/2223-Artifacts-Indigo.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="1361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i9dq-B8yu55IgMWARNruUiq3OiSZMmDDxlrRBhVdVQzdvAns5axyGtQMYT9pMFvspVKDlcIhuXC8L2bxxMbur8ZHZc0g4kNY3k9LnC3kaxMcRwBdo_cJtakUSTDRh6-rRf_joT03kNi8xBSuuqJ2ij0YFyFGF1YNbDD1_5o3OkWlavOXBQTU8UoDug/s400/2223-Artifacts-Indigo.jpg"/></a></div>
Two things: the ink bled through its spots in both zeroes of the "02/10", which makes it look dirty, and the "/10" actually looks a lot more like "/18". I also don't know of diehard Backstrom fan communities where a member would take it off my hands at a decent value. If any ready knows of one, please, send them my way, it would be a shame if I let this one get destroyed out of neglect.<br><br>
The entire set is comprised of 200 cards: 100 regular base cards, 35 "stars" (#101-135; short-printed at 599 copies each), 20 goalies (#136-155; also just limited to 599 per), 15 "legends" (#156-170; also limited to 599), and 30 rookies (#171-200; of which there are 999 of each, for some reason).<br><br>
Please, please, please. PLEASE. STOP WITH THE RETIRED PLAYERS, and for fuck's sake, PLEASE DO NOT REFER TO ALL OF THEM AS <b><u><i>LEGENDS</i></u></b>. I pulled three, cards #160, 161 and 162 in the set, conveniently:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ2OTqc6Ph6GKyVDeTBW9IhaKzMx0KVWUnmMQpK6bE7ngKF3ygUPIyoRYfDh9rOC3QEJ6h_Y9r4F9tKpRI_M2yt5O5bM_5rzfasoEsOTq_vqTZSAtEZ4srG4zVOF-mRsYmXYemnOn3MnySR1DNyf8dgK5WO668SqEBgcX5me52jRFCnJhbol5FxdKUw/s4133/2223-Artifacts-Legends.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1925" data-original-width="4133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ2OTqc6Ph6GKyVDeTBW9IhaKzMx0KVWUnmMQpK6bE7ngKF3ygUPIyoRYfDh9rOC3QEJ6h_Y9r4F9tKpRI_M2yt5O5bM_5rzfasoEsOTq_vqTZSAtEZ4srG4zVOF-mRsYmXYemnOn3MnySR1DNyf8dgK5WO668SqEBgcX5me52jRFCnJhbol5FxdKUw/s400/2223-Artifacts-Legends.jpg"/></a></div>
That is <b>Matthias Ohlund</b>, <b>Teemu Selanne</b> and <b>Bernie Nicholls</b>.<br><br>
Selanne is a no-brainer Hall Of Famer. Consistently among the elite over a couple of decades, clutch both in his prime and in his decline, a decorated Olympian and Stanley Cup champion. He truly is a Legend.<br><br>
Nicholls once scored 70 goals and twice scored 40 or more, and he has a 150-point and a 100-point season to his name. His peaks were high but he was merely very good compared to his peers for more than half his career, and he had a run with each team he's played on save for the <i>Los Angeles Kings</i> where he looked like his offense had completely dried up. He would need his lawyer to convice a panel of hockey experts that he belongs on a list of "legends".<br><br>
Ohlund was the best defenseman on a <i>Vancouver Canucks</i> team that was in transition between the West Coast Express and Sedin Twin years, essentially holding the baton between two perhaps better defensemen in <b>Jyrki Lumme</b> and <b>Alexander Edler</b>. He did an admirable job, but unless I'm forgetting something, he pobably would have been a second-pair defender on a contending team.<br><br>
Which brings me to this: Artifacts in a 200-player set in which the stars, rookies and goalies are relatively short-printed; 1004 skaters and 119 goalies suited up in at least one NHL game last year. Why waste ANY cardboard and ink on players whose cards can be found on <i>Ebay</i> for under a dollar at most and more commonly in penny bins at flea markets when half the players who actually suited in an NHL game in 2021-22 will not have their likeness on a 2022-23 product?<br><br>
The colours on the "Legends" cards were spot-on, though. This should have been the main set's design.<br><br>
For all these reasons, this box is the most disappointing one I've opened in a very long time.<br><br>
2/10.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-74560809439838915662021-10-07T15:11:00.171-04:002021-10-09T17:10:54.638-04:00Sens Preview: Colin White Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/evgenii-dadonov-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Evgenii Dadonov</a></b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/ryan-dzingel-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Dzingel</a></b> (F), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/01/artem-anisimov-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Artem Anisimov</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/derek-stepan-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Derek Stepan</a></b> (C), <b>Marcus Hogberg</b> (G), <b>Joey Daccord</b> (G), <b>Matthew Peca</b> (F)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Michael Del Zotto</b> (D), <b>Nick Holden</b> (D), <b>Kole Sherwood</b> (RW)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Shane Pinto</b> (C), <b>Filip Gustavsson</b> (G), <b>Jake Sanderson</b> (D), <b>Jacob Bernard-Docker</b> (D), <b>Tyler Boucher</b> (W), <b>Roby Jarventie</b> (LW), <b>Lassi Thomson</b> (D), <b>Ridley Greig</b> (LW), <b>Tyler Kleven</b> (D), <b>Zack Ostapchuk</b> (LW), <b>Egor Sokolov</b> (RW), <b>Mark Kastelic</b> (C), <b>Maxence Guenette</b> (D)<br><br>
It would take a lot of things to go right with the development of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2YGzZ19" target="_blank">Ottawa Senators</a></i>' young stars for the team to be able to contend for a playoff spot until the end of March... but chances are a lot of them will. Most of the forwards will take a step forward (although<b> Tim Stützle</b> may go through a sophomore slump, particularly if asked to fill the #2 centre role instead of remaining on the wing), and the defense showed during the final month of the 2020-21 season that they were ready for more responsibilities. As a matter of fact, had the Sens received just league average goaltending from <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/09/matt-murray-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Matt Murray</a></b> in any of his first 10 games, they team would have been a lock for the playoffs, seeing as they fell a single point behind the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3oNrXy0" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> who were in a tailspin at the end of the season, because of a compressed schedule due to a Covid outbreak.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
Finishing the season with a 10-4 record was impressive, but it may be a mirage, due to teams resting players or being unprepared to face them because they were at the bottom of the standings. Illusion or not, these young players learned to win and can now bank that experience for future use.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Can sophomore <b>Josh Norris</b> continue progressing to keep a stranglehold on the #1 centre role? Will Murray bounce back, or has he simply lost his way? How many games will <b>Brady Tkachuk</b> miss as a contract holdout, and will it cost him the captaincy (I, for one, would give it to <b>Thomas Chabot</b> at this point, who has bought into what the team is looking to build by signing the eight-year deal that GM <b>Pierre Dorion</b> hopes to build other contracts around)?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team will be a powerhouse three years from now, it's just a matter of gaining more experience, some of the current contenders taking a step back, and Tkachuk deciding if he wants in or if he'll conspire with brother <b>Matthew</b> to eventually land with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3BsHIy7" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i> together.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Tied for 4th in the Atlantic Division, with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2WXGE6h" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i> and Habs.<br><br>
One key player in the Sens' rebuild had been <b>Colin White</b>, a 2015 first-round pick (21st overall) who plays well in all three zones, once thought to be the team's next first-line pivot (which is why he was given a <a href="https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/ottawa-senators-sign-colin-white-to-a-six-year-contract/c-308587152" target="_blank">six-year deal averaging $4.75M</a> after a strong rookie season in 2019) but who can go up and down the lineup without hurting the team while amassing anywhere between 25 and 45 points, perhaps with a peak of 60.<br><br>
Unfortunately, he will <a href="https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/snapshots-colin-whites-shoulder-injury-will-require-surgery-and-hes-likely-done-for-the-season" target="_blank">miss the entire 2021-22 season</a> after <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/senators-forward-colin-white-suffers-upper-body-injury-maple-leafs/" target="_blank">falling awkwardly and dislocating his right shoulder</a> in a pre-season game.<br><br>
The good news for the Sens is the Canadiens and Bruins also have plenty of injury troubles to start the season, as do the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uVcgpI" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> who will be competing for the same Wild Card playoff spot - and Ottawa has the most depth and best prospects of the lot.<br><br>
Here is White, wearing the Senators' white (away) uniform from a few years ago, on card #DD-CW from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2017-18 Black Diamond</i> collection and <i>Diamond Debut Relics</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiea0bWJ8DRxrasw9Pr6GZdk-B-yad_8JA7Pc0TKyV5UbZV75ivt1oFdXOJIuhphEQJ4HCFEkc_wIg_lMcFDsHKwWu6QwqP2P4A0ZFq93_8ooLxNymmFj3nWGijrnvRaAKjs4g-9kxwbD/s2048/Colin+White+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiea0bWJ8DRxrasw9Pr6GZdk-B-yad_8JA7Pc0TKyV5UbZV75ivt1oFdXOJIuhphEQJ4HCFEkc_wIg_lMcFDsHKwWu6QwqP2P4A0ZFq93_8ooLxNymmFj3nWGijrnvRaAKjs4g-9kxwbD/s400/Colin+White+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a matching white swatch from a photo shoot.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-42211578421188042562021-09-24T20:07:00.016-04:002021-10-04T09:41:27.888-04:00Habs Preview: Christian Dvorak: Two Autographed Cards(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiq5WBPMN143zWcPTjVdxohjzkXTBnooX2fC4lIdx9M6TelTJ8YKs70NuqRYd_MFkSFMZjPUvj9hPQvyGatEdSBo28sVAlZK76ymfGWT4svmdKFWb92y8Ti4MUK-nN_NXBfb9M3pf35n8/s2048/Christian+Dvorak+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiq5WBPMN143zWcPTjVdxohjzkXTBnooX2fC4lIdx9M6TelTJ8YKs70NuqRYd_MFkSFMZjPUvj9hPQvyGatEdSBo28sVAlZK76ymfGWT4svmdKFWb92y8Ti4MUK-nN_NXBfb9M3pf35n8/s400/Christian+Dvorak+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg"/></a></div>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/phillip-danault-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Phillip Danault</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/corey-perry-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a></b> (RW), <b>Jordan Weal</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/cale-fleury-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Cale Fleury</a></b> (D), <b>Jon Merrill</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/tomas-tatar-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tomas Tatar</a></b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/eric-staal-3-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Eric Staal</a></b> (C), <b>Erik Gustafsson</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/david-savard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">David Savard</a></b> (D), <b>Cédric Paquette</b> (LW), <b>Mathieu Perreault</b> (C/LW), <b>Jean-Sébastien Dea</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/mike-hoffman-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mike Hoffman</a></b> (LW), <b>Chris Wideman</b> (D), <b>Sami Niku</b> (D), <b>Samuel Montembeault</b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Cole Caufield</b> (RW), <b>Cayden Primeau</b> (G), <b>Kaiden Guhle</b> (D), <b>Mattias Norlinder</b> (D), <b>Jordan Harris</b> (D), <b>Jan Mysak</b> (LW), <b>Ryan Poehling</b> (C), <b>Oliver Kapanen</b> (C), <b>Luke Tuch</b> (LW), <b>Logan Mailloux</b> (D), <b>Gianni Fairbrother</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/rafael-harvey-pinard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Rafaël Harvey-Pinard</a></b> (LW), <b>Joël Teasdale</b> (LW)<br><br>
