Epitome of laziness

At first, I thought this pair of Upper Deck Hockey cards for Boston's Milan Lucic used the same photo. Only upon closer review, though, did I notice the subtle differences between the two images. To me, the card on the left, from 2009-10's Series 2 set, is an earlier photo than the one used in the 2009-09 Series 1.

Having dabbled in photography since the mid-1970s, it's safe for me to say that these images were taken within a split-second of one another.

Given all of the photos available for Lucic, don't you think Upper Deck could've shown a bit more gumption in this season's card for Lucic? I do. Then again, we've all become used to being disappointed by Upper Deck, haven't we?

Best choice?

When it comes to calling someone an ambassador of the game, I can only wonder what Upper Deck uses as its standard. One would think, I suppose, that graciousness is a hallmark. Benevolence, too.

Even more so, a willingness to sell the sport to all walks of life in different settings would exemplify the true calling of an ambassador.

Though Toronto's Jason Blake signed this card, he did it begrudgingly, rolling his eyes, like a petulant 6-year-old told to clean up his room, at my request. I hear, too, that he's like that in Toronto, too.

I specifically chose this card for Blake, adding it at the top of my 5 Big Sigs for the week, simply because of the irony.

Look what we found

In running a few errands before hounding the Edmonton Oilers earlier today, Colin and I stopped by our local Target. While there, we picked up a retail blaster box of 2009-10 Upper Deck Hockey Series I and three fat packs.

As you can plainly see, we had some decent luck, pulling Young Guns cards for the Islanders' John Tavares from the box and Colorado's Matt Duchene from one of the fat packs.

Too bad, though, we didn't pull one for Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman. Now, that would have been sweet.

Could be better

Each hockey-hounding season, I eagerly anticipate the release of Upper Deck's O-Pee-Chee set for three primary reasons:

1.) The deep checklist provides cards for some third- and fourth-liners, second and third defensive pairings and backup goalies;
2.) Because they lack that pesky glossy surface, there's no preparation work needed; and
3.) They were, in my humble estimation, a nice-looking card.

This season's release, however, is a different story. Sure, the deep checklist and pack-to-card-book ease returned. The design? Well, that's open to interpretation -- to me and an overwhelming majority of Hound Central 5.0 readers. Apparently, a slam-dunk product didn't score high with card hounds.

Question: 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee Hockey?

Tolerable: 25 votes out of 36 cast (69.4 percent)
Beautiful: 7 votes (19.4 percent)
Butt-ugly: 4 votes (11.1 percent)

(Yes, I know the percentages add to 99.9 percent, but that's the total, even after rounding up. Go figure.)

To me, the cards -- both the base and insert versions -- come off a tad too busy and a little flat. I imagine, too, I've grown accustomed to the simple approach of previous releases, where the player, not dull attempts at retro-style design, dominated the card.

Still, I appreciated the checklist and cards' ease factor enough to buy some -- a hobby box, a couple of blasters and a few Fat Packs. As for anyone else, that's your call. That's why I rate Upper Deck's 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee Hockey just that -- Your Call.

Sunday morning homily III

As a hockey dad, in games and through hounding, it's a rite of passage, I believe, to help your child bust open his first-ever box of hockey cards. Not only does it represent quality time together, but it's further cementing a bond that incorporates hockey.

In Colin's case, the passing of the torch came Thursday night with a 36-pack hobby box of 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee Hockey.

As we all know, his favorite NHL player is Boston's Patrice Bergeron. That's why he likes the Bruins. And that's why he wears No. 37.

So, I knew that it would be pretty darn important that Colin find a Bergeron card in the box. Pack after pack, he carefully opened each one, looking for that special card. After the 35th pack, his voice still had a twinge of hope.

"Patrice will be in this pack," he told me.

I'll be honest. I had my doubts as well as visions of having to buy another box of what I perceive as a disappointing product. But, sure enough, right on top of the box's 36th pack, was Colin's best NHL buddy.

His smile lit up the living room.

"I told you," Colin said. "Didn't I?

All I could do was shake my head and chuckle. The hockey gods, or at least the ones I pray to, delivered. Really, I shouldn't have been surprised. Those two have always had a connection.

They'll be back

In case you're wondering what happened to the first two installments of Signing shows, the video feature showing NHL players signing autographs here in Hockey Bay, let's just say I'm erring on the side of caution.

Even though I'm afforded protection by shooting videos at and from a public place, meaning I didn't need anyone's permission to publish them, I still want to respect everyone's privacy.

I've reached out to some Hockey Bay Hounds who say they'll be more than happy to allow their images to be shown. As for the NHL players, well, it'll show them in a positive light. If they have an issue with that, we'll cross that bridge when it happens.

5 Big Sigs

With the San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres headed to Hockey Bay, I'm having a hard time picking just five. The Sharks are loaded with talent. The Sabres are my favorite team. I guess that's why I get paid the big bucks, making decisions like these:

~ San Jose's Dany Heatley on Sharks and Thrashers pucks;
~ San Jose's Rob Blake on Sharks and Kings pucks;
~ San Jose's Jody Shelley on Sharks and Blue Jackets pucks;
~ Buffalo's Tim Connolly and Mike Grier for the Threads project; and
~ Buffalo's Tyler Myers on Sabres and Kelowna Rockets pucks.

These work as well

While my "cheap skates" cards work for NHL prospects early in a season, it doesn't mean that I have to use them for every young player. Thanks to Upper Deck's late-season prospect set Rookie Class, card hounds can have at least one for the game's youngest stars.

On Monday, with the Florida Panthers in Hockey Bay, I put a pair from the 2008-09 edition to good use, having centers Michael Frolik and Shawn Matthias sign their cards. That's a pretty sweet signature from Matthias, too.

Really, do we need two?

Last season, it was Toronto's Jason Blake appearing twice in Upper Deck's 2008-09 NHL MVP 300-card base set. This season, it looks like Philadelphia's Daniel Carcillo has gained favored status.

The release of the 2009-10 NHL Fleer Ultra has not one, but two cards of the latest in a long line of Broad Street Bullies. Even better, each card shows Carcillo in a different jersey -- at home and on the road.

While this isn't a knock against Carcillo, but I'd like to think there are other NHL players, with skills equal to or greater than his, who are more deserving of a card.

Once again, it looks like someone was asleep at the wheel at Upper Deck, which produces the Fleer Ultra line. Given UD's history, it's not that much of a surprise where quantity, rather than quality, often drives the dollars.

Having said that, though, I must applaud the card makers for the 2009-10 release. The photography shown within the 200-base-card set is top-notch, showing nice action pictures. The graphics treatment, especially the last name in large letters, score points, too.

Bottom line: Nice preseason release that features players moved at the 2008-09 trade deadline wearing the uniforms of their new teams. That alone warrants a buy rating.

Looking ahead: 2009-10 NHL O Pee Chee, with a Sept. 29 release date.