How quickly things change

You think the card editors at Fleer might be a little red-faced over this card? As much as I agree with Gerry Cheevers as the past of this Bruins Generations card, I'm not so sure about the others.

With no disrespect meant to Tim Thomas, I'm fairly certain Manny Fernandez might have something to say about who's the Bruins' present. Most troubling, though, is Hannu Toivonen. How can someone traded to St. Louis on July 23 represent the Bruins' future?

The card, which is a pretty cool concept, came out of a 2007-08 Fleer Ultra Hockey 12-pack retail box I was talked into buying.

Sneak peeks

Given his immense popularity, it's no surprise that hockey retailers all want a piece of Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. Just look at McFarlane's Sports Picks. Come November, it'll release its second version of The Next One as part of its NHL Series 16.

I suspect, too, that demand will be high. While some Sports Picks sit on shelves for weeks on end, I made sure I picked up my Crosby Sports Pick rookie the moment I saw it. Two days later, they were gone and I haven't seen any more since then.

Another item hockey collectors, especially those in Canada, should keep an eye out for will be the 2007-08 O-Pee-Chee Hockey release, also expected out in November. Though I've yet to find much information about the 600-card set, one of my sources (and, as a veteran journalist, I can say that) gave me an Evgeni Malkin promotional card from it.

A closer look at the back of the card shows that it is, indeed, a 2007-08 release. That much is certain.

However, my source also told me that the cards, which used to be a Canada-only product, are expected to return to that format. Granted, I've yet to confirm this, but, if that's the case, it's another reason why Upper Deck needs more competition.

Last year's release, which featured monster team sets, remains one of my favorites. From a hound's standpoint, the set's ample array of third- and fourth-liners, as well as fourth and fifth defensemen, meant an extra 50 to 60 autographed cards.

This is one instance where I hope my source will be proven wrong. And, as a journalist, I hate to be wrong.

Review: 2007-08 MVP Hockey

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised by my disappointment in Upper Deck's 2007-08 MVP Hockey product. Here it is, nearly mid-October, and, yet again, we're offered a product that is outdated.

Just take a look at the cards shown above. Not only do the pictures show Ruslan Fedotenko and Viktor Kozlov in their old uniforms, but the cards also incorrectly state that they're still with those teams.

To me, that's pretty sad. Fedotenko signed with the New York Islanders on July 4th. Kozlov joined the Washington Capitals even earlier, on July 1st. I find it hard to believe -- outrageous, even -- that Upper Deck failed to take the time to update each player's new team, let alone show the players in their new uniforms.

Unacceptable, I tell you. Sheer laziness, too.

And while this 300-card base set, including checklists, comes with a moderate price point, I still can't help but think that it's nothing but a waste of money for most NHL card collectors.

Though I'll never know the exact reason for Upper Deck's continued lack of effort, it's my guess that the lack of competition within the industry plays a major role.

Granted, the heydays of the late 1980s and early 1990s are long gone, but it would be nice to know that Upper Deck, and the other companies hiding under its corporate umbrella, had some competition. If it did, I'm sure the kind of nonsense shown with this MVP release wouldn't exist.

So, for now, the only thing I can do is severely limit my spending on their products. I'll commit to buying a couple boxes each of Upper Deck Hockey Series I and II, but beyond that, it's going to take something pretty special, such as a low-priced, non-glossy 700-card set, to pry any more dollars out of my wallet.

Won't you please join me?

Box Buster: 2007-08 MVP Hockey
Vital stats: 24 packs, eight cards per pack (192 total)
Price paid: $47.04 (including tax)
Purchased at: Water Wonder, Pinellas Park, Fla.
Set completion: 165 of 300 base cards (55 percent)
Duplicates: None
MVP Rookies (1:2 packs): David Clarkson, Matt Ellis, Jameson Hunt, Jack Johnson (shown), Patrick Kaleta, Martin Lojek, Frans Nielsen, Pierre Parenteau, Aaron Rome, Rob Schremp, Jeff Schultz and Jonathan Sigalet.
Total: 12 out of 50 (24 percent)
MVP Rookie Redemption cards (1:24): One
One on One Jerseys dual memorabilia (1:24): St. Louis Paul Kariya and Columbus' Rick Nash
One on One Autographs dual autographs (1:288): None

Superstar inserts (1:2): Game Faces (2) - Jaromir Jagr and Ilya Kovalchuk; Hart Candidates (2) - Martin Brodeur and Vinny Lecavalier; Monumental Moments (4) - Daniel Briere, Vinny Lecavalier, Scott Niedermayer and Mats Sundin; and New World Order (4) - Kari Lehtonen, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin and Thomas Vanek.
Parallel - Gold Scripts (numbered to 100): Rick Dipietro (045/100)
Parallel - Super Scripts (numbered to 25): Fredrik Modin (24/25) (shown above)
Puckhound's Grade: 1 puck out of 5

A puck for Johnny Boy

Usually, when a family member, friend or co-worker asks if I can get them an autograph, the request is made for players like Tampa Bay's Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards or Marty St. Louis.

Mostly, I tell these folks that my hounding efforts, as selfish as they are, are limited to our collection. Furthermore, these autographs are difficult to come by.

Every once in a while, though, a request comes along that's easily filled, such as this puck signed earlier this week by Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella.

