2011-12 Panini Pinnacle Hockey NHL Trading Cards Box Break Recap and Review

There is one set of hockey trading cards time and time again, Pinnacle.  This year is no exception.  Noted for its outstanding photography, Pinnacle always delivers interesting cards that are a pleasure to peruse. 2011 – 12 Pinnacle Hockey NHL Trading Cards will flash you back to the 90’s but still feel very contemporary.

We classify Pinnacle Hockey as trading cards. Hobby Boxes come with 24 – 8 card packs with two autograph or memorabilia cards per box.

Here is a look at some of the cards we pulled from our box.  First from the base cards.

Base Set

 Joe Thornton, front and back

Here are some examples of the amazing photography from this set.

 Mike Smith, Chris Neil

 Matt Duchene, Linus Omark

 Ondrej Pavelec, Dan Boyle

 Dion Phaneuf, Michael Grabner

 Micahl Neuvirth, Miln Lucic

 Henrik Zetterberg, Tim Thomas

 NUFEX parallels

 Martin Havlat

Ice Breakers Rookie Cards

 Matt Frattin, Justin Faulk

 Zac Rinaldo, Erik Gudbranson

Inserts

Breakthrough

 Corey Crawford, David Krejci, Jamie Benn

 Pinnacle Captains - Andrew Ladd, Tough Times - Gino Odjick

 Team Pinnacle Card #6 - Sidney Crosby front, Jonathan Toews back

The Hits

 Derek Stepan Threads Relic (Not Numbered), Dustin Byfuglien Game Night Prime Patch #/30

Drew Doughty Private Signings On-Card Autograph (Not Numbered)

Overall Look

Last year’s Pinnacle was a mix of horizontal and vertical card fronts and horizontal backs.  This year all of the fronts are on the horizontal and the backs are vertical.  Some of you will remember from other card reviews done here, my preference is for consistency so I would have preferred if the backs were on the horizontal too.  It makes for better displays in 9 cardholders.  It is a minor point that vanishes because of the exceptional photography and really nice layout.  Inserts work well and a big plus for the way the Winnipeg Jets cards were handled.  No sign of the Atlanta Thrashers short of the material used for the Byfuglien card, but that was game used so it makes sense.

Quality and Variety of Players and Subsets.

250 veteran players is a nice number, 50 more than last year.  Normally the Ice Breaker rookies are a difficult chase.  This year it has been made even more difficult as the top 10 of the 40 rookies only appear on SP auto version.   The checklists for the autographs and memorabilia cards are expansive.

Do the hits hold up?

Most definitely.  Autographs and memorabilia cards are all desirable.  Thrown into the mix are Pinnacle Black cards with 14 outstanding players that are case hits and Eric Lindros Recollection Collection Autograph Cards. Autographs fall roughly every 3 out of 4 boxes.

Will you want to collect them all? 

In short, yes!  This is a great set to have with cool inserts and a great rookie chase.

Rating

4 1/2 out of 5

2011 – 12 Panini Pinnacle Hockey NHL Trading Cards provides a fun base set to collect with a chance at some super premium incentive.



Review box provided by Panini