Top 12 NHL Young Guns Rookie Cards of 2024-25!

The 2025-26 NHL season is about to get started so what better time to put together our final rankings of the 2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Rookie Cards from 2024-25? I got together with fellow #HappyHobbyist and professional sports photographer, Randy Litzinger, and we combined our rankings to give you a Top 12 Young Guns list you can track down.

We both researched the 150 Young Guns cards released by Upper Deck for the 2024-2025 release, which came 50 each in Series 1, Series 2, and the Extended Series.

The cool thing about these rankings is you get two different perspectives: my viewpoint is stat-based and analytical, while Randy’s is a combination of stats and the eye test, as he gets to see these guys in person as a photographer.

Top 12 Upper Deck Young Guns Rookie Cards of 2024-25

Most of the sports card links on this page will take you to eBay. That means I will get a commission on the sales from this page. If you end up buying from these links, I personally thank you for supporting my website! Even if you don’t buy anything, thank you for reading my article! Enjoy!

As a reminder, players must have played at least one NHL game before they can have a card, so you may see some top prospects missing from our list who were drafted in 2023 or 2024.

1. Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks (19 years old)

Card No. 451 from Series 2 – View on eBay!

Celebrini finished his rookie season with 63 points in 70 games and came in third place in Rookie of the Year voting.

2. Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (20)

Card No. 492 from Series 2 – View on eBay!

Michkov finished his rookie season with 63 points in 80 games and came in fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting.

3. Lane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens (21)

Card No. 229 from Series 1 – View on eBay!

Hutson racked up an amazing 68 points in 84 games as a defenseman, earning him the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year honors. His third-place ranking here reflects his age and his position, as defensemen are generally not very collectable, but he could easily be in the top two.

4. Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks (20)

Card No. 701 from Extended Series – View on eBay!

Smith finished his season with 45 points in 74 games while holding down the center position on the No. 2 line, behind Celebrini on the first line.

5. Logan Stankoven, C, Carolina Hurricanes (22)

Card No. 244 from Series 1 – View on eBay!

Stankoven put up great numbers for both the Stars and Hurricanes last year. He looked really good in the playoffs, too, finishing the season with 52 points in 102 games (playoffs included).

6. Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks (21)

Card No. 212 from Series 1 – View on eBay!

Gautier brought some baggage to the Duck after forcing his way out of Philly before even playing there, but he looked the part finishing the season with 45 points in 82 games.

7. Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks (21)

Card No. 227 from Series 1 – View on eBay!

Living in the shadow of Connor Bedard is not easy, but Nazar looks to be a solid player, putting up 27 points in 56 games.

8. Jackson Blake, RW, Carolina Hurricanes (22)

Card No. 470 from Series 2 – View on eBay!

As a fourth-round draft pick, Blake looks like the steal of the 2021 NHL Draft. He put up 34 points in 80 games last year and added an extra 6 points in the playoffs.

9. Zachary Bolduc, RW, Montreal Canadiens (22)

Card No. 201 from Series 1 – View on eBay!

After scoring 36 points in 72 games for the Blues last season, Bolduc hopes to find a spot in Montreal to keep putting up points, most likely on the 2^nd line. His YG rookie card is #201 in Series 1.

10. Connor Geekie, C, Tampa Bay Lightning (21)

Card No. 478 from Series 2 – View on eBay!

One of the few young players in the Lightning system, Geekie managed to put up 15 points in 56 games.

11. Denton Mateychuk, D, Columbus Blue Jackets (21)

Card No. 710 from Extended Series – View on eBay!

Mateychuk put up 13 points in 45 games and has solidified a role in the top 4 on defense and a spot on the No. 2 power play.

12. Rutger McGroarty, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (21)

Card No. 474 from Series 2 – View on eBay!

McGroarty only played in 8 games last season scoring 3 points, but the chance to play on Crosby’s wing brings so much scoring potential over a full season.

Some other players to consider who ranked just outside the Top 12 include: Mavrik Bourque, Zachary L’Heureux, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Jett Luchanko, Bradly Nadeau, Matt Rempe, Calum Ritchie, Fedor Svechkov, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Olen Zellweger.

If you are interested in chasing these the top 2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Rookie Cards we listed, you can buy blasters and hobby boxes off eBay here:

• 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hobby Box | Blaster – View on eBay!
• 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 Hobby Box | Blaster – View on eBay!
• 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hobby Box | Blaster – View on eBay!

Further Thoughts on the Rankings:

• Both Randy and I had the Top 6 identical, so feel confident there.
• Age, position, and team are important; hence no goalies are here, and nobody is older than 22.
• Guys who play on the top Power Play unit have the chance to score more points, so consider that if you do your own research.
• From the players outside the Top 12, especially keep an eye on Ritchie, Luchanko, and Nadeau. They are all 19 and 20 and just have not gotten a true shot yet, but it is too early to give up on them.

If you are looking to purchase some of these cards, there are two other great options usually at cheaper prices than a Young Guns. Consider the O-Pee-Chee Platinum Marquee Rookie card (parallels include Retro version and Rainbow) and the SP Authentic Future Watch #’d cards (the cheaper version of the coveted Future Watch Auto).

Don’t forget to check out our breakdown of the best hockey rookie cards from every year!

As with any rankings, let us know what we got right and/or wrong in the comments below. How many of our top 2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Rookie Cards do you already have? Which ones do you plan on picking up? Let us know! As always, have a #HappyHobby!