A close friend and fellow hound, now living in New Hampshire, said he wanted a puck from the coach simply because Tortorella was a fellow native of Massachusetts.

Pretty cool, if you ask me.

As for the "Johnny Boy" inscription, well, that's an inside joke. It seems that during a conversation following a Boston Bruins practice a couple years ago, one in which my son Colin was present, I referred to my buddy as "Johnny Boy."

Colin instantly picked up on it, even adding a vocal emphasis that, to this day, elicits chuckles. Though Colin now calls him "Uncle Johnny," I couldn't resist the friendly dig and was wicked psyched when Tortorella was willing to play along.

Now, all I have to do is get it in the mail.

Apparently, I'm not alone

Well, well, well. I asked the question and you responded. Overwhelmingly, too.

Though hardly scientific and sorely lacking a wide sample, 65 percent of respondents to the latest Hound Central 3.0 poll believe that NHL players should, indeed, care about dealers selling their autographs.

To be honest, I couldn't be more pleased. Those within my circle of trusted friends know the high level of disdain I have for autograph dealers of any ilk. But to see such a majority, nearly double the dissenting opinions, that agrees with my point of view is remarkable.

Granted, I have no standing to question a person's choice of occupation. What I can take issue with, and it seems I may have some backing on this, is how these dealers, who inhabit every NHL city, have severely affected my hobby.

Far too many times, I've had to explain that I was a collector, not a dealer. And, even then, I've been met with skepticism. It's to the point that I'll probably spring for some business cards, just so I can offer players an opportunity to check out my family of blogs.

Sure, some people will say that the players are only being greedy. How dare mere mortals, such as dealers, profit from a player's hurried scribble on a card, puck, picture, jersey or stick? Yes, there's a twinge of truth to that. It's hard to believe that some players can be that petty.

But here, at Hound Central 3.0, I try to go beyond just mere rants. It's wicked easy to point out problems. Coming up with solutions, well, that's the tricky dribble here. Still, though, I have a suggestion, one that's based on a simple economic principle.

Given that scarcity of an item only increases its value, I suggest that NHL players, from a Hart Trophy candidate right on down to a team's seventh defenseman, sign as many items as they possibly can. By flooding the market with free autographs, demand will be satisfied, thus causing prices to plummet.

If you take away the profit margin, the dealers won't make as much money. And maybe, just maybe, they'll join the rest of us and get real jobs.

Is this unrealistic? Certainly. But we all can hope, can't we?

Here are the results:

Question: Should NHL players care that dealers sell their autographs?

Yes: 17 votes out of 26 cast (65 percent)
No: 9 out of 26 (34 percent)

On the prowl

When it comes to the Florida Panthers, you certainly won't hear any complaints from me. Year after year, this team has been one of the best in the league when it comes to signing autographs.

Yesterday's trip to Tampa to hound the Panthers only reinforces this point. Aside from Nathan Horton, who apparently found an alternative route to the St. Pete Times Forum, the only time a player didn't stop yesterday morning was when he wasn't asked.

Bottom line, kids: It's teams like Florida that make collecting fun. Granted, the Panthers may not be the best team in the league (yet), but they sure know how to gain fans.

As usual, my primary focus was to add pucks to the collection. And, at morning's end, another dozen joined the club. This season, though, I'm trying to build upon the diversity of items within the collection.

Florida's Craig Anderson helped this effort, becoming the first American-born goalie to sign the stick shown above. With any luck, I'll add Boston's Tim Thomas, Buffalo's Ryan Miller and the Islanders' Rick Dipietro, among others, this season.

Florida's Olli Jokinen and Jay Bouwmeester also pitched in, adding to this working Young Guns (for the lack of a better term) stick, a well-used Easton Synergy bought a few years ago from the AHL's Manchester Monarchs. Boston's Patrice Bergeron and Carolina's Eric Staal were the first to sign this item, back during the NHL lockout when they were playing in the AHL.

Please know, too, that I'll update these stick pictures in the days ahead. It's hard to get good scans of curved surfaces.

Pucks, shown at top: Top row - Bryan Allen, David Booth and Radek Dvorak; Bottom row - Mike Van Ryn (now, that's a letter-perfect autograph, if you ask me), Noah Welch and Richard Zednik (who signed an Islanders puck over a Panthers puck).

Hitting 50

It's not that I'm comparing myself to the league's elite goal scorers, but when Florida's Tomas Vokoun, the Panthers top offseason free-agent signing, signed the Nashville Predators official game puck yesterday, it marked the 50th autographed puck I've scored this season. Not bad, eh?

Honesty is a virtue

Want to meet a down-to-earth hockey player who's refreshingly candid? Check out Florida's Stephen Weiss the next time the Panthers come to town.

After exchanging pleasantries, which focused primarily on the young center spending the summer in Toronto, our conversation turned to the Panthers' season.

I'm among the few who believe the team, given its talent level and mutual maturation process among the younger players, could start making some noise in the years ahead. Weiss agreed.

"Yeah, it would be nice to finally play in a playoff game," he said.

P.S.: Sorry, folks, but this scan, one of several I tried, doesn't do justice for Weiss' autograph. The silver paint really does pop, even on the gray background.

What do you think?

