The NHL season 2025-26 is about to get started, so what is a better time to put together our final rankings of the 2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Rookie Cards from 2024-25? I came together with colleague #happyhobbyist and professional sports photographer, Randy Litzinger, and we combined our rankings to give you a top 12 young guns that you can detect.
We both investigated the 150 Young Guns cards that were released by Upper Deck for the release of 2024-2025, each of which came in series 1, Series 2 and the extensive series.
The nice thing about this ranking is that you get two different perspectives: my position is Stat-based and analytical, while Randy’s is a combination of statistics and the eye test, because he personally gets to see these guys as a photographer.
Top 12 upper deck Young guns Rookie cards from 2024-25
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As a reminder, players must have played at least one NHL game before they can have a card, so you may see that some top perspectives are missing in our list that were drawn up in 2023 or 2024.
1. Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks (19 years old)
Map No. 451 from Series 2 – View eBay!
Celebrini closed his Rookie season with 63 points in 70 games and came in third place in Rookie of the Year voices.
2. Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (20)
Map No. 492 from Series 2 – View eBay!
Michkov closed his Rookie season with 63 points in 80 games and came in fourth place in Rookie of the Year voices.
3. Lane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens (21)
Map No. 229 from Series 1 – View eBay!
Hutson achieved an amazing 68 points in 84 games as a defender and earned him the Honors of 2024-25 Rookie of the Year. His third place here reflects his age and his position, because defenders are generally not very collected, but he can easily be in the top two.
4. Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks (20)
Map no. 701 from extended series – View eBay!
Smith ended his season with 45 points in 74 games while holding the middle position on the number 2 line, behind Celebrini on the first line.
5. Logan Stankoven, C, Carolina Hurricanes (22)
Map No. 244 from Series 1 – View eBay!
Stankoven set up large numbers for both the stars and the hurricanes last year. He also looked really good in the play -offs, and ended the season with 52 points in 102 games (including play -offs).
6. Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks (21)
Map No. 212 from Series 1 – View eBay!
Gautier brought some luggage to the duck after he forced his way from Philly before he even played there, but he looked like the season with 45 points in 82 games.
7. Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks (21)
Map No. 227 from Series 1 – View eBay!
Living in the shadow of Connor Bedard is not easy, but Nazar seems to be a solid player and win 27 points in 56 games.
8. Jackson Blake, RW, Carolina Hurricanes (22)
Map No. 470 from Series 2 – View eBay!
As a concept of the fourth round, Blake looks like the Steel of the NHL design of 2021. He placed 34 points in 80 games last year and added an extra 6 points to the play -offs.
9. Zachary Bolduc, RW, Montreal Canadiens (22)
Map no. 201 from series 1 – View eBay!
After scoring 36 points in 72 games for the blues last season, Bolduc hopes to find a place in Montreal to keep setting up points, probably on the 2ND line. His YG Rookie card is #201 in series 1.
10. Connor Geekie, C, Tampa Bay Lightning (21)
Map No. 478 from Series 2 – View eBay!
One of the few young players in the lightning system managed Geekie to place 15 points in 56 games.
11. Denton Mateychuk, D, Columbus Blue Jackets (21)
Map no. 710 from extended series – View eBay!
Mateychuk placed 13 points in 45 games and has solidified a role in the top 4 of defense and a place on the number 2 Power Play.
12. Rutger McGroarty, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (21)
Map No. 474 from Series 2 – View eBay!
McGroarty only played in 8 games last season and scored 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 is just outside the top 12, including: Mavrik Bourque, Zachary l’Heureux, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Jett Lucanko, Bradly Nadeau, Matt Rempe, Calum Ritchie, Fedor Svechkov, Maxim Tsyplakov and Olen Zellwe.
If you are interested in chasing these the Top 2024 upper deck young guns Rookie maps that we have mentioned, you can buy bladesters and hobby boxes from eBay here:
Further thoughts about the ranking:
- Both Randy and I had the top 6 identical, so you feel confident there.
- Age, position and team are important; That is why there are no keepers and nobody is older than 22.
- Boys playing 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, keep an eye on Ritchie, Lucanko and Nadeau. They are all 19 and 20 and have just not received a real shot, but it is too early to give them up.
If you want to buy some of these tickets, there are usually two other great options at cheaper prices than young weapons. Consider the O-pee-chee platinum selection card (Parallels include retro version and rainbow) and the SP Authentic Future Watch #’D Cards (The cheaper version of the coveted Future watch car).
Don’t forget to view our breakdown of the best hockey smokie cards from every year!
As with any ranking, 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? What do you intend to pick up? Let us know! As always, you have a #happyhobby!
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