For those of you who believe I have way too much time on my hands, you’re right. It’s a point that I'd never argue. As proof, here is one hound’s take on the puckworthiness of NHL players.
Puckworthiness is a term coined from an old Seinfeld episode. In it, Elaine judges men on their worthiness of her using a declining supply of contraceptive sponges. Some were spongeworthy, others weren’t.
In this case, though, pucks are at a premium.
In some instances, think of Calgary's Jarome Iginla, Colorado's Joe Sakic and Minnesota's Marian Gaborik, you'll need some luck. Certain players, such as Detroit's Marian Hossa, Buffalo's Teppo Numminen, Montreal’s Saku Koivu and San Jose's Dan Boyle are no-brainers.
Others, such as Boston’s P.J. Axelsson, Edmonton’s Fernando Pisani and Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell are puckworthy.
And even though I’m able to purchase my pucks in bulk at a reasonable price, there are some players, such as Anaheim’s Todd Marchant, Detroit’s Brett Lebda, Ottawa’s Shean Donovan and Toronto's Jeff Finger who are better on cards or team items.
I’m certain that readers won’t agree with every designation. The goal, though, is to give other hounds an idea of what to expect when they chase teams. Remember, too, the list is fluid and subjective.
For ease of understanding the team-by-team listings below, which feature players and notable coaches, front-office members and announcers, I’ll use the following headers for each entry:
Good Luck: Immense popularity and/or the sheer unwillingness to sign that comes with it, makes these players difficult to obtain. Still worth a try, though. The worst you'll hear, hopefully, will be "No!"
No-Brainers: Fairly self-explanatory, these approachable players, including some top-shelf stars, are well worth collecting on pucks. Will often sign multiples.
Puckworthy: If you’re looking for sheer volume, these are the players who, when combined with an extraordinary Good Luck and the No-Brainers, can turn a good day into a great day. Excellent opportunities to catch up on veteran players.
Speculatives: Primarily prospects, these players carry high risks and high rewards. Should they fulfill their potential, they could become No-Brainers. Should they become Good Lucks, you'll already have them. AHL-based hounds should load up on these players.
Card stock: Though my street hockey career ended in New Port Richey, Fla., back in the late 1980s, the only reason to use a puck on these players is to add to your favorite or hometown team collection. Team sticks, jerseys and/or cards are better for these guys.
Please note, too, that players move from team to team each season. Though a player's location may change, it will not affect his puckworthy status.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Anaheim Ducks
Good Luck: Randy Carlyle (can get grumpy), Chris Pronger (personalizes) and Ryan Whitney (gets grumpy)
No-Brainers: Ryan Getzlaf, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Scott Niedermayer, Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne
Puckworthy: Francois Allaire, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Hiller, Rob Niedermayer, George Parros, Bobby Ryan and Brian Sutherby
Speculatives: Ryan Carter, Jason King, Joakim Lindstrom, Drew Miller, Aaron Rome and Brian Salcido
Card stock: Sheldon Brookbank, Eric Christensen, Mike Brown, Newell Brown, Brad Larsen, Todd Marchant, Petteri Nokelainen and James Wisniewski
No-Brainers: Ryan Getzlaf, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Scott Niedermayer, Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne
Puckworthy: Francois Allaire, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Hiller, Rob Niedermayer, George Parros, Bobby Ryan and Brian Sutherby
Speculatives: Ryan Carter, Jason King, Joakim Lindstrom, Drew Miller, Aaron Rome and Brian Salcido
Card stock: Sheldon Brookbank, Eric Christensen, Mike Brown, Newell Brown, Brad Larsen, Todd Marchant, Petteri Nokelainen and James Wisniewski
Atlanta Thrashers
Good Luck: Zach Bogosian, Tobias Enstrom (a strict one-per), Ilya Kovalchuk (has been better of late) and Slava Kozlov (an ex-Red Wing who's not a big fan of signing)
No-Brainers: Kari Lehtonen and Bryan Little
Puckworthy: Colby Armstrong, Garnet Exelby, Ron Hainsey, Johan Hedberg, Bryan Little, Eric Perrin, Don Waddell and Todd White
Speculatives: Angelo Esposito, Jordan LaVallee, Ondrej Pavelec, Anssi Salmela, Brett Sterling and Boris Valabik
Card stock: Brad Larsen, Rich Peverly, Brett Skinner, Jim Slater and Chris Thorburn
No-Brainers: Kari Lehtonen and Bryan Little
Puckworthy: Colby Armstrong, Garnet Exelby, Ron Hainsey, Johan Hedberg, Bryan Little, Eric Perrin, Don Waddell and Todd White
Speculatives: Angelo Esposito, Jordan LaVallee, Ondrej Pavelec, Anssi Salmela, Brett Sterling and Boris Valabik
Card stock: Brad Larsen, Rich Peverly, Brett Skinner, Jim Slater and Chris Thorburn
Boston Bruins
Good Luck: Ray Bourque, Jeremy Jacobs, Phil Kessel (one per) and Cam Neely
No-Brainers: Patrice Bergeron, Johnny Bucyk, Zdeno Chara, Manny Fernandez, Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Craig Ramsay, Mark Recchi, Michael Ryder, Marc Savard (one-per), Milt Schmidt, Harry Sinden, Marco Sturm, Tim Thomas and Stephane Yelle
Puckworthy: P.J. Axelsson, Peter Chiarelli, Andrew Ference, Claude Julien, Mark Stuart, Don Sweeney, Aaron Ward, Blake Wheeler and Dennis Wideman.
