The second best result I could hope for! And Namestnikov

So obviously the best I could hope for would feature the Devils in the Cup final against a scrub team and they would win in 4 straight. However, that wasn't even close to happening so my two adopted teams (Hawks of course) and the Lightning are in the finals. While Brett Connolly is no longer in Tampa, I still really enjoy watching them play and have kind of adopted them as one of my teams. I also banked my hockey pool heavily on TB and with a 24 point lead and the entire Triplet line on my roster it is safe to say I won that pool.

So who do I want to win the Cup? I honestly don't know. I have been cheering for the Hawks since the 1990 and I have followed the Lightning pretty closely over the past couple seasons and they have some very deserving players on the roster. I guess I will just sit back and enjoy what will probably be an amazing Cup final and be happy no matter who wins.

Speaking of winning, here is a little gem!


14-15 SPx Spectrum FX Red Rookie Auto /399 Vladislav Namestnikov

























It is almost unfair the amount of young talent the Lightning have in their system. While it is pretty easy to give all the credit to Steve Yzerman, the fact of the matter is the scouting staff has done an amazing job drafting early, drafting late and even finding undrafted talent (Tyler Johnson). When you have a 3rd overall pick (Drouin) sitting in the press box that just shows the world the amount of talent on your roster.  One player who doesn't always get much press is Namestnikov. He finished up his rookie season compiling 9 goals and 16 points in 43 games after putting up over a point a game in the AHL this year (35 points in 34 games). He currently is playing on the 4th line but is available to jump up on the higher lines if an injury were to occur. Namestnikov is only 22 years old and symbolizes the bright future Tampa will have going forward win or lose after the season.

14-15 Fleer Showcase Hot Prospects Damon Severson Auto Rookie Patch /375

The Devils have been a team in transition. Since our last playoff appearance (2012 Stanley Cup Finals) we have been slowly turning over the roster and the position most affected has been on defense. We used to be known as the no-name defense but in a couple of years we will have one of the best blue-lines in the NHL. Don't believe me? That's fine, I will let the team do the talking but I figure in about 2-3 seasons it will be our strong point once again.

One of the best surprises of the season has been the play of Damon Severson. Prior to his broken ankle he was playing every bit as much as Aaron Ekblad and even was having as much as an impact as the 2014 first overall pick. However, the ankle injury forced him out and when he came back he had some rust and didn't quite match his early season performance. Well a summer of rest and training will hopefully rejuvenate his game and he will only continue to progress. 



14-15 Fleer Showcase Hot Prospects Damon Severson Auto Rookie Patch /375

I am a pretty big fan of these despite their low book value. A good two colour patch to go with a sticker auto and a print run of 375.

For people who don't follow the Devils, Severson finished this year playing 51 games (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points) which was good enough for 4th among rookie defenseman and really he could have been 3rd if he played a few more games. Damon also was 2nd among rookies for average ice time per game with 21:57 (2 seconds behind first). So to say he was pulled from the pan and put in the fire is an understatement, but he handled himself well and I look forward to seeing what he is capable next season!

Hook, line and sinker!

OK, does it make me a sucker if I know I am a sucker? Well, when Upper Deck came out with yet ANOTHER let's celebrate our past insert I was wondering when will it all end. Truth is, I have missed out on ALL the other celebrations so why would the 25th Anniversary be any different? Well nostalgia got the better of me and I guess the silver anniversary was the one that made me cave. While I have yet to buy any packs of this year's release, I did at least hold out until Series 2 came out and featured my beloved young gun buy backs and I bought a former Devil Bobby Holik for a mere couple dollars!

2014-15 (90-91) Upper Deck High Series Bobby Holik Young Gun /25

So I paid a couple dollars for a 50 cent card but it does have some foiling and a handwritten number 21/25. Enough cynicism, what I do like about the card is it represents the 25th anniversary of my collecting, its a rookie of a player who was very instrumental in the Devils winning their first two cups and finally he is wearing at sweet Whalers jersey which is just one of those uniforms that you only appreciate once its no longer in the league!

10-11 Panini Certified Jordan Eberle Auto Rookie Parallel Red /100

One PC that has been neglected over the years is my Jordan Eberle one. I even traded off one of my Eberle auto rookies (Donruss Rated Rookie) so I feel like I needed to balance it off and bring in a new one and a few months ago I managed to get a Red version of a card I already owned and loved.

10-11 Panini Certified Jordan Eberle Auto Rookie Parallel Red /100

Red front and numbered 14 unlike my regular version of this card. Also a different coloured swatch which is also a great feature since they look amazing paired up.

Here is the back, nearly identical except it is numbered to 100. Not a bad addition and pleased to have it in my possession. I am tempted to try for the other parallels but probably won't actively pursue it since many have been probably scooped up and sit in collections or are still buried in packs.

07-08 Sweet Shot Sweet Beginnings - Carey Price Rookie /599

Well, since I don't have my latest Tall Boy scanned and I have a free moment, why not feature a different pick-up in the last few months. Given his win last night which could be his last of this season, I am featuring Carey Price.

 07-08 Sweet Shot Sweet Beginnings - Carey Price Rookie /599

This season he was on fire and carried a pretty average Habs team into the stratosphere. Please forgive my scan, I didn't want to take it out of the one touch holder and clearly that was a mistake as it is pretty blurry. I assure you this is a gem and I love the Sweet Shot cards because they are filled with frills like player worn swatches and serial numbering but can be had for less than a Young Gun of the same player.

