This is the latest in a sporadic series on an ongoing project, a “Dead Parrot” Frankenset which features cards of NHL and WHA teams which are no more, which have ceased to be (as in the line from the Monty Python “Dead Parrot” sketch). The Frankenset consists of a binder containing 44 sheets and the goal is to have it filled with cards numbered from 1 to 396, with each slot filled with a card featuring a hockey team that has gone to meet its maker.
In this post I have three new challengers, plus some additional Parrot-related content at the end of the post.
Card #19
The challenger: 1997-78 O-Pee-Chee WHA Larry Lund (Houston Aeros)
This photo is very dark… and is that jersey airbrushed? The lettering looks off.
Currently in the binder: 1980-81 Topps Joel Quenneville (Colorado Rockies)
Despite the residue from the scratch-off gimmick of 1980-81 Topps Hockey, this card nicely showcases the NHL Rockies uniforms.
It’s a tough choice because I like both Aeros and Rockies cards, but there’s not enough positives about the Lund card to dislodge the Quenneville card.
THE CHALLENGER IS DEFEATED!
Card #40
The challenger: 1970-71 Topps Gump Worsley (Minnesota North Stars)
I thought Gump Worsley was the last NHL goalie to play without a mask, but in verifying that I found articles that said that Andy Brown was the last and Gump was the second-to-last. Either way, it’s still a crazy way to play after the slapshot became prevalent in the NHL.
Currently in the binder: 1990-91 Topps Craig Wolanin (Quebec Nordiques)
Part of the factory set I bought for cheap a number of years ago. Nothing special about this card.
This is clearly a win for the 1970 Gump, vintage beating “junk”… but wait!
The referee is indicating that there’s a penalty against Worsley!
The Gump card shows pretty well in the scan and in the toploader, BUT once I pulled it out of it’s protective sleeve I could tell that it had some pretty extensive water damage… and now I’m questioning whether or not those black spots on the back are ink.
THE CHALLENGER IS DEFEATED!
…and maybe going into the trash. Sorry, Gump.
Card #63
The challenger: 1977-78 O-Pee-Chee WHA Poul Popeil (Aeros)
As mentioned before, I love a good Houston Aeros shot. This is definitely not airbrushed.
Currently in the binder: 1992-93 O-Pee-Chee Premier Eric Weinrich (Hartford Whalers)
Early 1990s Whalers cards are pretty prevalent within this project, and I’m partial to the green Whalers uniforms.
This one is easy…
THE CHALLENGER IS VICTORIOUS!
…and updates the already-completed Page 7 (cards # 55-63)
This is one sweet page, I’ve gotta say.
Wrapping up the new card section of this post…
I replaced one card and updated a page, but didn’t fill any empty slots or complete any pages.
The current totals remain at 357 out of a possible 396 cards (90.1%) and 21 completed pages out of 44 total pages (47.7%).
But that’s not the end of this post… I want to weigh in on how recent NHL news will affect this project!
Are the Arizona Coyotes now Dead Parrot-eligible?
You may have heard that the Arizona Coyotes will be moving to Salt Lake City for the 2024/25 season. Technically speaking the Coyotes franchise will become inactive and the Utah team will be considered a new NHL franchise which has acquired all of the Coyotes’ “hockey assets” (players, coaches, draft picks, front office, etc.).
However, if the Coyotes owner can get a new Arizona arena built and ready within five years, the franchise will be automatically reactivated (and I would guess there’s be something similar to an expansion draft, but we’ll worry about that if and when it happens).
This possibility of the team being reactivated is the only reason I hesitate to include the Coyotes in the Dead Parrot project. A re-activated Arizona Coyotes team would, as far as the NHL is concerned, be the same franchise with the same owner, and that team would have the same name and presumably the same logos and uniforms as the team that just played it’s last game.
An argument can be made that this wouldn’t be significantly different from the Winnipeg Jets. The original Jets moved to Phoenix in 1996 to become the Coyotes. The current Jets came about when the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg in 2011.
At any rate, I have significant doubts as to whether the Coyotes owner will get a new arena built within five years, despite his intentions and ongoing efforts.
I have decided to allow the Coyotes into the Dead Parrot binder, but they will be a low-priority add, and there would have to be something special going on for a Coyotes card to knock another card out of the binder.
If and when the Coyotes team is reactivated, I’ll revisit this decision.
At the moment it’s all somewhat meaningless because I’m pretty sure I don’t own any Coyotes cards and I wasn’t able to find any at a hotel card show I went to this past weekend. Even so, I wanted to make this announcement and I will revisit it if and when I have a chance to add a Coyote to the binder.
The Shlabotnik Report 
I suppose given the inspiration for the name of this Frankenset, it’s appropriate to include the Coyotes, as at this point they’re not completely dead, but they’re not at all well.
“If he’s not completely dead, what’s he doing in a coffin?”
“Merely a precaution, m’lord.”
:-D
Sad to hear that Gump is headed to the dump. It’ll be interesting to see how many Coyotes cards are actually able to dethrone any current cards sitting in the binder.
I’ve got to find some Coyotes first… I live in an area where soccer and wrestling cards are far more available than hockey cards