News & Views

Clemente’s Corner: Celebrini Adds Hype To This Year’s NHL Draft and Collecting

Move over, Connor Bedard. The hockey hobby will soon have a new darling.

With the two-day NHL Entry Draft scheduled to start on June 28 in Las Vegas, a new No. 1 pick is likely to put the hobby hype machine into overdrive when it comes to Macklin Celebrini.

The Boston University phenom – the consensus top overall pick – is very likely to end up in a San Jose Sharks jersey next season. After recording 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games last season in the NCAA, Celebrini has shown that he’s ready for the NHL.

For Celebrini, a move to San Jose would be good for him and great for the rebuilding Sharks. They were the worst team in the league this season. Like Bedard with the Chicago Blackhawks, Celebrini is expected to get onto the roster and play alongside forwards William Eklund, Will Smith and Logan Couture.

Here’s what you need to know about the promising star ahead of the draft: Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: Celebrini Adds Hype To This Year’s NHL Draft and Collecting”

Will a Stanley Cup Championship Boost Connor McDavid’s Card Prices?

Does a Championship Increase Card Values for All-Time Greats?

Last week, a member of the Puck Junk Facebook Group asked me if a Connor McDavid printing plate card that he pulled on ePack would increase in value if the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup.

After thinking about it for a moment, Continue reading “Will a Stanley Cup Championship Boost Connor McDavid’s Card Prices?”

Why 1993-94 Was My Favorite Season to Collect Hockey

Hockey Card Collecting was Less Complicated, More Fun 30 Years Ago

It is the 30th anniversary of the 1993-94 season – and that was my favorite year to collect hockey cards and memorabilia. That was the last year before collecting hockey got so darn complicated. 

Continue reading “Why 1993-94 Was My Favorite Season to Collect Hockey”

Pro Women’s Hockey Cards Are Here

The First 8 PWHL Cards Now Available via ePack

As the Professional Women’s Hockey League was winding down its inaugural season, Upper Deck released the first-ever physical trading cards for the PWHL. While Upper Deck did release eight digital trading cards of PWHL players back in March, these new cards are actual, legit trading cards that will be printed and shipped to collectors. Continue reading “Pro Women’s Hockey Cards Are Here”

Should Upper Deck Change Its Redemption Policy?

Topps Changed Its Policy. Will UD Follow Suit?

Late last month, the Topps Trading Card Company announced that all redemption cards will now be valid for 10 years from the date of issue. This extends back to include redemption cards that were issued in 2021-22 products.

Normally, a redemption card – a little cardboard “I.O.U.” that promises the collector a premium card – would expire after two years or so. This would take the luster off of buying sealed products that were more than two years old. Sure, you might get a rookie card of a player that is now a superstar…or you might get an expired redemption card for an autograph of that same rookie that was now worthless. 

What this move does for Topps is increase desirability in both old and new card products. We all dislike getting redemption cards – but it is nice to know that if we buy a product from 2021 in 2024 that the redemption card is still worth something.

Of course, Topps does not make hockey cards, but Upper Deck does. So, will Upper Deck keep up with its main rival and also extend the window of its own redemption cards?

Continue reading “Should Upper Deck Change Its Redemption Policy?”

Tim’s Take: Shoresy, the Modern-Day Slap Shot

I’m admittedly late to the Letterkenny party as for quite a while; it wasn’t available on any of the services that I had. Once I was finally able to watch, I clearly saw what all the hype was about. But as much as I enjoyed that series, I have enjoyed it’s spinoff series even more. If you are a hockey fan, hockey player, grew up around the rinks, or just like really well put together shows, you may want to give Shoresy a look.

Continue reading “Tim’s Take: Shoresy, the Modern-Day Slap Shot”

Clemente’s Corner: Hockey Collectors Should Make a ‘Pitt’ Stop to Learn Penguins History

Take a stroll through downtown Pittsburgh and there’s a lot of American history to take in. The second-most populous city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia – known both as “Steel City” for its role in that industry and the “City of Bridges” for its 446 spans – has also plenty of sports history.

Aside from the Steelers and Pirates (sorry football and baseball fans), the Penguins could very well be the team that has left the deepest impression on the city. In fact, the Penguins have also played a vital role in the history of the NHL, especially since Mario Lemieux was drafted by the team in 1984.

Over the next 40 years, the team has made the playoffs 28 times and lifted the Stanley Cup in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016 and 2017. In the process, fans got to delight in the scoring heroics of Lemieux, then Jaromir Jagr and later Sidney Crosby.

Those five championships – proudly displayed on the façade of PPG Paints Arena – are part of the city’s iconic downtown. But the streets around the arena – usually bustling with fans – are empty these days. The Penguins, for the second straight season, failed to make the postseason.

My travels took me to Pittsburgh last month just as the playoffs got underway. Instead of taking in a game, I went on a search for – what else? – Penguins memorabilia. Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: Hockey Collectors Should Make a ‘Pitt’ Stop to Learn Penguins History”

Despite Issues, Connor Bedard Game-Used Jersey Fetches $37K

When Exactly Was It Worn? And Why Frame It?

By Sean Sullivan

Connor Bedard mania has run wild throughout the hockey-collecting community this season, and on April 18, the game-worn jersey collecting segment joined in on the fun – but not without some controversy. Continue reading “Despite Issues, Connor Bedard Game-Used Jersey Fetches $37K”

The Case of the Unpaid O-Pee-Chee Case

Hey Buddy – Can You Cancel My $3.72M Winning Bid?

Back in February, you may recall that a full 16-box case of 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Hockey cards sold for $3.72 million at Heritage Auctions. The case may potentially have as many as 25 Wayne Gretzky rookie cards inside that presumably would get high grades. 

Well, the winning bidder still has not paid in full for the case – and he no longer wants it. 

Continue reading “The Case of the Unpaid O-Pee-Chee Case”