With lockout looming, Kreider leads early NHL rookie class on cards
By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor
Every day that passes without an agreement between the NHL owners and the NHL Players Association, it seems hockey is heading closer to a lockout.
Of course, this will effect cards. Specifically, you won’t be able to collect all those rookies you were hoping to see. There’ll be no Nail Yakupov or Ryan Murray on trading cards anytime soon if there is a lockout.
Hockey rules state players can’t be on cards until they appear in an NHL game.
For now, one of the rookies driving early products is New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider. He didn’t appear in a game last season until the playoffs, but he had a terrific start to his career. In 18 playoff games, Kreider had five goals and two assists.
His first Rookie Card came out in 2012 O-Pee-Chee. He also has four other cards in OPC with Rainbow, Black Rainbow and Red parallels. In addition, there is an OPC Retro card of Kreider.
Currently, Kreider has one other RC on the market in 2012 Score with a number of parallels.
Kreider’s first autograph is being offered through Score, but as a redemption. However, there’s a good chance this card could be fulfilled next week at the 2012 NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Toronto, Canada.
Most of the big sports have events like this especially to help card companies get photos of rookies before they play in games. This week, basketball had its rookie photo shoot with the likes of Anthony Davis and Bradley Beal in the house.
(Related post: Photo gallery from the NBA Rookie Shoot)
Next week, hockey kicks off its shoot for Panini America and Upper Deck.
Kreider will be at the event along with 29 others. However, some of their cards are going to have to wait for the end of a potential lockout.
Here’s a full list of the players at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase.
・ Tyson Barrie (Avalanche)
・ Nathan Beaulieu (Canadiens)
・ Beau Bennett (Penguins)
・ Jack Campbell (Stars)
・ Charlie Coyle (Wild)
・ Emerson Etem (Ducks)
・ Alex Galchenyuk (Canadiens)
・ Dougie Hamilton (Bruins)
・ Quinton Howden (Panthers)
・ Tomas Jurco (Red Wings)
・ Jared Knight (Bruins)
・ Leo Komarov (Maple Leafs)
・ Chris Kreider (Rangers)
・ Scott Laughton (Flyers)
・ Joe Morrow (Penguins)
・ Ryan Murphy (Hurricanes)
・ Ryan Murray (Blue Jackets)
・ Brock Nelson (Islanders)
・ Jamie Oleksiak (Stars)
・ Griffin Reinhart (Islanders)
・ Morgan Rielly (Maple Leafs)
・ Justin Schultz (Oilers)
・ Jaden Schwartz (Blues)
・ Reilly Smith (Stars)
・ Ryan Spooner (Bruins)
・ Jarred Tinordi (Canadiens)
・ Tyler Toffoli (Kings)
・ Mark Visentin (Coyotes)
・ Austin Watson (Predators)
・ Nail Yakupov (Oilers).
Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Hockey magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.
Thanks again Susan for another great article. Lets hope there will be hockey as things are looking more promising than ever being a Rangers fan for life!