Another NHL season is upon us — and with that, another slew of free game-night giveaway items. Some of them are embarrassingly practical, with 16 of the 31 teams giving away magnet schedules. That’s great if you don’t have your smart phone handy and happen to be standing near the fridge, or wherever one sticks a magnet schedule.
On the other hand, much of the free swag is downright strange. The Arizona Coyotes will give away an Oliver Ekman-Larsson kids cape on “Superhero Night.” And yes, they’re calling it a “kids cape” — because an adult-sized Oliver Ekman-Larsson superhero cape would be weird.
But not nearly as weird as this Joe Thornton bobblehead figure.
That’s right — the San Jose Sharks will give away a bobblehead commemorating Thornton’s fight against Nazem Kadri, when a piece of his beard was torn out. The figure even has a chunk of fur hair lying on the ice.
Below is a list that highlights each NHL team’s best giveaway items for the 2018-19 season. This list is not comprehensive; rather, it focuses on collectibles like bobbleheads or hockey cards, or on really unique items. Please note that some items are limited, while others require an advanced ticket purchase, so be sure to visit the appropriate team’s website for more details.
Anaheim Ducks
October 8, 2018 – Magnet schedule
October 10, 2018 – Throwback lunchbox
November 18, 2018 – Hockey glove oven mitt
November 23, 2018 – Upper Deck hockey card team set
December 9, 2018 – Ugly holiday blanket
February 13, 2019 – Wild Wing troll doll
Full Anaheim Ducks promotional schedule here
Arizona Coyotes
October 6, 2018 – Magnet schedule
December 8, 2018 – Star Wars-themed giveaway
December 20, 2018 – Holiday Antti Raanta socks
January 18, 2019 – Trash-talking Tyson Nash plush
February 24, 2019 – Shane Doan bobblehead
March 2, 2019 – Rick Tocchet t-shirt
March 31, 2019 – Oliver Ekman-Larsson kid-sized superhero cape
Full Arizona Coyotes promotional schedule here
Boston Bruins
The Bruins have a dedicated page for promotions and giveaways, but have yet to announce any.
Full Boston Bruins promotional schedule here
Buffalo Sabres
October 4, 2018 – T-shirts
October 6, 2018 – Magnet schedule
November 21, 2018 – Sabres player aprons
April 4, 2019 – Bobblehead (player TBA)
Full Buffalo Sabres promotional schedule here
Calgary Flames
It doesn’t look like the Flames are planning any arena giveaway items, just “themed” games.
Full Calgary Flames promotional schedule here
Carolina Hurricanes
October 7, 2018 – Magnet schedule
Full Carolina Hurricanes promotional schedule here
Chicago Blackhawks
October 7, 2018 – Team wall calendar
November 14, 2018 – Blackhawks gravy boat
January 9, 2019 – Cutting board
January 22, 2019 – Patrick Kane bobblehead
February 10, 2019 – Pat Foley & Ed Olczyk bobblehead
March 7, 2019 – Upper Deck hockey card team set
Full Chicago Blackhawks promotional schedule here
The Blackhawks also made a video with Adam Burish talking about some of the freebies, while also making fun of team captain Jonathan Toews.
Colorado Avalanche
No giveaways announced.
Columbus Blue Jackets
October 5 – Magnet schedule
December 15 – Upper Deck hockey card team set
March 15 – Team poster
Full Blue Jackets promotional schedule here
Dallas Stars
December 3, 2018 – Ben Bishop bobblehead
February 4, 2019 – Alexander Radulov bobblehead
March 7, 2019 – Team pennant
Full Dallas Stars promotional schedule here
Detroit Red Wings
October 22, 2018 – Team Wall Calendar
October 26, 2018 – Magnet schedule
November 28, 2018 – Tyler Bertuzzi bobblehead
December 4, 2018 – Bobblehead (player TBA)
January 8, 2019 – Bobblehead (player TBA)
February 14, 2019 – Bobblehead (player TBA)
February 26, 2019 – Bobblehead (player TBA)
March 29, 2019 – Garden gnome
Full Detroit Red Wings promotional schedule here
Edmonton Oilers
No giveaways this season. Then again, the Oilers have Connor McDavid — the gift that keeps on giving. So who needs a bobblehead?
Florida Panthers
October 11, 2018 – Magnet schedule
December 1, 2018 – Star Wars night
Full Florida Panthers promotional schedule here
Los Angeles Kings
October 5, 2018 – Collectible art print
October 7, 2018 – Magnetic schedule
November 1, 2018 – Collectible art print
January 3, 2019 – Bob Miller mini-statue
January 12, 2019 – Star Wars beanie hat
February 18, 2019 – Luc Robitaille mini-statue
March 2, 2019 – Collectible art print
March 18, 2019 – Drew Doughty cowboy bobblehead
March 21, 2019 – Wayne Gretzky mini-statue
April 6, 2019 – Collectible art print & reusable bag
Full Los Angeles Kings promotional schedule here
Minnesota Wild
October 6, 2018 – Team wall calendar
October 11, 2018 – Magnetic schedule
October 13, 2018 – Puzzle cube
October 20, 2018 – Schedule poster
November 17, 2018 – Bomber hat
December 1, 2018 – Personalized fan magnet
April 4, 2018 – Team poster
Full Minnesota Wild promotional schedule here
Montreal Canadiens
No giveaways announced.
