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TOP SHELF: The NHL stars and hockey cards to collect during the 2022-23 season
Another season of NHL action is underway and so is hockey card collecting.
The easing of the pandemic, followed by a glut of releases over the past few months, should help put Upper Deck back on schedule when it comes to 2022-23 releases.
Collectors will certainly be chasing inserts and autographs of the league’s best players such as Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid. Colorado Avalanche duo Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, who helped the team win last season’s Stanley Cup, also command high prices.
The fall edition of the Toronto Sport Card Expo, a four-day event that starts on Nov. 10, will coincide with the release of the much-anticipated Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey. The flagship set will feature stars like McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar, along with a new crop of rookies in its extremely popular Young Guns cards.
Also See: Connor McDavid's top rookie cards
The collecting season officially got off the ground back in September with the release of Upper Deck MVP, the first shot at some of those rookies that fans will be keeping tabs on all season. If you don’t want to buy a hobby box or blasters, the 250-card factory box set is an option and features an exclusive blue edition.
Check out the top 10 cards to collect over the course of this season:
10. Moritz Seider (2021-22 UD Series 2 Young Guns #469)
Last season’s Rookie of the Year will need to avoid the sophomore jinx. His Young Guns card saw increases after the Detroit Red Wings defenseman won the Calder Trophy, but they could climb even more should he do better than the 50 points he recorded last season. Should the blueliner add the Norris to his personal trophy case, expect his Young Guns — and rookie cards from other sets — to be worth a lot more.
9. Cale Makar (2021-22 UD Black Diamond #/349 BDBMA)
From a budding defenseman to a veteran one, Makar powered his team to the Stanley Cup and in the process captured the Conn Smyth Trophy as finals MVP. All Makar cards saw increases over the summer on the back of that performance. Those who PC the Avalanche star will be looking for his auto cards and numbered cards across all products. One that has both eye appeal and scarcity is Makar’s Black Diamond card that’s numbered to 349.
8. Nathan MacKinnon (2021-22 UD Series 2 Photo Variation SSP #298)
Makar’s teammate scored 88 points in 65 games in last season’s regular season. He will be looking to better that this season as the Avs look to repeat. MacKinnon is the type of player who can contend for the Hart Trophy. If he can stay healthy, MacKinnon could very well compete for league MVP honors. The center’s inserts and parallels already command high prices given that MacKinnon is already a star. His Photo Variation short-print card is a fun addition to anyone’s collection looking to commemorate the Avs championship season.
7. Cole Caufield (2021-22 UD Series 1 Young Guns #201)
Caufield got a fair amount of hobby love last season, but it cooled considerably after the Montreal Canadians had a poor season. The right winger can put up numbers — he had 43 points last season — and if he does it again and the Canadiens can contend for a playoff spot, then expect his Young Guns card to skyrocket in both popularity and price.
6. Mason McTavish (2021-22 UD Series 2 Young Guns #451)
The left winger spent time with five different teams last season, including the Anaheim Ducks and Team Canada. McTavish, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, was named MVP of the pandemic-delayed 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in August. He led the tournament in scoring with eight goals and 17 points in seven games. Collectors who ignored his Young Guns card will increasingly show him some love now that it has increased in value.
5. Trevor Zegras (2021-22 UD Series 1 Young Guns #232)
McTavish could share ice time with Zegras. The Ducks center was fun to watch (lacrosse-style goal, anyone?) during his rookie season. He was a Calder finalist after amassing 61 points and his Young Guns card climbed in price as a result. Expect collectors to continue hunting for that very card — and cheaper versions of his rookies from other sets — over the course of this season.
4. Connor McDavid (2022-23 UD Series 1 Freestyles insert)
The NHL’s biggest star is still looking to win a Stanley Cup. As far as collectors are concerned, McDavid is up there with Wayne Gretzky in terms of values and attention. Collectors will be looking for his autograph cards, inserts and numbered parallels no matter how good or bad the Oilers are. McDavid will appear in UD’s 2022-23 flagship set in the Freestyles insert set, which uses a graffiti-based design and can be found in 1:72 packs. Not super valuable, but a fun card to add to those who love inserts.
3. Cole Perfetti (2021-22 UD Series 2 Young Guns #466)
Drafted No. 10 overall in 2020, Perfetti made his long-awaited NHL debut last season with the Winnipeg Jets. He is expected to get minutes again given the Jets’ lack of offense. As a result, Perfetti could amass the goals needed to stand out to collectors hoping that his rookie cards — and specifically his Young Guns appearance — see value increases.
2. Matty Beniers (2022-23 UD Series 1 #213)
The No. 2 overall pick in 2021 played at the University of Michigan last year. He made his pro debut late last season, playing in the Seattle Kraken’s final 10 games and recording three goals and nine points. Beniers’ rookie cards should command plenty of attention, especially if the center becomes one of Seattle’s go-to guys in front of the goal. His Young Guns card can be found in this year’s Series 1.
1. Owen Power (2022-23 UD Series 1 Young Guns #228)
Let the hype begin! The top pick in the 2021 draft has what it takes to win Rookie of the Year. He started last season with the University of Michigan and played for Canada’s Olympic team before joining the Buffalo Sabres roster in the spring. He amassed three points in eight games last season. If Power gets the minutes, he could become a hobby favorite. Holding him back are his position — few defenseman make it as hobby icons — and playing in a market that doesn’t garner the spotlight. He makes his Young Guns appearance in Series 1, but his #1 Draft Pick Redemption can be found in last year’s MVP Hockey set.
Clemente Lisi
