Thomas Vanek
When it comes to picking a winning sports fantasy pool/league (such as a hockey pool), it involves more than just picking the "exceptional players" from last season. You need to discover the players which are going to have their break out season - or at least try to! This article will outline the best practices and guidelines for selecting players in a NHL Hockey Fantasy Pool (or League).
For example, a few years ago Joe Thornton was atop the scoring leaders at the season's end. But the following year, he was nowhere to be found at the top of the scoring leaders. He was a mediocre player at best. If you had chose a player such as Thomas Vanek who had a very average rookie season in 2005/2006, but he then had an exceptional 2006/2007 campaign. He would have cost you much less points than Joe Thornton but would give you many more points in the pool you are competing in than you would have received with Joe Thornton.
Another strategy to keep in mind is doing your research on a player's current situation which includes injuries, contract disputes, etc. Players missing games in your pool can have a devastating effect on your positioning in the pool. If you insist on picking up injury prone players (such as Martin Havlat), make sure that your pool enables trades or dropping players who are injured or under performing so you can replace them if (or when) they become injured. You may also want to find out which players are coming to the end of their contract and will be looking for a big season point-wise to boost their value to get a bigger contract in their contract negotiations. These players will usually give that little bit extra when battling in the corners and produce more points for you in the pool.
Also keep in mind that a player may have missed a number of games the previous season, so if your pool's draft is based on the players previous season's stats, try to find a player which you feel will yield a lot of points, but their stats did not reflect it from the last season because of their missed games.
Defensemen can also get you quite a few points depending on how your pool's point allocation is setup, but in most cases, they will not get you as many points as forwards will. The top scoring defensemen usually do not finish much higher than 25th in the overall scoring. If you can avoid it, save selecting your defensemen until the later rounds as they are not going to provide you with as many points as forwards will. If you are unsure when it comes to your selection on whether to take the best available defenseman (such as a player like Nicklas Lidstrom) and a forward you had your eye one, try to think which will give you more points in the pool based on your pool's point allocation.
One more tip is to also have at least a few players which are time-proven constant point scorers. These players include Daniel Alfredsson, Joe Sakic, Dany Heatley and Daniel Briere. But don't have too many of these players as they will usually be expensive and you may have to choose players which you have no heard much of in the past because you have no points left towards the end of your draft. These types of players should give you points almost every time they play.
Also, if your pool includes a goaltender as a player to pick, these players can be big point-getters depending on how your pool allocates points for the goaltender's stats. Try to pick a goaltender which you feel will play 60-70 games in any given season such as Martin Brodeur or Olaf Kolzig.
On your pool's draft day, take a look (or print out) at the top players from the previous season and go through them and ask yourself if you believe they are capable of improving in the upcoming season. If you don't think they will, then you are probably better off passing on these players. Also keep in mind if the player has been traded to another team and who their line mates will be this season.
If you follow these tips, you may find yourself atop your fantasy sports pool.
Thomas Vanek feature
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08 09 UD MVP FIRST LINE PHENOMS THOMAS VANEK FL14 |  |
0 Bid | US $.50 | 32m |
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08 09 UD VICTORY SOG THOMAS VANEK SG 8 MINT | |
0 Bid | US $.63 | 2h 31m |
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22 09 10 UD Inserts 5 08 09 UD Inserts | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 11h 3m |
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09 10 MVP HART CANDIDATES LOT OF THREE CARDS | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 14h 5m |
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140 C Lot Buffalo SabresRCs Ins Cur Past HOF Players | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 14h 27m |
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JIRI NOVOTNY 05 06 SP AUTHENTIC ROOKIE CARD ED 1999 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 14h 29m |
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Thomas Vanek 2006 07 UD Mini Jersey Still in Package | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 16h 17m |
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05 06 Thomas Vanek RC Hot Prospects Patch Auto 170 349 | |
6 Bids | US $23.50 | 16h 27m |
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05 06 UD Ultimate Thomas Vanek RC Auto 165 299 | |
4 Bids | US $11.61 | 16h 30m |
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05 06 UD UD Black Diamond Thomas Vanek RC Ruby 79 100 | |
6 Bids | US $15.75 | 16h 35m |
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05 06 UD UD Victory Thomas Vanek RC Gold 96 100 | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 16h 39m |
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2008 09 10 UD Jerseys Lot of 7 NM BV$60 1476 | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 16h 45m |
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THOMAS VANEK AUTOGRAPH 08 09 BAP | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 17h 16m |
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THOMAS VANEK 05 06 ULTIMATE COLLECTION SIGNATURES AUTO | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 18h 49m |
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Choose 10 cards from Mcdonalds 05 06 to 09 10 nr mint | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 19h 1m |
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2008 09 UD Series 2 Oversize Thomas Vanek Cd 271 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 19h 28m |
