Coming back...a few questions...

[Drifter2000]

Hey folks, doubt anyone remembers me, but I was using the forums a fair bit a while back when I was heavy into hockey card collecting. I ended up taking a bit of a break after making a few major card purchases and focused on other aspects of my life.

This was before the start of the recent year in collecting, so I've missed quite a bit. A quick check on eBay for Chris Pronger cards shows me a lot of new products, and even some old products brought back to life. I planned to do some reading to get caught up, but I figured I might throw a few questions out there to this helpful community to see if I can't get back up to speed.

First of all: I see Upper Deck is still plugging along, so they obviously didn't go out of business like was being speculated. How is the state of the company? Are they still pumping out way too much cardboard? Is there an improvement in quality?

Secondly: I suspect ITG are still making high quality memorabilia? Changing by the stick card I see in this year's Ultimate they're still doing their thing.

Thirdly is the one I know the least about to begin with: Panini. How's the product? Are they doing anything new and fresh? I'm seeing a lot of the some old parallels, small pieces of GU material, and occasional auto. Sharp designs though...and I'm excited to see the Crown Royale cut cards.

That pretty much covers it. Seems as though the hobby didn't die while I was away. Thank goodness :-D.

[RGM81]

Good to see your familiar face again. :)

1. UD is indeed still alive and kicking. They've taken things up a notch this year due to the new licensing arrangement. With only 11 sets on the dock this year they're able to focus on increasing the bang for our buck with what's left rather than having to dilute things across 22 products.

2. I don't think you'll ever see a complaint about the quality of game-used memorabilia coming out of ITG.

3. It's been a mixed bag with Panini this year, but that's really no different than any other company on a year-to-year basis. Some stuff has gone over really well, some less so. Speaking as a collector that wasn't around when their legacy brands were in the market in the late-90s/early-00s, I find all of it fresh and new. It's been an interesting learning experience with their brands and products. For the most part I really enjoy their cards, and the effort level on the designs is readily apparent.

[Drifter2000]

Hey Rich! Nice to see you're still around (shame about that Carey Price obsession though >_>). Hoping the wedding went well, and I imagine you're living out West again?

I see a lot of grumbling about Panini. Kind of seems like they're trying to find their legs.

Are Panini using real game worn stuff in their products now? I see 10-11 Limited has something called Manufacturer's Marks (I'm sure if you searched eBay you'd see why I'm asking this LOL). They look like a very nice card...but if it's actually manufactured stuff I'm less interested.

[RGM81]

Nope, still stuck in Haligonia. Hopefully only another year or so, by which time I'll hopefully be pushing 600 on the Price PC. LOL

Panini has been using real game-used stuff for everything (except for rookies, which are naturally event worn) in their products save for the Limited Rookie Materials, which are just manufactured patches. They won me over big time by snagging Carey's blue Centennial jersey from the one game they wore them, so it's a really unique piece. They've also got some of the Penguins powder blues.

The Manufacturers Marks are actually game-used pieces, which is why they're 1/1s. Can't be doling out Reebok logo patches left, right, and centre after all.

[Drifter2000]

"Stuck" in Halifax? :-( Ouch Rich, ouch LOL.

Well I must say these Manufacturers Marks are quite impressive. Are Upper Deck still suspected of non game worn, or the other millions of things they were supposedly doing a year ago? Or have they just generally stepped up their game in light of new competition?

[RGM81]

When you're 7000km from all your friends & family, waiting for the day you can be back with all of them, and the Mrs. still has six more months at Dal, yeah "stuck" is the right turn of phrase. Halifax is decent city and all that, but it just doesn't measure up to Kelowna. It can't really. There's just too many loved ones back out west - even if the city here was rocking with energy and there were a million things to do, it just isn't "home" for me.

Regarding UD and the suspicions around them - the vitriol has died down somewhat and people aren't really talking about it as much, but those who are skeptical likely haven't had much of a reason to change their perspectives.

All in all, 2010-11 has been a pretty good season for hockey cards, IMO. The new guys have injected some much needed life into the hobby, UD's stepped up their game, and ITG has continued to produce excellent products in the face of the severe restrictions placed upon them. Is it the "holy moly best year ever"? No, but when I compare sentiments today relative to a year ago, we're a good country mile ahead.

[Drifter2000]

I understand entirely Rich, believe me I wasn't being hurt in a serious way at all. Didn't realize your lady was going to Dal, I figured you were here in NS for work reasons.

Seems like things are a lot more upbeat than a year or so ago when I was last here. Nice to see the hobby on an upswing after all the doom and gloom.

[RGM81]

It is a good time for the hobby. It's not perfect, but it's in a much better place today than it was a year ago.