Speculatives: Zach Hamill, Matt Hunwick, Wacey Rabbit, Tuukka Rask and Martin St. Pierre
Card stock: Bob Essensa, Chuck Kobasew, Steve Montador, Peter Schaefer, Vladimir Sobotka and Shawn Thornton
No-Brainers: Patrice Bergeron, Johnny Bucyk, Zdeno Chara, Manny Fernandez, Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Craig Ramsay, Mark Recchi, Michael Ryder, Marc Savard (one-per), Milt Schmidt, Harry Sinden, Marco Sturm, Tim Thomas and Stephane Yelle
Puckworthy: P.J. Axelsson, Peter Chiarelli, Andrew Ference, Claude Julien, Mark Stuart, Don Sweeney, Aaron Ward, Blake Wheeler and Dennis Wideman.
Speculatives: Zach Hamill, Matt Hunwick, Wacey Rabbit, Tuukka Rask and Martin St. Pierre
Card stock: Bob Essensa, Chuck Kobasew, Steve Montador, Peter Schaefer, Vladimir Sobotka and Shawn Thornton
Buffalo Sabres
Good Luck: Maxim Afinogenov, Toni Lydman (can get grumpy), Rob Ray (was rude to road hounds) and Rip Simonick (apparently, my nemesis)
No-Brainers: Tim Connolly, Rick Jeanneret, Patrick Lalime, Jim Lorentz, Richard Martin, Ryan Miller, Teppo Numminen, Gilbert Perreault, Jason Pominville, Craig Rivet, Rene Robert, Derek Roy, Lindy Ruff and Thomas Vanek
Puckworthy: Jochen Hecht, Andrew Peters, James Patrick, Larry Playfair, Mike Robitaille, Jaroslav Spacek, Drew Stafford, Henrik Tallinder, Michael Tellqvist and Bill Wippert
Speculatives: Nathan Gerbe and Andrej Sekera
Card stock: Paul Gaustad, Clarke MacArthur, Adam Mair, Dominic Moore, Daniel Paille, Nathan Paetsch (one-per), Patrick Kaleta and Michael Ryan
No-Brainers: Tim Connolly, Rick Jeanneret, Patrick Lalime, Jim Lorentz, Richard Martin, Ryan Miller, Teppo Numminen, Gilbert Perreault, Jason Pominville, Craig Rivet, Rene Robert, Derek Roy, Lindy Ruff and Thomas Vanek
Puckworthy: Jochen Hecht, Andrew Peters, James Patrick, Larry Playfair, Mike Robitaille, Jaroslav Spacek, Drew Stafford, Henrik Tallinder, Michael Tellqvist and Bill Wippert
Speculatives: Nathan Gerbe and Andrej Sekera
Card stock: Paul Gaustad, Clarke MacArthur, Adam Mair, Dominic Moore, Daniel Paille, Nathan Paetsch (one-per), Patrick Kaleta and Michael Ryan
Calgary Flames
Good Luck: Todd Bertuzzi, Jarome Iginla, Olli Jokinen, Miikka Kiprusoff, Dion Phaneuf (tough guy), Robyn Regehr (signs while walking; strict one-per) and Darryl Sutter
No-Brainers: Adrian Aucoin, Mike Cammalleri, Craig Conroy, Mike Keenan, Daymond Langkow, Jordan Leopold, Cory Sarich and Rhett Warrener
Puckworthy: Rene Bourque, Wayne Fleming, Eric Godard, David Moss, Marcus Nilson, Eric Nystrom, Jim Playfair and Wayne Primeau
Speculatives: Dustin Boyd, Mark Giordano, Leland Irving and Curtis McIlhinneyt
Card stock: Curtis Glencross, Anders Eriksson and Jim Vandermeer
No-Brainers: Adrian Aucoin, Mike Cammalleri, Craig Conroy, Mike Keenan, Daymond Langkow, Jordan Leopold, Cory Sarich and Rhett Warrener
Puckworthy: Rene Bourque, Wayne Fleming, Eric Godard, David Moss, Marcus Nilson, Eric Nystrom, Jim Playfair and Wayne Primeau
Speculatives: Dustin Boyd, Mark Giordano, Leland Irving and Curtis McIlhinneyt
Card stock: Curtis Glencross, Anders Eriksson and Jim Vandermeer
Carolina Hurricanes
Good Luck: Tom Barrasso (strict one-per, if any), Eric Staal (starting to take alternative routes out of team hotel) and Ray Whitney (one-per)
No-brainers: Rod Brind'Amour, Erik Cole, Joni Pitkanen, Jim Rutherford, Tuomo Ruutu and Cam Ward
Puckworthy: Joe Corvo, Matt Cullen, Patrick Eaves, Tim Gleason, Jussi Jokinen, Frantisek Kaberle, Chuck Kaiton, Peter Laviolette, Sergei Samsonov, Scott Walker and Niclas Wallin
Speculatives: Zach Boychuk, Jamie McBain, Brandon Nolan, Justin Peters and Brandon Sutter
Card stock: Anton Babchuk, Ryan Bayda, Wade Brookbank, Jeff Hamilton, Chad LaRose, Michael Leighton and Dennis Seidenberg
No-brainers: Rod Brind'Amour, Erik Cole, Joni Pitkanen, Jim Rutherford, Tuomo Ruutu and Cam Ward
Puckworthy: Joe Corvo, Matt Cullen, Patrick Eaves, Tim Gleason, Jussi Jokinen, Frantisek Kaberle, Chuck Kaiton, Peter Laviolette, Sergei Samsonov, Scott Walker and Niclas Wallin
Speculatives: Zach Boychuk, Jamie McBain, Brandon Nolan, Justin Peters and Brandon Sutter
Card stock: Anton Babchuk, Ryan Bayda, Wade Brookbank, Jeff Hamilton, Chad LaRose, Michael Leighton and Dennis Seidenberg
Chicago Blackhawks
Good Luck: Cristobal Huet, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews
No-Brainers: Brian Campbell, Martin Havlat, Denis Savard, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp
Puckworthy: Adam Burish, Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Barker and Andrew Ladd
Speculatives: Tim Brent, Troy Brouwer, Corey Crawford, Pascal Pelletier and Jack Skille
