Hockey fans loves free stuff and will sometimes go through great lengths to get it. How else do you explain thousands of fans lining up outside of the rink on a freezing February night a good 90 minutes before puck drop – all so they can get a free bobblehead figure that kind of looks like their team’s star player?
Pro sports teams know this all too well, or they wouldn’t do it. Suddenly, a game that may have not drawn a sellout crowd does – all because of a special hat, shirt, or whatever the Flyers decide to put Gritty on this year.
Since today is the start of the 2023-24 season, now is a good time to see what free goodies NHL teams have lined up for ticket-buying fans this year. Twenty-two out of 32 teams are planning at least one giveaway.
Bobbleheads seem to be the most-popular item, with 12 teams planning on giving out at least one, and 39 different bobblehead figures being given away across the league. The Kings have five bobblehead giveaways planned, including a unique Dia De Los Muertos Goalie Bobblehead figure. The Red Wings, Canadiens, Kraken, and Blues are all giving out four bobbleheads during the season. The Blue Jackets are giving out three bobbleheads this year, including a special Bob Ross bobblehead limited to just the first 500 fans who buy a special ticket package.
However, the Blues may have out-bobbled the competition this year with two of their planned releases: a bobblehead of Jordan Binnington on a motorcycle…
…AND a Jordan Kyrou figure dressed as The Mandalorian – complete with removable helmet.
Now, THIS is the way!
The giveaway, that is.
In fact, Star Wars themed nights seems to be the way that NHL teams are trending this year, as nine teams are giving away some sort of Star Wars trinket to help sell tickets:
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- Carolina Hurricanes – Star Wars-themed item (TBA)
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Star Wars-themed jersey
- Florida Panthers – Star Wars Shirt
- Los Angeles Kings – Star Wars Retro Tin Lunchbox
- Nashville Predators – Star Wars Predators Jersey
- New York Islanders – Star Wars Bucket Hat
- Ottawa Senators – Star Wars Senators Puzzle
- Philadelphia Flyers – Star Wars Poster
- St. Louis Blues – Star Wars Jordan Kyrou Mandalorian Bobblehead
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Other interesting, non-Star Wars items that teams are giving out this year include an Arizona Coyotes Kachina Trucker Mullet Hat, a Columbus Blue Jackets Nesting Doll Set, a Detroit Red Wings Gravy Boat, Philadelphia Flyers Gritty Earmuffs, a Pittsburgh Penguins Trapper Hat, and a Washington Capitals Sonny Milano “Chia Head.”
Below is a list of the best promotional items that NHL teams will be giving away during the 2023-24 season.
Please note that this list is not complete; I only highlighted the most-interesting items.
Also note that some giveaways require a special advanced ticket purchase in order to get the promo item – and some are limited to as low as 200 tickets – so be sure to check the team’s website for full details.
Anaheim Ducks
October 15, 2023 – Light-Up Wristband
& Season Schedule
November 12, 2023 – Paul Kariya Bobblhead
December 21, 2023 – Wild Wing Holiday Beanie
January 7, 2024 – Teemu Selanne Bobblehead
January 31, 2024 – Mighty button-up shirt giveaway
April 5, 2024 – Mason McTavish Bobblehead
Full Anaheim Ducks promotional schedule here
Arizona Coyotes
October 21, 2023 – Kachina Trucker Hat Mullet Wig
October 27, 2023 – Pride Night T-Shirt*
November 2, 2023 – Dia De Los Muertos Sweater
March 7, 2024 – Coyotes Baseball Jersey
March 24, 2024 – Coyotes Basketball Jersey
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Arizona Coyotes promotional schedule here
Boston Bruins
October 11, 2023 – Blood, Sweat & 100 Years T-Shirt
October 14, 2023 – Magnet Schedule
November 18, 2023 – Big Bad Bruins Pennant
December 18, 2023 – Lunch Pail A.C. Pennant
February 10, 2024 – Centennial Socks
Full Bruins promotional schedule here
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres do not have any giveaways listed, though they have 14 different theme nights and 15 home games where they will wear their Black & Red jerseys.