I don't buy that the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3a7vxKJ" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> played in the weakest division last year, because they didn't: the West had the three California teams, which were essentially 30 free wins for the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZTrNuI" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i>, while the Habs had to contend with <b>Connor McDavid</b>, <b>Auston Matthews</b>, <b>Leon Draisaitl</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/09/jacob-markstrom-atograph-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, <b>Thatcher Demko</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b> in any given game while the rest of the league faced much easier matchups down the middle and in net.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The team gained a lot of experience during last season's playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final, and many of the returning faces up front (<b>Nick Suzuki</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/12/habs-preview-tyler-toffoli-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Toffoli</a></b>, Caufield, <b>Josh Anderson</b>, <b>Joel Armia</b>) have room to grow their game, the leadership rock remains stable with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/06/brendan-gallagher-autographed-unused.html" target="_blank">Brendan Gallagher</a></b> despite <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/06/shea-weber-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Shea Weber</a></b>'s probable absence, and the defense is a brick wall only the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3l6m9h4" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> can pierce... year after year.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Will Weber's health force him to retire? Which is the real <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/04/carey-price-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Carey Price</a></b>: the regular-season bottom-dweller of the past four seasons, or the quality playoff starter from last year's run? Will the team actually keep <b>Jonathan Drouin</b>, or is he off to clear his mind with former teammates in Colorado, or adding to a top-six in Edmonton?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
The Atlantic is stacked. The Bolts remain the gold standard, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3a0FQQV" target="_blank">Florida Panthers</a></i> finally delivered on par with their talent, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uHvAGL" target="_blank">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> can outscore their uncertainty between the pipes, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3lb77Xr" target="_blank">Ottawa Senators</a></i> are on the rise, and the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3B88zz0" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i>, although older and stating to see core pieces retire, can still hold their own; the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3A58lHC" target="_blank">Detroit Red Wings</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uCm8og" target="_blank">Buffalo Sabres</a></i> don't matter in the playoff conversation, but finishing ahead of the fifth-place team in the Metropolitan does, as the team with the most points in slots 7 and 8 in the Conference make it to the dance, so the Bs, Sens and Habs may cancel each other out in the end.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Tied for 4th in the Atlantic Division, outside the playoff picture.<br><br>
Going by comments on social media, Montréal fans do not seem to have a fucking clue how important Danault was to this team. His line with Tatar and Gallagher was the most potent for goals and shot differentials at five-on-five for the past three years combined, and in any given year also held their ground and were top-three, matching favourably with the likes of McDavid/Draisaitl/whoever, <b>Brad Marchand</b>/<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/PatriceBergeron-JerseyCard.html" target="_blank">Patrice Bergeron</a></b>/<b>David Pastrnak</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/gabriel-landeskog-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Gabriel Landeskog</a></b>/<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/nathan-mackinnon-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Nathan MacKinnon</a></b>/<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/mikko-rantanen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mikko Rantanen</a></b>. Even when they didn't score, their 60-point pace mixed with defensive acumen made them a better a more effective unit than any other unit in the league, including those with multiple 100-point players. In last year's playoffs, Danault even took most draws when his line wasn't on the ice.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-acquire-christian-dvorak-coyotes-two-draft-picks/" target="_blank">Acquired in a trade</a> with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3l5Lp6T" target="_blank">Arizona Coyotes</a></i>, <b>Christian Dvorak</b> is a 25-year-old centre who wins faceoffs, scores 15-20 goals a year and collects some 45-60 points (pro-rated) at $4.45M per, for four more seasons. He covers 80% of what Danault brought, with added net-front presence in the offensive zone and is the epitome of "cost certainty", which is nice to have under a salary cap. He cost more (a first-rounder and a second-rounder) than the Habs received for Kotkaniemi (a first and a third), who could hit the 50-point mark this season and be a very good player five years from now - although <i>that</i> is no certainty, especially to those who saw him fall to the ice five times per game for the past three years. Like Price and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/alex-galchenyuk-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Alex Galchenyuk</a></b> before him, "KK" was rushed to the Big Show way too soon for his own good.<br><br>
The Canadiens' centre depth took a big hit this summer, and I'm afraid Dvorak has big shoes to fill, although casual fans might not realize just how clownesque they really are - it's a good thing McDavid and Draisaitl are in the Pacific Division this year. Dvorak has evolved nicely from the 2016 World Juniors' bronze-winning <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3a04Jwb" target="_blank">Team USA</a></i> squad as a much more complete 200-foot player, but he is not the player who accumulated five more points than <b>Mitch Marner</b> (121 to 116) when both were teammates in their final year of Juniors playing for the OHL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ovbmPi" target="_blank">London Knights</a></i>.<br><br>
This is what he looked like in recent years, wearing the Coyotes' purple and black (home) uniform on card #156 from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3iweVkB" target="_blank">2019-20 Series 1</a></i> set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAODcGKKrnrd4G06Zl8IrgHEMC-y5lOF4Q9V9n8jjy1JRVFsZuDtp6fiPN7sCY2tboF96QlzVw8F3IYhkozBJqEh8usvTwukPDhcDdQ6nd5aRCeCvzYvHY1sAVx9rzAHDlTQ6CB39zgNYM/s1924/Christian+Dvorak+Red+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="1376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAODcGKKrnrd4G06Zl8IrgHEMC-y5lOF4Q9V9n8jjy1JRVFsZuDtp6fiPN7sCY2tboF96QlzVw8F3IYhkozBJqEh8usvTwukPDhcDdQ6nd5aRCeCvzYvHY1sAVx9rzAHDlTQ6CB39zgNYM/s400/Christian+Dvorak+Red+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
And here he is wearing their correspondig white (away) uniform, on card #144 from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3AaQsau" target="_blank">2018-19 O-Pee-Chee</a></i> collection by UD:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW3Ycjxm-7daQ3LUNdwiW-HBkrGHz3sHvlRLrZG8dPXVjeiKSsZtv-pqyRILfAI4wtnRNP4d1UL8SPhVXjRK7xIxFqtXsj02nbm-g_21WIcF3XMBsias2THB1KGqNrkJvP7M4M5iXtJRX/s1917/Christian+Dvorak+White+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="1370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW3Ycjxm-7daQ3LUNdwiW-HBkrGHz3sHvlRLrZG8dPXVjeiKSsZtv-pqyRILfAI4wtnRNP4d1UL8SPhVXjRK7xIxFqtXsj02nbm-g_21WIcF3XMBsias2THB1KGqNrkJvP7M4M5iXtJRX/s400/Christian+Dvorak+White+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed them in (fading) black sharpie before Covid-19 hit.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-71725108717322564562021-09-12T13:11:00.158-04:002021-09-20T11:14:20.183-04:00Lightning Preview: Andrei Vasilevskiy Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: at this point, despite training camp being set to start in less than two weeks, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Yanni Gourde</b> (C), <b>Blake Coleman</b> (LW), <b>Barclay Goodrow</b> (RW), <b>Tyler Johnson</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/david-savard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">David Savard</a></b> (D), <b>Luke Schenn</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/curtis-mcelhinney-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Curtis McElhinney</a></b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/05/brian-elliott-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Brian Elliott</a></b> (G), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/corey-perry-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a></b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/zach-bogosian-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Zach Bogosian</a></b> (D), <b>Pierre-Édouard Bellemare</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/11/charles-hudon-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Charles Hudon</a></b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Alex Barré-Boulet</b> (C),<b> Roman Schmidt</b> (D), <b>Boris Katchouk</b> (LW), <b>Taylor Raddysh</b> (RW), <b>Simon Ryfors</b> (C), <b>Odeen Tutfo</b> (C), <b>Cal Foote</b> (D), <b>Hugo Alnefelt</b> (G), <b>Jack Finley</b> (C), <b>Nick Perbix</b> (D), <b>Dylan Duke</b> (C), <b>Cole Koepke </b>(LW), <b>Gage Goncalves</b> (C)<br><br>
I have called the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nn6Im5" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> the "best-assembled team in the cap era", but "best team" would be just as fitting. Even past Rocket Richard Trophy winner and captain <b>Steven Stamkos</b>, Hart and Art Ross winner <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b>, Vezina and Conn Smythe winner <b>Andrei Vasilevskiy</b> and Norris and Conn Smythe winner <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/09/victor-hedman-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Victor Hedman</a></b>, there is still the ever-clutch antics of point-per-game player <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/brayden-point-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brayden Point</a></b>, two-way star <b>Anthony Cirelli</b>, playoff hero <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/05/alex-killorn-2-swatch-cards.html" target="_blank">Alex Killorn</a></b>, consistent beast <b>Ondrej Palat</b>, heart-and-soul grinder <b>Pat Maroon</b>, future Norris winner <b>Mikhail Sergachev</b>, All-Star <b>Ryan McDonagh</b>, sophomore <b>Foote</b>... they're like the Canadian Olympic team, they could ice two teams and still be serious contenders.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
They are the back-to-back champions and replaced every departed player with their equivalent (at least on paper).<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
They lost their entire third line (Gourde, Coleman and Goodrow), which had been essential for them last postseason - while Coleman and Goodrow also led the team with over 100 hits apiece in the regular season, followed by Schenn, with 99, who also left. But they have players lined up to replace them, both old (Perry, the returning Bogosian) and young (Barré-Boulet) and in-between (Bellemare and Hudon).<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team can withstand missing an entire season of Stamkos and win the Cup. This team can withstand missing an entire season of Kucherov and win the Cup. This team can withstand a sub-par postseason by Hedman and win the Cup. They could possibly only get challenged by losing two MVP-level players, as losing "just" one clearly still had them on top of the rest of the league. We have three more years of them being heavy contenders for the title - or until they get bored and tired of winning.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
1st in the Atlantic Division.<br><br>
Of course, Vasilevskiy will have a great say on whether the Bolts finish first, second (if he misses time to injury), third (if for some reason he falters and completely loses his way) or fourth (if he misses nearly the entire season due to unforeseen cicumstances), but unless the team's plane crashes altogether, Tampa will make the playoffs and be a threat to win it all again this year. The only thing standing between Tampa Bay and a third consecutive Stanley Cup is fatigue - not just accrued from the last two championship runs, but also because a lot of their best players (Vasilevskiy, Hedman, Kucherov, Palat, Point, McDonagh, possibly Stamkos) will be representing their countries in the Olympics mid-season.<br><br>
