News & Views

Can Ovechkin Save Extended Series?

Will Hype and Hope Help the Often-Overlooked Set?

Upper Deck announced that Alexander Ovechkin has autographed eight copies of this 2005-06 Young Guns rookie cards, which will be randomly found in packs of 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series. Each card will bear Ovie’s autograph in bright blue ink and be hand numbered out of 8. These are original Young Guns cards that Upper Deck purchased to get signed (a.k.a. “buybacks.”)

Will the hype and hope of pulling an autographed Ovechkin Young Guns rookie card give Extended Series that push it needs?

Continue reading “Can Ovechkin Save Extended Series?”

Clemente’s Corner: Alex Ovechkin’s Record-Breaking Goal Fuels Demand for His Memorabilia

Alex Ovechkin’s historic achievement of becoming the NHL’s all-time leading scorer has not only captured the attention of hockey fans around the world – but also sparked a surge of interest in his memorabilia and collectibles. 

Since surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding record of 894 goals on April 6, Ovechkin’s impact on the market for sports memorabilia has been nothing short of remarkable, with fans, collectors — and, yes, investors — alike all very eager to get their hands on a piece of hockey history.

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Will Tariffs Affect the Price of Hockey Cards?

And You Thought Cards Already Cost Too Much

Recently, a Puck Junk Podcast listener asked me if the “Trade War” tariffs that are being imposed on goods imported into the United States and in Canada will affect the price of hockey cards.

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Clemente’s Corner: The 3 Best and 3 Worst NHL Jerseys from the 1990s

1995-96 Leaf Limited #1 - Mario Lemieux

NHL jerseys hold significant value both for teams and collectors alike, offering fans a unique opportunity to express their allegiance in fresh ways.

During the 1990s, several NHL teams experimented with “third jerseys” that would be worn on special occasions, while other teams completely changed its logo, its color scheme – or both. Quite a few new designs made their debut on the ice that decade – and not all of them were memorable in a good way. 

For collectors, these jerseys are highly coveted because of their rarity and limited availability. This exclusivity adds to their allure and potential value.

At the same time, alternate jerseys also serve as a bridge between nostalgia and modernity, allowing collectors to own a piece of both the present and the past. Whether it’s a throwback to a classic design or a cutting-edge reimagining, these sweaters capture a snapshot of a team’s identity at a specific time in NHL history.

With that, let’s start with the best …

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4 Nations Face-Off Delivered What it Promised

Does This Mean the End of the All-Star Game?

Like pretty much every other hockey fan, I was excited about the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament that the NHL held instead of its usual NHL All-Star Game Weekend.

I watched as many games live as I could, and even recorded games that conflicted with my night classes so I could watch them on “tape delay” when I got home that night. (I took extra care to NOT go on social media while on break from class, on my commute home, or while I was watching a game that was about over by the time I started watching it. No spoilers for this guy.) 

So exciting was the tournament that even non-hockey fans were talking about it. Continue reading “4 Nations Face-Off Delivered What it Promised”

Blake’s Takes: 4 Nations Face-Off Proves Hockey is Better than Hoops

NHL Goes Toe-to-Toe with NBA – and Wins!

After a three-year-plus hiatus, I’m back. After watching the entirety of the NHL’s 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, I had to share my thoughts on the tournament with the hockey community. 

First off, it’s great to be back. I’m always grateful for Sal and the opportunity to write for Puck Junk. 

Second, what a freaking tournament! Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: 4 Nations Face-Off Proves Hockey is Better than Hoops”

PWHL Cards are Hot!

That’s Great! But How Long Will It Last?

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) finally has a set of trading cards – and those cards have been well-received by The Hobby.

Since it was released on January 22, the new Upper Deck “2024 PWHL First Edition” cards have been a hot commodity. In just two short weeks, box prices have more than doubled – going from around $80 and now selling for between $180 and $200 at hobby shops…that is, if you can even FIND a box. 

Big online retailers like Steel City Collectibles, Blowout Cards, and D.A. “No Bounty to See Here” Card World are currently sold out of PWHL cards.

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Clemente’s Corner: PWHL Cards all the Rage this Winter – and it’s About Time

It’s not often that a card set causes as much of a stir as the 2024 Professional Women’s Hockey League First Edition set, released last month by Upper Deck. Collectors were ready, eager and determined to get their hands on these cards – and the demand was evident from the moment the set dropped.

Within a week of the January 22 release, hobby boxes — originally priced between $75 to $100 — were flying off the shelves. Many big online retailers sold out, and local card shops in New York City, and elsewhere, were left scrambling to keep up with the surge in interest.

By that point, boxes were already reselling for over $200 on the secondary market. If you were around for the craziness of 2020 — when cards exploded in value due to the pandemic — it was a familiar feeling. Only this time, the excitement wasn’t for a male star like Connor Bedard. This time, it was for women’s hockey, and that’s a game changer for the sport and the hobby.

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Topps Gives Stickers the “Fanatics” Treatment with Serial-Numbered Parallels

The 2024-25 Topps NHL Sticker Collection was released last week. Full 50-pack boxes are available on eBay and Amazon. Unlike the print-on-demand Topps Now NHL stickers, the Topps NHL Sticker Collection stickers are available in stores and are made to be put into an album. 

What is really interesting this year is that Topps is giving its NHL album sticker set the full “Fanatics” treatment by including serial-numbered parallel stickers. 

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