Full Sabres promotional schedule here
Calgary Flames
No giveaways announced.
Carolina Hurricanes
January 11, 2024 – Star Wars Night,
includes a special Star Wars-themed item*
January 21, 2024 – NASCar Day,
includes a special NASCar-themed item*
February 10, 2024 – Whalers Night; no giveaway mentioned, but the Hurricanes will wear green Hartford Whalers jerseys that night
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Hurricanes promotional schedule here
Chicago Blackhawks
November 4, 2023 – Polish Heritage Hat*
November 26, 2023 – Educators Tumbler*
December 5, 2023 – Ukrainian Heritage Hat*
December 9, 2023 – Holiday Scarf*
December 10, 2023 – Italian Heritage Hat*
March 2, 2024 – Greek Heritage Hat*
April 7, 2024 – Blackhawks Helmet Hat*
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Blackhawks promotional schedule here
Colorado Avalanche
No giveaways announced yet.
Full Avalanche promotional schedule here
Columbus Blue Jackets
October 12, 2023 – Magnetic Schedule
October 20, 2023 – Star Wars Blue Jackets Jersey*
October 28, 2023 – Stinger Trick-or-Treat Bucket (first 3,000 kids)
October 28, 2023 – Bob Ross Bobblehead*
November 16, 2023 – Johnny Gaudreau Bobblehead
December 1, 2023 – Grateful Dead Blue Jackets Jersey*
December 8, 2023 – First Responders Blue Jackets Jersey*
December 10, 2023 – Stinger Poster (first 5,000 kids)
December 29, 2023 – Team Calendar
February 23, 2024 – Margaritaville Hawaiian Shirt*
March 4, 2024 – Elvis Presley Bobblehead*
March 9, 2024 – Sticker Sheet (first 5,000 kids)
April 6, 2024 – Nesting Doll Set
April 16, 2024 – Team Poster
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Blue Jackets promotional schedule here
Full Blue Jackets special ticket packages here
Dallas Stars
November 14, 2023 – Scout Night Patch*
January 12, 2024 – Teacher Appreciation T-Shirt*
* – requires special ticket purchase
The Stars do not have any giveaways listed, but they do have several theme nights.
Full Stars promotional schedule here
Detroit Red Wings
October 14, 2023 – Rally Towel
October 18, 2023 – Magnetic Schedule
November 9, 2023 – Tomas Holmstrom Bobblehead
November 22, 2023 – Gravy Boat Night
December 9, 2023 – Mike Vernon Mini Goalie Mask
December 14, 2023 – Dominik Hasek Stick Case
December 22, 2023 – Ugly Sweater T-Shirt
January 21, 2024 – Jake Walman Bobblehead
January 25, 2024 – Sergei Fedorov Stick Case
February 22, 2024 – Darren McCarty Stick Case
February 25, 2024 – Alex DeBrincat Bobblehead
March 16, 2024 – Brendan Shanahan Bobblehead
Full Red Wings promotional schedule here
Edmonton Oilers
No giveaways announced, but the Oilers have 18 different theme nights planned.
Full Oilers promotional schedule here
Florida Panthers
November 6, 2023 – Bobblehead (Player TBA)
December 6, 2023 – Bobblehead (Player TBA)
January 17, 2024 – Bobblehead (Player TBA)
Note that the Panthers show three bobblehead figures, but do not specify which figure will be given out on which date.