Maybe I made a cardinal sin of hounding. Then again, maybe I respected someone's wishes. Whatever the case, though, I missed out on getting an autograph (or two) from Hall of Famer Denis Potvin yesterday.

As the Florida Panthers and media made their way over to the St. Pete Times Forum yesterday for a morning skate, Potvin, who serves as a TV analyst, was among the last to make the trek. And, of course, the four of us waiting wanted him to sign.

As we approached Potvin, he asked that we all wait until after the morning skate for him to sign. Though I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of waiting, I could understand his request. Apparently, I was alone in my thinking.

The three other hounds kept pestering Potvin until he relented. One said he was on his lunch break and wouldn't be around later. The other two, well, they seemed to be tagging along.

Though I've heard that "Catch me later" line before, I seldom see the need to keep pestering someone. Sure, any hound worth his or her salt will go to extreme lengths to get an autograph from a Hall of Famer. But, with the Panthers coming back to town three more times, I felt that it was better to respect the man's wishes, rather than be more of a nuisance.

I'd be interested in hearing from other hounds and/or collectors. Did I do the right thing? Or did I drop the puck? Let me know, okay?

Editor's note: This is the 100th post of the season.

Here's a keeper

In all honesty, the biggest reason I hounded the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday is because I'm a doting daddy.

Before last Saturday's game against Atlanta, Colin made his usual stop at the Arts Center's Art on Ice program, designing a new goalie mask for Tampa Bay's Johan Holmqvist. Because it turned out pretty good (thanks to help from Kathy, one of Colin's many aunties) and survived the game, I figured it would make for an excellent and unique addition to the collection.

I wasn't disappointed.

Though Colin's mask wouldn't offer adequate protection, the affable Holmqvist was more than willing to sign it. Now, if I could just get NHL goalies to stop misspelling Colin's name (I do spell it out for them), my world would be perfect.

Besides the mask, Tampa Bay's Vinny Prospal signed this puck, and Jan Hlavac and Filip Kuba signed some cards. Other than Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Richards, who disappointed a small "crowd" (all six of us), most every other Lightning player, except Marc Denis, stopped to sign.

Given that I'm running out of items, my next trip for the Bolts will likely come Dec. 13, when the Calgary Flames, the team the Lighting beat to win the 2004 Stanley Cup, visit Tampa. By then, I should have accrued enough cards, pucks, etc., to warrant another visit.

No ill effects

Tampa Bay's Dan Boyle might be on the sidelines recovering from surgery to repair tendons sliced by a falling skate, but it didn't keep him from signing these two pucks.

Guess who?

Do you know what Florida Panthers player signed this puck for us earlier today before the team's morning skate?

It was among the 15 pucks and seven cards added to the collection from a bit of double-dipping between the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Florida's Jay Bouwmeester and Olli Jokinen signed a Young Guns stick. Panthers goalie Craig Anderson was the first to sign a U.S.-born-goalie stick.

Tampa Bay goalie Johan Holmqvist also signed a paper goalie mask that Colin decorated before last Saturday's game. Though the design doesn't resemble his mask, Colin did add his number (40) to it.

You'll see complete hounding reports from both teams on Thursday.

Not exactly PBS

One of the perks that comes with being a Daddy is that you get to watch cartoons. Imagine my surprise, then, when a recent afternoon of watching cartoons produced a hockey-related version of Scooby-Doo.

Called Diamonds Are a Ghoul's Best Friend, the hockey mystery, part of What's New Scooby-Doo? Volume 5 Sports Spooktacular, features all the original members of Scooby Doo's gang -- Shaggy Rogers, Velma Dinkley, Daphne Blake and Frederick Herman "Freddie" Jones -- trying to catch the Frozen Fiend.

But did you know that Brett Hull, the ex-NHL star, also plays a major role in the cartoon? And, no, the former TV blowhard doesn't take a shot at some kid goalie's head.

Name this logo VIII

Congratulations are in order for Brett for knowing that last week's logo belonged to the New Jersey Knights of the original World Hockey Association.

As always, you'll find the answer at Chris Creamer's sports logo site.

Three from Dupuis

Just in case you hadn't figured it out yet, it was Atlanta's Pascal Dupuis who signed three pucks, shown above, before last Saturday's 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay.

Grounded, in a good way

There's a line of thinking among hockey hounding circles that the weakest NHL teams were among the most friendly to fans and hounds. At one time, the Atlanta Thrashers were one of those teams. Most of them, save for the hound-pounded Ilya Kovalchuk and, for some reason, Andy Sutton, were willing signers.

Now that the Thrashers are the defending Southeast champs, it will be interesting to see whether the team is more interested in its swagger (really, it should be, don't you think?) than its signing habits. Given yesterday's outing, before Tampa Bay's 5-2 victory, success has yet to go their their heads. Well, most of them anyways.

Given my experience with the team, I knew that some players would be more difficult than others. Bobby Holik, a strict one-per, ignored two polite requests. Slava Kozlov looked straight ahead and walked as though he was in some form of international competition. My old buddy. Brad Larsen, well, I have his autograph and, trust me, one's plenty.

Other than that, though, most everyone else stopped, including Atlanta's Big Three -- Marian Hossa, Kari Lehtonen and Kovalchuk. Even tough-guy-turned-personality Jeff Odgers stopped to sign, wondering whether Florida's high temperatures and humidity ever subside.