1964-65 Topps Tall Boys #15 - Norm Ullman

Here is the fourth Tall Boy in my collection and I already have news, I managed to pick up a fifth! So if you are disliking these posts, the end is extended just slightly and if you like them it has be prolonged just for a bit longer. This post is about HOF'er Norm Ullman.


1964-65 Topps Tall Boys #15 - Norm Ullman

Norm has made an appearance in my collection before as a TTM return so I am definitely a fan of him as a person and a player. I am a pretty big fan of this card and love the look of the old gloves and the colour scheme is just awesome.

 

Here is the back side, same as the previous with facts, stats and a comic. I am not sure if Norm was insulted or flattered by his comic but personally I thought they could do a little better on this one!

1964-65 Topps Tall Boys #109 - Pierre Pilote All-Star

The Tall Boy train continues with this one featuring HOF'er Pierre Pilote. Like my recent additions, this has it's characteristics. This one has a little paper loss on the front from being taped but it is crease free and in pretty great condition otherwise. Totally with the 5 bucks I spent on it.

1964-65 Topps Tall Boys #109 - Pierre Pilote All-Star

Very cool design, I like that they had All-Star cards in the set and the stars at the top and bottom are one of my favourite designs about the front.

Unlike the regular base cards, the All-Star cards have no cartoon and are all facts and info. 53 points in 70 games is/was very impressive especially when you consider Stan Mikita lead the league in scoring with 89 points. Pierre was not only a first team all-star but he also won the Norris that year.

1964-65 Topps Tall Boys #82 - Ted Lindsay

Tall Boy number two that was recently added was that of Peyton Manning HOF'er Ted Lindsay. This card would never have been created if not for a comeback after 4 years of being out of the game. He did come back just for the one season before retiring again for good. In case you were wondering, he managed to score 14 goals and 14 assists in 69 games which was higher than his previous season's totals.

1964-65 Topps Tall Boys #82 - Ted Lindsay

 

Like my checklist, this one has received much love in the form of touching. It may have also been dropped, kicked, hugged or even spent an afternoon in a pocket. Either way, it has creases which is why the 75 dollar card was very easily purchasable for 5 bucks.

 

Here is the backside and again you can see some drag marks across a rough surface like a floor or sandpaper. No stats because he missed the previous few seasons but a cool comic which all of these cards feature. Ted's second last season was in 59-60 with the Blackhawks which is why it says "he desired to finish career in a Red Wing uniform".

1964-65 Topps "Tall Boys" #54 - Checklist

Here I go, much less time between posts! This card is one from the LCS. I stopped in one day with a pocket full of change and I spotted a number of Tall Boys. Using some recycling money and a few bucks I had in my wallet I was able to add 4 more tall boys to my collection. Originally I had just one, Jim Mikol rookie which I must say is in amazing shape compared to these but the latest additions all carry a bit more "book value".

The first of my pick-ups is the first checklist from the set.

1964-65 Topps "Tall Boys" #54 - Checklist

I actually love checklists, especially vintage ones. I have almost won one of the 66-67 Topps ones a couple of times but sadly still waiting on a victory there. But back in the day of course checklists were often checked so their value is often inflated due to the fact that unchecked ones are pretty scarce. This one is checked but despite its heavy use, it is pretty amazing still. Beautiful colour on the front and no creases!

Here is the backside. Again lots of checks, in fact I think they completed the Series 1 set by the looks of it and maybe had some issues finding card number 47. A little wear on the corners but other than that I just loved this card and had to have it.

Book price on this in great shape and sans-checkmarks is $300 and the second checklist is actually $450 because it is short printed. I thankfully bought it for pennies on the dollar due to all those horrible checkmarks which I personally like and feel it adds character. I don't think I would ever pay for an unchecked one but then again I supposed if I wanted to chase a mint version of this set I would need to consider that route. Still, it is a beautiful work of art that has been loved and will continue to be so. What are your thoughts on vintage checklists? Love/Hate? Do the checks bother you?

14-15 Trilogy Jonathan Drouin Rookie Premiere Blue Auto /225

Oh once upon a time I used to be such a consistent blogger. I have seem many of the great ones come and go and some even come back again. I really really hope that I don't go that way but at the same time life is just one of those things that will take what it wants from you and if time is short then you are left piecing what you have together. With the being said, I still am in the hobby and I am still getting from time to time but the sharing seems to have been the hardest part over the last 6 months. I realized that often I am a little too ambitious and that is getting in the way of production. I am thinking maybe trying to make them short and sweet will not only help me but also just keep me relevant in the wonderful world of sports card blogging.

So as Prince once said. "No I ain't dead yet but, uh, how about you?" here is what will hopefully be a rejuvenation!



14-15 Trilogy Jonathan Drouin Rookie Premiere Blue Auto /225

This card is one I have wanted before the season started. Ok, maybe not this particular card but I told myself no boxes or blasters will be purchased until I had a Drouin auto rookie and this one definitely fit the bill better than I could have hoped. These cards are beautiful and my 4 year old walking by stopped in his tracks and asked to see it. He loved the colours this thing has and it nearly is his favourite card. His actual favourite is the 91-92 Pro Set 75th Anniversary Hologram.

As some of you know, I am a bit of a Lightning fan thanks to Brett Connolly and even though he is gone I will still be cheering for them out of the East and Chicago out of the West. Here is hoping I have someone left at dance come June!

Thanks for your patience fellow collectors and readers. I am hoping (no promises) to get back on the proverbial horse! In the meantime, here is some more Prince!