January 19, 2024 – Star Wars T-Shirt*
March 21, 2024 – Rally Towel
March 30, 2024 – Panthers Margaritaville Hawaiian Shirt*
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Panthers promotional schedule here
Los Angeles Kings
October 11, 2023 – Kings Pennant
October 21, 2023 – Kings/Lakers Jersey*
October 24, 2023 – Kings Jewish Heritage Hat*
October 28, 2023 – Dia De Los Muertos Goalie Bobblehead*
November 18, 2023 – Bobblehead (Player TBA)
November 25, 2023 – Squish Bailey Toy
November 29, 2023 – Kings Salvadorian Heritage Hat*
December 20, 203 – Bobblehead (Player TBA)
December 23, 2023 – Mini Snow Globe
December 30, 2023 – Kings Japanese Heritage Hat*
January 4, 2024 – Kings/Dodgers Jersey*
January 20, 2024 – Kings Star Wars Retro Tin Lunch Box*
February 10, 2024 – Kings Lunar New Year Hat*
February 24, 2024 – Bobblehead (Player TBA)
March 3, 2024 – Bailey Squish Toy
March 9, 2024 – Dog Toy / Kings Filipino Heritage Hat*
March 19, 2024 – Pride Night Rainbow Pom Pom
March 20, 2024 – Kings/Galaxy Scarf*
March 23, 2024 – Kings Armenian Heritage Hat*
April 13, 2024 – Kings Mexican Heritage Hat*
April 18, 2024 – Bobblehead (Player TBA)
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Los Angeles Kings promotional schedule here
Minnesota Wild 
No giveaways announced yet.
Full Wild promotional schedule here
Montreal Canadiens
October 17, 2023 – Desk Calendar
December 4, 2023 – Nick Suzuki Bobblehead
January 11, 2024 – Josh Anderson Bobblehead
February 27, 2024 – Samuel Montembeault Bobblehead
March 12, 2024 – Kirby Dach Bobblehead
Full Canadiens promotional schedule here
Nashville Predators
October 12, 2023 – Gold Rally Towel
October 17, 2023 – Preds Oktoberfest Mug
October 21, 2023 – Preds First Responders T-Shirt
October 28, 2023 – Gold Preds T-Shirt &
Trick-or-Treat Pillowcase (first 2,500 kids)
November 18, 2023 – Preds Hockey Fights Cancer T-Shirt
November 26, 2023 – Preds Pickleball Paddle
December 7, 2023 – Star Wars Predators Jersey*
January 4, 2024 – 90’s Night Preds Slap Bracelet
January 13, 2024 – Preds Teacher T-Shirt*
January 22, 2024 – Team Poster
January 31, 2024- Preds Black History Month T-Shirt*
February 10, 2024 – Preds Asian & Pacific Islander T-Shirt*
February 13, 2024 – Pin Featuring a Former Preds Captain
(there are 7 different pins, and each fan gets one random pin)
April 9, 2024 – Preds Pride Night T-Shirt*
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Predators promotional schedule here
New Jersey Devils
October 12, 2023 – Team Poster
October 29, 2023 – NJ Devil Mascot Bobblehead
November 12, 2023 – Camo Bucket Hat
December 17, 2023 – Jewish Community Night T-Shirt*
January 20, 2024 – Devils Ring of Honor Pin
February 6, 2024 – Mini Helmet
February 24, 2024 – Dawson Mercer Bobblehead
February 25, 2024 – Jesper Bratt Bobblehead
March 9, 2024 – Video Game-Themed Socks
April 15, 2024 – Timo Meier Bobblehead
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Devils promotional schedule here
New York Islanders
October 14, 2023 – Islanders Scarf
October 17, 2023 – Hispanic Heritage “Vamos Islanders” Hat*
October 30, 2023 – Islanders Greek Flag Hat*
December 11, 2023 – Islanders Jewish Heritage Hat*
December 13, 2023 – Islanders Italian Flag Hat*
January 9, 2024 – Finger Stress Toy
January 11, 2024 – Star Wars Night Bucket Hat
January 23, 2024 – Pride Night Hat*
January 27, 2024 – Special Edition 2023-24 Yearbook
April 6, 2024 – Islanders First Aid Kit
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Islanders promotional schedule here.
Full Islanders group night schedule here
New York Rangers
No giveaways listed but the Rangers have 17 different theme nights during the season.