You may recall my attempts at ranking Vasi with the best of the best last season, admitting he was currently the best in the world at covering the bottom-third of the net, but that he had flaws up high; in terms of "which goalie would be best playing behind the same team as his counterparts", I would likely have him second behind the <i>Winnipeg Jets</i>' <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b> with an asterix for <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/John-Gibson-Jersey-Card.html" target="_blank">John Gibson</a></b> in that he would be capable to elevate his game to #2. Rounding out my top-five for the upcoming season are <b>Marc-André Fleury</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/09/jacob-markstrom-atograph-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/robin-lehner-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Robin Lehner</a></b> right outside. <b>Thatcher Demko</b> is making a strong case for consideration as well. In terms of a farther future, say five years down the line, <b>Spencer Knight</b>, <b>Cayden Primeau</b> and <b>Devon Levi</b> are probably the bigger names coming, ahead of <b>Carter Hart</b>, who I do not necessarily view as a future perennial Vezina candidate the way many pundits do.<br><br>
Here is #88 sporting the Bolts' blue (home) uniform on card #GJ-AV from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3llKcqT" target="_blank">2017-18 Series 1</a></i> set and <i>UD Game Jersey</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSpkCfmQNGpZb2ms-8J3eE3L5RuGvc1h3GoNnzPvZFibskzA4jbTtuTKVtwd54Gzt6W4BkUVcr-pN9hNvpIC5mDcqRzVkdjGdgY3cXbUJZh2RHgQU47NjIkrgR9jjMUWJQ1Ao30eRAxNX/s2048/Andrei+Vasilevskiy+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSpkCfmQNGpZb2ms-8J3eE3L5RuGvc1h3GoNnzPvZFibskzA4jbTtuTKVtwd54Gzt6W4BkUVcr-pN9hNvpIC5mDcqRzVkdjGdgY3cXbUJZh2RHgQU47NjIkrgR9jjMUWJQ1Ao30eRAxNX/s400/Andrei+Vasilevskiy+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a matching game-worn jersey swatch.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-67191434901981746672021-09-08T23:05:00.203-04:002021-11-07T22:11:54.326-05:00Ducks Preview: Isac Lundestrom Autograph Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start soon, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Haydn Fleury</b> (D), <b>Danton Heinen</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/12/ryan-miller-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Miller</a></b> (G), <b>David Backes</b> (F), <b>Carter Rowney</b> (C/RW)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/10/greg-pateryn-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Greg Pateryn</a></b> (D), <b>Buddy Robinson</b> (RW)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Trevor Zegras</b> (C), <b>Lukas Dostal</b> (G), <b>Jamie Drysdale</b> (D), <b>Mason McTavish</b> (C), <b>Jacob Perreault</b> (RW), <b>Olen Zellweger</b> (D), <b>Brayden Tracey</b> (LW), <b>Jackson LaCombe</b> (D), <b>Sam Colangelo</b> (RW), <b>Sasha Pastujov</b> (LW)<br><br>
The <a href="https://amzn.to/3kc4vYn" target="_blank">Anaheim Ducks</a> have been rebuilding for a few years at this point, and young guns and prospcts like <b>Isac Lundestrom</b>, Zegras, <b>Max Comtois</b>, Drysdale, Dostal, Perreault and McTavish will be able to grow together and have eahc other's backs while they take steps to grow as a unit - but I do believe success will only come after head coach Dallas Eakins makes way for someone else... possibly new AHL bench boss <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/12/joel-bouchard-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Joël Bouchard</a></b>.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
Zegras begins the season as one of two heavy favourites for the Calde Trophy (with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3BT0ez1" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i>' <b>Cole Caufield</b>), and the Ducks also have one of two front-runners to start games for Team USA at the Olympics in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/John-Gibson-Jersey-Card.html" target="_blank">John Gibson</a></b>, which means they're also set at the most important position. You can also check "leadership" and "Stanley Cup champion" with captain <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/01/ryan-getzlaf-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Getzlaf</a></b> returning to the team despite being a free agent in the off-season.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Depth and ice time will be an issue this year, with the likes of <b>Kevin Shattenkirk</b>, <b>Hampus Lindholm</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/jakob-silfverberg-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Jakob Silfverberg</a></b> earning top dollar but delivering very little in return for the past few seasons.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
The rebuild is not over yet and the current coach doesn't seem to have the magic touch that will accelerate all the youngsters' developments at the same time. Expect another year or two before playoff contention, but a lot of these kids have the right stuff. A good first step in the right direction would be to finish ahead of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3H183Xg" target="_blank">San Jose Sharks</a></i> this season.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
8th in the Pacific Division.<br><br>
Lundeström was a first-round pick (23rd overall) in 2018, and his draft class is starting to establish itself in the NHL, like <b>Andrei Svechnikov</b> (2nd), <b>Brady Tkachuk</b> (4th), <b>Quinn Hughes</b> (7th), <b>Adam Boqvist </b>(8th), <b>Evan Bouchard</b> (10th), <b>Oliver Wahlstrom</b> (11th), <b>Noah Dobson</b> (12th), <b>Joel Farabee</b> (14th), <b>K'Andre Miller</b> (22nd), <b>Philipp Kurachev </b>(120th), and <b>Yegor Sharangovich</b> (141st). Others started strongly but have since taken a step back, like<b> Rasmus Dahlin</b> (1st) and <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b> (3rd), while others are still adjusting to their environment, such as <b>Filip Zadina</b> (6th), <b>Liam Foudy</b> (18th), and <b>Rasmus Sandin</b> (29th), but players like <b>Joe Veleno</b> (30th) and <b>Jacob Bernard-Docker</b> (26th) might start showing that patience is indeed its own reward.<br><br>
Lundeström is NHL-ready, having posted a point-per-game average in Sweden's second division last season (caliber below the AHL and KHL, on par with or a little above that of the Swiss League). He had posted 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 43 games with the AHL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bOt3Ss" target="_blank">San Diego Gulls</a></i> as a 19-year-old in 2019-20.<br><br>
He is quick, and despite only being 6' tall and 185 pounds, he is pretty good at protecting the puck; he projects as a 50-60-point player who can handle second-line duties or make players on the third line produce like second-liners.<br><br>
Internationally, he won silver medals at the 2016 U-18s and 2018 World Juniors, as well as bronze with <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3o3G4gT" target="_blank">Team Sweden</a></i> at the 2015 U-17s. Here he is wearing the Ducks' white (away) uniform, on the signed version of card #R-IL from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2018-19 O-Pee-Chee Platinum</i> set and <i>Rookie Auto</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5fJbQnQoc86yVlmizg4ErEQ3d0Zf6btHcaYYs_X9a7KmiOE748FBBQ_wrs6tVGzVNzevzxCS0LOLFj8GTaiX0-B7R116Y8W1IksL5qubhnvPVDIMBxcC2jvCw5z5QOTUtkoc0VdvZMTP/s2048/Isac+Lundestrom+Autograph+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5fJbQnQoc86yVlmizg4ErEQ3d0Zf6btHcaYYs_X9a7KmiOE748FBBQ_wrs6tVGzVNzevzxCS0LOLFj8GTaiX0-B7R116Y8W1IksL5qubhnvPVDIMBxcC2jvCw5z5QOTUtkoc0VdvZMTP/s400/Isac+Lundestrom+Autograph+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It's signed on-card in blue sharpie.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-33027121230675714052021-09-07T01:30:00.114-04:002021-10-19T23:15:37.635-04:00Oilers Preview: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Adam Larsson</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/james-neal-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">James Neal</a></b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/alex-chiasson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Alex Chiasson</a></b> (W), <b>Ethan Bear</b> (D), <b>Caleb Jones</b> (D), <b>Dominik Kahun</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2018/07/tyler-ennis-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Ennis</a></b> (LW), <b>Jujhar Khaira</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/07/dmitri-kulikov-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Dmitry Kulikov</a></b> (D), <b>Joakim Nygard</b> (LW)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/duncan-keith-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Duncan Keith</a></b> (D), <b>Zach Hyman</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/cody-ceci-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Cody Ceci</a></b> (D), <b>Warren Foegele</b> (LW), <b>Derek Ryan</b> (RW)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Evan Bouchard</b> (D), <b>Dylan Holloway</b> (C), <b>Raphaël Lavoie</b> (RW), <b>Xavier Bourgault</b> (C), <b>Philip Broberg</b> (D), <b>Carter Savoie</b> (LW), <b>Ryan McLeod</b> (C), <b>Tyler Benson</b> (LW), <b>Ilya Konovalov</b> (G), <b>Olivier Rodrigue</b> (G), <b>Stuart Skinner</b> (G), <b>Tyler Tullio</b> (C), <b>Dmitri Samorukov</b> (D)<br><br>
As a lifelong <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Xer725" target="_blank">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> fan, I must admit the departures of Bear and Jones were baffling, particularly with the team unable to keep Larsson in the mix, who would have been the ideal partner for Keith on a second pairing.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
They have the best player on the planet (<b>Connor McDavid</b>) and the third- or fourth-best centre on earth (<b>Leon Draisaitl</b>), who are finally complemented by a decent surrounding cast at nearly every position...<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Will the goaltending duo of 41-year-old <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2018/07/mike-smith-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mike Smith</a></b> and the untradeable <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/06/mikko-koskinen-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Mikko Koskinen</a></b> (he of the 3.17 goals-against average and .899 save percetage last season) hold up or anchor the team?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2XqEdt1" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i> are the cream of the Pacific Division, so much so that they can withstand injuries to an entire line from their top-six <i><u>and</u></i> an elite defenseman without worrying aout losing home-ice advantage in the first two rounds, but the Oilers are definitely the best of what's left, if only because of their firepower up front. Their defense is also no longer an issue, with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/darnell-nurse-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Darnell Nurse</a></b> reaching elite status himself and Bouchard making for a nice wildcard to have, in addition to such steady defensive defensemen as <b>Kris Russell</b> and (believe it or not) Ceci, while a guy like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/08/tyson-barrie-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Tyson Barrie</a></b> can produce upwards of 50 points from the blue line.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Second in the Pacific Division.<br><br>
For the past three years, most of the focus in Edmonton has been centered around McDavid and Draisaitl, with <b>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</b> figuring as an afterthought at best and perhaps a serious question mark regarding his production versus his salary and re-signing value, a situation GM <b>Ken Holland</b> dealt with well last summer by <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/7989709/edmonton-oilers-ryan-nugent-hopkins-contract-agreement/" target="_blank">signing him to a long extention</a> that diminished his cap hit by a little bit, saving the team nearly a million per season. I believe last year's points totals (13 goals, 19 assists and 35 points in 52 games, for a points-per-game average of 0.67 as a 27-year-old) to be an outlier in terms of his prime (0.77 PPG at 24, 0.84 at 25, 0.94 at 26), and that hovering between the third line when playing on the road and manning the second unit with Hyman and <b>Kailer Yamamoto</b> at home will enable him to return to at least 0.75 points per game, possibly 0.8 if he gets a few looks with either of the two superstars here and there.<br><br>
