2008-09 SP Game-Used Significant Numbers Patrik Elias /26

Here is the newest addition to my autograph collection: a 2008-09 SP Game-Used Significant Numbers card of Patrik Elias. Every card in this set features one or two swatches of jersey (in number-shaped windows) accompanied by an autograph. As one might expect, print runs are based on the player's jersey number. This Elias is number 7 of 26. A few other names from this set: Sidney Crosby, Mike Bossy, Grant Fuhr, Jonathan Toews, Bobby Hull, and Martin St. Louis.

1986-87 OPC John MacLean #37

Here's a card I picked up in a trade about two years ago. It's a 1986-87 O-Pee-Chee card of former Devils forward, now assistant coach (possible head coach?) John MacLean. Something I found interesting was that this card is listed as a rookie card yet prior to that year, Johnny Mac already had 158 career NHL games under his belt over three seasons in New Jersey. I'll admit that I don't know much about the cards from that era and that I own very few. Was this a common characteristic of "rookies" from that time?

1999-00 SPx Radiance Scott Niedermayer /100

I know what you're probably thinking. There were blue X-fractors in 1999? Simply put, no. All 180 cards of the 1999-00 SPx set were mirrored by two parallels, Radiance and Spectrum. All the Radiance cards are covered in blue on both the front and the back and feature the exact same technology used in today's "X-Fractors." As for the Spectrum parallels, they are covered in red on both sides and feature a special type of technology that I'd describe as (for lack of a better word) "glittery." While Radiance cards have a print run of 100, Spectrums are 1/1s. The Tommy Salo from this set can be found in this auction.

I acquired this Niedermayer off the 'Bay last year.

2003-04 UD Ice Clear Cut Winners Scott Stevens

Inserted into every tenth pack of 2003-04 UD Ice (on average, of course) is a thick acetate jersey card known as Clear Cut Winners. The set is a star-studded one featuring players such as Lemieux, Jagr, Hull, Roy, Yzerman, Messier, Sakic, and many more. Stevens is one of three Devils in the set, Martin Brodeur and Scott Gomez being the other two. A very rare patch variation is also included but those are limited to just 25 copies. See for yourself.

2003-04 OPC Gold Brian Gionta /50

Wednesday was a nightmare for Devils fans. Like always, New Jersey sat around idly while other NHL teams threw money around at highly (and not so highly) coveted free agents, which included several Devils. New Jersey re-signed some of their young defensemen but also said goodbye to a longtime backup to Brodeur, a former Selke Trophy winner, and a man who scored the GWG in a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, but the biggest loss was that of a man who has been a staple of the Devils' offense since after the NHL lockout, Brian Gionta. Gionta signed a 5-year, $25 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens and in the process, reunited himself with his old linemate, Scott Gomez.

During the 2005-06 season, Gionta set the Devils franchise record for goals in a season with 48, half of which came on the power play. It was at that time that Gionta and Gomez along with Patrik Elias developed great chemistry and the line accounted for a great chunk of the Devils offense. It comes as no surprise (at least to me) that Montreal went after Gionta after acquiring Gomez. Time will tell if those two will recreate the kind of magic they had four years ago. Still, Montreal certainly looks like they'll be a force to be reckoned with next year so.....good for them, and good for Captain Canuck. Oh, and good luck Gio and thank you. If you had to leave and sign with a team that wears red, white, and blue (or should I say bleu, blanc et rouge) .....




Thank you for not picking the Rangers.

2006-07 SP Game-Used Johnny Oduya RC /999

Yesterday, while Scott Gomez, the man featured in my last post was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, the Devils re-signed defenseman Johnny Oduya to a three year extension. It was reported on NHL.com that the deal was worth about $3 million per but the Devils' official site claims that the terms were never disclosed due to club policy. Oduya is 27 and has spent all three years of his NHL career with New Jersey. Johnny is certainly coming into his own as a skilled puck mover and recorded a career-high 29 points last year. Johnny was one of five Devils to have played in every regular season game last year.

The card above is Oduya's rookie card from 2006-07 SP Game-Used. This is one of only two cards of him that I actually own. To see the other (much flashier) one I previously showcased in November, click here.

2000-01 UD Ice Clear Cut Autographs Scott Gomez

Those of you who follow my non-Devils blog Old School Breaks know that I recently acquired a trio of game-used and autographed UD Sweet Shot cards of San Jose Sharks: a triple jersey card of Torrey Mitchell, a Stick Signings Jonathan Cheechoo /25, and an Ice Signings of Joe Thornton /100. All three cards have been moved via trade or sale. Above is one of a few Devils cards acquired in the trade, a 2000-01 UD Ice Clear Cut Autograph of Scott Gomez. As you can tell from my recent posts, I'm a big fan of '00/01 Ice but I think they could've designed the Clear Cut Autographs a little better. Something about the size of the signature space bugs me (especially compared to the size of the space where Gomez is). Despite this, I'm still very happy to add this card to my collection.

Clear Cut Autographs were seeded 1 in every 108 packs of Ice. Other notable names in the set include three members of the HHOF Class of 2009: Brian Leetch, Brett Hull, and Steve Yzerman.