Veteran defenseman Alexei Zhitnik became the first player to sign the 1999 All Star Game helmet. Had Holik stopped, I would have had him sign it as well.

One minor disappointment was that we missed Johan Hedberg. Normally a most-willing signer, only after learning that he would start against the Lightning did I understand his surprising denial.

Given that this team could have had a bit more swagger in its step, the Thrashers only improved their reputation as one of the more hound-friendlier teams in the league.

And, as always, the proof is in the pudding:

Pucks, shown above: Top row - Ken Klee and Kari Lehtonen; Bottom row - Steve McCarthy and Eric Perrin.

Cards, shown below: Niclas Havelid, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jeff Odgers and Todd White.

Learning opportunity

My multi-hockey-tasking buddy Drew should get a real kick out of this. No sooner had he left a comment about players using Sharpies -- rather than the obligatory paint pens -- to sign pucks, than that happens to us.

Like Drew's nemesis, Petr Nedved, it seems that Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk couldn't take the time to change pens and sign this Thrashers puck in silver paint rather than the black Sharpie he used.

Though I didn't get this particular autograph, I still hold myself responsible. I should have passed that it's always better to pass on an inferior autograph and wait for another opportunity.

Thankfully, you can see the signature. Hopefully, it'll be a rarity, too.

Big Poppa Pumped

Last week, in my first Sunday morning homily of the season, I made getting Atlanta's Marian Hossa to sign a Portland Winter Hawks puck one of my 5 Big Sigs for the week.

As you can see, I was able to do one better.

Any extras?

You should add the 2007-08 Victory oversized cards to your list of autograph stock. The cards, which measure a frameworthy 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches, are available as a premium in retail 11-packs.

Not only did Atlanta's Kari Lehtonen sign this one, but he asked who made it and where I got it. Had he not already signed it, I would've offered him this one.

If anyone has an extra card, you can send it to Lehtonen, c/o Atlanta Thrashers, Centennial Tower, 101 Marietta St. NW, Suite 1900, Atlanta, GA 30303.

I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

A Little insight

Here's a nice little exchange I had yesterday with Atlanta's Bryan Little, the 12th overall pick in the 2006 Draft who made the Thrashers out of training camp, as he signed these cards for us.

Me: So, is the NHL everything you'd though it would be?

Little (a big grin breaking across his face): Oh, yeah. Everything, and then some.

Sunday morning homily II

I don't know what it is, but there's something about a hockey season that puts me in a good mood. Most likely, the ability to add to the collection plays a big role in it. Attending games, such as Tampa Bay's 5-2 victory over Atlanta last night, contributes to the fun factor as well.

Moreso, though, it's re-establishing connections with fellow fans and making new friends that brings the most enjoyment.

After a long sweltering summer, mostly spent in air-conditioned comfort, it simply feels great to get outside, interact with hockey players and enjoy the sport of hockey.

Yes, I know that a pretty simplistic take on life. I'll tell you, what, though. It works. We laugh and joke with NHL players. I learn the reason why Tampa Bay's Chris Gratton is called "Hermie" among a circle of friends. And, for kicks, I get to yell at inconsistent referees (Yeah, Brad Watson, I'm talking about you).

Hockey is back on the ice. Order has been restored to my life.

Something tells me, though, that I'm not alone.

Having said that

Today's homily might seem more abbreviated than others. There's a model train show at Colin's favorite train store this weekend. So, I'm going to keep a promise and make sure he gets to take in the sights and sounds. It'll also give Santa an idea or two for presents.

5 big sigs

With only the Florida Panthers coming to town this week, I will likely sneak in another trip for the Lightning. As a result, I'm hoping to add these items to the collection:

1.) Florida's Tomas Vokoun on Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators pucks.
2.) Florida's Jay Bouwmeester and Nathan Horton on a Young Guns stick
3.) Florida's Craig Anderson as the first to sign a American-born goalies stick
4.) Tampa Bay's Johan Holmqvist on a goalie mask that Colin decorated before Saturday's game.
5.) Tampa Bay's Brad Richards to sign the two pucks that I mistakenly passed on a couple weeks ago.

Not a bad day, I'd say

What Atlanta Thrashers player signed a hat trick of pucks, including this one, for us earlier today?

The three were among 10, including a pair from Marian Hossa, and 27 cards, including an oversized card of Kari Lehtonen, that were added to the collection. Alexei Zhitnik became the player to sign the 1999 All Star Game helmet, too. I'll have a more detailed report later Sunday.

The Bolts won, by the way, 5-2. I can barely speak.

P.S. I'll let you know Monday.

Giving the Devils their due

Pound for pound, and star for star, the New Jersey Devils are one of the best teams when it comes to signing autographs. From last season's playoffs to yesterday's season-opener in Tampa, very few players, if any, didn't take the time to stop and sign. And I'm not talking just about third- and fourth liners.

Future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur? Let's just say he's a better goalie than a speller. Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta? Yeah, they stopped and signed, too. John Madden signed multiples as well. Other than a handful who hopped a hotel van before Thursday's morning skate, I can't think of a player or coach who didn't stop.

I'm sure a little bit of early season goodwill played a role. But, this team has been consistent for as long as I've been in the hobby.

Autographed cards, shown above, are Nicklas Bergfors, Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta and John Madden.