As a former first-overall pick (2011), he cannot be considered on even footing with McDavid as a generational player, but he can be seen as a success, particularly in light of other recent Oiler first-overall players like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/two-nail-yakupov-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Nail Yakupov</a></b>. In his draft year, he currently ranks sixth in point production behind <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b> (58th overall), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/gabriel-landeskog-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Gabriel Landeskog</a></b> (2nd), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/mark-scheifele-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Scheifele</a></b> (7th), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/jonathan-huberdeau-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Jonathan Huberdeau</a></b> (3rd) and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/johnny-gaudreau-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Johnny Gaudreau</a></b> (104th), and ahead of the likes of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/sean-couturier-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Sean Couturier</a></b> (8th), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/07/mika-zibanejad-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mika Zibanejad</a></b> (6th), <b>Ondrej Palat</b> (208th), <b>J.T. Miller</b> (15th), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/dougie-hamilton-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Dougie Hamilton</a></b> (9th), and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/vincent-trocheck-autograhed-card.html" target="_blank">Vincent Trocheck</a></b> (64th). I believe he will catch up to Gaudreau, but Couturier and Zibanejad will give him a run for his money in terms of who will round out that draft class' top-five when their careers are over.<br><br>
Here he is wearing Edmonton's orange (home) uniform on card #GJ-RN from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2XsiZuS" target="_blank">2020-21 Series 1</a></i> collection and <i>UD Game Jersey</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavauPpyekGDfpf58dYmEPJUvXe9vi8AbFKNfOPHeYAhHoScS3qyo_0GjmUz0AxEruqlRdVCwh56GKP4JxIPYXLq_nBsKgNNM9MYpd-z0PafG701Csm7as-yE6fyqK6KaPipKH0ocEEw1O/s1916/Ryan+Nugent-Hopkins+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1916" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavauPpyekGDfpf58dYmEPJUvXe9vi8AbFKNfOPHeYAhHoScS3qyo_0GjmUz0AxEruqlRdVCwh56GKP4JxIPYXLq_nBsKgNNM9MYpd-z0PafG701Csm7as-yE6fyqK6KaPipKH0ocEEw1O/s400/Ryan+Nugent-Hopkins+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a white swatch that is certified as having been used in an NHL game. I was pretty stoked to land it, as it's my first RNH "hit" ever.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-14149330808540318502021-09-06T14:42:00.000-04:002021-09-12T12:19:01.041-04:00Sabres Preview: Travis Turnbull Autograph Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this seaosn, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: at this point, despite training camp being set to start in less than two weeks, several players haven't found a team yet, most RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams yet, and a few teams are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Sam Reinhart</b> (C), <b>Linus Ullmark</b> (G),<b> Rasmus Ristolainen</b> (D), <b>Jake McCabe</b> (D), <b>Will Borgen</b> (D), <b>Matt Irwin</b> (D), <b>Tobias Reider</b> (RW), <b>Riley Sheahan</b> (C), <b>Taylor Hall</b> (F, at last year's deadline)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Aaron Dell</b> (G), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/02/craig-anderson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Craig Anderson</a></b> (G), <b>Devon Levi</b> (G), <b>Robert Hagg</b> (D),<b> Mark Pysyk</b> (D), <b>John Hayden </b>(C), <b>Vinnie Hinostroza</b> (RW), <b>Will Butcher</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Owen Power</b> (D), <b>Jack Quinn</b> (RW), <b>Arttu Ruotsalainen </b>(C), <b>John-Jason Peterka </b>(LW), <b>Isak Rosen</b> (F), <b>Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen</b> (G)<br><br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/38K7Bww" target="_blank">Buffalo Sabres</a></i> are a complete trainwreck, and have been for the better part of the last two decades. They have not made the playoffs since the 2010-11 season and haven't won a round since 2005-06. Even before then, they were acting as if they were in the middle of a pandemic, making drastic cuts to their drafting budget, letting go three-quarters of their staff and having the ones that remain work mostly from video footage instead of actually traveling to see the young players perform live. They failed to extend captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/10/daniel-briere-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Daniel Brière</a></b>) after captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/05/chris-drury-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Chris Drury</a></b>) after captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/04/jason-pominville-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Jason Pominville</a></b>) after captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/thomas-vanek-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Thomas Vanek</a></b>), they wasted elite goaltending (<b>Dominik Hasek</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/12/ryan-miller-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Miller</a></b>), and even getting rid of a locker room cancer with a habit of drunkenly crashing his cars into coffee shops such as <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/ryan-oreilly-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan O'Reilly</a></b> did nothing for them but allowed ROR to win a Stanley Cup with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h6IOY6" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i>.<br><br>
They are on their fourth GM (<b>Kevyn Adams</b>, following in the footsteps of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/jason-botterill-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jason Botterill</a></b>, <b>Tim Murray</b> and <b>Darcy Regier</b>), who themselves have overseen head coaches <b>Lindy Ruff</b>, <b>Ron Rolston</b>, <b>Ted Nolan</b>, <b>Dan Bylsma</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/06/phil-housley-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Phil Housley</a></b>, <b>Ralph Krueger</b>, and now <b>Don Granato</b>; job security or stability do not have a home here.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
Only a die-hard fan or gambler in need of a long-shot win would put their money on Buffalo. They'll perhaps be better than last year in team play, but the talent level just isn't there apart from a few pieces - and Granato as a coach is not <b>Barry Trotz</b>, so this isn't the next <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3zSM9Bw" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i>, either.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
When does disgruntled captain <b>Jack Eichel</b> get traded, and what will the return be? Is <b>Aaron Dell</b> really going to be their starting goalie, or will <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/devan-dubnyk-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Devan Dubnyk</a></b> agree to sign with the one team left that still has an opening for top spot in net?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
There are building blocks here: <b>Casey Mittelstadt</b> is looking like a centre who can play on one of the top two lines, <b>Victor Olofsson</b> can score on the powerplay and would ideally be slotted in the middle-six on a good team but will see top-line ice time here, and <b>Dylan Cozens</b> shows promise up front as well, with <b>Jack Quinn</b> and <b>J.J. Peterka</b> possibly coming in in a few years, but re-signing <b>Jeff Skinner</b> was always going to be dead money, and <b>Anders Bjork</b>, <b>Tage Thompson</b> and <b>Cody Eakin</b> only seem to be placeholders at this point, either to play out their contracts while the team tanks or (particularly in Eakin's case) until a trade deadline deal to a contender makes enough sense. There are more defensive sure bets per capita, with <b>Rasmus Dahlin</b> seeming like he's regained form under Granato, <b>Owen Power</b> graduating from College eventually and <b>Robert Hagg</b> as a rescue project from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3jNC9Uo" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>. I can't say I'm as optimistic about former <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h7axIi" target="_blank">New Jersey Devils</a></i> prospect <b>Will Butcher</b>, though. But you don't lose your two best centres, you legitimate #1 goalie and your two most consistent defensemen without replacing any of them and purport to leave the bottom of the standings.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
8th in the Atlantic Division.<br><br>
Which brings me to <b>Travis Turnbull</b>, whose father <b>Perry</b> was a useful NHL journeyman who finished his career playing in Italy and Germany. Undrafted, the Sabres signed Travis as a free agent following a four-year career with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h7J49e" target="_blank">Michigan Wolverines</a></i> in the NCAA; after four seasons in the Sabres' system, consistently improving from one season to the next, he was allowed to suit up in three games with the parent club in 2012-13, scoring a goal. Unfortunately, the 2012-13 lockout happened, and he set his sights for Germany, putting up 46 points and 88 penalty minutes for <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h7JFI0" target="_blank">Düsseldorfer EG</a></i>, so he may have preferred being a star player overseas than a grinder in North America. His point production regressed starting in 2016-17, but what he brought to the game was still appreciated nonetheless. He was captain of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h8868g" target="_blank">Schwenninger Wild Wings</a></i> last season (11 points in 32 games), and I suspect he will be this year as well. This is leadership the Sabres could have brought back at just about any moment in the last decade, but instead chose ROR to lead the room, then handed the reigns to his heir apparent without ever earning it or showing him what he should keep from O'Reilly's teachings and what to throw away. Since Ruff's firing, the Sabres have seemigly always hired the wrong leader at every crucial position, strating with management down to the coaching staff all the way down to the players on the ice. They will need to admit it to their fans before embarking on another rebuilding phase.<br><br>
Here is Turnbull wearing the team's retro white (away) uniform, on card #SI-TR from <b>Panini</b>'s <i>2013-14 Select</i> collection and <i>Select Signatures</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrRJ6-eAImr4XzqHoVqmGa0cuMgpudBte6kF3Ys0ntf9CVBLwkCpIo7EPqpM4Eb719knpJDdb6Ph7qV7muNQWjQ_DrnGyoXHWtdmiNP1MVK2AZL9hc3R8tfNZGlboCsPRxTG7vKAvOvnT/s2048/Travis+Turnbull+Autograph+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrRJ6-eAImr4XzqHoVqmGa0cuMgpudBte6kF3Ys0ntf9CVBLwkCpIo7EPqpM4Eb719knpJDdb6Ph7qV7muNQWjQ_DrnGyoXHWtdmiNP1MVK2AZL9hc3R8tfNZGlboCsPRxTG7vKAvOvnT/s400/Travis+Turnbull+Autograph+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a blue-sharpied on-sticker autograph.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-3318829749240260922021-09-05T15:12:00.029-04:002021-11-04T14:27:43.303-04:00Caps Preview: Alex Ovechkin Swatch Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Brenden Dillon</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/02/craig-anderson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Craig Anderson</a></b> (G), <b>Michael Raffl</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/10/zdeno-chara-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Zdeno Chara</a></b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Matt Irwin</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (C/LW), <b>xxx</b> (C), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Connor McMichael</b> (C), <b>Hendrix Lapierre</b> (C), <b>Martin Fehervary</b> (D), <b>Alexander Alexeyev</b> (D), <b>Vincent Iorio</b> (D), <b>Damien Riat</b> (LW), <b>Aliaksei Protas</b> (C), <b>Brent Johnson</b> (D), <b>Brett Leason</b> (RW), <b>Kody Clark</b> (RW), <b>Lucas Johansen</b> (D)<br><br>
Sure, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bDw7kq" target="_blank">Washington Capitals</a></i>' stars are all in their 30s, they have few top-tier prospects that have Toronto-based pundits salivating and have exited the playoffs early every year since their 2018 Stanley Cup win, but this nucleus remains rock-solid with the likes of <b>Nicklas Backstrom</b>, <b>Alex Ovechkin</b>, <b>Evgeny Kuznetsov</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/anthony-mantha-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Anthony Mantha</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/03/tom-wilson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tom Wilson</a></b>, <b>T.J. Oshie</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/John-Carlson-Jersey-Card.html" target="_blank">John Carlson</a></b> and <b>Dmitry Orlov</b>. The goaltending position is also in good hands with <b>Ilya Samsonov</b> and <b>Vitek Vanecek</b>.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
