News & Views

Clemente’s Corner: All Eyes on Cleveland for the 2024 National

It’s that time of year. The days are longer and hotter. Kids are out of school. And collectors are gearing up for the National Sports Collectors Convention once again.

The five-day NSCC opens on July 24 (with the annual VIP Party) at Cleveland’s I-X Center featuring over 600 dealers and vendors spread out across 420,000 square feet. Organizers are already calling “the second-largest trade show event to occur in the NSCC’s 44-year history” following last year’s record-breaking show in Chicago.

As always, there will be a plethora of signers – from Hall of Famers to current stars – and corporate booths featuring the likes of Topps, Upper Deck and PSA. In other words, there’s something for everyone – no matter how you collect.

For hockey collectors, the National remains a must-visit – especially if you’ve never been to one – although the Toronto Sport Card Expo (held twice each year) is hockey heaven. Nonetheless, there will be something for hockey fans in Cleveland.  

Here’s a look at what to expect at the 44th National Sports Collectors Convention, which runs from Wednesday, July 24 to Sunday, July 28:

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: All Eyes on Cleveland for the 2024 National”

Defense Wins Championships – But Offense Wins MVP?

The Panthers Win…and So Does McDavid?

Monday night’s Stanley Cup Final Game 7 between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers was certainly…something.

Exciting? Sure. It was a close Game 7 that was decided by one goal. But honestly, I feel that a lot of the excitement was the anticipation leading up to the game, and maybe not the game so much.

Did the game have exciting moments? Sure, that mad scramble in front of the Panthers’ crease, where both Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman were unable to tie the game, was intense. So was the breakaway goal scored by Oilers center Mattias Janmark. The game had its moments for sure. 

But the bottom line is that this was a game that was won by one goal because the Panthers played their suffocating style of defense, knowing that they could win the game 2-1 but not 8-7. 

And the saying goes, offense wins games, but defense wins championships.

Apparently, offense wins the MVP award, too. Continue reading “Defense Wins Championships – But Offense Wins MVP?”

Video: Triple Crown Line Interview

In this video, LA Kings legends Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, and Charlie Simmer – a.k.a. the Triple Crown Line – talk to Sal Barry about how their line was formed and share some stories from their careers. It’s 15 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Special thanks to the Sport Card Expo for video of the interview. 

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Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Intro/outro music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

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Connor McDavid is For Real!

McJesus Went from Zero to Hero in a Hurry

In last week’s newsletter, I mentioned how stellar Panthers’ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was through the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. He allowed just one goal in the first two games, leading the Panthers to a 2-0 series lead. The Panthers also won Game 3 and looked poised to sweep the series.

Meanwhile, Oilers captain Connor McDavid was all but absent, scoring one assist in Game 2 and two assists in Game 3 in two losing efforts. 

Then McDavid woke up. Continue reading “Connor McDavid is For Real!”

Why I Want the Edmonton Oilers to Win the Stanley Cup

We All Want to See McDavid Win It Sooner Than Later, Right? 

This Saturday is Game One of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers – and I’ll admit that I want the Oilers to win the Cup. 

Not because I want to see a Canadian team win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 31 years. I could care less about that. Continue reading “Why I Want the Edmonton Oilers to Win the Stanley Cup”

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?”