Full Rangers theme night schedule here
Ottawa Senators
October 14, 2023 – Light-Up Bracelet
October 21, 2023 – Sens Jersey Lunch Bag (1st 7,000 kids)
November 4, 2023 – Sens Visor
December 2, 2023 – Neon Wristbands
December 23, 2023 – Sens Belt Bag
December 31, 2023 – Sens 2024 Calendar
January 13, 2024 – Sens Star Wars Puzzle
January 20, 2024 – Sens Pop It (1st 7,000 kids)
January 27, 2024 – Brady Tkachuk Bobblehead
March 1, 2024 – Sens Cowboy Hat
April 6, 2024 – Tim Stützle Bobblehead
Full Senators promotional schedule here
Philadelphia Flyers
October 17, 2023 – Flyers Opening Night T-Shirt
October 23, 2023 – Flyers Beer Stein
November 18, 2023 – Star Wars Specialty Poster
January 27, 2024 – Mark Recchi Commemorative Item (TBA)
February 27, 2024 – Gritty Earmuffs
March 2, 2024 – Marvel Superheroes Specialty Poster
Full Flyers promotional schedule here
Pittsburgh Penguins
October 10, 2023 – Light-Up LED Bracelet
& Magnetic Schedule
October 14, 2023 – Magnetic Schedule (again!)
October 24, 2023 – Penguins Team Calendar
October 28, 2023 – Penguins Reusable Grocery Bag
November 11, 2023 – Penguins Camo Wall Banner
November 16, 2023 – Penguins Trapper Hat
January 6, 2024 – Sidney Crosby Bobblehead
January 27, 2024 – Evgeni Malkin Bobblehead
February 18, 2024 – Penguins Team Yearbook
February 22, 2024 – Kris Letang Bobblehead
March 28, 2024 – Penguins Patterned Shirt
Full Penguins promotional schedule here
San Jose Sharks
October 12, 2023 – Sharks Apron
October 14, 2023 – Luchador Goalie Mask
November 4, 2023 – Sharks/Warriors Mashup Jersey
November 16, 2023 – Rolla Banner
November 25, 2023 – Tech Tattoos
December 21, 2023 – Holiday Sweater Shirsey
January 6, 2024 – Bay FC Soccer Shirsey
January 20, 2024 – Aloha Shirt
January 27, 2024 – Reversible Pride Night Bucket Hat
February 17, 2024 – Lunar New Year Red Envelopes
February 29, 2024 – Black History Month Poster
March 9, 2024 – Women of Teal Shirsey
March 23, 2024 – Cricket Shirsey
April 6, 2023 – Sharks Straw Hat
Full Sharks promotional schedule here
Seattle Kraken 
October 17, 2023 – Camper Mug
November 2, 2023 – John Forslund Bobblehead
November 16, 2023 – Hockey Fights Cancer Beanie
December 12, 2023 – Alexander Wennberg Bobblehead
December 29, 2023 – Winter Classic Knit Gloves
January 4, 2024 – Jaden Schwartz Bobblehead
January 24, 2024 – Grubi Stein
January 28, 2024 – Kids Lunch Box (1st 6,500 kids)
February 22, 2024 – Kids T-Shirt (1st 4,000 kids)
March 2, 2024 – Luggage Tag
March 24, 2024 – Hand Flag
March 26, 2024 – Jared McCann Bobblehead
April 11, 2024 – Fan Appreciation Night / Giveaway TBA
Full Kraken promotional schedule here
St Louis Blues
October 14, 2023 – Wall Calendar
October 19, 2023 – Magnetic Schedule
October 19, 2023 – Robert Thomas Golf Bobblehead*
November 7, 2023 – Retro Long-Sleeve Hoodie
November 14, 2023 – Blues/Shock Pickleball T-Shirt*
December 14, 2023 – Jordan Binnington 2019 Champs Parade Bobblehead
January 4, 2024 – Jordan Kyrou Star Wars Mandalorian Bobblehead
with Removable Helmet*
January 13, 2024 – Blues Yearbook
January 20, 2024 – Blues Hall of Fame Commemorative Banner
March 13, 2024 – Blues Decades Patch Hat with Interchangeable Patches
March 19, 2024 – Louie (Mascot) Racing Bobblehead*
April 14, 2024 – Build-A-Bear Giveaway (1st 3,000 kids)
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Blues promotional schedule here
Full Blues special theme night ticket schedule here
Tampa Bay Lightning
No giveaways announced.
