By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

As the hockey world awaits for the owners and NHL Players Association to come to an agreement and avoid a lockout, a couple of hundred people have descended in Toronto for the NHLPA Rookie Showcase.

It was a great way for these groups to get their minds off a potential shortened season.

Much like football and basketball, the rookies for the upcoming season get together for the card companies. They take dozens of pictures and sign autograph cards and memorabilia for Upper Deck and Panini America, the companies with both NHL and NHLPA card licenses for 2012-13.

The Rookie Showcase lasts a couple of days and throughout that time UD and Panini will reveal what collectors can expect from upcoming products.

One of the themes in Panini’s pictures from its blog were player-drawn sketch cards. The company did the same with football and had given away the cards at the 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention in redemption packs.

Some of these cards were popular with collectors, especially Andrew Luck’s rendering of Lucas Oil Stadium where the Indianapolis Colts play.

Related post: Luck’s sketch card sells for $1,500

Panini got the hockey players in the mix this time and it sees as though some of them have shown off their art skills.

Phoenix Coyotes’ Mark Visentin drew cards dedicated to Blink 182. This year’s first-round draft pick Nail Yakupov attempted to draw the Edmonton Oilers logo for his sketch, Dallas Stars’ Jamie Oleksiak did a reasonable drawing of a goalie with a gigantic stick and Florida Panthers Quinton Howden took his task seriously by getting the details right by using a photo from his iPhone.

Many will wonder where these cards will show up, but we’re just not sure yet. However, Panini will certainly let collectors know where they can get their hands on them.

Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Hockey magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Football Editor | Commentary

The Indianapolis Star’s sports front page said it all.

The headline: “It’s only preseason but …”

The top pick of the 2012 NFL Draft made his debut on Sunday, and in rather impressive fashion. Andrew Luck threw a 63-yard touchdown on his first pass.

Yes, it’s only preseason. But you know who else did that? Peyton Manning. His first pass of his Indianapolis Colts’ career also went for a touchdown.

It’s too early for comparisons, but they will always be there because the Colts got rid of Manning for the rookie to play.

Luck played more downs in his first game than most of his counterparts this preseason. But by letting him play – and getting positive results – the Colts fans have something to cheer about again.

Luck finished 10-for-16 with 188 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 38-3 win over St. Louis.

What can a start like that do for Luck’s cards? Let’s take a look at some recent sales on eBay:

・ The Panini America Luck Original NFL Player Sketch Card sold for $1,500.
・ Two 2012 Topps Football Rookie Retro 1984 autos sold for $505 and $500, respectively
・ 2012 Prestige base Rookie Card sold for $15.50
・ 2012 Elite numbered to 699 sold for $30
・ 2012 Inception Blue autograph numbered to 150 sold for $182.50

We could keep going down the list of the cards that were sold, but that was a small sampling from the last 24 hours.

Some of these prices might seem a little crazy considering it is just preseason, but …

That’s what a little hope can do to a fan base.

Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Football magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.