Card stock: Dave Bolland, Michael Blunden, Ben Eager and Matt Walker
No-Brainers: Brian Campbell, Martin Havlat, Denis Savard, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp
Puckworthy: Adam Burish, Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Barker and Andrew Ladd
Speculatives: Tim Brent, Troy Brouwer, Corey Crawford, Pascal Pelletier and Jack Skille
Card stock: Dave Bolland, Michael Blunden, Ben Eager and Matt Walker
Colorado Avalanche
Good Luck: Adam Foote, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, Paul Stastny (one-per) and Darcy Tucker
No-Brainers: Ian Laperriere, John-Michael Liles, Marek Svatos and Wojtek Wolski
Puckworthy: Tyler Arnason, Jason Bacashihua, Peter Budaj, Brett Clark, Scott Hannan, Scott Parker, Andrew Raycroft and Ruslan Salei
Speculatives: T.J. Hensick and Chris Stewart
Card stock: Brett Clark, Kyle Cumiskey, Ben Guite, Cody McCormick, Cody McLeod, Lawrence Nycholat and Michael Wall
No-Brainers: Ian Laperriere, John-Michael Liles, Marek Svatos and Wojtek Wolski
Puckworthy: Tyler Arnason, Jason Bacashihua, Peter Budaj, Brett Clark, Scott Hannan, Scott Parker, Andrew Raycroft and Ruslan Salei
Speculatives: T.J. Hensick and Chris Stewart
Card stock: Brett Clark, Kyle Cumiskey, Ben Guite, Cody McCormick, Cody McLeod, Lawrence Nycholat and Michael Wall
Columbus Blue Jackets
Good Luck: Nikita Filatov and Rick Nash
No-Brainers: Jared Boll, Mike Commodore, Danny Gare, Rostislav Klesla, Fredrik Modin, Fedor Tyutin and Antoine Vermette
Puckworthy: Christian Backman, Ken Hitchcock, Kristian Huselius, Clint Malarchuk, Manny Malhotra, Samuel Pahlsson, Raffi Torres and R.J. Umberger
Speculatives: Derick Brassard, Steve Mason, Kris Russell and Jakub Vorecek
Card stock: Michael Blunden, Jason Chimera, Jan Hejda, Andrew Murray, Gord Murphy, Jiri Novotny, Alexandre Picard, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and Jason Williams
No-Brainers: Jared Boll, Mike Commodore, Danny Gare, Rostislav Klesla, Fredrik Modin, Fedor Tyutin and Antoine Vermette
Puckworthy: Christian Backman, Ken Hitchcock, Kristian Huselius, Clint Malarchuk, Manny Malhotra, Samuel Pahlsson, Raffi Torres and R.J. Umberger
Speculatives: Derick Brassard, Steve Mason, Kris Russell and Jakub Vorecek
Card stock: Michael Blunden, Jason Chimera, Jan Hejda, Andrew Murray, Gord Murphy, Jiri Novotny, Alexandre Picard, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and Jason Williams
Dallas Stars
Good Luck: Brett Hull (expect some roughage if you're over 12 years old), Mike Modano (will sign, will draw a crowd), Brenden Morrow, Brad Richards, Marty Turco and Sergei Zubov (not a big fan of signing)
No-Brainers: Stu Barnes, Trevor Daley, Mark Fistric, Jere Lehtinen, Brendan Morrison, Mike Ribeiro and Darryl Sydor
Puckworthy: Steve Begin, Loui Eriksson, Matt Niskanen, Steve Ott, Stephane Robidas, Tobias Stephan and Brian Sutherby
Speculatives: Fabian Brunnstrom, Nicklas Grossman, Joel Lundqvist, James Neal, Garrett Stafford and Lauri Tukonen
Card stock: Krystofer Barch, Andrew Hutchinson, Daryl Reaugh and Dave Tippett
No-Brainers: Stu Barnes, Trevor Daley, Mark Fistric, Jere Lehtinen, Brendan Morrison, Mike Ribeiro and Darryl Sydor
Puckworthy: Steve Begin, Loui Eriksson, Matt Niskanen, Steve Ott, Stephane Robidas, Tobias Stephan and Brian Sutherby
Speculatives: Fabian Brunnstrom, Nicklas Grossman, Joel Lundqvist, James Neal, Garrett Stafford and Lauri Tukonen
Card stock: Krystofer Barch, Andrew Hutchinson, Daryl Reaugh and Dave Tippett
Detroit Red Wings
Good Luck: Chris Chelios, Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, Niklas Kronwall (likes to personalize), Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Osgood, Brian Rafalski and Henrik Zetterberg
No-Brainers: Kris Draper, Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler and Darren McCarty
Puckworthy: Mike Babcock, Dan Cleary, Ty Conklin, Valtteri Filppula, Johan Franzen, Kirk Maltby, Mikael Samuelsson and Brad Stuart
Speculatives: Cory Emmerton, Jonathan Ericsson, Darren Helm, Jimmy Howard, Jakub Kindl, Tomas Kopecky and Kyle Quincey
Card stock: Brett Lebda and Andreas Lilja
No-Brainers: Kris Draper, Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler and Darren McCarty
Puckworthy: Mike Babcock, Dan Cleary, Ty Conklin, Valtteri Filppula, Johan Franzen, Kirk Maltby, Mikael Samuelsson and Brad Stuart
Speculatives: Cory Emmerton, Jonathan Ericsson, Darren Helm, Jimmy Howard, Jakub Kindl, Tomas Kopecky and Kyle Quincey
Card stock: Brett Lebda and Andreas Lilja
Edmonton Oilers
Good Luck: Ales Hemsky, Dwayne Roloson and Sheldon Souray
