2011 All-Star Game in Raleigh

The All-Star Game is coming up this weekend. I will watch it, as I have every year (post-lockout). What I'm looking forward to most is the Skills Competition tomorrow and the Guardian Project during the second intermission on Sunday.

Here's a few facts about this ASG:
-Chicago and Vancouver each have 3 forwards in the game, CHI also has 1 D-man (the most among individuals represented).
-Buffalo, Edmonton, Florida, and NYI have only 1 rookie participating this weekend.
-Calgary, with Iginla's withdrawl, have no players represented in Raleigh.
-Peter Laviolette will not coach former coachee Eric Staal, Ward still a possibilty.
-Chara has won the Hardest Shot three years in a row (MacInnis holds 4 in-a-row record).
-The last ASG two brothers played in at the same time; 2000 (Pavel, Valeri Bure).
-Two former ASG MVPs are playing in this years game, Briere and Eric Staal.
-Just five goalies and two defenseman have been named MVP since it's 1962 inception.
-Philadelphia has had one MVP; 1980, Reggie Leach.
-Panini will release Score redemption cards at the game; the cards have special ASG2011 logos on them.

2010-11 Score

My second favorite set from the early 90s, Score is back and it has a throwback look.

500 Base, 50 Hot Rookies, The Franchise.

The rookie cards: I like the whole card except one thing... The cloudy/explosion/spacey background behind the player.

The Franchise: Looks great, good insert... One thing, the team name is written in a funny way, yet I love this card.
I look forward to collecting and breaking down this set.

UPDATE: and apparently, owning the Score license makes you crazy with Lindros Fever, because I read the set includes Lindros and Patrick Roy. Looks good

Panini

In March of this year, The Panini Group was granted a multi-year license by the NHL and NHLPA. Marking the first year since the lockout where another company, besides Upper Deck, have manufactured hockey cards with a NHLPA or NHL license. The league and player's association still refuse togive a license to Topps and fan-favorite In The Game. Panini has been making hockey stickers since the 80s and released an album last year. Here is a link to an article on Puck Junk. Panini's first set will be Score, which is a big deal for me because I love Topps, O-Pee-Chee, Score, and Pro Set from the very early 90s. Also, hopefully there will be more cards per pack for the same price.