They can outscore the opposition like few teams can and have better goaltending than the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3mHVbwY" target="_blank">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i>. If someone in the Atlantic can eliminate the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bIdEmM" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i>, a team from the Metropolitan Division could make it to the Cup Final.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
A lot of their firepower is tied into a handful of players, who account for a lot of the team's cap space. There are depth issues, and any injury troubles would mean a huge drop in the standings for the Caps.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team hired <b>Peter</b> <b>Laviolette</b> as head coach because it is still hungry for a Cup. Regular-season seeding doesn't have to matter much, the postseason is how this team will be judged, now and forever.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Third in the Metropolitan Division.<br><br>
Fresh off <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/capitals-resign-ovechkin-to-five-year-million-deal-1.6119293" target="_blank">a five-year deal</a> that will realistically lead him to breaking <b>Wayne Gretzky</b>'s career goals record, Ovechkin is a man on (another) mission. And while the chase for Gretzky's goals record is huge in itself, Ovie is also chasing <b>Sidney Crosby</b>'s two undeserved Conn Smythes, a gimme from a handful of Toronto-based journalists who didn't want to give <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/01/phil-kessel-and-nikolai-kulemin-jersey.html" target="_blank">Phil Kessel</a></b> his due. Should Ovechkin get a second one, it might even force the Hall Of Fame to waive its three-year waiting period to get him in.<br><br>
Here he is wearing the team's dreadful red (home) <i>Reebok Edge</i> uniform from a few years back, on the swatch version of card #73 from <b>Panini</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CMIZAC" target="_blank">2010-11 Luxury Suite</a></i> collection:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFDSwCzTe8JU77sOncP5Eh63BMoIp0YD4wkFrl88O5aCrWgzTFeBhCpazoP4ZjLBrDW-x23R3MNLTTfSjlEXDW7uBeOqtH-u-n04DrxRAoCLgnOt496G2uMPMGazx7AA63YOnO7oGQt2i/s2048/Alex+Ovechkin+Swatch+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFDSwCzTe8JU77sOncP5Eh63BMoIp0YD4wkFrl88O5aCrWgzTFeBhCpazoP4ZjLBrDW-x23R3MNLTTfSjlEXDW7uBeOqtH-u-n04DrxRAoCLgnOt496G2uMPMGazx7AA63YOnO7oGQt2i/s400/Alex+Ovechkin+Swatch+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a white game-worn jersey swatch. I got this one on <i>Ebay</i> for just over five bucks; its usual book value is closer to $40-50.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-26618923375228294962021-09-04T15:30:00.021-04:002021-10-12T00:41:36.544-04:00Hurricanes Preview: Rod Brind'Amour Autographed Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start at the end of the month, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/dougie-hamilton-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Dougie Hamilton</a></b> (D), <b>Alex Nedeljkovic</b> (G), <b>James Reimer</b> (G), <b>Petr Mrazek</b> (C), <b>Warren Foegele</b> (W), <b>Cédric Paquette</b> (F), <b>Brock McGinn</b> (LW), <b>Morgan Geekie</b> (C), <b>Jake Bean</b> (D), <b>Jani Hakanpaa</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/anthony-deangelo-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Tony DeAngelo</a></b> (D), <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b> (C), <b>Ian Cole</b> (D), <b>Frederik Andersen</b> (G), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/08/derek-stepan-jersey-and-stick-card.html" target="_blank">Derek Stepan</a></b> (C), <b>Ethan Bear</b> (D), <b>Antti Raanta</b> (G), <b>Josh Leivo</b> (LW), <b>Brendan Smith</b> (D), <b>Jalen Chatfield</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Seth Jarvis</b> (RW), <b>Dominik Bok</b> (W), <b>Ryan Suzuki</b> (C), <b>Anttoni Honka</b> (D), <b>Noel Gunler</b> (RW), <b>Scott Morrow</b> (D), <b>Vasiliy Ponomarev</b> (C), <b>Jack Drury</b> (C), <b>Pyotr Kochetkov</b> (G), <b>Aleksi Heimosalmi</b> (D), <b>Joey Keane</b> (D)<br><br>
For a team with a low budget that moved on from captain <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/eric-staal-3-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Eric Staal</a></b> only to hand the title to his little brother <b>Jordan</b>, that couldn't afford to give its best goalie (Nedeljkovic) $3M per season and who let its star defenseman (Hamilton) leave as a free agent to sign to a $9M cap hit with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3auO7ww" target="_blank">New Jersey Devils</a></i>, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3iQwgVv" target="_blank">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i> sure turned heads when they gave Kotkaniemi <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/jesperi-kotkaniemi-carolina-hurricanes-offer-sheet/c-326039224" target="_blank">an offer sheet</a> that the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3atn2dn" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> were smart <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-loved-keep-kotkaniemi-not-offer-sheet-price/" target="_blank">not to match</a>, but the 21-year-old forward is a nice project for the coaching staff to develop while the rest of the well-constructed team (a legitimate top line of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/sebastian-aho-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Sebastian Aho</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/teuvo-teravainen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Teuvo Teravainen</a></b> and <b>Andrei Svechnikov</b>, a second line that can put up points with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/vincent-trocheck-autograhed-card.html" target="_blank">Vincent Trocheck</a></b> and <b>Martin Necas</b>, and the aforementioned Staal II manning the third line, with <b>Nino Niederreiter </b>and <b>Jesper Fast</b> able to spend time on one of the top two lines as well, and a defense that still includes <b>Jaccob Slavin</b>, <b>Brady Skjei</b>, <b>Brett Pesce</b>, <b>Jake Gardiner</b> and new acquisitions DeAngelo, Stanley Cup winner Cole and Smith. There is a wealth of talent on that team.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The roster is as stacked as a team not based in Tampa Bay or Vegas can be.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
If Andersen's an upgrade over Mrazek, can he get back to his 2017 form and adequately replace Nedeljkovic instead? Will DeAngelo become a DeIstraction? Will Kotkaniemi sign a more reasonable extension in January, or has he messed up the Canes' salary structure forever?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team is built to withstand roster turnovers whenever a player's production has him reach a paygrade deemed too rich for owner <b>Tom Dundon</b>... except for maybe Aho - a 24-year-old centre who can do it all and produce at a point per game pace - and Slavin, who remains the most underrated defenseman in the game. If they had decent goaltending, they would be (and would have been) serious contenders for years.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
First in the Metropolitan Division.<br><br>
Head coach <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2010/03/rod-brindamour-2-autographed-cards.html">Rod Brind'Amour</a></b> seems to be the perfect person to lead this troupe and instill team spirit, which is one benefit of having a former captain behind the bench. Not only can he coach this team to success despite never having a true #1 goalie between the pipes, but he's walked the walk as well, <a href="https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1402720047638974464" target="_blank">waiting until each of his assistants and trainers got extended</a> before <a href="https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article252177668.html" target="_blank">signing his own three-year deal</a>. Oh, and he won the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31651840/rod-brindamour-signs-3-year-extension-carolina-hurricanes" target="_blank">Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year</a> the same day.<br><br>
Although the award was well-deserved, I think most people know Brind'Amour isn't the best coach in the league, but he's the ideal bench boss for this team, just like he was a great fit as a player, and a perfect member of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3lwjX2s" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>, with whom he played 633 regular-season games and posted 235 goals and 366 assists for 601 points to go with 563 penalty minutes in the heart of the Dead Puck Era, and another 51 points (24 goals and 27 assists) and 31 penalty minutes in 56 post-season games.<br><br>
On a team where the top line of <b>Eric Lindros</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/john-leclair-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">John LeClair</a></b> and <b>Mikael Renberg</b> was viewed as dominant (and the best line in the NHL), it was Brind'Amour's 13 goals that led the league in the 1997 playoffs, and his two-goal game on March 25th that eliminated the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Duj4h2" target="_blank">New York Rangers</a></i> and sent the Flyers to the Cup Final for the first time in a decade. Here he is wearing the team's white (then-home) uniform, on card #121 from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>1997-98 Series 1</i> collection:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCTEtufv-tLFczAna6SDsMQVL5HKNH6mVG25rTSpZyLlKyBNS98YINJj9w152qW_NPHLc15cvdFgUZ-q22g3-v3wT1fppo62xd6p6EzxDtb9IrjP7t3gfeTEzJan2gTK2bLA_hKjCZo5-/s2048/Rod+Brind%2527Amour+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCTEtufv-tLFczAna6SDsMQVL5HKNH6mVG25rTSpZyLlKyBNS98YINJj9w152qW_NPHLc15cvdFgUZ-q22g3-v3wT1fppo62xd6p6EzxDtb9IrjP7t3gfeTEzJan2gTK2bLA_hKjCZo5-/s400/Rod+Brind%2527Amour+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed it in black sharpie 10-15 years ago, when he was still playing for the Canes.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-47736828257007742292021-09-03T22:16:00.163-04:002021-11-04T12:01:34.993-04:00Blue Jackets Preview: Jakub Voracek Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/seth-jones-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Seth Jones</a></b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/01/cam-atkinson-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Cam Atkinson</a></b> (RW), <b>Kole Sherwood</b> (RW), <b>Michael Del Zotto</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/04/jakub-voracek-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Jakub Voracek</a></b> (RW), <b>Adam Boqvist</b> (D), <b>Jake Bean</b> (D), <b>Sean Kuraly</b> (C), <b>Zac Rinaldo</b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Kent Johnson</b> (C), <b>Cole Sillinger</b> (C), <b>Corson Ceulemans</b> (D), <b>Kirill Marchenko</b> (RW), <b>Yegor Chinakhov</b> (RW), <b>Andrew Peeke</b> (D), <b>Daniil Tarasov</b> (G), <b>Dmitri Voronkov</b> (LW), <b>Trey Fix-Wolansky</b> (RW), <b>Stanislav Svozil</b> (D), <b>Liam Foudy</b> (C), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (LW)<br><br>
This is a transition period for the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CLDger" target="_blank">Columbus Blue Jackets</a></i>, who have only a handful of players left from the failed "all-in" season three years ago. Even head coach <b>John Tortorella</b> left, replaced by assistant <b>Brad Larsen</b>. There will be growing pains while a new system is set up, in the same way an expansion team like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3mKkLl5" target="_blank">Seattle Kraken</a></i> might face, except exclusively with home-grown young players and draft picks, not hand-picked from the entire league. The four new players coming in look solid to me (even Rinaldo, who will help instill some team spirit).<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The Blue Jackets' top-three on defense consisting of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/zach-werenski-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Zach Werenski</a></b>, Boqvist and Bean will be solid eventually, but the latter two must gain experience first, and it will be trial by fire at least for this season. Goalie <b>Elvis Merzlikins</b> is a very good goalie who may fall into a Vezina Trophy at some point (in the era of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/jacob-markstrom-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, <b>Thatcher Demko</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/09/lightning-preview-andrei-vasilevskiy.html" target="_blank">Andrei Vasilevskiy</a></b>, which wil lbe extremely difficult), but he would need his team to make the playoffs for that to happen.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Will <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/patrik-laine-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Patrik Laine</a></b> regain his offensive touch, or will he bide his time until he can leave himself?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