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16 ASSORTED ROOKIE OR 1ST YR CARD VANEK PITKANEN RUUTU | |
2 Bids | US $.58 | 20h 10m |
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2006 07 THOMAS VANEK UD MINI JERSEY BUFFALO SABRES | |
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US $1.99 | 20h 38m |
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09 10 UPPER DECK SERIES 1 TOP GUNS SET 7 | |
0 Bid | US $.01 | 20h 50m |
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09 10 ARTIFACTS LOT OF 11 CARDS | |
2 Bids | US $7.49 | 21h 13m |
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THOMAS VANEK SIGNED 8X10 PHOTO BUFFALO SABRES HOCKEY | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 53m |
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2009 10 UD Series 2 Oversize Thomas Vanek Card OS3 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 21h 40m |
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09 10 OPC Premier Thomas Vanek Base Card 225 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 23h 13m |
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2009 10 UD ULTIMATE COLLECTION HOCKEY 11 INSERT LOT 399 | |
1 Bid | US $2.00 | 1d 24m |
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THOMAS VANEK 09 10 U D CHAMPS GREEN PARALLEL | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 11h 53m |
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THOMAS VANEK 09 10 U D CHAMPS YELLOW PARALLEL | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 12h |
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2008 09UD MVP ROOKIES INSERTS 29 CARD LOT MINT GREAT | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 1d 13h 11m |
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2008 09 UD MVP 2ON2 SPEZZA HEATLEY VANEK STAFFORD MT | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 1d 13h 13m |
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08 09 FLEER ULTRA GOLD MEDALLION PICK 10 CARD SEE LIST | |
5 Bids | US $.55 | 1d 13h 24m |
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2007 08 BLACK DIAMOND LOT OF 7 DIFFERENT TRIPLE DIAMOND | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 17h 53m |
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2008 09 UD Winter Classic Highlights Oversized Vanek | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 15h 26m |
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09 10 UD Ultimate Collection THOMAS VANEK 399 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 15h 31m |
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05 06 Parkhurst 610 Thomas Vanek RC | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 17h |
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Thomas Vanek Buffalo Sabres Jersey 52 | |
4 Bids | US $36.00 | 1d 17h 5m |
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2009 10 OPC Premier Thomas Vanek AUTO Sabres 42 50 | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 17h 59m |
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Vanek Black Diamond Gemography 09 10 Hockey card Auto | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 18h 50m |
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9 10 SP Authentic Lot of 9 Different Spessentials 1999 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 19h 37m |
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06 UD Rookie Update TVANEK RC JIGINLA 088 499 | |
1 Bid | US $12.50 | 23h 23m |
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09 10 MVP 4 Hart CandidateThomasVokounVanekSpezza | |
0 Bid | US $.25 | 1d 21h 20m |
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Vanek Roy Pominville 09 10 BAP Triple Signatures | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 21h 24m |
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THOMAS VANEK 07 08 UD MVP NEW WORLD ORDER INSERT | |
0 Bid | US $.10 | 1d 21h 34m |
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2008 09 Fleer Ultra Gold Med 22 Patrick Kane Heatley | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 21h 35m |
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2008 09 UPPER DECK HAT TRICK HEROES THOMAS VANEK HT5 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 22h 47m |
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09 10 SPGU Triple Patch Thomas Vanek Ryan Miller 1 15 | |
3 Bids | US $15.96 | 1d 22h 54m |
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THOMAS VANEK 05 06 UD VICTORY ROOKIE CARD SABRES | |
0 Bid | US $.10 | 1d 23h 3m |
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09 10 OPC Premier SIGNINGS AUTO Thomas Vanek 43 50 | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 23h 12m |
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2009 10 OPC PREMIER STITCHINGS THOMAS VANEK 199 | |
2 Bids | US $2.50 | 1d 23h 17m |
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Thomas Vanek 2005 06 SP Authentic Auto RC 999 | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 2d 4m |
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2005 06 Upper Deck Victory Update Rookie RC Lot 7 | |
0 Bid | US $.01 | 2d 39m |
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Ryan Miller Thomas Vanek Buffalo Sabres UD Ice Lot | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 43m |
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THOMAS VANEK UD YOUNG GUNS RC | |
0 Bid | US $1.99 | 2d 1h 33m |
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07 08 UD Stars in the Making Complete Set of 14 Staal | |
0 Bid | US $3.00 | 2d 4h 4m |
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2005 06 FLEER ULTRA HOCKEY FACTORY SEALED BOX | |
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US $34.17 | 18d 11h 24m |
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09 10 BAP Sidelines 13 lot Stamkos Kane Miller | |
2 Bids | US $2.00 | 1d 15h 14m |
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2008 09 SP AUTHENTIC HOCKEY SIGN OF THE TIMES VANEK | |
0 Bid | US $7.00 | 1d 18h 18m |
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06 07 Mcdonalds Rookie Review VanekHigginsExtras | |
0 Bid | US $.70 | 2d 16h 13m |
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08 09 CUP ARTIST PROOF SILVER THOMAS VANEK SABRES 2 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 13h 39m |