Toronto Maple Leafs
No giveaways announced.
Vancouver Canucks
No giveaways announced.
Vegas Golden Knights
October 10, 2023 – Rally Towel
November 10, 2023 – Military Appreciation Challenge Coin*
November 25, 2023 – Hockey Fights Cancer Beanie*
January 4, 2024 – Chance Mascot-Themed Scrub Top*
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Golden Knights promotional schedule here
Washington Capitals
October 13, 2023 – Magnetic Schedule
October 24, 2023 – Bucket Hat
October 27, 2023 – Oktoberfest Beer Stein
November 2, 2023 – 1990s Fanny Pack
November 14, 2023 – Dog Bowl Set*
November 22, 2023 – “Capsgiving” T-Shirt
December 9, 2023 – Limited Edition Capitals Poster
(with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy)
January 11, 2024 – Sonny Milano Chia Head
January 18, 2024 – Caps Cowboy Hat*
February 26, 2024 – Black History Month Rally Towel
March 20, 2024 – Pride Hat*
March 22, 2024 – Margaritaville Caps Hawaiian Shirt
March 26, 2024 – Darcy Kuemper Bobblehead
April 15, 2024 – Fan Appreciation Night Poster
* – requires special ticket purchase
Full Capitals promotional schedule here
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets list out 16 different theme nights over the 2023-24 season, but do not necessarily state if those games include a giveaway item.
Full Winnipeg Jets promotional schedule here
***
Again, keep in mind that this list is not comprehensive, planned giveaways sometimes change, different giveaways have different quantities, and many now require a special ticket purchase that guarantee you the item but sometimes costs extra. In other words, if you really want that Sonny Milano Chia Head, plan ahead (pun, pun!) so you can get one.
A few other observations about this year’s giveaways.
This year has the most teams giving away promotional items since the 2017-18 season, when I started tracking this information. The yearly breakdown is as follows:
• 2017-18 – 20 out of 31 teams had at least one giveaway (64%)
• 2018-19 – 19 out of 31 teams had at least one giveaway (61%)
• 2019-20 – 18 out of 31 teams had at least one giveaway (58%)
• 2020-21 – no giveaways, since most games did not allow spectators
• 2021-22 – 16 out of 32 teams had at least one giveaway (50%)
• 2022-23 – 18 out of 32 teams have giveaways planned (56%)
• 2023 -24 – 22 out of 32 teams have giveaways planned (68%)
In a seven-year span, it went from 64% of teams giving away something, to zero teams (due the the pandemic, but that doesn’t really count), to half the teams, and then gradually back up to 68%. The biggest increase occurred this year, with four more teams jumping on the swag-wagon.
Another observation is that while many teams are giving away “Pride Night” items in support of the LGBTQA+ Community, they are opting to do this as a special ticket purchase.
In other words, not EVERYONE who goes to a Pride Night game gets a “Pride” t-shirt, or even the first 10,000 fans, but rather those who purchase the special ticket package. I think this is a great idea, as that guarantees that the people who want a Pride shirt get one, without making these fans get to the game extra early. Nor does it give a Pride shirt to someone who wouldn’t necessarily want one or wear it.
Teams are taking a similar strategy with other theme nights, such as Jewish Heritage Night and Italian Heritage Night, so that fans who want the specialty-themed item get one.
Finally, six teams are giving away magnetic schedules, while three teams – the Blue Jackets, the Panthers, and the Capitals – are honoring the late Jimmy Buffett with “Margaritaville” Hawaiian shirts.
Now, who is going to help me get that Jordan Kyrou Mandalorian bobblehead figure? 😀
Which of these giveaway items do you like the best? Which one would you want to have? Leave a comment and let me know!
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Did not see any card giveaways
No, I didn’t see any listed, or of course I would have included them. Maybe Upper Deck will still have some later in the season.