Top NHL rookies to collect during 2024-25 season

The 2024-25 NHL season opens Oct. 4 in Prague and on Oct. 8 in the U.S., and as usual there are plenty of young rookies looking to make their mark.

Here are 10 rookies that collectors should target this season. (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 licensed cards until next year unless otherwise noted.)

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The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, the 18-year-old center brings high-end skills and an elite sense to a Sharks team in much need of offensive reinforcements. While Celebrini has been featured in Upper Deck Team Canada Juniors sets, his Young Guns card will be among the pulls collectors are hoping for most in the coming months.

Drafted by the Rangers in 2020, Rempe will bring back his physical style to the league after making his debut last season. The 6-foot-8 center is an old school fighter, making him an instant fan favorite in New York. His rookie card appears in the 2024-25 MVP set.

Son of former NHLer Shane Doan, the 22-year-old right winger grew up in Arizona while his dad starred for the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes have now moved to Salt Lake City, where the younger Doan hopes to become a fan favorite. He has a Game Dated Moments card and appears in the 2024-25 MVP set.

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Chosen No. 20 overall by the Caps in the 2022 draft, the Russian pro made his debut last season. In doing so, he set a league record as the longest surname on an NHL jersey with a staggering 14 characters—surpassing Jamie Langenbrunner and John Vanbiesbrouck. Expect Miroshnichenko’s name to appear in a smaller font on his rookie cards just so it can fit. His Young Guns card appears in 2023-24 UD Extended Series.

Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2022, Gauthier could very well be one of the best scorers on this list. He played in one game last season on April 18 against the Vegas Golden Knights, where he recorded an assist. He has a 2023 Boston College card and a 2024 World Juniors card. He will appear in 2024-25 UD Series 1.

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Drafted 20th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2020, Mukhamadullin made his NHL debut last season after time with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. The 22-year-old Russian defenseman has previously appeared in Kontinental Hockey League sets for those interested in collecting foreign trading cards.

Smith, drafted fourth overall by the Sharks last year, is another top-level rookie on a Sharks squad in rebuilding mode. He spent last season playing for Boston College, scoring 25 goals in 41 games, and expected to make his NHL debut this season.

Another Ducks player to make the list is Sennecke. Chosen third overall in this year’s draft, the Ducks are hoping the 18-year-old right winger can bring his size (6-foot-2) and ability to get shots to become one of this season’s top prospects.

Another player who made his debut last season, Huston is a defenseman who was drafted by the Canadians in the second round (62nd overall) in the 2022. Should Hutson get minutes, expect interest in his cardboard to grow.

After drafting generational talent Connor Bedard last season, Chicago chased this promising defensemen second overall in this year’s draft. Just 18, Levshunov has played for his native Belarus at the international level and could make a big impact for the Blackhawks. 

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