Old-timers rule

It's no secret, especially among Hound Central 5.0 readers, that retired NHL players are the best signers. NHL forwards came close, but it was the old timers, so to speak, who earned the reputation.

Need proof? Check out these autographed magazine covers, from HC5.0 correspondent Moody's collection. All are from retired NHL players and, as you can see, came from some pretty big names -- Boston's Phil Esposito, Montreal's Maurice Richard, the Isles' Mike Bossy, Detroit's Alex Delvecchio and Montreal's Guy Lafleur.

Just look at them. Those guys are Hall of Famers. And the signatures? Nearly letter-perfect. How many of those do we get out in the field? That's what I thought.

From what Moody tells me, too, that nearly every one of the autographs, from the magazines to these cards (also from his collection) were done in-person. Only recently has he sent requests through the mail, using a giant database of home addresses. Pretty solid effort, if you ask me.

The next question, then, is what makes retired players the best signers. I'll offer this guess: They simply have more time on their hands these days now that they're playing careers are over.

Question: Best signers?

Retired players: 11 votes out of 25 cast (44 percent)
Forwards: 8 votes (32 percent)
Goalies: 5 votes (20 percent)
Defensemen: 1 vote (4 percent)