Submitted by Russ_Cohen on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 16:32
Every box boasts that collectors will get six “Young Guns” and then there’s a chance of getting some autographs and memorabilia cards so for around $63 it should be easy to get your money’s worth, right?
Well after my first two rookie pulls I felt that way. My first was of Flyers rookie forward James van Riemsdyk. I have been following this New Jersey native for quite some time and now he’s having that great rookie campaign that I expected him to. As a matter of fact his numbers are comparable to Chicago’s Patrick Kane, who was drafted one spot ahead of him back in 2007. JVR has 17 points in his first 15 games with four game winners. So far that’s better than any rookie out there. John Tavares has two more points but no game-winners. This could be some Calder race as the season rolls on.
My next rookie was Buffalo’s towering defenseman Tyler Myers. He’s 6-8, a great skater, and he was in the Memorial Cup last year, which means he can help make a team a winner. So far the Sabres have started out strong and this youngster has made his presence known. At 222 pounds he’s no wallflower and he has some offensive upside. Keep an eye on this kid, he’s turning out to be a terrific player.
The rest of the rookies are as follows: Mike Santorelli (Nashville) he just scored a shootout game-winner the other night, John Negrin (Devils), Michal Neuvirth (Caps) look at my UD Black Hockey review to see about him (http://www.cardcornerclub.net/?q=node/464) and T.J. Galiardi (Avs) who has a chance to be a decent player in the future. So the rookie’s I got were solid and there were a few others like Michael Del Zotto (Rangers), Matt Duchene (Avs), and Victor Hedman (Lightning) in this set.
Now for some surprises. I got an autograph. It was a Scotty Bowman autograph! Of all the NHL executives, his autograph would be #1. There isn’t a better one. There may not be a better one all-time for any sport! It’s a Red Wings card, great picture, and clear signature. WOW! That’s all I can say.
My next pull was an “UD Game Jersey” of Habs star Guy Carbonneau. He has three rings, he was the captain of the Habs, very popular with the Stars only Cup team and he was a terrific center and he could be a future Hall of Famer. What else can I say this box has been fabulous.
I did get an event-used card of Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr (two-color). It's a great looking card in all of its Edmonton Oilers splendor but I don't value those cards as much, however, as an addition, it's fine.
This year’s design looks futuristic and takes some getting used to as far as the YG fonts go. Otherwise the rest is stellar and I love the additional inserts like “Face of the Franchise” and “Draft Day Gems”. The photography is stellar and the shot of Evgeni Malkin sitting near his Conn Smythe trophy in the locker room is a very memorable base card.
There are acetate cards and patches and great rookies in this set. I would get a few boxes!
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