Another sweet pull

Every so often, when you least expect it, along comes a card that reminds you why you started collecting in the first place.

Years ago, it was all about getting your favorite player. Rookies didn't carry the premium they do today. Game-used memorabilia wasn't even on the drawing board. You got a stick of pink bubble gum.

These days, though, it's different. It's not uncommon to drop a couple hundred dollars on a rookie card. Game-used memorabilia is so common that even the most affordable box promises a card.

When you pull a card like this one -- a 2006-07 Fleer Hot Prospects Prized Prospects autographed jersey patch card of Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, numbered 120/199 -- you know you've gotten something special.

Granted, the two-color patch comes from a jersey used in a photo shoot and the autograph is on a sticker, not the card itself. Something tells me, though, that I'll learn to live with that.

The tin is in

If you're looking for something different to get signed by Carolina's Cam Ward, you might want to keep an eye out for this tin of 2006-07 Fleer Hockey cards. I found this one at our local Target store.

I like it mainly because it's different than photos, pucks and cards.

A word of caution, though, when it comes to getting autographs from Ward. Try to get him earlier in the day, just before the trip for the morning skate. In Tampa recently, he apparently was too focused on the game to accommodate game-time requests.

Oh, so that's where he is

Among the minor deals leading up to the NHL's holiday trade freeze, highlighted, I suppose, by the Islanders shipping Mike York to the Flyers for Randy Robitaille and a fifth-round pick, was news that former NHL tough guy Ryan VandenBuscche signed with the New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League.

Speaking of goalies

If you're caught up on your holiday shopping and having trouble waiting for Santa's impending arrival, visits to these goalie mask sites should keep you from shaking the presents under the tree:

~ Armor Graphics, which has made masks/helmets for Detroit's Dominik Hasek (when he was with Ottawa), Florida's Eddie Belfour (when he was with Toronto) and Pittsburgh's Jocelyn Thibault.

~ Masked Expressions, which should be a hit with Hurricanes fans because of the masks/helmets for past Carolina goalies Tom Barrasso, Arturs Irbe, Trevor Kidd and Kevin Weekes.

~ Slater Lettering and Graphics, where you'll see masks for Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin, Phoenix's Curtis Joseph (when he was with Detroit) and Washington's Olaf Kolzig.

Review: NHL Fleer Hockey

More than anything else, I have to give this set a passing grade based on one attribute: they don't have to be erased to remove the glossy coating. Just like the 2005-06 Parkhurst Hockey, another Upper Deck product, these non-glossy cards save plenty of set-up time.

Another thing I like about this set is how an effort was made to show some, but not all, of the summer free-agent signings (shown above) in their new uniforms. Again, it's my belief that I'd rather get a card of Ottawa's Chris Kelly or Denis Hamel than one showing Martin Gerber shown in his Carolina Hurricanes uniform.

With a low price, you shouldn't expect too many premiums, namely jersey cards or autographs. There are a couple of neat insert sets, though. The Netminders, in particular, will be put to use over the rest of the season.

You might be disappointed in the rookie offerings, too. Most are late-season callups with only regional interest at best.

For the money, though, this NHL Fleer Hockey set should become a staple for any card-carrying hound.

Why bother?

One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to hockey cards, besides that glossy coating that requires "erasing," happens early every season.

In Upper Deck's rush to satisfy demand, the company pushes out cards, under its litany of brand names, that are a waste of time and money. Take a look, please, at the 2006-07 Fleer Ultra cards above. At first glance, it's reasonable to believe that these players remain with the teams of the uniforms they're wearing.

A closer look at the fine print, though, proves different. Each card's front carries the team that each player has since moved to this season. For Chris Pronger, let's hope his wife likes Anaheim better than she did Edmonton. For Eric Lindros, it's on to Dallas, where he certainly won't be the lone star. And for Doug Weight, it's time to take his Stanley Cup ring back to St. Louis.

Granted, any knowledgeable hockey fan should know about those offseason moves. So, why does Upper Deck continue to insult our intelligence? It's almost like the company is trying to sneak one past us.

Instead, why doesn't Upper Deck wait until updated photos showing the players in their new uniforms become available and include those in its Upper Deck Series I product? I know I can live with one less card of Pronger, Lindros and Weight. Couldn't you?

In their places, perhaps these early season sets could include cards of such players as Anaheim's Francis Beauchemin or Dallas' Stephane Robidas or St. Louis' Bryce Salvador. They may not be top-tier stars, but I know of one autograph collector who certainly wouldn't complain.