Likely Players for My 2012-13 Panini Limited Rookie Redemptions

Upper Deck recently announced the players who will be produced as redemptions for the rookie redemption cards inserted into 2012-13 Artifacts. Due to restrictions from the NHLPA due to the lockout, only rookies debuting in 2011-12 would be able to be included in packs, and newer players would not be able to be printed until the season is over, essentially pushing them back exclusively to 2013-14 releases.

Anyway, while I don't have any Artifacts redemptions, I do have a few from it's Panini counterpart, the rookie redemption cards from 2012-13 Limited. I have four in total from the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New Jersey Devils. Even though things may be different, I decided to take a look at who the Artifacts rookies are for those four teams, as a way to predict which players I would be likely to get for my Limited Rookies.

Pittsburgh Penguins - Beau Bennett
On a team loaded with defensive prospects, Bennett is Pittsburgh's top forward of the future. In 26 games with the Penguins, the 2010 first-round draft pick scored three goals and 11 assists in his debut season.


New York Rangers - J.T. Miller
A 2011 first-round pick, Miller played most of the 2012-13 season with the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack. He did, however, make it up to the pro club for 26 games, scoring two goals and two assists.

 Toronto Maple Leafs - Mike Kostka
Although currently a Maple Leaf, Kostka was originally signed by the Buffalo Sabres, and when he couldn't latch onto that team, signed with the Florida Panthers. Then, six months later, he was traded by Florida to the Tampa Bay Lightning. After that contract ran out, he signed with the Maple Leafs, where he finally made it to the NHL, scoring eight assists in 35 games during the 2012-13 season.

New Jersey Devils - Stefan Matteau
The Son of former NHLer Stephane Matteau, Stefan made his NHL debut during the 2012-13 season, scoring one goal and two assists in 17 games. He caused quite a bit of controversy while with his QMJHL team, when he left the team during the playoffs, due to the coach benching him. Matteau was released by his junior team soon after. He still is a member of the New Jersey Devils and will be competing for a roster spot when training camp opens.

So, that's how it's looking right now, but who knows? As long as I get Bennett for the Penguins redemption I'll be a happy camper.

Here's the question though. Both card companies are going to be making the "Dual Rookie Class" a MAJOR selling point for their 2013-14 releases, but what does that mean for these cards? Are the 2013-14 rookie cards meaningless if they have a rookie card in two 2012-13 sets, even if they are redemptions? Or, do these cards basically serve as an "XRC" and only the 2013-14 rookie cards will be considered their "true" rookie cards?