Leaf signed record setting exclusive autograph deal with jack eichel

[ryau27]

Ice /99 now becomes the most sought after rooke of Eichel.

No SPx, SPA, Ultimate, Premier, Cup ....... even Black Diamond this year was an auto rookie product if im not mistaken.

Eichel will have 2 real rookies of value now, Young Guns and Ice.

In all honesty, no one wants a Leaf Eichel rookie, with airbrushed logos. No one will consider them to be rookies, and the hobby will take a hit for this.

Im sure they could just load up products with Eichel /99 rookies. A non auto Ultimate RC /99, same thing with a Cup non auto /99 ..... I know my main PC guy doesnt sign for UD. He still has had SP Authentic Limited Auto Patch cards .... without the auto. Im sure they CAN have FW RC Patches of Eichel ....

But it's just not the same
I may not have many of these ultra high-end RCs but it would be nice to have the option of getting one...

[Sharky94]

I didn't think members of the PA were allowed to sign an exclusive agreement?

Is he even a member of the PA yet? Don't know when they become eligible to join, but I would think they would have to either attend a camp or play in a game before they became eligible. Anyone know that answer?

[Sharky94]

This is just another byproduct of UD's exclusive license. If the league had been forward-thinking and allowed multiple licenses, this sort of thing wouldn't be happening. You can't get mad at Leaf for making a bold business move.

If the NHL and NHLPA wont take their collective heads out of their a$$e$ and realize that monopolies hurt business (I am sure at least one of them took ECON 101 in college), then we will continue to see this crap, and the fans will continue to suffer. Well UD, all that money you are making from your McDavid exclusive, you just lost from Leaf's Eichel exclusive, and now you have to pay McDavid all that extra money. Smart business decision..... NOT!

[fuhr31]

I'm not really a fan of any exclusive really as mentioned above me by others I believe. I told my LCS "what a joke" when that happened, and I just said the same words again.

Agreed. I'm not a fan at all. Having a license isn't good enough you have to further your greed (not business plan) by signing McDavid before he's even played. Enjoy the competition, Mr. "Collect The Best UD"

I've stated this elsewhere, but this is another of those things where you get exactly what you are asking for. You wanted a monopoly, you got a monopoly. Now deal with it.

I'd say no to exclusives. It begins from Upper Deck giving up the McDavid exclusive.

Amen to that. Don't blame Leaf for simply reacting to the action.

[Drewk86a]

Lindros had an exclusive deal with Score in 1990-91 and 1991-92. UD got around it by making cards of Eric in his Team Canada jersey

[flemingc04]

Terrible. We can now expect all of Eichel's autos to be head and shoulder shots, or full body shots with the Sabres logo airbrushed away like it never existed.

[flemingc04]

I've stated this elsewhere, but this is another of those things where you get exactly what you are asking for. You wanted a monopoly, you got a monopoly. Now deal with it.

I'd say no to exclusives. It begins from Upper Deck giving up the McDavid exclusive.

Interesting point and bang on. UD had it coming at some point and here it is.

[mikecole141]

I may be wrong on this, and forgive me if I am; but wasn't Crosby already an exclusive auto to Upper Deck when Panini got there license and he then had to sign cards for them because the PA's deal trumped his exclusive UD one?

While it is not the same for Alumni like Gretzky because they are not part of the PA anymore, but NHL/NHLPA contracted players are subjected to their respective deals now to avoid the "Lindros" situation.

[RGM81]

I don't believe Crosby was an exclusive. He might have been a "featured athlete" but I don't recall him having a trading card exclusive. Memory is such a fragile thing, though. We know that he kept his "me only" autos policy in effect, coming a short time after Panini announced they would have dual autos featuring him and other top guys in 10-11 Certified.

[Gmbs82]

Well, at least I can now get a hot tub as I won't be wasting money next year on Eichel cards.