These NHL rookies could shine on the ice and card market in 2023-24

Here are ten rookies collectors should target. (Note: Upper Deck, the official trading card company of the NHL, cannot release the rookie card of a player until he makes his official NHL debut, so many of these rookies may not have official cards until next year unless otherwise noted.) 

Drafted third overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old center is among the rookies, along with Bedard, who could challenge for the Calder Trophy for top rookie.

During his freshman season at the University of Michigan, Fantilli led the team in goals and points. In the process, he won the Hobey Baker Award, becoming only the third freshman to capture the prize after Paul Kariya in 1993 and Jack Eichel in 2015. 

Also see: Is NHL rookie Conner Bedard the next Great One?

The 20-year-old defenseman was drafted fourth overall in 2021 by the New Jersey Devils. Hughes committed to play college hockey at Michigan during the 2021-22 season. Last April, he signed a three-year contract with the Devils and made is NHL debut in a 6-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres on April 11. In doing so, he joined his brothers, Quinn and Jack, of the Vancouver Canucks and Devils, respectively.

The younger Hughes has a rookie card in the 2023-24 Upper Deck MVP set. 

Drafted third overall by the Coyotes in 2022, the 19-year-old center signed a three-year contract during the offseason. He recorded seven goals and seven assists in as many games for the United States at the World Juniors, helping the Americans capture the bronze medal.

Despite all the attention Bedard has gotten so far, the Coyotes called Cooley the “top prospect in the world” in a statement following Cooley’s signing.

Also See: Connor McDavid's top rookie cards 

Goaltenders don’t get a lot of hobby love. Add that he plays in Buffalo, and Levi could easily be overlooked.

He shouldn’t. Levi was drafted 212th overall by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round of the 2020 draft, and his rights were traded to the Sabres a year later. Levi returned to Northeastern last season and proved to be one of the NCAA’s best goalies. He led the country with a .952 save percentage in 2021-22, the second-best mark in NCAA history, and won the Mike Richter Award as the nation’s best collegiate goaltender. His rookie card also appears in 2023-24 MVP.

Hoping to become the first Maple Leafs rookie to win the Calder since Auston Matthews in 2017, Knies has the offensive qualities needed to take the prize.

The Maple Leafs drafted Knies in the second round of the 2021 draft. Following two seasons at the University of Minnesota (that also included appearances at the 2022 Olympics and the World Juniors), Knies has played in just three NHL games. His rookie card also appears in 2023-24 MVP.

Also See: Connor McDavid 1/1 NHL Shield card highlights auction 

Drafted second overall behind Bedard, Carlsson hails from Sweden, where he made his pro debut with Orebro HK during the 2021-22 season. Carlsson, just 17 at the time, scored three goals and amassed nine points in 35 regular-season games.

At 6-3 and 194 pounds, Carlsson has the size to make an impact should he get ice time. Carlsson could very well follow in the footsteps of his countrymen who have lit up the NHL in recent years, such as Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators) and Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres).

Evangelista, a budding right winger, played in the NHL last season with the Predators. We got a taste of Evangelista’s skills when he scored seven goals and had 15 points in 24 games. It was a great start for a player picked 42nd overall by the Predators in the 2020 draft.

He’s still considered a rookie, given that league rules state a player must not have played in more than 25 NHL games in order to be eligible for the Calder. His rookie card appears in 2023-24 MVP.

A native of Austria, Rossi made his NHL debut with the Wild during the 2021-22 season. Across two seasons, he has only played in 21 regular-season games.

When the NHL delayed the start of the 2020-21 season until January due to the pandemic, Rossi was invited to join the Wild’s training camp. However, Rossie returned to Austria due to long-term complications from COVID. Known for his speed, the 21-year-old center is hoping this is the season he breaks through. He has several rookie cards. His Young Guns card was part of 2022-23 Series 1.

When Jordan Binnington was suspended for swinging his blocker at Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman, Hofer suited up in net for the Blues. The second goaltender to make our list, Hofer played in just six games last season, going 3-1-1 with a 3.22 goals-against-average.

This season, Hofer could see more time in the crease and maybe even challenge Binnington for the starting job. His Young Guns card appeared in 2020-21 Extended Series.

Considered one of the top prospects in the King’s system, the 20-year-old defenseman has time in the OHL and AHL. Clarke, the No. 8 overall pick in 2021, made his NHL debut last October. He only played in nine regular-season games.

This season, he hopes a roster reshuffle will give him a permanent spot on the roster and the potential for more ice time. His Young Guns card appeared in 2022-23 Series 2.