Autographed pucks, shown at top, are Brent Sutter, Kevin Weekes and Dainius Zubrus. I'm interested, too, in hearing feedback on the red ink on the Zubrus puck.

And, in case you didn't figure it out, that puck came from Bergfors.

It's Colin with one "l"

It's too bad that I have to work tonight. If I didn't, I'm sure Colin, not Collin, and I would be rooting for different teams after New Jersey's Martin Brodeur put one sweet autograph on this replica jersey for the boy. For the record, though, I wish Brodeur would've spelled Colin's name correctly. I spelled it out for him, too.

Breaking the ice

If you want to strike up a conversation with a hockey player, coach or front-office type, try using a college puck.

In this case, Devils GM Lou Lamoriello, a Providence College legend, learned my loyalties run with the UNH Wildcats, not the Friars.

Thankfully, he didn't hold that against me.

One of eight

Can you find what New Jersey rookie, a former No. 1 pick, signed this Devils puck for me today before the team's season-opening morning skate in muggy downtown Tampa?

It was among the eight pucks, 16 cards and one very special jersey added to the collection.

Showing off

In the past, I written about adding to our favorite goalie mask, a Team Canada replica that been a work in progress for a few years now.

Seeing that I had to use up a roll of film recently (to update postings involving Tampa Bay's Marty St. Louis and Marc Denis), I thought you might enjoy a closer look at what has become one of the centerpieces of the collection.

The top shows autographs from Steve Valiquette, Roberto Loungo, Martin Biron and Cam Ward.

The bottom shows autographs from Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Jason LaBarbara, Andrew Raycroft, Felix Potvin and Rob Tallas.

Hopefully, I'll add a few more Canadian-born goalies to it this season. Tops on the list: Boston's Manny Fernandez, Colorado's Jose Theodore, Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson and Montreal rookie Carey Price.

Name this logo VII

Okay, my hockey universe is back in order. I was beginning to worry about our collective intelligence, though, until Brett, or bamlinden, knew that last week's logo belonged to the Greensboro Generals, who played from 1999-2004 in the East Coast Hockey League.

Let's see how you do this week.

And, in case you haven't figured it out, you'll find the answer at Chris Creamer's sports logo site.

Review: 2007-08 NHL Fleer Ultra

If it weren't for scoring what I believe to be one of those so-called "hot boxes" of the 2007-08 NHL Fleer Ultra, I'm pretty certain that a common complaint would ultimately impair my perception against Fleer, and its parent Upper Deck.

After raising the bar by showing updated players in late-season releases, the card companies have taken a step back by failing to use modern photographic and computer technology to show the summer's free agents with their new teams.

Given our era of instant gratification, where video hits the Web in seconds, there's no reason why pictures taken at a player's introductory press conferences can't be added before tight production timelines. In as long as it takes a graphic designer to type, say Manny Fernandez / Bruins, a photo of the goalie in a Boston jersey can replace the outdated image shown above.

And, until Fleer and Upper Deck make this commitment to providing the timeliest of products, the companies will continue to disappoint this collector.

Having said that, though, it's hard to quibble with what came out of the box. From a jersey patch card of New York's Jaromir Jagr to another short print of Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, the premiums, including a sweet Dominik Hasek insert, certainly took the sting out of this product.

Box Buster: 2007-08 NHL Fleer Ultra
Vital stats: 24 packs, eight cards per pack (192 total)
Price paid: $68.52 (including tax)
Purchased at: Water Wonder, Pinellas Park, Fla.
Set completion: 142 out of 200 cards (71 percent)
Duplicates: None
Ultra Rookies (1:4): Patrick Kaleta, David Koci, David Kreci, Joel Lundqvist, Mark Mancari and Mathieu Roy. Total: Six out of 50 (12 percent)
Ultra Rookies Gold Medallion (1:12): Rob Schremp
Ultra Rookie Redemption (1:24): One, RED265
Ultra Ice Medallion (1:48): Evgeni Malkin (014/100)
Ultra Uniformity Patch: Jaromir Jagr (08/25)
Ultra Uniformity (1:18)/Fresh Ink (autographs) mix (1:36): Dustin Brown and Brian Rafalski
Hot Numbers (1:288): Dominik Hasek (hobby only)
Flair Showcase – Lower Level (1:27): Phil Kessel (hobby only)
Flair Showcase – Upper Level (1:14): Peter Forsberg and Dion Phaneuf
Season Crowns (1:36): Martin Brodeur
Scoring Kings(1:18): Marian Hossa
Difference Makers (1:18): Jaromir Jagr and Rick Nash
Puckhound's grade: 3 out of 5 (with the hot-box tag); 2 out of 5 (w/o the hot-box tag)

Malkin Magic

For some reason, I seem to have really good luck getting short-printed cards of Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin.

This card, an Ice Medallion (No. 014/100), is part of 2007-08 Fleer Ultra. Apparently, it's part of a so-called "hot box."

Last season, I pulled a autographed patch card and two Young Gun checklists of Malkin.

A benchmark

I guess this Ultra Uniformity three-color-and-a-thread-of-red patch card (No. 08/25) of New York's Jaromir Jagr, fresh out of a box of 2007-08 NHL Fleer Ultra, has to take the early lead for sweetest card of the season. Then again, it's the first, too.