No-Brainers: Andrew Cogliano, Sam Gagner, Tom Gilbert, Shawn Horcoff, Ales Kotalik, Kevin Lowe, Craig MacTavish, Patrick O'Sullivan, Dustin Penner and Lubomir Visnovsky
Puckworthy: Kyle Brodziak, Denis Grebeshkov, Charlie Huddy, Ethan Moreau, Robert Nilsson, Pete Peeters, Rod Phillips, Fernando Pisani, Ladislav Smid and Zach Stortini
Speculatives: Gilbert Brule, Jeff Deslauriers, Devan Dubnyk, Ryan O'Marra, Ryan Potulny, Marc Pouliot, Liam Reddox, Rob Schremp and Ryan Stone
Card stock: Dany Sabourin and Steve Staios
No-Brainers: Andrew Cogliano, Sam Gagner, Tom Gilbert, Shawn Horcoff, Ales Kotalik, Kevin Lowe, Craig MacTavish, Patrick O'Sullivan, Dustin Penner and Lubomir Visnovsky
Puckworthy: Kyle Brodziak, Denis Grebeshkov, Charlie Huddy, Ethan Moreau, Robert Nilsson, Pete Peeters, Rod Phillips, Fernando Pisani, Ladislav Smid and Zach Stortini
Speculatives: Gilbert Brule, Jeff Deslauriers, Devan Dubnyk, Ryan O'Marra, Ryan Potulny, Marc Pouliot, Liam Reddox, Rob Schremp and Ryan Stone
Card stock: Dany Sabourin and Steve Staios
Friday, September 12, 2008
Florida Panthers
Good Luck: Bryan Allen (one-per), Nathan Horton (very hit-or-miss), Bryan McCabe and Denis Potvin
No-Brainers: Keith Ballard, David Booth, Jay Bouwmeester, Cory Stillman, Tomas Vokoun and Stephen Weiss
Puckworthy: Nick Boynton, Gregory Campbell, Radek Dvorak, Steve Eminger, Michael Frolik, Jacques Martin, Ville Peltonen, Karlis Skrastins and Richard Zednik
Speculatives: Tanner Glass, Kamil Kreps, Shawn Matthias, Rostislav Olesz, Tyler Plante and Anthony Stewart
Card stock: Craig Anderson, Rory Fitzpatrick, Brett McLean and Nick Tarnasky
No-Brainers: Keith Ballard, David Booth, Jay Bouwmeester, Cory Stillman, Tomas Vokoun and Stephen Weiss
Puckworthy: Nick Boynton, Gregory Campbell, Radek Dvorak, Steve Eminger, Michael Frolik, Jacques Martin, Ville Peltonen, Karlis Skrastins and Richard Zednik
Speculatives: Tanner Glass, Kamil Kreps, Shawn Matthias, Rostislav Olesz, Tyler Plante and Anthony Stewart
Card stock: Craig Anderson, Rory Fitzpatrick, Brett McLean and Nick Tarnasky
Los Angeles Kings
Good Luck: Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Luc Robitaille (will personalize)
No-Brainers: Jonathan Bernier, Alexander Frolov and Jack Johnson
Puckworthy: Michal Handzus, Ron Hextall, Jason LaBarbera, Jarret Stoll abd Justin Williams
Speculatives: Brian Boyle, Drew Doughty, Erik Ersberg, Thomas Hickey, Joe Piskula and Teddy Purcell
Card stock: Derek Armstrong, Kyle Calder, Matt Ellis, Denis Gauthier, Matt Greene, Peter Harrold, Raitis Ivanans, Sean O'Donnell, Tom Preissing and Brad Richardson
No-Brainers: Jonathan Bernier, Alexander Frolov and Jack Johnson
Puckworthy: Michal Handzus, Ron Hextall, Jason LaBarbera, Jarret Stoll abd Justin Williams
Speculatives: Brian Boyle, Drew Doughty, Erik Ersberg, Thomas Hickey, Joe Piskula and Teddy Purcell
Card stock: Derek Armstrong, Kyle Calder, Matt Ellis, Denis Gauthier, Matt Greene, Peter Harrold, Raitis Ivanans, Sean O'Donnell, Tom Preissing and Brad Richardson
Minnesota Wild
Good Luck: Marian Gaborik, Jacques Lemaire, Owen Nolan and Mike Ramsey (believes everyone is a dealer)
No-Brainers: Nicklas Backstrom, Derek Boogaard, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Andrew Brunette, Brent Burns, Kim Johnsson, Mikko Koivu, Doug Risebrough, Nick Schultz and Mario Tremblay
Puckworthy: Kurtis Foster, Josh Harding, Antti Miettinen, James Sheppard, Martin Skoula, Stephane Veilleux and Marek Zidlicky
Speculatives: Cal Clutterbuck (just for the name alone), Petr Kalus, Corey Locke and Benoit Pouliot
Card stock: Eric Belanger, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Dan Fritsche and Craig Weller
No-Brainers: Nicklas Backstrom, Derek Boogaard, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Andrew Brunette, Brent Burns, Kim Johnsson, Mikko Koivu, Doug Risebrough, Nick Schultz and Mario Tremblay
Puckworthy: Kurtis Foster, Josh Harding, Antti Miettinen, James Sheppard, Martin Skoula, Stephane Veilleux and Marek Zidlicky
Speculatives: Cal Clutterbuck (just for the name alone), Petr Kalus, Corey Locke and Benoit Pouliot
Card stock: Eric Belanger, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Dan Fritsche and Craig Weller
Montreal Canadiens
Good Luck: Mathieu Dandenault (likely hangover from days with Red Wings), Bob Gainey, Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev, Guy Lafleur and Carey Price
No-Brainers: Jean Beliveau, Guy Carbonneau, Yvon Cournoyer, Roman Hamrlik, Chris Higgins, Rejean Houle, Doug Jarvis, Robert Lang, Georges Laraque, Andrei Markov, Kirk Muller, Tomas Plekanic, Henri Richard, Mathieu Schneider and Alex Tanguay.
