Product Preview: 2010 Upper Deck NHL The Cup

It would seem since Upper Deck has lost a number of their major partners and licensing rights over the past year, they're going all out with regards to the NHL license they still have. Upper Deck's 2010 NHL The Cup release may not only be the best hockey product of there year, but it just might be the best product of the year regardless of sport. Every single card looks amazing. UD recently updated its Facebook page with 85 pictures from the upcoming October 1st release. I don't collect a ton of hockey items other than the few Buffalo Sabres cards I pick up, but this release may just convert me.

As great as these cards look, there's a reason people say, "You pay for what you get". This product is not cheap. You're looking at approx. $360 for 4 cards. There's no question reagrading the quality and design of this product, but $360 for 4 cards might be a tough sell in this economy. That being said, this is the closest to a "perfect" product you can get, and collectors will pay for the "perfect" card. I myself would love to just pick up a box (like spending $360 on pieces of cardboard is no big deal), but I'll hope to grab one of the Tyler Myers RC auto's or Ryan Miller Auto's on the secondary markets.

Product Info:

Release Date: 10/01/10

Configuration: 6 boxes per case. 1 pack per box/tin. 4 cards per pack.

Content Highlights: 2 signed Patch Cards per Tin (1 Auto RC + 1 Auto Patch Card):

- Sidney Crosby & Alexander Ovechkin RC Tribute Cards

- Autographed Draft Boards

- Property of… Stick Nameplates

- NHL Shields

- Dual and triple patch/auto's

- 1 of 1 cut signatures

- and more