EDITOR’S NOTE

Yes, it would have been cool to pull cards of Sidney Crosby or Jack Hughes from a box of Bowman Chrome or Panini Prizm next season. But I’. There to tell you it’s perfectly fine that we won’t.

I don’t think I’m alone in that opinion. In fact, my thoroughly unscientific survey in the wake of Upper Deck being granted a renewal of its exclusive license from the NHL and NHL Players Association suggests that collectors are largely on board with the decision.

Sure, there were some naysayers on the message boards and social media, who either pointed out that UD has had a few missteps along the way—products that felt unnecessary, designs that were overly familiar, issues with redemptions, etc—or felt that competition was the only way to ensure the best possible outcomes. But those voices were much quieter than the last time around. And that’s a testament to what UD achieved over the past few years as the exclusive holder of the license.