2019-20 Skybox Metal Universe Hockey

Metal Universe returned to hockey in 2019 after a long absence, bringing back the foil-heavy aesthetic that made the brand memorable in the 1990s. The set landed right at the peak of Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon's early career success, so those names anchor the rookie and young star content. You're looking at a straightforward base set built on thick stock with chromium finishes that catch light in every direction. The parallels are where things get interesting: Rainbow Foil, Gold, and Silver versions create natural chase tiers. Inserts like Emerald and Platinum cards pepper packs, giving you more to hunt than just the base hits. The real pull here is the parallel structure. Rainbow Foil cards are the hardest to find, followed by Gold versions that are still scarce enough to matter. Silver parallels show up more frequently but still hold appeal for collectors building rainbow sets of their key guys. Platinum inserts add another layer of variance. Boxes typically run around 36 packs, and you're hunting for either McDavid or MacKinnon parallels as your big money cards, though specialty rookies like Elias Lindholm also have legs. Retail and hobby packs exist, but hobby packs tend to pack the better hit rates on these special versions. This is a product for people who love the shimmer and want something tactile. If your taste runs toward clean modern designs, Metal Universe will feel dated. That said, it's a solid rip product if you're chasing parallels of elite young players. For singles hunting, grab the base rookies cheap and cherry-pick one or two Rainbow versions of your PC player. It's not groundbreaking, but it delivers solid nostalgia value and a legitimate parallel game without breaking the bank per box.