The trade deadline brought in a huge leadership void when captain <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/nick-foligno-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Nick Foligno</a></b> and defenseman <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/david-savard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">David Savard</a></b> were traded for high draft picks, which was compounded by Jones' and Atkinson's summer departures. This will take time to rebuild.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
8th in the Metropolitan Division.<br><br>
I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the one-for-one trade involving Atkinson (headed to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nUFNg0" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>) and Voracek - on both sides. Atkinson is still a 30-goal man, a feisty little speedster, and Voracek produces at a 0.75-point-per-game clip at this stage in his career - a very good production rate for a 32-year-old player - but he's lost a bit of foot speed and is an assists collector first and foremost, and I fail to see who he will set up unless he is directly tasked with reviving Laine's game.<br><br>
He knows what to expect in Columbus, however, having already been a part of a rebuild there to start his career off as the team's 7th-overall pick in 2007. This is what he looked like wearing deep blue, as seen on card #GJ-JV from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2010-11 Series 1</i> collection and <i>UD Game Jersey</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vuXVMCeHXNMHkuiV1AUqRB87yfoxpbtRn9WGPbNVJzvSdvOsl0nQ1jlD7eWQZAogM2AIkxWlprls6BBcEcCeoV9NG3rcsBlUep1WniF8niuZeoybiQZU4eIl6hCLFNgm6iMxDAKxqbg2/s1911/Jakub+Voracek+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1911" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vuXVMCeHXNMHkuiV1AUqRB87yfoxpbtRn9WGPbNVJzvSdvOsl0nQ1jlD7eWQZAogM2AIkxWlprls6BBcEcCeoV9NG3rcsBlUep1WniF8niuZeoybiQZU4eIl6hCLFNgm6iMxDAKxqbg2/s400/Jakub+Voracek+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a white game-worn jersey swatch.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-58855616423896968232021-09-02T21:13:00.222-04:002021-11-02T15:17:54.054-04:00Jets Preview: Troy Murray: Two Autographed Cards(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbj57bDvYzQig5cuzKQp10DXcvv5puHLVmkLS9VOak0KtK5f2dckCiNeHki3x2jdiUzha57uogEyJPxGzZWtoABu9OKQPNJG50bTck0-hDp7Z__pKgcgEmNT_X3T7M9QwViZ6kEWVt3pj/s2048/Troy+Murray+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbj57bDvYzQig5cuzKQp10DXcvv5puHLVmkLS9VOak0KtK5f2dckCiNeHki3x2jdiUzha57uogEyJPxGzZWtoABu9OKQPNJG50bTck0-hDp7Z__pKgcgEmNT_X3T7M9QwViZ6kEWVt3pj/s400/Troy+Murray+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg"/></a></div>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Mason Appleton</b> (C), <b>Mathieu Perreault</b> (C/LW), <b>Tucker Poolman</b> (D), <b>Laurent Brossoit</b> (G), <b>Derek Forbort</b> (D), <b>Nate Thompson</b> (C), <b>Trevor Lewis</b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Nate Schmidt</b> (D), <b>Brendan Dillon</b> (D), <b>Riley Nash</b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Cole Perfetti</b> (C), <b>Ville Heinola</b> (D), <b>Dylan Samberg</b> (D), <b>David Gustafsson</b> (C), <b>Kristian Vesalainen</b> (LW), <b>Chaz Lucius</b> (C), <b>Mikhail Bergin</b> (G), <b>Dmitri Kuzmin</b> (D), <b>Simon Lundmark</b> (D)<br><br>
Now that they've added to their blue line via the low-key Norris-level Schmidt and dependable Dillon, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Boz5DM" target="_blank">Winnipeg Jets</a></i> are once again a force to be reckoned with, with the best goalie in the world in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b>, tremendous leadership in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/07/blake-wheeler-4-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Blake Wheeler</a></b>, star power in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/mark-scheifele-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Scheifele</a></b>, the NHL's most underrated forward in <b>Kyle Connor</b>, and another potential first-line centre in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/pierre-luc-dubois-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Pierre-Luc Dubois</a></b>, who underperformed last season after coming in a couple of weeks late due to Canadian Covid-19 protocols and never really getting enough time to catch up, but who has proven in the past that he can carry the load. And Schmidt's arrival will send N<b>eal Pionk</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/05/josh-morrissey-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Josh Morrissey</a></b> in ideal slots (they were fine operating as the top-two defensemen but will be elite #2s and #3s).<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
A team with Hellebuyck between the pipes makes the playoffs. A team with him and Schmidt, Pionk and Morrissey might win a round. Add two potent offensive lines and a full cast on D (including <b>Dylan DeMelo</b>) and you may get a Conference Final.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
<b>Eric Comrie</b> is now in his 8th season trying to make it as the Jets' backup goalie. Will it work this time? He's a bit too good for the AHL and no longer has anything to prove there, he just needs to step up and have a save percentage above .905 to keep his head above water. This team is strong but not especially deep. A couple of key injuries could derail a lot of good things - and one to Hellebuyck would be deadly.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
Don't sleep on the Jets. In a relatively weak Central Division where only the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nEjafM" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i> are a powerhouse, there is a path to the third round that's wide open, and Winnipeg's talent level ranks on par with that of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bq2ral" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i>, and above the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3mq1gxX" target="_blank">Minnesota Wild</a></i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3w3vrOz" target="_blank">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nEjxqG" target="_blank">Dallas Stars</a></i>.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Second in the Central Division.<br><br>
<b>Troy Murray</b> was only a member of the Jets for a year and a half before the team - which had acquired him from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CGttGv" target="_blank">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i> prior to the 1991-92 season - sent him back to the Hawks in February of 1993. The Jets ended up with the rights to <b>Warren Rychel</b> (who never played in Winnipeg) and <b>Steven Bancroft</b> while the Hawks landed <b>Bryan Marchment</b> (one of the meanest and dirtiest players of all time) and <b>Chris Norton</b>. Murray was by far the best player in any transaction, captaining the Jets for the duration of his stay in Canada and winning the Selke trophy in 1985-86 as well as the Stanley Cup in 1996 with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3wbbd5B" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i> alongside Rychel.<br><br>
He was also captain of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3qfdSKL" target="_blank">Team Canada</a></i> squad that took home the gold medal at the 1982 World Juniors.<br><br>
After two stints with Chicago spanning 12 seasons and one year playing for the IHL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3jVgwkE" target="_blank">Chicago Wolves</a></i> (posting 21 goals, 29 assists and 50 points as well as 63 penalty minutes in 81 games), Murray joined the Hawks' broadcast team upon retiring as a player, and it was announced just last week that he had been <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2021/8/9/22616954/chicago-blackhawks-latest-news-2021-nhl-offseason-troy-murray-cancer-diagnosis-updates-statements" target="_blank">diagnosed with cancer</a>. I wish him the best of luck in his fight for his life.<br><br>
Here he is wearing the Jets' white (then-home) uniform, on card #215 from <b>Pro Set</b>'s <i>1992-93 Series 1</i> collection:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaTHXJrEgbXK5atRkBBhSCyG6AWKdJjs0dRGf5P-3I1ItdQCAiS_4SbD9OLRLaGNENsAP3Ox957r9cSmde8P7IgRMOtGBdDnHbezFet5RFKteKbZLp7XIAYkBUwJmEG3qbRKi-d-TaGXE/s2048/Troy+Murray+White+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaTHXJrEgbXK5atRkBBhSCyG6AWKdJjs0dRGf5P-3I1ItdQCAiS_4SbD9OLRLaGNENsAP3Ox957r9cSmde8P7IgRMOtGBdDnHbezFet5RFKteKbZLp7XIAYkBUwJmEG3qbRKi-d-TaGXE/s400/Troy+Murray+White+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
And here he is in action pivoting in front of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3EHtR8m" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i> goalie (and fellow current broadcaster) <b>Glenn Healy</b>, with <b>Jeff Norton</b> in possession of the puck:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAvM42w6U5hxT015K3lIiW_i4qHaNWH9NZFDO2ZYD_b1tE4BxlXUEw-0YYMfMNFu9ofLbKlWfibgoypvrbc1u1FS0pAkBcgm-Obh7phy8YPuN6i7INMJxWgX9DgnNDP8NdGjtnU_K_IsT/s2048/Troy+Murray+Blue+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAvM42w6U5hxT015K3lIiW_i4qHaNWH9NZFDO2ZYD_b1tE4BxlXUEw-0YYMfMNFu9ofLbKlWfibgoypvrbc1u1FS0pAkBcgm-Obh7phy8YPuN6i7INMJxWgX9DgnNDP8NdGjtnU_K_IsT/s400/Troy+Murray+Blue+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
Both were signed in blue sharpie while he was in town with the Hawks, around 2015-2017.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-29220451344447393292021-07-28T22:23:00.150-04:002021-08-07T20:34:32.738-04:00Dougie Hamilton Autographed Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
As expected, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/11/dougie-hamilton-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Dougie Hamilton</a></b> cashed in as <a href="https://www.si.com/hockey/news/devils-go-big-grab-dougie-hamilton" target="_blank">the major piece available in free agency</a> today, signing a seven-year, $63M deal (worth $9M per) with the... <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xluYXb" target="_blank">New Jersey Devils</a></i>, who now have two offensively-minded right-shot defensemen making over $9M, with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/08/pk-subban-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">P.K. Subban</a></b> already in the fold.<br><br>
The Devils will be Hamilton's fourth NHL team, after being drafted by the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rUcJqH" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i> (9th overall in 2011) - then-coached by <b>Claude Julien</b>, who has a tendency to have his GMs get rid of the good, young talent on his rosters, a fate <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/09/tyler-seguin-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Seguin</a></b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/01/phil-kessel-and-nikolai-kulemin-jersey.html" target="_blank">Phil Kessel</a></b> also shared during his stint in Beantown - then traded to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3iq2dEn" target="_blank">Calgary Flames</a></i> in a large deal only to be dealt to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/37qxiBD" target="_blank">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i> in a blockbuster move after three seasons in the C Of Red. That's four teams that recognize his all-world talent at creating offense, three of which didn't think was enough to convince them to keep him. We know Julien views raw talent as "uncoachable", but what of the other two teams?<br><br>
For starters, the Flames sent the Canes Hamilton, a promising prospect in <b>Adam Fox</b> (this year's Norris Trophy winner) and middle-six grinder <b>Micheal Ferland</b> for stop-four defender <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/04/noah-hanifin-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Noah Hanifin</a></b> and first-line winger <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/elias-lindholm-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Elias Lindholm</a></b>, which in retrospect may seem lopsided but did fill two immediate needs for them with Fox being a project that could have not ended up working - and in fact did not become who he is now with the team he was traded to.<br><br>
As for Carolina, they are entitled to think that Hamilton's underlying elite possession numbers were at least partly the result of playing alongside <b>Jaccob Slavin</b>, perhaps the league's best shut-down defenseman - and that could very well be true, too, but Hamilton surely had his say in that as well. I'm not saying I would have paid him that much money (he's overpaid by $1.5M in this economic context mixed with a flat cap, in my opinion), but I would bet on him being my top-pair right-shot defender for the next five years and would have been willing to tack on two extra years just to make sure I get him, yes.<br><br>
