2010-2011 Rookie Class

[Abacon21]

Hey knowledgable hockey fans!

I've been out of hockey since 2006 in every way. Haven't really followed the NHL, cards or really even played much.

I am curious about this seasons rookie crop? I see Subban is pretty popular. Who is worth collecting this season? Who will eventually be a starter? What are your opinions?

Also, I'm interested in Shattenkirk being on my team and all but I don't see his cards this season. What's up with that?

[30ranfordfan]

Shattenkirk didn't start the season with the big club, so that's why he's been left out, so far. I would look for him to be in later season releases for sure though.

As for who the bigger names this year are - Subban is one of them for sure. There's a trio of Oilers Rookies - Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paajarvi. Tyler Seguin in Boston is another one to look for, as well as Jeff Skinner in Carolina, and Sergi Bobrovski in Philly. Those are probably your 7 biggest names.

[cardscardscards]

You forgot Nazem Kadri with the Leafs. :)

[waltd12]

You forgot Nazem Kadri with the Leafs.
:)

The question was Who is worth collecting this season? Who will eventually be a starter.

[mugatu471]

Another big one, if you're a goalie collector, is Sergei Bobrovsky. He's having an excellent year for a rookie and could definitely be the answer for the Flyers long-term at the goalie position, something they haven't had in awhile.

[howethegreat]

Another big one, if you're a goalie collector, is Sergei Bobrovsky. He's having an excellent year for a rookie and could definitely be the answer for the Flyers long-term at the goalie position, something they haven't had in awhile.

what was wrong with leighton?

[afholmes87]

Another big one, if you're a goalie collector, is Sergei Bobrovsky. He's having an excellent year for a rookie and could definitely be the answer for the Flyers long-term at the goalie position, something they haven't had in awhile.

I'm not trying to degrade Bobrovsky's performance in any way shape or form, but if you look at the recent rookie goalie trend, with the exception of a few, they tend to cool off. Perfect examples would be Niemi last year and Steve Mason in 08/09... The goaltender position is probably the most physically demanding position on the ice and it seems to wear on goalies who play their rookie year as they move forward. On a different note though, I know a lot of people go nuts over RC's, especially over the top draft picks or whatever, but I tend to stay away from them. Yeah, I collect Red Wings SPA RC's, but other than that I couldn't fathom spending a few hundred dollars on a rookie card of the #1 overall draft pick because he's just that. Look at players like Patrik Stefan, Pavel Brendl, Blackburn, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Alexander Svitov, I mean the list could go on. Anyone else remember Brian Finley?

[Abacon21]

Thanks that's all good advice. I have been trying to "gear" my collection towards something specific since I returned to the hobby this year. I was thinking JUST Avalanche as that's my team and would be a rather lofty goal to collect as many as possible. I just love Rookies in general, watching them develop in their careers. I used to just kind of hold on to every decent card I got. Any jersey, auto, whatever. Now I am collecting Avalanche primarily as I have always done but I did have the entire RC set of power play from the 05-06 season and I keep thinking it looks damn nice to see all the rookies of that year in the same set of cards in my binder despite the set not being that amazing. The only way I could ever afford that back in the day (I was still in high school) was the redemtions the set had for sets of Rookies, ABC and D.

That being said Black Diamond has been my favorite set hands down. I also loved Ice but since they combined the 2 I LOVE this years BD even more. I am thinking of at least narrowing it down to Avs and RC sets, maybe even just one RC set a year. If I picked one it would be Black Diamond and just collect the entire set of RC cards from Black Diamond each year except obviously when they don't have the set. It's so hard to complete anything these days because of all the sets so I thought why not try to get as many BD RCs as I can and keep any Avs along the way?

Anything else I will trade or sell. I think that' what I am leaning towards now. It's good to hear the info. I don't even recognize about 1/3 of the names in the NHL now in just 4 years of not following it.

Afholmes87, that is a valid point and I agree. Not all #1 draft picks turn into Crosby or live up to the hype. I like to get them in packs or boxes and over time try to get the RC cards of the ones that do. Obviously it requires more money. I mean in 2005 Crosby was super hyped but you coul still get his cards resonably. Now you pay the big bucks for any of his cards.

I think that adds a super fun element to collecting. I wouldn't spend cash straight for current RCs cause you just now know. If I get a Subban lets say, I will hold on to it and hope for the best. I am not going to drop $200 on one of his cards though.

It won't be long I'm guessing before I know every players name, face and how to spell and pronounce their names like I used to. I always like to hear the opinions of fellow collectors. Feels good just to be back into it. I forgot what I was missing.