Why no hobby love for Owen Nolan?

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wildfan1833

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I loved his time here in Minnesota. And his states are not bad at all. So my question is why doesn't his stuff sell better since there isn't a ton of higher end cards of his

Career 18 total years in the NHL

1200 games played
422 career goals
463 career assists
885 total career points
155 career power play goals
150 career power play assists
1793 career PIM
53 career game winning goals
13.5% career shooting percentage
 
Under a point per game for his career, played for seven different teams and won absolutely nothing after 18 years. Better players are valued the same or less in the hobby unfortunately.
 
cardboardnostalgia said:
Under a point per game for his career, played for seven different teams and won absolutely nothing after 18 years. Better players are valued the same or less in the hobby unfortunately.
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I don't think those are the reasons to be honest

See Trevor Linden, similar draft status, similar career stats, both were NHL captains, all stars, Olympians, also unfortunately didn't win a Stanley Cup (or any major individual awards). Heck, Nolan can say he won Olympic gold over Linden, but Linden is way WAY more popular in the card world.

I think it's mainly because Nolan played his prime years in California with the San Jose Sharks. Nolan is still pretty popular there, but the exposure and following for that team is just way less than for the Canucks. It translates to hobby love. You rarely see "Sharks" collectors, but Canucks collectors are every 2nd person.

If Nolan was a career Leaf or Canuck or Flame, he'd have a much bigger hobby following.

That being said, Upper Deck has made some wonderful Owen Nolan cards over the years, and they really do fly under the radar.

My two cents
 
I think it's a combo of both of what has been said.

Multiple teams, longest stretch and peak in a smaller market team at the time. Didn't play past the 2nd round, so no playoff hero to fall in love with, overall points are decent, but not spectacular. Many with similar or better stats that don't get much love either. Sitting at 120th all time scoring, and didn't crack 1000 points in career. No 50 goal or 100 pt season.

With that said, if they came out with a GU and/or auto card of Nolan at the All Star game calling his shot on Hasek (especially if you got both players!)...I would be all over that.
 
sbangayan86 said:
I don't think those are the reasons to be honest

See Trevor Linden, similar draft status, similar career stats, both were NHL captains, all stars, Olympians, also unfortunately didn't win a Stanley Cup (or any major individual awards). Heck, Nolan can say he won Olympic gold over Linden, but Linden is way WAY more popular in the card world.

I think it's mainly because Nolan played his prime years in California with the San Jose Sharks. Nolan is still pretty popular there, but the exposure and following for that team is just way less than for the Canucks. It translates to hobby love. You rarely see "Sharks" collectors, but Canucks collectors are every 2nd person.

If Nolan was a career Leaf or Canuck or Flame, he'd have a much bigger hobby following.

That being said, Upper Deck has made some wonderful Owen Nolan cards over the years, and they really do fly under the radar.

My two cents
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Well said! Where he played is a huge factor.
 
I would argue that Linden’s fame obviously does come from playing in a bigger Canadien market but also being a playoff hero during the most popular NHL season of all time. Linden/Bure/Messier/Leetch/Richter got more American viewer eyes on them during that series than any player had before or since.

Linden was also a superior player in the playoffs especially during Vancouvers early 90s run, elevating his game in the post season and becoming a point per game player. The opposite for Nolan can be said as his post season performance led to a borderline disappearing act for a 400 goal scorer.
 
He's also a big NHLPA cheerleader, and especially around the time of the Crosby-year lockout the NHLPA was much reviled by collectors. Guerin got a lot of that hate as well.

Not as big a factor, but I think it contributes.
 
Owen Nolan was a good player to be sure, and I think most player would be lucky to end up with his his career totals and/or longevity.

Being really honest though: You could put his picture in the dictionary next to the term "above average". He was good. Perhaps really good at times.... but I think there were very few times (ever?) that someone would have said "wow. I am watching one of the best 25 players in the game today". The only way he's getting into the HOF, is by buying a ticket.

So you've got a guy who ultimately won very little, didn't play very long in any major hobby market, and doesn't have HOF numbers. Is he under valued? Probably.... but he probably should cost less than Pierre Tureon, Bernie Nicholls, or Vinny Damphousse.
 
How many non HOF players (outside of star rookies/current young stars) get hobby love?
Maybe some like Felix Potvin or Aturs Irbe, but Nolan never really did enough to stand out from the pack. Also, where you play and how much you moved around (you don't develop a loyal fanbase) plays a factor imo.
 
I pick some Nordiques cards of him when I have a chance. There are so many players around his level that are very affordable on cardboard, just look at guys like Vincent Damphousse. Even Luc Robitaille, a Cup winners with a lot of goals, many of his cards are very affordable.
 
I loved Owen Nolan. I would love a high-end card of all the 90's players I adored while growing up and getting into hockey.

Owen Nolan also in an all-star game pointed to the goalie he was going top-shelf as he was coming in and scored top-shelf.

He was a good player. Under-rated for sure but he doesn't even make the top 10 of players who do not get hobby-love when they deserve it.
 

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