Puckworthy: Francis Boullion, Patrice Brisebois, Mike Komisarek, Sergei Kostitsyn, Guillaume Latendresse and Roland Melanson
Speculatives: Shawn Belle, Mathieu Carle, Kyle Chipchura, Jonathan Ferland, Josh Gorges, Jaroslav Halak and Andrei Kostitsyn
Card stock: Marc Denis, Doug Janik, Tom Kostopolous, Maxim Lapierre and Ryan O'Byrne
No-Brainers: Jean Beliveau, Guy Carbonneau, Yvon Cournoyer, Roman Hamrlik, Chris Higgins, Rejean Houle, Doug Jarvis, Robert Lang, Georges Laraque, Andrei Markov, Kirk Muller, Tomas Plekanic, Henri Richard, Mathieu Schneider and Alex Tanguay.
Puckworthy: Francis Boullion, Patrice Brisebois, Mike Komisarek, Sergei Kostitsyn, Guillaume Latendresse and Roland Melanson
Speculatives: Shawn Belle, Mathieu Carle, Kyle Chipchura, Jonathan Ferland, Josh Gorges, Jaroslav Halak and Andrei Kostitsyn
Card stock: Marc Denis, Doug Janik, Tom Kostopolous, Maxim Lapierre and Ryan O'Byrne
Nashville Predators
Good Luck: Radek Bonk (very hit-or-miss, always seems suspicious) and Alexander Radulov
No-Brainers: Jason Arnott, Martin Erat, Dan Hamhuis, David Legwand, Steve Sullivan, Ryan Suter and Shea Weber
Puckworthy: Terry Crisp, Greg de Vries, J.P. Dumont (wicked ugly signature), Vernon Fiddler, Josh Gratton and Barry Trotz
Speculatives: Cody Franson, Triston Grant, Kevin Klein, Drew McIntyre, Pekka Rinne and Colin Wilson
Card stock: Wade Belak, Ville Koistinen, Scott Nichol, Jerred Smithson and Greg Zanon
No-Brainers: Jason Arnott, Martin Erat, Dan Hamhuis, David Legwand, Steve Sullivan, Ryan Suter and Shea Weber
Puckworthy: Terry Crisp, Greg de Vries, J.P. Dumont (wicked ugly signature), Vernon Fiddler, Josh Gratton and Barry Trotz
Speculatives: Cody Franson, Triston Grant, Kevin Klein, Drew McIntyre, Pekka Rinne and Colin Wilson
Card stock: Wade Belak, Ville Koistinen, Scott Nichol, Jerred Smithson and Greg Zanon
New Jersey Devils
Good Luck: Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta, Zach Parise, Larry Robinson, Brian Rolston and Brendan Shanahan
No-Brainers: Bobby Holik, Lou Lamoriello, Jamie Langenbrunner, John Madden, Paul Martin, Glenn Resch, Vitaly Vishnevski, Kevin Weekes, Colin White and Travis Zajac
Puckworthy: Jacques Caron, Mike "Doc" Emrick, Niclas Havelid, John MacLean, Johnny Oduya, Jay Pandolfo, Bryce Salvador, Brent Sutter and Dainius Zubrus
Speculatives: Nicklas Bergfors, David Clarkson, Matt Corrente, Jeff Frazee, Stephen Gionta, Andy Greene, David McIntyre and Barry Tallackson
Card stock: Mike Mottau, Rod Pelley and Michael Rupp
No-Brainers: Bobby Holik, Lou Lamoriello, Jamie Langenbrunner, John Madden, Paul Martin, Glenn Resch, Vitaly Vishnevski, Kevin Weekes, Colin White and Travis Zajac
Puckworthy: Jacques Caron, Mike "Doc" Emrick, Niclas Havelid, John MacLean, Johnny Oduya, Jay Pandolfo, Bryce Salvador, Brent Sutter and Dainius Zubrus
Speculatives: Nicklas Bergfors, David Clarkson, Matt Corrente, Jeff Frazee, Stephen Gionta, Andy Greene, David McIntyre and Barry Tallackson
Card stock: Mike Mottau, Rod Pelley and Michael Rupp
New York Islanders
Good Luck: Rick DiPietro, Andy Hilbert (makes little effort in signing), Andy Sutton (perpetually grumpy), Bryan Trottier and Doug Weight
No-Brainers: Trent Hunter, Kyle Okposo, Mike Sillinger (no shortage of teams to choose from), Jeff Tambellini and Brendan Witt
Puckworthy: Bruno Gervais, Radek Martinek, Garth Snow and Mark Streit
Speculatives: Josh Bailey, Sean Bergenheim, Jeremy Colliton, Blake Comeau, Yann Danis, Joey McDonald, Frans Nielsen, Thomas Pock and Ben Walter
Card stock: Tim Jackman, Junior Lessard, Dean McAmmond, Freddy Meyer, Richard Park, Jon Sim and Nate Thompson
No-Brainers: Trent Hunter, Kyle Okposo, Mike Sillinger (no shortage of teams to choose from), Jeff Tambellini and Brendan Witt
Puckworthy: Bruno Gervais, Radek Martinek, Garth Snow and Mark Streit
Speculatives: Josh Bailey, Sean Bergenheim, Jeremy Colliton, Blake Comeau, Yann Danis, Joey McDonald, Frans Nielsen, Thomas Pock and Ben Walter
Card stock: Tim Jackman, Junior Lessard, Dean McAmmond, Freddy Meyer, Richard Park, Jon Sim and Nate Thompson
New York Rangers
Good Luck: Sean Avery, Chris Drury, Rod Gilbert (grumpy old man), Scott Gomez, Henrik Lundqvist, Markus Naslund, Glen Sather and Marc Staal
No-Brainers: Nikolai Antropov, Dan Girardi, Adam Graves, Wade Redden, Jim Schoenfeld, John Tortorella and Nikolai Zherdev