The Hurricanes seem intent on giving the impression that they will low-ball everyone on their team not named <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/09/rod-brindamour-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Rod Brind'Amour</a></b>, from waiting until <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/sebastian-aho-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Sebastian Aho</a></b> signed an offer sheet elsewhere a couple of summers ago to letting go their only good goalie of the past decade this summer after squabbling over half a million with <b>Alex Nedeljkovic</b> and now lettin gHamilton walk for nothingafter a failed postseason run. They're deep enough on defense that they may not feel it as much, though, and they're probably betting they already have his replacement in <b>Jake Gardiner</b>, who has been relwegated to a lesser role since signing with the team as a free agent ahead of the 2019-20 season.<br><br>
The Devils will be Hamilton's third consecutive red uniform, and here is what he looked like in one of the many Hurricanes home garbs, on card #436 from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xwXPYC" target="_blank">2019-20 O-Pee-Chee</a></i> collection by <b>Upper Deck</b>:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wTB6O2wxDWH2ReNbYxN6QrQGhZe-WePQp-H9Zwj86X36vgn_73UAnZF5OAn5CQdw8Tdmor8VFbqTALkNM78w6cKk2g0IFCZGE7SG6x9hpVorhgmdo8GAgQbQAcQQuO9WzVEei_GAr5Cz/s1923/Dougie+Hamilton+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1923" data-original-width="1369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wTB6O2wxDWH2ReNbYxN6QrQGhZe-WePQp-H9Zwj86X36vgn_73UAnZF5OAn5CQdw8Tdmor8VFbqTALkNM78w6cKk2g0IFCZGE7SG6x9hpVorhgmdo8GAgQbQAcQQuO9WzVEei_GAr5Cz/s400/Dougie+Hamilton+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
You'll notice a sharp difference between this blue-sharpied signature and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/Dougie-Hamilton-Autographed-Card.html" target="_blank">the one I featured last January</a>; it's the sign of a player becoming confident in his star status mixed with the autograph requester being an overweight, out of shape, bearded man in his late thirties/early forties, so the player's not even trying to scribble his name anymore and thinks it'll stop me from making a profit off the sale of the card. Except I don't sell the cards I put up here (bur he doesn't know that).Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-10003014404966189302021-07-24T16:23:00.098-04:002021-08-28T14:30:00.306-04:00Pavel Buchnevich Autograph Card(team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3iOf2s8" target="_blank">New York Rangers</a></i> made waves yesterday <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/07/24/pavel-buchnevich-trade-was-move-rangers-plan-demanded/" target="_blank">by trading</a> 26-year-old <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/pavel-buchnevich-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Pavel Buchnevich</a></b> to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Xk9bma" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i> for <b>Samuel Blais</b> and a second-round pick; I've read a lot of nonsense online about how the Rangers got fleeced in the deal, essentially giving up a first-liner for a bottom-six forward and a pick that will at best be a plugger - but that is simply not true. Blais often played on the Blues' top unit, making space for <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/ryan-oreilly-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan O'Reilly</a></b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/06/david-perron-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">David Perron</a></b> to create plays, and was a heart-and-soul member of the 2019 Stanley Cup-winning team. Buchnevich, on the other hand, finally played up to his offensive potential, posting a career-high 48 points in just 56 games - two more than he had put up in 68 games in 2019-20 - just in time to cash in on <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2021/7/27/22596744/blues-sign-pavel-buchnevich-to-four-year-contract" target="_blank">a four-year deal worth $5.8M per season</a>; he was arbitration-eligible and could have gone to free agency next summer.<br><br>
That's deifnitely top-6 money, and he's definitely a top-6 talent, but some Blues fans may be asking too much of him to fill in for injury-depleted former star winger <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/Vladimir-Tarasenko-Jersey-Card.html" target="_blank">Vladimir Tarasenko</a></b> - prime-level Tarasenko was elite, whereas Buchnevich's upside is a one- or two-time All-Star "at best" (it's still pretty freaking good on a team that won a Cup recently and has hardware winners).<br><br>
Both teams will get what they want out of this trade,but chances are the Rangers have a better shot at feeling like they got more than expected, whereas the Blues may end up 115% underwhelmed compared to what they felt they were obtaining.<br><br>
Here is Buchnevich on one of my favourite themed sets, the <i>Signature Pucks</i> sub-set from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s 2018-19 Trilogy collection, wearing the Rangers' classic white (away) uniform and featuring a silver-sharpied autograph on a minuscule puck embedded in the card itself:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7brhAXmYCg0w5oYlxmpKLr6htd68shLtK5BIBx8y6J7PsNJb9k3z16iZEk_OvfYg3B0jvCP1fXSOoGx7IlqK7TEo6uvpBwz96GFvMJ0JYFxEV-B51noHfamXK0oSFKPIwZHZ92sBOXQBM/s1916/Pavel+Buchnevich+Autograph+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="1916" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7brhAXmYCg0w5oYlxmpKLr6htd68shLtK5BIBx8y6J7PsNJb9k3z16iZEk_OvfYg3B0jvCP1fXSOoGx7IlqK7TEo6uvpBwz96GFvMJ0JYFxEV-B51noHfamXK0oSFKPIwZHZ92sBOXQBM/s400/Pavel+Buchnevich+Autograph+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
That level of penmanship is rare nowadays. This card once had a book value of roughly $15, it now oscillates between $40-50.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-65977220884849020432021-07-23T11:08:00.118-04:002021-07-31T11:06:28.330-04:00Seth Jones Jersey Card(team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
Only weeks after <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/04/seth-jones-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Seth Jones</a></b> let the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3zN2uag" target="_blank">Columbus Blue Jackets</a></i> know that he wouldn't re-sign with them past this next season, the team <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/blackhawks-acquire-star-defenceman-seth-jones-blue-jackets/" target="_blank">found a taker for his services</a> in the form of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3fe7P2q" target="_blank">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i>, who are making a push for the playoffs for the 2021-22 season. The Hawks have also seemigly re-signed him for $9.5M per season (edit: <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/blackhawks-sign-seth-jones-eight-year-extension-trade-blue-jackets/" target="_blank">confirmed</a>, $76M over 8 seasons), hoping they get the Norris Trophy contender from 2019 instead of the sub-par performer from this past season - and I think they did.<br><br>
Usually, defensemen already have hardware on their mantle before they start earning upwards of $100K per game, but this offseason is special, with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3f9ho2A" target="_blank">Seattle Kraken</a></i> expansion draft and most GMs having prepared for it by having little over the minimum number of players to protect under contract and preferring to push their re-signings to between the amateur draft and the start of free agency; those that didn't traded away fairly big names (such as <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/07/ryan-ellis-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Ellis</a></b>), at times for a decent return, but sometimes <a href="https://www.si.com/hockey/news/shayne-gostisbehere-traded-to-arizona-coyotes" target="_blank">for literally nothing</a>. I believe the top tier defensemen will all sign around $8-9M, one of them might fall to half that, which is where the good shut-down defenders will also range, and there will be an awful lot of $1M deals with lower-tier guys and veterans aiming for that elusive Stanley Cup betting on themselves on a short contract. That's what a flat-cap world mixed with a lot of buyouts coupled with players not getting qualified will do - it creates a perceived elite class, the middle ground disappears and those who wait too long end up on bad teams or with bad deals out of sheer lack of cap space.<br><br>
Jones comes in as a household name to replace the departed <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/duncan-keith-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Duncan Keith</a></b>, who was 11 years older. The Hawks now have cost certainty for that top spot on D until he turns 35, which is when defensemen start regressing - a perfect time for a contract of this magnitude to end; perhaps the salary cap will even have increased a bit starting in the middle of the deal. Chicago will also be able to build around him, using players that will complement his skills for the duration of his prime, and their cap situation is clear (and healthy) after the Keith trade and <b>Brent Seabrook</b>'s cap hit on Long Term Injured Reserve.<br><br>
Here he is as a rookie, freshly drafted by the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3fe4Qam" target="_blank">Nashville Predators</a></i> - fourth overall, behind <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/nathan-mackinnon-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Nathan MacKinnon</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/01/aleksander-barkov-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Aleksander Barkov</a></b> and <b>Jonathan Drouin</b> - and wearing their terrible white (away) <i>Reebok</i> uniform on card #RM-SJ from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2013-14 Series 2</i> collection and <i>Rookie Materials</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb92t2kfeAoCVL0O1qgf1uamFk2t-oZxMVi20ceIfF69KvNZEYPzGkh6amQLyuSYmAAJAOYprvlhWBtFyJv7IyL0E9Eg5R75-EXd-YPvAz7Ge0IKIgxjXh5zeokouP4-jnJR-OfsrUobU/s1912/Seth+Jones+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="1373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb92t2kfeAoCVL0O1qgf1uamFk2t-oZxMVi20ceIfF69KvNZEYPzGkh6amQLyuSYmAAJAOYprvlhWBtFyJv7IyL0E9Eg5R75-EXd-YPvAz7Ge0IKIgxjXh5zeokouP4-jnJR-OfsrUobU/s400/Seth+Jones+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a blue jersey swatch from a rookie photo shoot.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-48043923980167961722021-07-16T21:58:00.076-04:002021-07-31T15:41:41.784-04:00Richard Panik Autograph Card(team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
Once considered a reliable middle-six forward who was good for some 35-40 points per season, <b>Richard Pánik</b>'s production has fallen off in recent years, partly because he played on bad teams like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xeHaJ5" target="_blank">Arizona Coyotes</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3idaH1B" target="_blank">Detroit Red Wings</a></i>, but perhaps also because when he signed as a free agent with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3igWBMC" target="_blank">Washington Capitals</a></i>, he was mostly seen as depth and insurance, seeing his ice time fall from 15 minutes per game in Arizona to just a little over 12 in Washington because he didn't get to fill in for anyone injured on the second line.<br><br>
At the trade deadline, he was part of a <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/anthony-mantha-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">package the Caps sent to the Wings to acquire power forward <b>Anthony Mantha</b></a>, and he was flipped to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ygJuAP" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i> earlier today in return for defenseman <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/nick-leddy-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Nick Leddy</a></b>, in <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/islanders-trade-nick-leddy-red-wings-richard-panik-second-round-pick/" target="_blank">a move</a> impacted by the upcoming <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rIRgAI" target="_blank">Seattle Kraken</a></i> expansion draft.<br><br>