Something's missing

Can anyone else see what's missing from this picture? I may be living in Florida, but I still have a few drops of North of the Border blood, courtesy of two stout generations on Prince Edward Island, coursing through my near-addled, airbag-of-bones body.

Sunday morning homily I

Hockey's training camps and preseason, just like baseball's spring training, are times for hope and renewal. Everyone starts with a clean slate and as much opportunity as they can create.

In hounding, it's no different. Each season allows for a new approach. And now, with the start of Tampa's hockey hounding season less than four days away, I'm setting these three goals with the hopes that they resonate with you:

~ Improve the quality of the collection by remembering the veteran players. I used the NHL's 2004-05 lockout to load up on today's younger stars (Boston's Patrice Bergeron, Carolina's Cam Ward and Ottawa's Jason Spezza come to mind), who spent that season at AHL farm clubs and traveled to Manchester, N.H., for their all-star weekend. This should allow for more cherry-picking, as in getting Colorado's Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk over, say, Marek Svatos and Jordan Leopold. And, no, I won't apologize for that.

~ Remember why I got into this hobby 10 years ago -- to have fun while building an awesome collection. Now that I've been around the block a time or two (or three), I'll use that experience to not just diversify the collection (adding more sticks, jerseys and helmets), but make it more enjoyable, too. There were many times last season when getting autographs felt like a job. I'll take more time to enjoy it this season.

~ Continue to pass along my love for the game to my son, Colin. Every veteran parent tells me that as he gets older, he'll want to spend less time with me. I understand that. Every child needs to grow into an independent person. All I want is for hockey to be a bond, just like love and trust, that keeps us close.

Way to go, kid

On a cold night in Lewiston, Maine, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my hockey heroes. The Quebec Remparts, owned and coached by Patrick Roy, were in town. Even with stars Angelo Esposito and Alexander Radulov away at worlds, The Colisee was nearly full.

In goal for the hometown Maineiacs was Jonathan Bernier, then a highly regarded and draft-eligible prospect. A few months later, Los Angeles, picking 11th overall in the 2006 draft, nabbed Bernier.

Last night, in London, Bernier paid quick dividends, leading the Kings to a 4-1 victory in the NHL's season opener. Not bad for someone making his first NHL start?

Granted, he'll likely spend the winter in Manchester, but I believe Saturday's win over defending Stanley Cup champ Anaheim will prove to be far more than beginner's luck.

5 Big Sigs

With two hounding opportunities in the week ahead (New Jersey on Oct. 4 and Atlanta on Oct. 6), I'm hoping to add these items:

1.) New Jersey's Martin Brodeur on Colin's Brodeur replica jersey
2.) New Jersey assistant coaches Jacques Laperriere (he's pretty tough, surprisingly) and Larry Robinson on a Montreal Canadiens replica jersey
3.) New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello on a Providence College puck
4.) Atlanta's Marian Hossa on a Portland Winter Hawks puck
5.) Atlanta's Bobby Holik and Alexei Zhitnik as the first two players to sign the 1999 NHL All Star Game helmet

It'll be a Wild year

With Pittsburgh's overabundance of talent, it's no surprise that the Penguins have become a popular pick to carry Lord Stanley's Cup late next spring. And then, this morning, as I slowly woke up watching ESPN's SportsCenter, hockey god/analyst Barry Melrose says he's keeping an eye on the New York Rangers.

Funny thing, though, I've heard/read very little about Anaheim successfully defending its championship run. Detroit, as always, is getting some buzz, but beyond that, hockey's mainstream media is making what appears to be safe and easy picks.

So now, less than 24 hours before the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings drop the puck on the 2007-08 season across the pond in London, I offer these predictions. No picking with my heart nor head, but just a gut feeling.

And, as you'll see, I'm a little beyond the mainstream:

Eastern Conference
No. 1: Pittsburgh Penguins (Presidents' Trophy - 112 points)
No. 2: Ottawa Senators
No. 3: Atlanta Thrashers
No. 4: Buffalo Sabres
No. 5: Carolina Hurricanes
No. 6: Philadelphia Flyers
No. 7: New Jersey Devils
No. 8: Tampa Bay Lightning
Just missing: New York Rangers (Sorry, Chuck V.)

Quarterfinals:
Pittsburgh beats Tampa Bay, 4-1
Ottawa beats New Jersey, 4-2
Philadelphia beats Atlanta, 4-1
Buffalo beats Carolina, 4-3

Semifinals:
Philadelphia beats Pittsburgh, 4-3
Buffalo beats Ottawa, 4-3

Conference finals:
Philadelphia beats Buffalo, 4-2

Western Conference
No. 1: Minnesota Wild
No. 2: Detroit Red Wings
No. 3: Anaheim Ducks
No. 4: San Jose Sharks
No. 5: Dallas Stars
No. 6: Vancouver Canucks
No. 7: Colorado Avalanche
No. 8: Calgary Flames
Just missing: Nashville Predators

Quarterfinals:
Minnesota beats Calgary, 4-3
Colorado beats Detroit, 4-2
Vancouver beats Anaheim, 4-1
San Jose beats Dallas, 4-3

