Topps Hockey License? Maybe?

[frozenntimesports]

Has anyone heard yet whether Topps or ITG are going to be granted hockey licenses?

It is getting close to the end of the two year contracts and I think its safe to say that customers are dissatisfied with Panini and there is a faction that dislikes Upper Deck too.

It would be a double-whammy.

1. Topps could produce Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome, which would be great for case-breakers. They might even bring back Pristine, which was a fantastic product.

2. Upper Deck and Panini would have to re-think their brick and mortar programs before Topps took their lunch.

This is all speculation, has anyone heard anything?

[Igman7]

As ITG has never had a liscense, I doubt that they would get one. Topps is a maybe but I am guessing that Panini would plunk down the cash to remain the sole partner.

[lemur01]

I don't think Topps wants a license.

[natbornkiller]

TOPPS sucked when they made hockey cards in the 90's and early 2000's

[The Madbacker]

I would rather see ITG get it than Topps. Other than base-brand Topps and Topps Chrome, the stuff they put out is garbage.

[BostonNut]

I dunno...I'd LOVE to see Finest hockey...

I would rather see ITG get it than Topps. Other than base-brand Topps and Topps Chrome, the stuff they put out is garbage.

[hairysasquatch]

I'd have to give the nod to Topps over ITG on this one, too. KMD's ideas in the OP make too much sense to me, and the brand-name recognition would be overwhelming compared to ITG. Big question is whether they want to bother with it or not...

[GoJays]

I hope Topps gets a license, for only a couple of reasons.

1. I want to see Topps/Bowman Chrome Hockey. It would be a pretty great set. Finest and Topps regular would be good as well, but Id buy at least 1 case of chrome.

2. It would motivate Panini and Upper Deck to get their heads out of their a$$e$ (those dollar signs are there for a reason) and actually make some half-decent sets. Lets face it, Panini and Upper Deck are putting absolute horseshit products out on the market. Have either of them put a good product on the market this season? No. Now if Topps came in, maybe we'd see Zenith hockey actually deliver a chance of a profit.

Topps making hockey products would work perfectly. I doubt it'll happen any time soon, though.

[The Madbacker]

I don't get the Brick and Mortar idea. I'm all for supporting the stores but people are going to wait the extra week to save several hundred dollars on case purchases.

[cking]

The Topps Stanley Cup Heroes Autographs are my favorite cards of all time. I will be buried with my Mario Lemieux.This is the non auto version for all the younger collectors who might never have seen these.Awesome cards.

98/99 TOPPS STANLEY CUP HEROES REFRACTOR MARIO LEMIEUX | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/98-99-TOPPS-STANLEY-CUP-HEROES-REFRACTOR-MARIO-LEMIEUX-/130623177011?pt=US_Hockey_Trading_Cards&hash=item1e69bf8133)

[oldgoldy97]

The thing I don't understand with UD is that there is very little innovation with their hockey products year-to-year. Regular UD: 1:4 YGs, 2 jerseys; SPX: 1 dual, 1 rc jersey, 1 auto rc jersey, 1 other jersey; Ultimate: 1 rc, 1 jersey, 1 auto; SPA: 3 autos; Black Diamond: 3 low tier rookies, 1 upper tier (usually) rc, 2 jerseys....and so on.
I don't mind UD series 1 and 2 being basically the same year to year, but the others have the been there, done that feel to them.
Panini....what is their deal? Are they running out of money? 2 products this year so far. Not to mention that they lumped all their football into a release per week for about a month and they can't get basketball out for another month. They really are tanking huge.
Topps had few good products in the past for hockey but I think they have improved greatly over last couple years, especially in football. I'd like to see them get back in.
ITG would have some good stuff, they put out quality products, but I have a feeling that Dr. Price has burned some bridges and probably doesn't think that a license would improve his products enough to warrant paying for it.

[pnft17]

I doubt Topps wants hockey. Pannini has made nice cards and come up with some good ideas. Just need to work on getting less redemptions in stuff.

[oldgoldy97]

I forgot about Pinnacle. Make it three products this year for Panini. How could I forget the product that will be around half price in a month or so...

[anusinha]

I'd live to see topps and ud have a license for 6the sets a year each. Keep the market from getting overloaded. UD may be running out of money, they're really far behind on releases this year.