Don't knock retail

We all know that hobby boxes of hockey cards, no matter the maker, produce the best premiums -- memorabilia cards, autograph cards, rookie cards and, if you're lucky, the very rare 1/1. That's not to say, though, that retail blaster packs, found at such stores as Target and Walmart, don't yield gems.

In the case of 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Hockey, it was jumbo cards of the base set. These cards, including this one signed Tuesday by Carolina's Eric Staal, work just fine. In fact, they've become another season-long hounding project -- Jumbos.

We need more like Teemu

Anaheim's Teemu Selanne is living proof that living NHL legends can be friendly toward fans and hounds. At a time when he's coming back from a broken jaw and trying to get ready to represent Finland at the upcoming Olympics, it would have been very easy to understand if he passed on requests to sign autographs Thursday afternoon.

Selanne, one of the nicest players in the NHL, had none of that, taking the time to sign for everyone, including this 2008-09 Victory jumbo card, as he walked back to the team's hotel following the Ducks' practice at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Threads or Jumbo?

When it comes right down to it, I wasn't sure how to classify this 2003-04 Bee Hive double memorabilia card signed yesterday by Washington's Jose Theodore. Did it belong in the Threads category? Or does size truly matter, making it a jumbo card?

After careful deliberation (meaning I spent, maybe, 30 seconds thinking about it), the card, which features jersey swatches from a Canadiens jersey, left, and Theodore's 2002 NHL All-Star Game jersey, became part of this season's Threads project.

Top Shelf: Henrik Lundqvist

I may have had a run of bad luck with New York's Marian Gaborik last Friday, but I certainly have no complaints with our efforts for Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

Not only did King Henrik sign these two pucks, including the Sweden souvenir puck, but he also signed this 2006-07 Bee Hive jumbo card (which, to me, is highly suitable for framing), another card as well as Colin's team sheet.

After going for years without snagging an autograph, it's kinda cool to get five from him in a single outing. That calls for a Top Shelf rating.

Top Shelf: Anze Kopitar

With the offensive prowess he's shown so far this season, Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar was one of the most sought-after Kings players last weekend here in Tampa Bay. As a result, it was an easy call to grant this 2007 Rookie Class jumbo card our coveted Top Shelf status.