Semifinals:
Minnesota beats Colorado, 4-2
Vancouver beats San Jose, 4-3

Conference finals:
Minnesota beats Vancouver, 4-2

Stanley Cup finals:
Minnesota beats Philadelphia, 4-1

Individual honors
Art Ross Trophy (top point scorer):
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 114 points
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance and sportsmanship):
Brad Boyes, St. Louis Blues
Calder Memorial Trophy (top rookie):
Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP):
Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild
Frank J. Selke Trophy (defensive forward):
Jason Ward, Tampa Bay Lightning
Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP):
Sidney Crosby
Jack Adams Award (top coach):
Jacques Lemaire, Minnesota Wild
James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenseman):
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
King Clancy Memorial Trophy
(leadership and humanitarian efforts):
Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (gentlemanly conduct):
Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning
Lester B. Pearson Award (players' MVP):
Sidney Crosby
Maurice Richard Trophy (most regular-season goals):
Vinny Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, 55 goals
Vezina Trophy (top goalie):
Niklas Backstrom
William M. Jennings Trophy (fewest goals scored against):
Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild

Our Sabres will be OK

Given the departure of Danny Briere and Chris Drury, and, to some extent, Dainius Zubrus, it's easy to understand the furrowed brows within Sabres Nation.

How does a team, one that commanded the Eastern Conference during the regular season, cope with the loss of skill, determination and leadership?

My response is simple. The Sabres must look within:

~ Now that Briere is in Philly and Drury in the Big Apple, it's time for Buffalo's stable of young players to fully seize the opportunity being presented. It's not just Thomas Vanek, either. Buffalo needs Jason Pominville, Derek Roy and Drew Stafford (and you thought I forgot about him) to continue taking great strides forward, in terms of scoring and providing leadership.

Improved contributions from Ales Kotalik and Tim Connolly, provided he can stay healthy, would help pick up some of the offensive slack, too. Brian Campbell can pitch in as well.

~ Night after night, Ryan Miller gives Buffalo a chance to win. Are there flashier goalies in the NHL? Sure. But there are few who are more solid. In my world, substance trumps style time after time.

~ From Teppo Numminen's open-heart surgery to last season's playoff collapse against Ottawa, this team has dealt with adversity and disappointment. To some, these would be excuses. But in Buffalo and Western New York, where being an underdog is a birthright, this should provide nothing but motivation.

We're a tough lot, aren't we?

Bottom line, folks, the Sabres should have a pretty decent year. Sure, they'll make some noise in the conference. And I certainly wouldn't mind to see them learn to score in the playoffs. But, will they win the Cup? I'd be surprised.

Pleasantly surprised.

Preview: 2007-08 Upper Deck MVP

I don't know what disappoints me the most about the upcoming 2007-08 Upper Deck MVP product. There's so much to choose from:

My biggest problem, once again, relates to production issues. Mostly, my criticism centers on outdated photos. Given today's technology, from photography to printing to distribution, there's no reason why certain cards, such as Colorado's Ryan Smyth (but wearing one of the Islanders' hideous third jerseys), could have used photos taking during introductory press conferences.

At the least, a player would be shown with his new team. It could also add to the demand for this early-season 297-card release. Though Upper Deck provides a Sept. 20 release date (wink, wink; nudge, nudge), I've read it could be next week.

Other big-name players in this predicament include St. Louis' Paul "Cha-cha-cha" Kariya, Detroit's Brian Rafalski and the Rangers' Scott Gomez. For my friends in Buffalo, some of whom I've already irked, I'll refrain from mentioning others.

Another point of contention is the lack of imagination within the design of the set. The Blake card looks just like this one of New Jersey's Sergei Brylin, from UD's 2006-07 MVP release. The biggest change: minor tweakings around the photo frame. Continuity? Perhaps. Laziness? Couldn't tell you.

Finally, for hounds, the silver-foil imprinted "autographs" on most of these cards open doors to players saying they've already signed them. Yeah, most times they're kidding.

You'll find enough useful cards within the checklist -- think Colorado's Brett Clark, Boston's Dennis Wideman, New Jersey's Johnny Oduya and Philadelphia's Ben Eager, to warrant a box, especially at what should be affordable (less than $50 a box, I'd say) prices. Beyond that, though, it's your call.

Sorry, Rico

I know this won't play well back in Western New York, but I had to cast a tie-breaking vote to determine a winner in the latest Hound Central 3.0 poll.

Really, I wanted to honor my loyalties to the Buffalo Sabres. But when it came down to picking what NHL legend should be added to McFarlane's SportsPicks lineup, it really wasn't all that difficult making a decision.

Beyond the fact that Montreal's Ken Dryden, a Hall of Famer, made a greater impact on the game, as a collector, I'd rather have Dryden, striking this classic pose, over Buffalo's Richard Martin winding up for one of his laser-like boomers.

Here are the results:

Montreal's Ken Dryden: 5 votes out of 15 cast (33 percent)
Buffalo's Richard Martin: 5 out of 15 (33 percent)
NYI's Billy Smith: 2 out of 15 (13 percent)
Boston's Terry O'Reilly: 1 out of 15 (6 percent)
Detroit's Viacheslav Fetisov: 1 out of 15 (6 percent)
Toronto's Mike Palmateer: 1 out of 15 (6 percent)

Please know, too, that I'll pass along these results to the good folks at McFarlane. And should they decide to release a Dryden, maybe we will have played a minor role in the decision.

