As a lifelong hockey fan I may be biased, but there are few times of year more exciting for fans - and collectors - than the NHL postseason. It's a blend of skill, toughness and heart that few sports can match, and it creates a high level of drama that lasts until one team is left holding the Stanley Cup.

The TV ratings in the U.S. may not show it (though they were better this season), but the NHL is blessed with a bumper crop of young, gifted players, most of whom will be starring in the 2008 playoffs. So it seemed like a natural move to put together rookie card checklists of some of the best young hockey players not named Sidney Crosby. Links to some of them are below, and I'll be adding to them as the first round plays out.

Rookie Card Checklists:

• Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
• Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
• Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames
• Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
• Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers
• Marion Gaborik, Minnesota Wild

For those of you looking for some more cards from the 2007-08 season, don't despair. Upper Deck has a few more sets yet to be released, including the following brands that will hit shelves during the playoffs (release dates subject to change):

• April 25 - SP Authentic
• May 7 - Ultimate Collection
• May 14 - Upper Deck Sweet Shot
• May 22 - O-Pee-Chee Premier

Image courtesy of and copyright Upper Deck.