2022-23 Upper Deck Synergy Hockey

Synergy came back in 2022-23 after a multi-year absence, and it's a mid-range hockey product that focuses on connectivity and dynamic player pairings. The set centers on dual-player cards featuring linemates and defensive pairs, which is a fun angle if you're into how teams actually play. You get base cards, parallels, and autograph content spread across hobby and retail boxes. The rookies here matter, but Synergy's real appeal is chasing the on-ice combinations that tell a story. Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Cale Makar show up in high-demand pairings, and that's where the value concentrates. The photography and design give it a cleaner look than some competitors at this price point. What makes Synergy worth ripping is the parallel structure. There are multiple tiers like Gold, Red, and Black parallels that hit at different rates depending on the box you buy. Hobby boxes tend to have better odds for premium parallels and autographs compared to retail, so if you're chasing signed cards, that's where to focus your budget. The insert sets vary year to year, but Synergy typically includes themed subsets around dynamic duos or premium rookies. If you're buying singles, focus on the novelty factor of dual-player cards you actually care about rather than chasing every parallel version. Synergy is best for collectors who enjoy mid-range products and like the gimmick of pairing cards. It sits between budget products and premium stuff, so it's not going to spike your heart rate with hits, but the box break is solid and you'll walk away with some nice parallels. Compare it to products like Artifacts or Allure if you want similar price tiers. For most collectors, buying singles of your favorite pairings makes more sense than ripping boxes, but if you like the chase of parallels and occasional autos, a hobby box or two is worth the gamble.