according to other site panini joins the NHL License

[lecavalier4]

the Upper Deck take. It's laughable.

 

[Moose#11]

the UD blog=funny,there claims at being the best for the last 20 years is hilarious.guess they never saw a pack of ITGU or Parkhurst Rookie.and while bragging over exclusive auto rights to Crosby,Gretzky etc.what the hell did you expect,you were the only company granted permission to do so!un-freakin-believeable.finally,ripping into Panini about "'collectible sticker" auto's is not a good move,considering UD has what,4 out of 30 sets a year that feature hard signed auto's,and all but 1 are gonna hit you over the skull with the price point(ie:Cup,Black).
as for Panini,i'm optimistic on the re-treads of some of my fave 90's stuff.i look forward to Zenith and Pinnacle,possibly Elite(YAY Dufex is back!!).i saw the Football prouct this year and it was impressive for content,a little flashy on design,but the collectors seemed to enjoy it.
while i'm VERY dissapointed that ITG wasn't given a fair shake,i will still spend my serious collector money on Dr.Price's products.for a multitude of reasons that we all know about.also,if i were him i would hold fast on keeping his brand names and not work in conjunction with another company.i know from experience being a former contractor who was lured into the promises of a larger company,the gleam of fresh promises wears off over time and your work is comprimised by "suggestions" of the higher up's.i'm there now and i second guess my past decision every single day.

my collecting dollar will break down like this in '10:

90% to ITG products-for my AUTHENTIC memorabilia and auto's of HOF and prospects

7% to Panini products-for nostalgia products and parallel funnery

3% to UD products-for base set w/YG's

i don't see the need to worry about ITG's future,for those in the know,we have a good idea where to go for authenticity,customer service ,quality and giving the collectors what they want.:beer:
happy collecting!

 

[OilersRule]

I think the NHL and PA bringing in Panini will finally help bring some healthy competition, as UD has taken advantage of the consumer on its cornering of the market for far too long.
I would have liked to see ITG in the mix, but I think this opens the door now for future considerations...I hope.

BTW...does anyone recall what are the Pacific brands that Panini acquired? ie. Titanium, Private Stock, etc

 

[bobbybruins]

The main reason I collect hockey cards is strickly for the love of the hobby. I do like ITG product and do buy some product but I'm not disappointed they didn't get a license. I believe that the price would go up with a license therefore making it harder and harder for the average joe to pick up boxes/cases. They just don't offer boxes under 100 bucks. With Panini and UD, you will be able to afford some boxes with high end product for the die hard collectors. Panini/UD offer all sports, ITG just hockey. I believe down the line ITG will have to open the doors too all sports to finally achieving their goal, which is a license.

PS. does are some sick football cards, I can't wait for the new kids on the block

 

[frankiefives]

Just got back from Boston, catching up on the news. Disappointed that ITG did not get an opportunity to get an offer for a license. Am I happy the exclusive is gone, yes. Am I happy that reading the press release Panini is going to release old brands like Pacific and Score, hell NO. Is there such a lack of creativity by Panini that they have to use the failed ideas of others?

Pacific bowed out when UD got their exclusive. Before that, they were fine. I know many people who loved Pacific products, myself included. I love the fact that some of these Pacific brands might make a comeback and I look forward to seeing such hockey releases like Donruss Limited/Threads, National Treasures, etc.

 

[Boom Boom]

the Upper Deck take. It's laughable.

"Our time, money and resources spent building up the category and getting fans and collectors psyched to buy hockey cards has worked wonders"

Who are they kidding? Worked wonders??

"Are we nervous about the competition? Not in the least. In fact, we say: “Bring it on.”

:dizzy: UD SHOULD be as nervous as the proverbial long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Bring on the competition I say....

 

[Hckyfan47]

I see this as very good news for the hobby but from many more aspects than just my own. It is unfortunate that ITG and Dr. Price were not given a fair shot at getting in on this but there appears to be something the NHL/NHLPA has against them that will prevent a license being granted in the immediate future. Hopefully ITG continues to produce the same kind of products that they have since the exclusive took place and also continue to expand their customer base with the dedication they show to the hobby and the collectors.

That being said, I think may just be the breath of fresh air the hobby has needed for the past several years. I get that some people don't like the designs thats Panini will offer (based on what they have released in football and basketball) but judging by what I have seen at shows, card shops, etc..., I think for every one person that doesn't like the designs Panini offers, there will be someone that loves it. Just looking at the scans that brado posted of some items that Panini has released, I personally feel those are more innovative and better looking than 90% of the stuff UD has put out since they were granted the exclusive. I also know from dabbling slightly in those sports that they have offered some knockout non-memorabilia inserts that were appealing and had decent return when sold on the secondary market.