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2008 09 MVP Gold Script 32 Thomas Vanek SERIAL 97 100 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 14h 23m |
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06 07 OPC Buffalo Sabres Base Card Team Set Miller Roy | |
0 Bid | US $.94 | 2d 17h 56m |
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THOMAS VANEK 8X10 Photo BUFFALO SABRES NHL HOCKEY | |
0 Bid | US $.01 | 2d 18h 5m |
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08 09 Black Diamond Jersey Thomas Vanek BDJ TV QUAD | |
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US $6.00 | 2d 19h 43m |
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07 08 SP AUTHENTIC THOMAS VANEK HOLO FX INSERT | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 19h 58m |
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05 06 UD THOMAS VANEK MVP ROOKIE BREAKTHROUGH RB11 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 20h 36m |
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07 08 SP AUTHENTIC THOMAS VANEK HOLO FX DIE CUT INSERT | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 20h 59m |
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05 06 thomas vanek ice premieres patches 3 10 auto 4clr | |
0 Bid | US $249.00 | 2d 22h 15m |
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Thomas Vanek 2005 06 UD Victory Rookie 292 | |
0 Bid | US $.75 | 2d 22h 28m |
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Thomas Vanek 2005 06 UD Victory Rookie Card 292 | |
0 Bid | US $.75 | 2d 22h 28m |
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Thomas Vanek 09 10 OPC Premier Stitchings 199 | |
0 Bid | US $3.99 | 2d 22h 43m |
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Miller Vanek Myers 09 10 Premier Trios Jerseys 50 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 22h 46m |
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Buffalo Sabres 2009 Mini Puck Lot of 3 Vanek Pominville | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 2d 22h 48m |
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09 10 U D CHAMPS HOCKEY YELLOW THOMAS VANEK | |
0 Bid | US $1.99 | 2d 22h 56m |
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08 09 Thomas Vanek UD Victory Stars of the Game | |
0 Bid | US $.60 | 2d 23h 53m |
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9 2008 09 Victory Hockey Cards Stars of the Game NICE | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 1m |
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THOMAS VANEK 09 10 OPC PREMIER STITCHINGS AUTOGRAPH 25 | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 12m |
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07 08 Thomas Vanek UD MVP New World Order Buffalo | |
0 Bid | US $.60 | 3d 13m |
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Thomas Vanek 05 06 BeeHive Rookie 120 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 22m |
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2005 06 ITG HEROES PROSPECTS THOMAS VANEK ROOKIE | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 27m |
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2009 10 UD Ice Buffalo Sabres Team Set 3 | |
0 Bid | US $1.99 | 3d 55m |
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2005 06 UD ROOKIE CLASS THOMAS VANEK BIG ROOKIE | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 57m |
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2006 07 McDONALDS Rookie Review T Vanek | |
0 Bid | US $.75 | 3d 1h 38m |
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2005 06 UD ROOKIE CLASS THOMAS VANEK ROOKIE CARD | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 1h 56m |
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THOMAS VANEK 05 06 THE CUP ROOKIE AUTO 3 CLR PATCH 199 | |
9 Bids | US $89.00 | 22h 54m |
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09 10 UD SER 1 TOP GUNS THOMAS VANEK TG6 MINT | |
0 Bid | US $.75 | 3d 5h 33m |
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2009 OPC Premiere Trios Myers Vanek Miller Buffalo 9 50 | |
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US $29.99 | 2d 9h 14m |
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2009 OPC Premiere Premier Signings Thomas Vanek 29 50 | |
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US $24.99 | 2d 9h 14m |
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2005 06 Upper Deck Series 2 Set 243 487 Ovechkin RC | |
0 Bid | US $185.00 | 1d 21h 25m |
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THOMAS VANEK 2005 06 NHL POWER PLAY ROOKIE CARD | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 12h 11m |
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2005 06 Upper Deck SPx Hockey Hobby Box | |
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US $144.95 | 9d 13h 54m |
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08 09 SERIES 1 SET WINTER HIGHLIGHTSCROSBYMALKIN 12 | |
0 Bid | US $2.99 | 2d 19h 15m |
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08 09 OPC GOLD Parallel 256 THOMAS VANEK Buffalo | |
0 Bid | US $.49 | 2d 20h 40m |
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07 08 UD VICTORY BASE ROOKIE AND INSERT CARDS | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 18h 28m |
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09 10 OPC Premier THOMAS VANEK Stitchings 199 | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 22h 40m |
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Lot 40 diff Buffalo Sabres cards Miller Roy Vanek | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2d 22h 45m |
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2009 10 MCDONALDS 50 CARDS HOCKEY SET NO CHECKLISTS | |
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US $15.55 | 3d 20h |
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2009 10 MCDONALDS 50 CARDS HOCKEY SET 6 CHECKLISTS | |
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US $20.00 | 3d 20h 1m |
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Spezza Heatley Vanek Stafford UD MVP 2on2 jerseys 08 09 | |
0 Bid | US $5.00 | 3d 14m |
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167 Upper Deck Insert card lot from 1991 Present | |
0 Bid | US $49.99 | 3d 21h 51m |
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09 10 Upper Deck MVP Hart Candidates Thomas Vanek | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 22h 24m |
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09 10 McDONALDS SET OF 506 CHECKLISTSPRICESTAMKOS | |
0 Bid | US $3.99 | 3d 22h 28m |