Puckworthy: Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Fritsche, Ryan Hollweg, Paul Mara, Derek Morris, Colton Orr and Michal Rozsival
Speculatives: Artem Anisimov, Ryan Callahan, Michael Del Zotto, Andreas Jamtin, Lauri Korpikoski, Greg Moore, Bobby Sanguinetti and Aaron Voros
Card stock: Blair Betts, Pat Rissmiller, Fredrik Sjostrom and Stephen Valiquette
No-Brainers: Nikolai Antropov, Dan Girardi, Adam Graves, Wade Redden, Jim Schoenfeld, John Tortorella and Nikolai Zherdev
Puckworthy: Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Fritsche, Ryan Hollweg, Paul Mara, Derek Morris, Colton Orr and Michal Rozsival
Speculatives: Artem Anisimov, Ryan Callahan, Michael Del Zotto, Andreas Jamtin, Lauri Korpikoski, Greg Moore, Bobby Sanguinetti and Aaron Voros
Card stock: Blair Betts, Pat Rissmiller, Fredrik Sjostrom and Stephen Valiquette
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Ottawa Senators
Good Luck: Daniel Alfredsson (has gotten tougher), Mike Comrie (can get grumpy), Dany Heatley, Jason Smith (can get grumpy) and Jason Spezza
No-Brainers: Mike Fisher, Nick Foligno, Pascal Leclaire, Brian Murray, Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov
Puckworthy: Chris Campoli, Chris Kelly, Chris Neil, John Paddock, Christoph Schubert and Ryan Shannon
Speculatives: Cody Bass, Brian Elliott, Jeff Glass, Erik Karlsson, Brian Lee, Alexander Nikulin, Jim O'Brien and Ilya Zubov
Card stock: Alex Auld, Matt Carkner, Shean Donovan and Denis Hamel
No-Brainers: Mike Fisher, Nick Foligno, Pascal Leclaire, Brian Murray, Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov
Puckworthy: Chris Campoli, Chris Kelly, Chris Neil, John Paddock, Christoph Schubert and Ryan Shannon
Speculatives: Cody Bass, Brian Elliott, Jeff Glass, Erik Karlsson, Brian Lee, Alexander Nikulin, Jim O'Brien and Ilya Zubov
Card stock: Alex Auld, Matt Carkner, Shean Donovan and Denis Hamel
Philadelphia Flyers
Good Luck: Martin Biron (a major departure from the past), Danny Briere (him, too), Scott Hartnell (bad attitude) and Mike Richards (can get grumpy).
No-Brainers: Jeff Carter, Bob Clarke, Daniel Carcillo, Braydon Coburn, Gary Dornhoefer, Simon Gagne, Paul Holmgren, Bob Kelly, Mike Knuble, Reggie Lemelin, Don Luce, Joffrey Lupul (one-per), Terry Murray, Antero Niittymaki, Bernie Parent and Kimmo Timonen
Puckworthy: Bryan Berard (in camp for a tryout), Matt Carle, Riley Cote, Lauren Hart (anthem singer), Keith Jones, Jack McIlhargey, Brian Propp and John Stevens
Speculatives: Claude Giroux, Ryan Parent, Stefan Ruzicka, Danny Syvret and James van Riemsdyk
Card stock: Andrew Alberts, Aaron Asham, J.S. Aubin, Josh Gratton, Randy Jones, Boyd Kane, Lasse Kukonen, Kyle McLaren, Glen Metropolit, Patrick Thoresen, Denis Topelko and Ossi Vaananen
No-Brainers: Jeff Carter, Bob Clarke, Daniel Carcillo, Braydon Coburn, Gary Dornhoefer, Simon Gagne, Paul Holmgren, Bob Kelly, Mike Knuble, Reggie Lemelin, Don Luce, Joffrey Lupul (one-per), Terry Murray, Antero Niittymaki, Bernie Parent and Kimmo Timonen
Puckworthy: Bryan Berard (in camp for a tryout), Matt Carle, Riley Cote, Lauren Hart (anthem singer), Keith Jones, Jack McIlhargey, Brian Propp and John Stevens
Speculatives: Claude Giroux, Ryan Parent, Stefan Ruzicka, Danny Syvret and James van Riemsdyk
Card stock: Andrew Alberts, Aaron Asham, J.S. Aubin, Josh Gratton, Randy Jones, Boyd Kane, Lasse Kukonen, Kyle McLaren, Glen Metropolit, Patrick Thoresen, Denis Topelko and Ossi Vaananen
Phoenix Coyotes
Good Luck: Grant Fuhr, Wayne Gretzky and Ulf Samuelsson
No-Brainers: Shane Doan, Ed Jovanovski, Matthew Lombardi, Zbynek Michalek, Peter Mueller, Darren Pang and Steve Reinprecht
Puckworthy: Ilya Bryzgalov, Nigel Dawes, Todd Fedoruk, David Hale, Martin Hanzal, Dmitri Kalinin, Ken Klee, Brian McGrattan, Petr Prucha, Scottie Upshall and Keith Yandle
Speculatives: Mikkel Boedker, Enver Lisin, Joakim Lindstrom, Brett MacLean, Al Montoya, Kevin Porter, Brandon Prust, Kyle Turris and Daniel Winnick
Card stock: Matt Jones, Enver Lisin, Joel Perrault, Kurt Sauer and Wyatt Smith
No-Brainers: Shane Doan, Ed Jovanovski, Matthew Lombardi, Zbynek Michalek, Peter Mueller, Darren Pang and Steve Reinprecht
Puckworthy: Ilya Bryzgalov, Nigel Dawes, Todd Fedoruk, David Hale, Martin Hanzal, Dmitri Kalinin, Ken Klee, Brian McGrattan, Petr Prucha, Scottie Upshall and Keith Yandle