Mixing it up with Marty

It never fails to amaze me that whenever I find it within myself to praise a player for their signing habits, something happens that casts that perception in a somewhat different light. This case in point: Tampa Bay's Marty St. Louis.

Here's our exchange, which took place Monday following the Lightning's morning skate:

Marty: Whatcha got there? A store? (I will admit that I had quite the arrangement -- Team Canada goalie mask, a Lightning mini team helmet, a Lightning mini goalie mask, a dozen pucks and a book of cards.)

Me: Sorry, Marty, but nothing's for sale.

Marty (while signing the Lightning mini team helmet, shown above): Is that so?

Me: Yeah, Marty, it is. In fact, why don't you stop over to the house the next time you're in St. Pete. You can help me count out the 1,300 pucks, if you'd like. Maybe we'll look for the eight you've signed.

Marty: Jesus, 1,300 pucks?

Me: Yeah, 1,300 pucks.

Though I understand that some hockey players believe that every middle-age man seeking autographs is a dealer, I don't back down when accused of being one. Rather than being snotty, though, I try to "educate" these players that their broad-based perception is incorrect.

Enough already

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of writing about autographs from Tampa Bay Lightning players. Given the lack of success I had with teams flying in and out for preseason games, I'm champing at the bit for the puck to drop on the 2007-08 regular season.

That's not to say, though, that I'm not appreciative of the players who stopped to sign following Monday's morning skate at the St. Pete Times Forum.

In all, I went home that day with another 18 autographs, including Marty St. Louis on a Lightning mini team helmet, embattled goalie Marc Denis on our favorite goalie mask, shown above, and eight pucks.

Besides Kyle Wanvig signing the 1,300th and 1,301st pucks of the collection, other Lightning players to sign pucks, shown at top, were:

Top row, from left: Doug Janik, Buffalo Sabres and Team USA; and Michel Ouellet, Tampa Bay Lightning
Bottom row, from left: Karri Ramo, Tampa Bay Lightning; and fan favorite Andre Roy, Tampa Bay Lightning and Drummondville Voltiguers.

Given that the regular season is just around the corner, meaning that I'll focus my efforts on the New Jersey Devils, Atlanta Thrashers and Florida Panthers within the first week, it'll be a few weeks before I hound the Lightning. Maybe.

Puck No. 1,300

Just in case you couldn't (and/or didn't) find what NHL player signed the 1,300th puck of the collection, Tampa Bay's Kyle Wanvig, a player on the bubble for the Lightning's opening night roster, provided the latest milestone.

For the record, it was the Houston Aeros puck.

Wanvig, however, got a kick out of the Red Deer Rebels puck. I'm sure it brought back pleasant memories, as he won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy for being named the most valuable player of the 2001 Memorial Cup championship. By defeating Val D'Or 6-5 in overtime, the Rebels won their first title.

Other players from the championship team include Colby Armstrong, Martin Erat, Boyd Gordon, Ross Lupaschuk, Doug Lynch, Justin Mapletoft and Jeff Woywitka. Red Deer was coached by Brent Sutter, now coaching the New Jersey Devils.

Both sides of the story

It should come as no surprise that NHL players, especially those who are established and pulling in multimillion dollar contracts, drive pretty nice and pricey cars. And, as a hound, part of the drill is recognizing those cars as well as the players inside.

The point was driven home yesterday while I was hounding the Tampa Bay Lightning following the team's morning skate at the St. Pete Times Forum.

As a player headed home from the skate, behind the wheel of a black luxury car, for some reason I believed it was Tampa Bay's Andreas Karlsson. I waved and nodded as the driver looked toward me, telling him there was no need to stop. Boy, was that a mistake.

It turns out that the driver wasn't Karlsson, but one of Tampa Bay's Big Three -- Brad Richards. It wasn't until he rolled past, and I took a closer look, did I realize my error. Needless to say, I was pretty embarrassed at my oversight.

For all of the bragging I do when I score autographs from top-shelf players, the objective journalist in me dictates that I also share my mistakes. Going forward, I'll take a little more time and be certain who's behind the wheel.

This oughta keep you busy

Until I get finished with some hockey housekeeping and work on posts from yesterday's hounding trip, can you find what former Memorial Cup MVP signed a Red Deer Rebels puck for me yesterday? Here's a hint: He also signed the 1,300th puck of the collection.

Name this logo VI

Please excuse my abrupt honesty, but I'm a little disappointed that no one knew that last week's logo belonged to the Mobile (Ala.) Mysticks, a member of the East Coast Hockey League from 1995-06 through 2002-02. The franchise is now known as the Gwinnett (Ga.) Gladiators.

Maybe you'll do better with this week's offering. Then again, maybe not. I thought last week's was pretty easy.

And, as always, the answer can be found with a little effort at Chris Creamer's sports logo site.

File this away

I guess the biggest lesson I've learned this preseason is that teams seldom stay overnight. Not one of the Tampa Bay Lightning's preseason guests have stayed over before a game.

Less than a week ago, Dallas flew in just in time to play. Washington flew in early enough Saturday for some players, including Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, to be seen inside of two downtown Tampa hotels. And Detroit, who lost 4-3 to the Lightning tonight, arrived before the game.

I'll have to chalk this up to experience and remember that next preseason. The season's long enough, and I don't like to waste my time and energy.