Panini America Bringing Game-Used Blades to 2013-14 National Treasures Hockey

[doniceage]

Sometimes, the term “cutting edge” can be a figurative description; sometimes, it’s meant to be literal. In the rarest of circumstances, though, it’s both — and that’s certainly the case with Panini America’s 2013-14 National Treasures Hockey. One of the most anticipated trading cards releases of this or any other year has generated considerable pre-release buzz already — and the product isn’t slated to release until late August.

Today, we’re showcasing yet more images that serve to substantiates the hype: The cutting-edge (literally and figuratively) and quite brilliant Treasured Steel insert featuring pieces of acetate-encased game-used skate blades from some of the best players in the NHL.


From the beginning of its tenure in the NHL, one of Panini America’s primary goals with all of its releases has been to bring passionate hockey fans as close to the action on the ice as possible — and it gets no closer than Treasured Steel, which incorporates skate blades that have gone from carving NHL ice to being carved themselves for placement into rare cards honoring the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Adam Henrique, Joe Nieuwendyk and more.


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[bprice]

Skate blades on hockey trading cards, that's an interesting idea.

Seems to me ITG did skate blades a decade ago, so not really "cutting edge" IMO.

Brian Price

[notoriousrob101]

Cards do look cool. Although putting a piece of metal into plastic isn't really an amazing feat. Filling redemptions would be up there with landing on the moon, at this point.

[cygnusx1]

Skate blades on hockey trading cards, that's an interesting idea.

Seems to me ITG did skate blades a decade ago, so not really "cutting edge" IMO.

Brian Price

Seems to me that these might be slightly larger than the size of a dime though. And signed, no less.

[bprice]

The smaller pieces were Vintage Blades of Steel. I doubt if Panini is going to use Barilko, Morenz or Richard skates like we did.

But that's ok, I give them credit for copying a great idea.

Brian Price

[cygnusx1]

Were old skates smaller than current skates?

[bprice]

No they were not smaller, just much more valuable and difficult to obtain.

Brian Price

[cygnusx1]

Sooooooo Panini has brought a pretty neat concept to the game, but they're copying you because of the core concept of it being a skate blade. So I guess ITG copied UD by using GU items, etc etc

[vegaspuck]

The smaller pieces were Vintage Blades of Steel. I doubt if Panini is going to use Barilko, Morenz or Richard skates like we did.

Gonna be kind of hard to get them to sign them if we did.

[Mnum]

Don't care who came up with it first. I just want one!