There is nothing but upside for many of the Young Guns featured in 2023-24 Upper Deck Series One.
It has been eight months since 2023-24 Upper Deck Series One was released. We look back at some of the most noteworthy Young Guns and offseason investment targets.
So that you know, Connor Bedard's Young Guns was in 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two.
Luke Hughes lived up to his high expectations. The Calder Trophy nominee had nine goals, 38 assists, and appeared in all 82 games for the New Jersey Devils. The sky is the limit for the 20-year-old defenseman from a talent and card value perspective.
Brock Faber rounded out the Calder Trophy nominees with Hughes and Bedard. Faber's year was very similar to Hughes with eight goals, 39 assists, and appeared in all 82 games for the Minnesota Wild. There is nothing but upside for Faber.
Matthew Knies spent a lot of time on the top forward line for the Toronto Maple Leafs with John Tavares and William Nylander. The 21-year-old had 15 goals, 20 assists, and appeared in 80 games for the Maple Leafs. Knies figures to take a step forward in his sophomore campaign. A breakout season in one of the top hockey markets in North America could vault his card values.
Luke Evangelista may not have had the attention of Hughes, Faber, and Knies heading into the season. But the 22-year-old did not disappoint with 16 goals, 23 assists, and appeared in 80 games for the Nashville Predators. Similar to all of the players listed above, there is nothing but upside for Evangelista.
The NHL is in such a good place with so many talented players under the age of 22-years-old. Exciting times are ahead.
The Next Tier
Dustin Wolf, Devon Levi, Yaroslav Askarov, Matthew Coronato, and Sean Farrell are worth keeping an eye on next season. It just comes down to how much opportunity they can get with their respective teams.
Offseason Investment Targets
Goaltenders are always a fun place to start when it comes to investing in the offseason. We have seen goalies come out of nowhere to become their team's starter. Wolf, Levi, and Askarov are worth taking a look at.
The Calgary Flames are reportedly listening to potential trade offers for goaltender Jacob Markstrom which could open the door for Wolf.
Outside of goalies, we are looking at players who appeared in 35 games or less for their team with upside.
Matt Coronato of the Calgary Flames could be ready to take the next step. The 21-year-old appeared in 34 games with the Flames (nine points) and 41 games with the Calgary Wranglers of the American League (42 points).
Daniil Gushchin of the San Jose Sharks is an excellent candidate to buy low on. The 22-year-old has appeared in just six games for the San Jose Sharks over the last two seasons. However, Gushchin has totaled 99 points in 126 career American League games.
Happy hunting and collecting!