Clemente’s Corner: 3 Things Hockey Collectors Can Expect in 2026

I don’t have a crystal ball, but all indications are that this will once again be a big year for trading cards and collectables.

In a year where you have NHL stars competing at the Winter Olympics, Upper Deck pumping out new sets and some big shows filling our days and nights, the year is likely to be one of the most interesting and potentially impactful 12 months for hockey card collectors. Whether your focus is on Young Guns, international stars or show exclusives, this is a year worth planning for.

Here are three things to watch for this year.

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: 3 Things Hockey Collectors Can Expect in 2026”

The Puck Junk Bad Hockey Card Hall of Fame: Class of 2025

As the year comes to an end, it was now or never to announce the Puck Junk Bad Hockey Card Hall of Fame: Class of 2025. And what a class it is! 

This year, we have two new members of the Bad Paint Job Category, four new members of the Bad Photograph Category, two new members of the Bad Idea Category, and one new member each in the Bad Head Swap and Bad Mistake Categories.

Continue reading “The Puck Junk Bad Hockey Card Hall of Fame: Class of 2025”

Puck Junk Podcast: “Sudden Death” Movie Retrospective

Episode #236: December 23, 2025

In the last episode for 2025, the guys take a long look back at the 1995 hockey/action film “Sudden Death.” The movie came out 30 years ago this month and is about Jean-Claude Van Damme trying to stop terrorists from blowing up Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. “Sudden Death” featured a few ex-Penguins players and even team mascot Iceburgh got in on the action. Other topics in this episode are the new 2025-26 Upper Deck Series One Holiday Edition cards and the FTC investigating the sale of Beckett to PSA. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video.

Links
The Making of Sudden Death: An Oral History (The Hockey News)
FTC to Investigate Sale of Beckett to PSA (Sports Collectors Digest)
2025-26 Upper Deck NHL Series 1 Hockey Holiday Box (Walmart Canada)

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Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

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Taming the Card Closet of Chaos

Getting a Grip on My Memorabilia Supplies 

Last week, I wrote about how vintage cards usually look better in 9-pocket pages because pages tend to hide some of the flaws that would otherwise be visible. But this also brought back to light something that has always bothered me: how should I store my unused card pages? 

I know this sounds like a silly question, but for over 20 years, I never knew what to do with the pages I wasn’t using. Like, you buy a box of 100 pages and only use 50 of them, you could stash the rest almost anywhere because they won’t take up much space. And a normal collector could do just that. 

But what if you are a freak like me who has ALL the different sizes of card pages?

In addition to several hundred 9-pocket pages, I also have: Continue reading “Taming the Card Closet of Chaos”

Puck Junk Podcast: PSA Grading Buys Beckett

Plus: The Quinn Hughes Trade
Episode #235: December 18, 2025

In this episode, the guys talk about PSA Grading buying Beckett, and how this gives its parent company, Collectors, a monopoly on card grading. Other topics include Quinn Hughes getting graded to Minnesota, should the NHL have more color vs. color jersey games, and trouble with Italy’s Olympic ice hockey rink. It’s 127 minutes of hockey goodness, now with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite part. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. 

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Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk.bsky.social
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

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Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
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or Transistor.

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Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

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Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Does Condition Really Matter for Old Hockey Cards?

Especially When You Put Them in Pages? 

Last November, I purchased a complete 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee hockey card set at the Fall 2024 Sport Card Expo in Toronto. I then proceeded to ignore this set for over a year. 

Why?

Because it was another “project” that was going to take time. Many of the cards in this complete set had flaws, and I already had about 80 or so cards from the 1970-71 OPC set.

So, I would need to compare the cards that I already had with the cards in the complete set, keep the better cards, and note any cards that I felt needed upgrading.

And many – many! – of the cards need upgrading.

Or do they? 

Continue reading “Does Condition Really Matter for Old Hockey Cards?”

Puck Junk Podcast: 6 Oddball Hockey Sets from the 1980s

Episode #234: December 10, 2025

Sal, Tim, and Clemente do six short “setrospectives” about oddball hockey sets from the 1980s. One of these sets came packaged with food, while another set was literally packaging. And one of these sets was even sold in Spain. It’s 114 minutes of hockey goodness, now with chapters so you can skip to your favorite part. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. 

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk.bsky.social
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
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or Transistor.

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Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Clemente’s Corner: “The Next One” a Love Letter to Hockey’s Hidden Heroes

Ken Reid is quickly becoming one of hockey’s best authors. I have enjoyed his writing in recent years – and he’s done it again with his latest book, “The Next One: Hockey Scouts, Remote Rinks and Hidden Talent.” 

Reid’s book takes you to small-town rinks featuring players with big-league dreams. In his new book, Reid gives the reader a backstage pass to it all in what is certainly his most ambitious work to date. Reid’s book peels back the curtain on hockey’s hidden machinery — and he’s done it in a way that feels personal.

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: “The Next One” a Love Letter to Hockey’s Hidden Heroes”

Puck Junk Podcast: 2025-26 Upper Deck Series One Hockey Cards

Plus: Shill Bidding Controversies
Episode #233: December 3, 2025

Sal, Tim, and Clemente give their review of the 2025-26 Upper Deck Series One hockey card set – what’s great about it, what could be better, and which Young Guns are worth looking out for. Plus, a deep dive into the recent shill bidding controversies that have been the talk of the card collecting hobby. The YouTube version of the show features video and pictures. 

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

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Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

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Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: What’s Going on With COMC?

Plus: eBay Launches New Price Guide Feature
Episode #232: November 26, 2025

Sal, Tim, and Clemente discuss the recent hubbub about Check Out My Cards, which appears to be in financial trouble. Will the company fold or be sold – or is COMC really doing just fine? The guys also look at the new trading card pricing feature on the eBay mobile app, and why card pricing apps should be scared. Plus, a recap of the recent Chicago Sports Spectacular and more. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video.

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on X @PuckJunk, Instagram @PuckJunk & Bluesky @puckjunk
Follow Tim Parish on X @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

Listen
Listen to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor.

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Email Newsletter and the YouTube Channel. 

Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■