In a delightful plot twist worthy of any good sports soap opera, Topps has announced its grand — well, more like gently understated — return to the world of hockey collectibles. For fans who’ve been longing for the good old days when Topps cards were as much a part of the NHL as the blue line and the Zamboni, this news is both exciting and, in a way that only Topps can pull off, slightly bewildering.
First, a little refresher: Topps hasn’t ventured into the NHL’s icy realms since the 2003-04 season. After that, Upper Deck swaggered onto the scene, securing exclusive rights to the league’s trading card license and effectively packing Topps’ bags for them. It’s been two decades filled with Topps-shaped voids in the hockey card collections of countless fans.
Yet, as fans of underdog stories know, once you’re out, the only way is back in — and that’s exactly what Topps is doing, kind of. Courtesy of the powerhouse that is Fanatics, which just so happens to own Topps now, an exciting new venture is unfolding. On April 3rd, Fanatics plans to unveil ‘Topps Under Wraps: Emanate 2024-25’. It’s not quite the traditional trading card renaissance fans might have been hoping for, but it’s darn close.
Rather than slipping some wafer-thin cardstock into foil packs, this time Topps is supersizing its offering with 8×10 autographed photos. These aren’t just any pictures slapped with a signature; they’re crafted to resemble oversized trading cards, with both the front and back exuding that classic card aesthetic enthusiasts hold dear. It’s a nod to nostalgia wrapped up neatly enough to hang on your wall.
Sal Barry, an established name in the collecting community, rightly points out in his PuckJunk.com newsletter, “These even have photos and information on the back.” It’s a delightful callback to an era where turning over the card was as thrilling as the front — stats, trivia, and the thrill of the discovery.
The Emanate product line isn’t skimping on the premium feel, either. Each photo is individually hand-signed — that’s right, no pesky sticker autos that feel like kissing your sister. They’re also serial-numbered and hologrammed, establishing a sense of authenticity and exclusivity that echoes Topps’ illustrious past. To crown it all, they’re presented in ready-to-display, magnetic folio cases, making them exquisite showpieces for even the most discerning collector.
But what’s a collectible without a good chase? Enter the color variants — six distinct hues, each more tantalizingly rare than the last. Brace yourselves for the gleaming Gold (numbered to 50), the vibrant Orange (to 25), the cool as the other side of the pillow Blue (to 10), and the sultry Red (to 5). Then, there’s the Iridescent variant — a singular, breath-catchingly exclusive 1/1.
Topps hasn’t skated by on variety alone, though. The Emanate checklist reads like a veritable who’s who of NHL star power, featuring over 70 players from all 32 teams. Imagine the thrill of owning something featuring Connor Bedard’s or Auston Matthews’ unmistakable hand-scribbled signatures. Maybe the mind-bending reality of a piece with Alexander Ovechkin, Nathan MacKinnon, or Mark Messier? Be still my beating heart!
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more tantalizing, Topps ups the ante with the introduction of multi-signed editions. There’s even a show-stopping one-of-a-kind triple-signed and inscribed masterpiece featuring the top trio of Ovechkin, Bedard, and Matthews. Now that’s the kind of art you hang above the mantle and shine a spotlight on.
So, let’s address the burning question: is Topps officially back in the NHL? The answer, friend, is not quite. We’re not back in the realm of pack-ripping, rookie-chasing, and base-parallel-variant-spotting that fuels the trading card community’s core passion. But with ‘Emanate’, Topps is, at the very least, testing the ice. Should it hold firm, and with Fanatics holding the reigns of some of the biggest licenses in the sports hobby world, the possibilities for a deeper dive into hockey are more plausible than ever.
This comeback might not be with the fiery vengeance of a forward streaking toward the goal, but it’s enough to keep collectors and fans excited for what’s next. Who knows? This might just be the warmup lap before Topps straps on those skates and takes a more traditional glide into the rink once again.