Speculatives: Mikkel Boedker, Enver Lisin, Joakim Lindstrom, Brett MacLean, Al Montoya, Kevin Porter, Brandon Prust, Kyle Turris and Daniel Winnick
Card stock: Matt Jones, Enver Lisin, Joel Perrault, Kurt Sauer and Wyatt Smith
Pittsburgh Penguins
(A living, breathing three-ring circus of hockey-hounding hell)
Good Luck: Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, Mario Lemieux, Evgeni Malkin, Miroslav Satan and Jordan Staal
No-Brainers: Philippe Boucher, Bill Guerin, Sergei Gonchar, Mike Lange, Gilles Meloche and Peter Sykora
Puckworthy: Pascal Dupuis, Ruslan Fedotenko, Mathieu Garon, Hal Gill, Eric Godard, Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz, Kristopher Letang, Brooks Orpik, Andre Savard and Michel Therrien
Speculatives: Eric Tangradi and Andy Wozniewski
Card stock: Craig Adams, Dan Bylsma, Phil Bourque, Matt Cooke, Mark Eaton, Bob Errey, Tom Fitzgerald, Rob Scuderi, Maxime Talbot and Mike Zigomanis
Good Luck: Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, Mario Lemieux, Evgeni Malkin, Miroslav Satan and Jordan Staal
No-Brainers: Philippe Boucher, Bill Guerin, Sergei Gonchar, Mike Lange, Gilles Meloche and Peter Sykora
Puckworthy: Pascal Dupuis, Ruslan Fedotenko, Mathieu Garon, Hal Gill, Eric Godard, Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz, Kristopher Letang, Brooks Orpik, Andre Savard and Michel Therrien
Speculatives: Eric Tangradi and Andy Wozniewski
Card stock: Craig Adams, Dan Bylsma, Phil Bourque, Matt Cooke, Mark Eaton, Bob Errey, Tom Fitzgerald, Rob Scuderi, Maxime Talbot and Mike Zigomanis
San Jose Sharks
Good Luck: Rob Blake, Dan Boyle, Jonathan Cheechoo (blows right by, offering up the lamest of excuses), Patrick Marleau, Evgeni Nabokov, Joey Thornton and Doug Wilson
No-Brainers: Christian Ehrhoff, Mike Grier, Milan Michalek, Jeremy Roenick, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Puckworthy: Brian Boucher, Curtis Brown, Ryan Clowe, Marcel Goc, Torrey Mitchell, Joe Pavelski, Devon Segotuchi and Jody Shelley
Speculatives: Logan Couture, Thomas Greiss, Lukas Kaspar, Jamie McGinn and Tomas Plihal
Card stock: Kent Huskins, Brad Lukowich, Travis Moen, Doug Murray and Alexei Semenov
No-Brainers: Christian Ehrhoff, Mike Grier, Milan Michalek, Jeremy Roenick, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Puckworthy: Brian Boucher, Curtis Brown, Ryan Clowe, Marcel Goc, Torrey Mitchell, Joe Pavelski, Devon Segotuchi and Jody Shelley
Speculatives: Logan Couture, Thomas Greiss, Lukas Kaspar, Jamie McGinn and Tomas Plihal
Card stock: Kent Huskins, Brad Lukowich, Travis Moen, Doug Murray and Alexei Semenov
St. Louis Blues
Good Luck: Paul Kariya (most other veteran players increase autograph production in their waning years), Al MacInnis, Alexander Steen (often proves elusive) and Keith Tkachuk
No-Brainers: Brad Boyes, Eric Brewer, John Davidson, Bernie Federko, Barret Jackman, Erik Johnson, Manny Legace, Chris Mason, Andy McDonald and Jay McKee
Puckworthy: David Backes, Dan Hinote, Cam Janssen, Jay McClement and David Perron
Speculatives: Patrick Berglund, B.J. Crombeen, Jonathan Filewich, T.J. Oshie, Alex Pietrangelo, Roman Polak, Danny Richmond and Marek Schwarz
Card stock: Carlo Calaiacovo, D.J. King, Yan Stastny, Steve Wagner, Trent Whitfield and Jeff Woywitka
No-Brainers: Brad Boyes, Eric Brewer, John Davidson, Bernie Federko, Barret Jackman, Erik Johnson, Manny Legace, Chris Mason, Andy McDonald and Jay McKee
Puckworthy: David Backes, Dan Hinote, Cam Janssen, Jay McClement and David Perron
Speculatives: Patrick Berglund, B.J. Crombeen, Jonathan Filewich, T.J. Oshie, Alex Pietrangelo, Roman Polak, Danny Richmond and Marek Schwarz
Card stock: Carlo Calaiacovo, D.J. King, Yan Stastny, Steve Wagner, Trent Whitfield and Jeff Woywitka
Tampa Bay Lightning
Good Luck: Phil Esposito, Vincent Lecavalier (hit or miss), Ryan Malone, Martin St. Louis (hit-or-miss), Steven Stamkos and Rick Tocchet (seldom stops)
No-Brainers: Dave Andreychuk, Andrej Meszaros, Vinny Prospal, Paul Ranger, Gary Roberts and Mike Smith
Puckworthy: Evgeny Artyukhin, Len Barrie, Brian Bradley, Ryan Craig, Jeff Halpern, Oren Koules (on any "Saw" DVD), Lukas Krajicek, Bobby Taylor, Tim Taylor, Wes Walz and any member of the 2004 Stanley Cup champion team