Playing away from the puck is not his strength - he's more of a <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/thomas-vanek-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Thomas Vanek</a></b>-type, with decent speed, good hands and a good shot - so I'm not sure how he'll fare on a team managed by <b>Lou Lamoriello</b> and coached by <b>Barry Trotz</b>, but if anything, he can get flipped to yet another team if it doesn't work out. I have a soft spot for Leddy, so I'll say the Wings win this one.<br><br>
Here is the former second-rounder (52nd overall in 2009, a <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ifFWsJ" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> selection) wearing the Coyotes' burgundy and black home uniform, on card #SOTT-RP from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2017-18 SP Authentic</i> collection and <i>Sign Of The Times</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3Py1LsUGlQs6T-Fa8BuU2MGmj02lwtur1qL4KwVnRIW-D90mPMKqmk0Ml3smgclxIEIS4iMFMt_0VD0-eSAO5VOH3-3wsl1veZP1fHK2iLlfXO7N4974sHRzT7taA3wj4AfFN4NDLLYB/s1925/Richard+Panik+Autograph+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1925" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3Py1LsUGlQs6T-Fa8BuU2MGmj02lwtur1qL4KwVnRIW-D90mPMKqmk0Ml3smgclxIEIS4iMFMt_0VD0-eSAO5VOH3-3wsl1veZP1fHK2iLlfXO7N4974sHRzT7taA3wj4AfFN4NDLLYB/s400/Richard+Panik+Autograph+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a blue-sharpied on-card autograph, including his jersey number (14) tagged at the end.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-79816151973629722252021-07-05T22:41:00.017-04:002021-07-31T14:34:10.777-04:00Duncan Keith Jersey Card(team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
Colour me baffled once again by <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2TNyT1c" target="_blank">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> GM <b>Ken Holland</b>, who <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/duncan-keith-traded-to-oilers-by-blackhawks/c-325635738" target="_blank">traded</a> promising young prospect <b>Caleb Jones</b> and a third-round pick to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3j7kIMW" target="_blank">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i> for the totality of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/10/duncan-keith-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Duncan Keith</a></b>'s remaining two years, $5.53M cap hit and all. Keith had shown a desire to play in Western Canada or with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2WtnSmw" target="_blank">Seattle Kraken</a></i>, which left just the Oilers, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rQIe4Y" target="_blank">Calgary Flames</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2WE0jrm" target="_blank">Vancouver Canucks</a></i> as possible suitors, and the Canucks and Flames were reportedly not interested. It seemed like Hawks GM <b>Stan Bowman</b> had his hands tied, but he may actually have been in possession of pictures of Holland in the same position that he didn't want to see released to the public.<br><br>
Don't get me wrong - I <b><u>LOVE</u></b> Duncan Keith. He's a first-ballot Hall Of Famer, a two-time Norris Trophy winner (in the <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/nicklas-lidstrom-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Nicklas Lidstrom</a></b> era no less), and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion whose Conn Smythe performance in 2015 was the most dominant performance I've ever seen by a skater during a playoff series - more so than <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/10/chris-pronger-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Chris Pronger</a></b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/10/erik-karlsson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Erik Karlsson</a></b>'s failed Cup runs, more than any forwards I remember (which admittedly, because I was too young and only started paying serious attention to hockey in the Spring of 1986, doesn't include <b>Wayne Gretzky</b>'s two Smythe-worthy performances although it does include <b>Mario Lemieux</b>'s).<br><br>
But he's 37 and will turn 38 later this week, he has been trending downwards for eight seasons, with the last four being particularly painful in terms of possession statistics, though his "real" stats in 2018-19 were pretty good. Which means the Oilers should have gotten the Hawks to at least retain a couple of millions for each season, or half his salary in Year One and none for the last... anything, really.<br><br>
Keith is no longer the first-pairing defenseman he used to be, he will have to get sheltered minutes with someone who can both keep up with and help him (fix his mistakes). There are rumours <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/09/ryan-suter-8x10-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Suter</a></b>, <b>Keith Yandle</b> and others might get bought out; perhaps waiting on these options to present themselves would have diminished the price paid or improved the return.<br><br>
But let's harken back to when no one knew the heights he would reach after being drafted in the second round (54th overall) four years prior, on card #RT-DK from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2005-06 Series 2</i> set and <i>Rookies Threads</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2KEEjFt86KhSxF3NUIBiM696rg13uS_ghYIC7AaqvBl0BfxfG6u2JjpXtin2br70ipLJM9nRFWU8UKey0Ud5xwKG4_fnILxLrEeYCVF6-6ocnfkVbjXuu2vOk262t-pxUcRrRp_WNehL/s2048/Duncan+Keith+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2KEEjFt86KhSxF3NUIBiM696rg13uS_ghYIC7AaqvBl0BfxfG6u2JjpXtin2br70ipLJM9nRFWU8UKey0Ud5xwKG4_fnILxLrEeYCVF6-6ocnfkVbjXuu2vOk262t-pxUcRrRp_WNehL/s400/Duncan+Keith+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It shows him wearing the Hawks' classic red jersey, with a matching swatch (possibly from the same photo shoot).Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-656130119427787931.post-7350919027761816212021-06-07T23:50:00.217-04:002021-06-08T19:00:08.015-04:00Tim Cheveldae Autographed Card(team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This series was over the moment <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/mark-scheifele-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Scheifele</a></b> decided venting his frustration was more important than attemptiong a comeback, some time around midway in the first game of the series, way before he actually crossed the line and deliberately injured <i><a href="https://amzn.to/351jD2x" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> rookie <b>Jake Evans</b>. He left the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ctQmBI" target="_blank">Winnipag Jets</a></i> - already without second-line center <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/10/paul-stastny-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Paul Stastny</a></b>, on the cusp of losing #2 defenseman <b>Dylan DeMelo</b> for <a href="https://illegalcurve.com/winnipeg-jets-playoff-injury-update-dylan-demelo-out-with-soft-tissue-injury/" target="_blank">a long time</a> - without their top playmaker, a point-per-game player who had helped shut <b>Connor McDavid</b> and the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/34ZFEiw" target="_blank">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> down in the first round.<br><br>
As his eyes got more and more filled with rage from being stifled by <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/phillip-danault-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Phillip Danault</a></b> and clobbered by <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/08/shea-weber-white-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Shea Weber</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/08/jeff-petry-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jeff Petry</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/09/joel-edmundson-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Joel Edmundson</a></b> and <b>Ben Chiarot</b>, you could almost read the prediction of how the series would go by the expression on his face, from "Jets in 6" at the opening faceoff to "Jets in 7" in the middle of the second period to "Habs in 7" to start the third, "Habs in 6" five minutes later, and "Habs in 4" when it became clear Scheifele would get a lengthy suspension.<br><br>
The referees did a good job of not letting any part of this series get out of hand, even calling out Stastny for a penalty for a cross-check after a goal in Game 3, making sure the last ten minutes of play isn't just scrum-after-scrum of frustration masquerading as "message sending" with the potential for more useless injuries.<br><br>
I love a tough game; I would love for every team to have a <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/07/blake-wheeler-4-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Blake Wheeler</a></b> on one wing and a <b>Josh Anderson</b> on the other to bang and bruise their way to the opposition's net, but dirty plays at the speed of this spot cannot be tolerated, and as much as I really love the Jets, that the series was decided on a bonehead play after an empty-net goal is well-deserved. Wheeler seemed to agree that the suspension changed the course of the series:
<blockquote>You can't describe the impact of losing him. He's a top-10 player in the NHL. I'm not saying that we would win the series in five games because he was in the lineup. But it just changes our team. He makes me better, he makes <b>Kyle Connor</b> better. It just makes our team look a lot different, so it's a damn shame.</blockquote>
I don't believe Scheifele gets the <b>Nazem Kadri</b> treatment and gets shipped out of town, and hopefully he learneds his lesson from this unfortunate situation.<br><br>
Still, these are good times for Jets fans. They have had a very good team for the better part of a decade now, have the best goalie in the game (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b>), are exciting to watch, have a good tactician in coach <b>Paul Maurice</b> (although at this point perhaps a motivator might be what they should be looking for)... they did not sweep the Oilers by accident.<br><br>
They are missing two key elements for me: a top-four defenseman and a return to one of their old uniforms, such as the mid-1990s oen as sported by <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/08/tim-cheveldae-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Tim Cheveldae</a></b> on card #212 from <b>Pinnacle Brands</b>' <i>1995-96 Score</i> set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBqohQXMLripCAWWgztAjjMf6EL79-je6eDyh7CmvkKGt5BgJ2WDcxUlYTRPSkX1yVF_nqm3wK6dnxITw18TJ7rZz9kRU-x1wkPPif1O9uYdd_k9sZ76SMf-SNh2GA0EyDAsgxVaWk6kI/s2048/Tim+Cheveldae+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBqohQXMLripCAWWgztAjjMf6EL79-je6eDyh7CmvkKGt5BgJ2WDcxUlYTRPSkX1yVF_nqm3wK6dnxITw18TJ7rZz9kRU-x1wkPPif1O9uYdd_k9sZ76SMf-SNh2GA0EyDAsgxVaWk6kI/s400/Tim+Cheveldae+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uY8QRq" target="_blank">Ottawa Senators</a></i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2SjhtIX" target="_blank">Calgary Flames</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uY5fCQ" target="_blank">Arizona Coyotes</a></i> have recently all embraced the retro trand, as has <i>Adidas</i> with their "<a href="https://amzn.to/3w42rpf" target="_blank">Reverse Retro</a>" series, I think the Jetsshould also embrace the pre-rebirth history of the NHL in their town.<br><br>
Cheveldae was a typical <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3pGOQ4Q" target="_blank">Detroit Red Wings</a></i> goalie: a workhorse for a small number of seasons (three), not quite an established #1 that gets you palyoff success, a scapegoat for postseason failures, and not a Vezina-caliber game-changer, although he did garner some votes in two of his seasons in recognition for games played (72 in 1991-92, for a total of 4236 minutes, and 67 games/3880 minutes the following year, but he had no chance of actually winning with <b>Patrick Roy</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/01/ed-belfour-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ed Belfour</a></b> in their prime).<br><br>
He was replaced in Detroit by Chris Osgood before moving to Winnpeg where he shared the net with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/08/bob-essensa-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Bob Essensa</a></b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2010/02/nikolai-khabibulin-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Nikolai Khabibulin</a></b> before phasing out of the NHL and into the IHL (<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xcnlmd" target="_blank">Fort Wayne Komets</a></i> in 1996-97, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/354qpop" target="_blank">Las Vegas Thunder</a></i> in 1997-98, both with a .878 save percentage and nearly identical 3.96 and 3.95 goals-against averages). He rocked the <i>Heaton</i> equipment well in Winnipeg, but my best memories of him are donning the <i>Vaughn</i> pads in Detroit.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0