I have also seen the argument on here about "Oh boy August will have Victory and Score".... Yeah, all you had before was just Victory so this can't be THAT bad can it? I remember when I first started buying cards around 95-96ish seeing several low end brands that I could afford was great. So if you have VIctory, MVP, (assuming Panini would release these) Score, & Rookie Stars, you could catch the interest of kids and people on a lower budget much easier with a decent amount of choices. Also consider what else you could gain here.... when is the last time UD had a hockey blister pack that contained say 10 cards of the top 10 Rookies that year like they has been done with Score and a few others in the other sports? Another sale you might gain that you might not have had otherwise...

As for the comparisons, yes ITG does off the best when it comes to its memorabilia selection and dedication, but as for other categories I've seen argued here, its pretty much on par with everyone else. Sticker Autos? H&P, BTP, & Ultimate... they've all got em. Obviously most of UD's products has tons of stickers as well. Redemptions? Yes ITG doesn't have any redemptions but and UD's systems sucks, but from what I hear and have seen, Panini's isn't too shabby so that will be nice. Card design? UD has made some strides here(Clearcut, Shadowboxes, Property Of, etc.) and ITG has had a few (Super Pad, Glove, Complete package) but realistically most designs by both companies are recycled yearly and are a bit stagnant... Again, looking at the FB & BB cards above, that adds something new and off the beaten path we currently have.

Now, I haven't spent a dime on packs since this past December(my own personal reasons and uncertainty of UD's legitimacy), but options like this might lure me back into breaking packs. I think if Panini is allowed to get into the mix and prove their worth, then they can be criticized and we can lay down all the "I told you so's" we want. Until then I think they should at least get a chance before being thrown out the window as trash and no-good products. I may be in the minority with some of my opinions here but I honestly think this could be helpful for the hobby as a whole.

I guess its hard to see all the belly-aching I've seen and heard about not having options and something different and once it finally comes along there is even more complaining because it didn't go exactly the way we feel it should have gone... I can see all this being forgotten very quickly if Panini steps up and succeeds. If not then I can see some of the arguments here being valid. Time will only tell...


Adam

 

[bprice]

Dear Collectors;

My Private Mail inbox is about to be full again even though Bruce increased the number of messages. I am at home with my grandchildren or I would be at the Vancouver Show.

Because of my grandfather duties, I won't have time to answer all of the PM's but thank you all for your support and words of encouragement.

Do I think the NHL and NHLPA did the right thing? Absolutely not, we deserved a license for a myriad of reasons which I don't really need to get into. But one thing the NHL and NHLPA did was end the MONOPOLY. This was absolutely necessary. Collectors were taken advantage of for five long years.

Panini should be given a chance to see what they can do. Upper Deck will have to do a better job in treating their customers fairly. That's what competition does, that's what I have been saying for five long years.

Would I have loved to be the competition, absolutely. But it was not to be.

Thank you for your letters to the NHL and NHLPA even though they fell on deaf ears.

Thank you for your support in the polls taken, but they were not listened to by the powers that be.

Nonetheless, our loyal collectors were vocal with their support and I and my staff appreciate it. It is bittersweet, as you are all enjoying Between The Pipes and the type of product we can produce that this licensing situation put a damper on a great time in our company's history.

With your support we will continue to make hockey cards. Superlative Hockey Volume Two will be out for the Spring Expo and it will be the best product we have ever made. It will be a standard for both licensed companies to reach.

We will continue with our Cross Canada Redemption Tour, our VIP Program, our Wrapper Redemption Program and other new ideas for the upcoming season. We won't disappoint you.

Thanks for everything, you have no idea how much I appreciate all of your kind words.

Brian Price

 

[saskatchewan197]

I guess its hard to see all the belly-aching I've seen and heard about not having options and something different and once it finally comes along there is even more complaining because it didn't go exactly the way we feel it should have gone... I can see all this being forgotten very quickly if Panini steps up and succeeds. If not then I can see some of the arguments here being valid. Time will only tell...


Adam

That says it best i believe , lets run with it and see what happens. Well said.

 

[bobbybruins]

Second that.

Also, let's not forget "Score" produce the famous Lindros card everybody wanted in those days. To bad Lindros was a bust.

Robert Caron

I see this as very good news for the hobby but from many more aspects than just my own. It is unfortunate that ITG and Dr. Price were not given a fair shot at getting in on this but there appears to be something the NHL/NHLPA has against them that will prevent a license being granted in the immediate future. Hopefully ITG continues to produce the same kind of products that they have since the exclusive took place and also continue to expand their customer base with the dedication they show to the hobby and the collectors.