Speculatives: Steve Downie, Riku Helenius, Blair Jones, Martins Karsums, Zenon Konopka, Matt Lashoff, Mike Lundin, Vladimir Mihalik, Karri Ramo, Matt Smaby, Lauri Tukonen, Noah Welch and Ty Wishart
Card stock: Chris Dingman, Adam Hall, Cory Murphy and Matt Pettinger
No-Brainers: Dave Andreychuk, Andrej Meszaros, Vinny Prospal, Paul Ranger, Gary Roberts and Mike Smith
Puckworthy: Evgeny Artyukhin, Len Barrie, Brian Bradley, Ryan Craig, Jeff Halpern, Oren Koules (on any "Saw" DVD), Lukas Krajicek, Bobby Taylor, Tim Taylor, Wes Walz and any member of the 2004 Stanley Cup champion team
Speculatives: Steve Downie, Riku Helenius, Blair Jones, Martins Karsums, Zenon Konopka, Matt Lashoff, Mike Lundin, Vladimir Mihalik, Karri Ramo, Matt Smaby, Lauri Tukonen, Noah Welch and Ty Wishart
Card stock: Chris Dingman, Adam Hall, Cory Murphy and Matt Pettinger
Toronto Maple Leafs
Good Luck: Jason Blake, Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour, Curtis Joseph, Darryl Sittler and Vesa Toskala (can get grumpy)
No-Brainers: Brian Burke, Tomas Kaberle, Olaf Kolzig, Pavel Kubina, Alexei Ponivarovsky and Luke Schenn
Puckworthy: Niklas Hagman, Brad May, Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan, Lee Stempniak and Ian White
Speculatives: Alex Foster, Mikhail Grabovski, Andy Rogers, Justin Pogge, Tim Stapleton, Anton Stralman, Jiri Tlusty and Jeremy Williams
Card stock: Bates Battaglia, Boyd Devereaux, Jeff Finger, Martin Gerber, Jamie Heward, Kris Newberry and Erik Reitz
No-Brainers: Brian Burke, Tomas Kaberle, Olaf Kolzig, Pavel Kubina, Alexei Ponivarovsky and Luke Schenn
Puckworthy: Niklas Hagman, Brad May, Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan, Lee Stempniak and Ian White
Speculatives: Alex Foster, Mikhail Grabovski, Andy Rogers, Justin Pogge, Tim Stapleton, Anton Stralman, Jiri Tlusty and Jeremy Williams
Card stock: Bates Battaglia, Boyd Devereaux, Jeff Finger, Martin Gerber, Jamie Heward, Kris Newberry and Erik Reitz
Vancouver Canucks
Good Luck: Pavel Demitra, Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Mats Sundin
No-Brainers: Kevin Bieksa, Ryan Kesler and Mattias Ohlund
Puckworthy: Steve Bernier, Alexandre Burrows, Alexander Edler, John Garrett, Darcy Hordichuk, Jim Hughson, Ryan Kesler, Jason LaBarbera, Willie Mitchell, Shane O'Brien, Taylor Pyatt, Sami Salo, Curtis Sanford, Barry Smith, Steve Tambellini, Alain Vigneault and Kyle Wellwood
Speculatives: Michael Grabner, Jannik Hansen, Cody Hogdson, Nathan McIver, Mason Raymond and Cory Schneider
Card stock: Jozef Balej, Nolan Baumgartner, Rick Bowness, Jeff Cowan, Ryan Johnson and Michel Ouellet
No-Brainers: Kevin Bieksa, Ryan Kesler and Mattias Ohlund
Puckworthy: Steve Bernier, Alexandre Burrows, Alexander Edler, John Garrett, Darcy Hordichuk, Jim Hughson, Ryan Kesler, Jason LaBarbera, Willie Mitchell, Shane O'Brien, Taylor Pyatt, Sami Salo, Curtis Sanford, Barry Smith, Steve Tambellini, Alain Vigneault and Kyle Wellwood
Speculatives: Michael Grabner, Jannik Hansen, Cody Hogdson, Nathan McIver, Mason Raymond and Cory Schneider
Card stock: Jozef Balej, Nolan Baumgartner, Rick Bowness, Jeff Cowan, Ryan Johnson and Michel Ouellet
Washington Capitals
Good Luck: Nicklas Backstrom, Sergei Fedorov, Michael Nylander, Alexander Ovechkin (expect no more than a scribbled "AO 8" and even that isn't guaranteed) and Jose Theodore
No-Brainers: Mike Green, Ted Leonsis and Alexander Semin
Puckworthy: Donald Brashear, Bruce Boudreau, Chris Clark, Tomas Fleishmann, Viktor Kozlov, Brooks Laich, Shaone Morrisonn and Tom Poti
Speculative: Karl Alzner, Chris Bourque (yes, he's Ray's kid), Eric Fehr, Joe Finley, Anton Gustafsson, Jeff Schultz and Simeon Varlamov
Card stock: Keith Aucoin, Matt Bradley, John Erskine, Alexandre Giroux, Boyd Gordon, Brent Johnson, Milan Jurcina, Quintin Laing, Craig Laughlin, Brian Pothier and David Steckel
No-Brainers: Mike Green, Ted Leonsis and Alexander Semin
Puckworthy: Donald Brashear, Bruce Boudreau, Chris Clark, Tomas Fleishmann, Viktor Kozlov, Brooks Laich, Shaone Morrisonn and Tom Poti
Speculative: Karl Alzner, Chris Bourque (yes, he's Ray's kid), Eric Fehr, Joe Finley, Anton Gustafsson, Jeff Schultz and Simeon Varlamov
Card stock: Keith Aucoin, Matt Bradley, John Erskine, Alexandre Giroux, Boyd Gordon, Brent Johnson, Milan Jurcina, Quintin Laing, Craig Laughlin, Brian Pothier and David Steckel
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