Nashville Predators
No giveaways announced.
New Jersey Devils
October 16, 2018 – Magnetic schedule
October 27, 2018 – Taylor Hall Hart Trophy poster
November 13, 2018 – Martin Brodeur HOF poster
December 3, 2018 – Brian Boyle Masterton Trophy poster
January 10, 2019 – 1980s-themed bobblhead…could it be Mickey Mouse wearing a classic green-and-red Devils’ jersey?
February 17, 2019 – Devils socks
February 19, 2019 – 1990s-themed bobblehead
March 23, 2019 – Upper Deck hockey card team set
Full New Jersey Devils promotional schedule here
New York Islanders
No giveaways announced. That’s really stingy of the Isles, since they freed up some cash in the offseason by losing John Tavares to free agency.
New York Rangers
October 13, 2018 – Trick-Or-Treat bucket
(all kids 14 and under)
That’s the only giveaway the Rangers have announced, but you can see the team’s full promo schedule here.
Ottawa Senators
No giveaways announced, but the Senators might eventually list them here.
Philadelphia Flyers
October 16, 2018 – Jakub Voracek Chia Pet
October 22, 2018 – Magnetic schedule
January 3, 2019 – Team wall calendar
March 19, 2019 – Team poster
Full Philadelphia Flyers promotional schedule here
Pittsburgh Penguins
October 4, 2018 – Magnetic schedule & LED wand
October 16, 2018 – Team wall calendar
November 19, 2018 – Sidney Crosby bobblehead
December 14, 2018 – Team yearbook
December 17, 2018 – Evgeni Malkin bobblehead
January 28, 2019 – Kris Letang bobblehead
February 16, 2019 – Pens logo 500-piece puzzle
Full Pittsburgh Penguins promotional schedule here
San Jose Sharks
October 3, 2018 – Magnet schedule
October 20, 2018 – Los Tiburones shirsey
November 3, 2018 – Star Wars t-shirt
November 6, 2018 – Shark Head figure
December 5, 2018 – Tomas Hertl “Back to School” figure
December 10, 2018 – Evander Kane boxing bobblehead
December 13, 2018 – Brent Burns & zoo animals bobblehead
December 23, 2018 – Tomas Hertl in holiday suit bobblehead
January 5, 2019 – Owen Nolan “Calls His Shot” All-Star Game bobblehead
January 12, 2019 – Martin Jones “Guardian of the Net” superhero bobblehead
February 16, 2019 – Sharks/Warriors mashup shirsey
March 1, 2019 – Joe Thornton fighting bobblehead
March 7, 2019 – Timo Meier alarm clock
March 9, 2019 – Kane & Penelope the Chihuahu bobblehead
March 14, 2019 – Brent Burns nesting dolls
March 16, 2019 – Joonas Donskoi”The Donfather” bobblehead
March 25, 2019 – Joe Pavelski “arm pump celebration” bobblehead
April 6, 2019 – Martin Jones “Game of Jones” figure
…and these aren’t ALL of the Sharks items, either. Just the best ones.
Full San Jose Sharks promotional schedule here
St Louis Blues
October 4, 2018 – Team wall calendar
October 6, 2018 – Magnet schedule
November 19, 2018 – Team poster
December 5, 2018 – Team yearbook
January 8, 2019 – Bobblehead (player TBA)
Full St. Louis Blues promotional schedule here
Tampa Bay Lightning
No giveaways announced.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Leaf fans — your team signed John Tavares. That’s much better than getting a bobblehead figure.
Vancouver Canucks
No giveaways announced.
Vegas Golden Knights
No giveaways announced.
Washington Capitals
October 3, 2018 – Replica Stanley Cup banner
October 10, 2018 – Magnet schedule
November 5, 2018 – 2017-18 commemorative book
December 11, 2018 – Upper Deck hockey card team set
March 26, 2019 – Evgeny Kuznetsov bobblehead
April 6, 2019 – Team poster
Full Washington Capitals promotional schedule here
Winnipeg Jets
October 9, 2018 – Magnet schedule
October 14, 2018 – Mini-jersey
December 16, 2018 – Player pennant
January 6, 2019 – Upper Deck hockey card team set
January 15, 2019 – All-Star poster
March 12, 2019 – Nikolai Ehlers bobblehead
Full Winnipeg Jets promotional schedule here
Again, this list is incomplete and focuses on the best and/or most collectible stuff, because I didn’t want to list every single hat, keychain, scarf or rally towel. But if you think that I missed a really awesome giveaway item, leave a comment and let me know.
Also, if you could get one of these giveaway items, which one would you chose? ■
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
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Definitely the Wayne Gretzky statue – not sure if it is worth the flight from Toronto to get it though.
But the Detroit Red Wings garden gnome is very intriguing… very intriguing indeed.
The Islanders gave away John Tavares. They can’t afford to give away anything else. And this is coming from an Islanders fan.
Ottawa has no giveaway announced because they don’t expect any fans to show up this year. It would just be a waste. At least that’s what the Canadian press is throwing out there.
Actually, it turns out that Ottawa was giving away tickets to last night’s game. So, I guess that counts as a game-night giveaway 🙂