That being said, I think may just be the breath of fresh air the hobby has needed for the past several years. I get that some people don't like the designs thats Panini will offer (based on what they have released in football and basketball) but judging by what I have seen at shows, card shops, etc..., I think for every one person that doesn't like the designs Panini offers, there will be someone that loves it. Just looking at the scans that brado posted of some items that Panini has released, I personally feel those are more innovative and better looking than 90% of the stuff UD has put out since they were granted the exclusive. I also know from dabbling slightly in those sports that they have offered some knockout non-memorabilia inserts that were appealing and had decent return when sold on the secondary market.

I have also seen the argument on here about "Oh boy August will have Victory and Score".... Yeah, all you had before was just Victory so this can't be THAT bad can it? I remember when I first started buying cards around 95-96ish seeing several low end brands that I could afford was great. So if you have VIctory, MVP, (assuming Panini would release these) Score, & Rookie Stars, you could catch the interest of kids and people on a lower budget much easier with a decent amount of choices. Also consider what else you could gain here.... when is the last time UD had a hockey blister pack that contained say 10 cards of the top 10 Rookies that year like they has been done with Score and a few others in the other sports? Another sale you might gain that you might not have had otherwise...

As for the comparisons, yes ITG does off the best when it comes to its memorabilia selection and dedication, but as for other categories I've seen argued here, its pretty much on par with everyone else. Sticker Autos? H&P, BTP, & Ultimate... they've all got em. Obviously most of UD's products has tons of stickers as well. Redemptions? Yes ITG doesn't have any redemptions but and UD's systems sucks, but from what I hear and have seen, Panini's isn't too shabby so that will be nice. Card design? UD has made some strides here(Clearcut, Shadowboxes, Property Of, etc.) and ITG has had a few (Super Pad, Glove, Complete package) but realistically most designs by both companies are recycled yearly and are a bit stagnant... Again, looking at the FB & BB cards above, that adds something new and off the beaten path we currently have.

Now, I haven't spent a dime on packs since this past December(my own personal reasons and uncertainty of UD's legitimacy), but options like this might lure me back into breaking packs. I think if Panini is allowed to get into the mix and prove their worth, then they can be criticized and we can lay down all the "I told you so's" we want. Until then I think they should at least get a chance before being thrown out the window as trash and no-good products. I may be in the minority with some of my opinions here but I honestly think this could be helpful for the hobby as a whole.

I guess its hard to see all the belly-aching I've seen and heard about not having options and something different and once it finally comes along there is even more complaining because it didn't go exactly the way we feel it should have gone... I can see all this being forgotten very quickly if Panini steps up and succeeds. If not then I can see some of the arguments here being valid. Time will only tell...


Adam

 

[gratzi]

I was coming here to same thing as that Dr. Price just said. Sure it sucks ITG didn't get a license but AT LEAST the monopoly is finished. We got what we wanted! I for one am going to give Panini a chance to see what they release before I complain or bash them but bottom line in NO MORE MONOPLOY!

Does anyone know how long this deal goes for?

 

[aushockeyfan]

While I'm disappointed that ITG didn't get a licence, I'm really looking forward to see what Panini can do.

 

[letsgocapitals]

Class is...

Dear Collectors;

My Private Mail inbox is about to be full again even though Bruce increased the number of messages. I am at home with my grandchildren or I would be at the Vancouver Show.

Because of my grandfather duties, I won't have time to answer all of the PM's but thank you all for your support and words of encouragement.

Do I think the NHL and NHLPA did the right thing? Absolutely not, we deserved a license for a myriad of reasons which I don't really need to get into. But one thing the NHL and NHLPA did was end the MONOPOLY. This was absolutely necessary. Collectors were taken advantage of for five long years.

Panini should be given a chance to see what they can do. Upper Deck will have to do a better job in treating their customers fairly. That's what competition does, that's what I have been saying for five long years.

Would I have loved to be the competition, absolutely. But it was not to be.

Thank you for your letters to the NHL and NHLPA even though they fell on deaf ears.

Thank you for your support in the polls taken, but they were not listened to by the powers that be.

Nonetheless, our loyal collectors were vocal with their support and I and my staff appreciate it. It is bittersweet, as you are all enjoying Between The Pipes and the type of product we can produce that this licensing situation put a damper on a great time in our company's history.

With your support we will continue to make hockey cards. Superlative Hockey Volume Two will be out for the Spring Expo and it will be the best product we have ever made. It will be a standard for both licensed companies to reach.

We will continue with our Cross Canada Redemption Tour, our VIP Program, our Wrapper Redemption Program and other new ideas for the upcoming season. We won't disappoint you.

Thanks for everything, you have no idea how much I appreciate all of your kind words.

Brian Price

Pompous is...

the Upper Deck take. It's laughable.

Nuff said... oh yes, welcome Panini!