The Messy 2020/21 Rookie Class

[steveottfan]

When it was announced that the NHL was allowing Upper Deck to use players like Lafreniere in UD1, I didn't have a problem with a player of his stature being included. I think we all knew he was set to make his debut. However, I did have a problem with allowing any old player who sniffed the bubble/taxi squad to get a rookie. Since the early 90s, and really in the history of the hobby, there has been one major consistency - allowing a player to get a NHL rookie only when he dressed. The exceptions came for players who got cards early in junior or team Canada uniforms, but companies were still cautious not to use players in their NHL jerseys until they played, that is until this season.

We end the year with a whopping 20 'NHL rookie cards' of guys who have not played in the league. If anyone sees anyone I missed, please let me know. While it seems certain that some of these guys will play in the league, it seems almost as certain that some like Lukas Jasek, never will. Prior to this year, there were only about a dozen of these exceptions in the history of the hobby.

Here are the guys who really should not have an NHL rookie, but thanks to this unusual season, do. A much bigger list than I figured we'd see.

Alexander Alexeyev
Mikhail Berdin
Philip Broberg
Callum Booth
Shane Bowers
Brayden Burke
Brandon Crawley
Kodie Curran
Reid Duke
Cam Hills
Joel Hofer
Cole Hults
Jacob Ingham
Lukas Jasek
Patrick Khodorenko
Chase Priskie
Darren Raddysh
Mat Robson
Kirill Ustimenko
Hayden Verbeek


Dressed in the NHL as backups only. UD had stopped giving these guys rookies for a couple years before starting again this season.
Connor Ingram
Cam Johnson
Emil Larmi
Michael McNiven
Joseph Woll


Not sure how others feel, but I'm not a big fan of having 20 guys with NHL cards who shouldn't. I would have preferred they stuck with only the biggest names for the exceptions, and then gotten creative like 04/05 with legends and builders.

 

[troy95]

I feel that this waters down the product, especially considering there are 130 Young Guns this season. It also doesn't help that there are alot of players who only played one or two games (and won't likely play more) kicking around the checklist this season.

 

[numbern9ne]

Here is the whole list...

Bubble - Brayden Burke ARZ
Bubble - Shane Bowers COL
Bubble - Philip Broberg EDM
Bubble - Chase Priskie FLA
Bubble - Philippe Desrosiers FLA
Bubble - Michael McNiven MTL
Bubble - Connor Ingram NSH
Bubble - Brandon Crawley NYR
Bubble - Darren Raddysh NYR
Bubble - Kirill Ustimenko PHI
Bubble - Emil Larmi PIT
Bubble - Joseph Woll TOR
Bubble - Reid Duke VGK
Bubble - Alexander Alexeyev WSH
Bubble - Mikhail Berdin WPG
Taxi Squad - Kodie Curran ANA
Taxi Squad - Callum Booth BOS
Taxi Squad - Cam Johnson CBJ
Taxi Squad - Cole Hults LAK
Taxi Squad - Jacob Ingham LAK
Taxi Squad - Cameron Hillis MTL
Taxi Squad - Hayden Verbeek MTL
Taxi Squad - Patrick Khodorenko NYR
Taxi Squad - Alex D'Orio PIT
Taxi Squad - Joel Hofer STL
Taxi Squad - Lukas Jasek VAN

It is a bummer these guys got cards (and some of them in quite a few sets), theres a good chance half these guys never play an NHL game.

 

[cygnusx1]

I'm probably a little out of the loop on some teams prospects. From what I know, Bowers, Broberg, and Connor Ingram are likely to make the NHL someday right? Any others? Am I wrong on those 3?

 

[ronfir]

Yesterday from Trilogy I pulled as a case hit, a really nice Shane Bower "rookie autographed patch!" Beautiful card but I thought at the time, what a waste of a case it!

But then a certain other card company puts out sets in other sports that is full of undrafted rookies who never ever see the light of day in the NFL or NBA. I have joked that for some of these "players" I am not sure even their momma's would know who they are!

Just the way we have to roll to be in the hobby.

 

[sdpdesign]

Bowers and Broberg are probably a few years from making the full time squads if ever given the chance with their current teams. I remember Raddysh being a big deal back in the day (very decent D-man) and is solid for the Rangers’ AHL team.

Sometimes it is just getting a chance to break into the lineup. Speaking of Raddysh, McDermott was a teammate of his and had same/similar numbers. McDermott, of course went 2nd rnd in 2015, Raddysh, undrafted. Sometimes it is the age thing...Raddysh born in the beginning of 1996, McDermott, latter part of 1996.

Jesus! Just realized they were born after I graduated high school. I have been collecting way too long.

 

[capsfan30]

The only one I have any kind of knowledge (and that's a stretch) about from that list is Alexeyev. Word on the street is that he's been excellent wherever he's been playing (was in KHL before going to Hershey this season), and is extremely likely to make the Caps next season. While I understand everyone's issue with these cards, may I remind you about the time period of, oh, 1990 to about 2000, where everyone and their mother who played any kind of semi-pro hockey got a rookie card. In hindsight, it was extremely silly, but at the time it was really neat learning about players who played internationally, even if they didn't make the pros.

 

[weasel-king]

When it was announced that the NHL was allowing Upper Deck to use players like Lafreniere in UD1, I didn't have a problem with a player of his stature being included.

I'll be the dissenter. I did have a problem with them breaking the established rules, no matter who it was. I mean, I get why they did it, but doesn't mean I have to like it. I know I am absolutely in the minority as collectors snatched these up left and right, private photo shoot or not. I just hope it doesn't mean we will see more exceptions now.

 

[Bossy22]

I really liked it, as an exception. It’s fun to have guys to look up again and wonder if they have a chance!!! I wouldn’t want it to be the norm again though!!!