NHL Hobby Stars of the Week: Andrew Hammond, Brayden Schenn, Nick Foligno
By Eric Norton | Beckett Hockey Analyst
It’s Tuesday, and that means we run down the three Hobby Stars of the Week and let collectors know why they should take notice of their cards. Below are the three stars of last week.
Andrew Hammond, G, Ottawa Senators
The Senators’ push for a playoff berth was helped by the play of Hammond as he posted a 3-0-1 record, with a 1.63 goals-against average and .940 save percentage, bringing Ottawa within two points of each of the Wild Card spots in the East. In a 2-1 shootout win against the Red Wings Hammond made 16 saves to open the week. 2-1 was the score again against the Lightning as the Senators outlasted Tampa in overtime behind 28 saves from Hammond. He then made 29 saves in a 4-3 overtime win versus the Caps, and then added another 36 saves through overtime, and five more in a shootout loss, to the Maple Leafs on the back-end of a back-to-back. Hammond was used earlier this season on this list just as he started his NHL career. As much as I have wanted to place him on the list several times since, I just simply could not as he only has a handful of cards. Thankfully with the release of Fleer Showcase and Upper Deck AHL there are a few more offerings to be found. If the Sens make the Playoffs it will be largely on the back of the of Hamburglar then who knows what the asking price for cards would be then. Invest now if you have not already.
Cards to Grab:
2014-15 Fleer Showcase #102 Anton Forsberg RC/Troy Grosenick RC, $40
2014-15 Fleer Showcase Red Glow #102 Anton Forsberg RC/Troy Grosenick RC, $60
2014-15 Upper Deck AHL Autographs #100, n/a
Brayden Schenn, C, Philadelphia Flyers
Schenn had six points last week (3-3-6), which was tied for first in the league helping the Flyers pick up five of the six points available. Schenn began the week with two goals against the Penguins in a 4-1 win in Pittsburgh. Mid-week, the Hurricanes did not allow Schenn to score but he did add an assist to his season totals in a 3-2 shootout loss. The next night, Schenn closed the week by netting his second game-winning goal of the week plus two assist (1-2-3) again against the Penguins. Schenn debuted with the Kings in the 2010-11 season and has 21 Rookie Cards in the Beckett database along with 231 autographs. He is not widely collected but is not an afterthought, either. He is affordable and has enough cards to start a decent PC of a good veteran.
Cards to Grab:
2010-11 Dominion #239 JSY AU RC/99, $200
2010-11 The Cup JSY AU RC/249, $100
2010-11 Upper Deck Ice #107 RC/99, $100
Nick Foligno, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Foligno shared the NHL lead in goals last week with four (4-1-5) as he helped the Blue jackets to a franchise-record nine wins in a row. Foligno netted a goal against the Devils to open the week as the Blue Jackets downed New Jersey 3-2. Foligno later picked up an assist in a 4-3 shootout win against the Islanders. He then closed the week by recording a hat trick, frist of his career no less, in a 5-3 drumming of the Penguins on home ice. This is also Foligno’s second appearance on this list as his first time around was in early February after the Blue Jackets snapped a seven-game losing streak. Although they will miss the playoffs this season, the team is loaded with good young talent and solid veterans like Foligno. Blue Jackets fans could easily put together a nice collection of Foligno’s cards at an affordable price.
Cards to Grab:
2013-14 Artifacts Horizontal Jerseys Patches Emerald #72 /24, $15
2012-13 The Cup Signature Patches #SPNF /75, $25
2012-13 SP Authentic Limited Autographs #108, $10
Young Gun of the Week – 2008-09 Upper Deck #245 Steven Stamkos, $80
