Connor Bedard is the obvious chaser in 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two Hockey, how have the other top Young Guns done and who are the top investment targets heading into the offseason?
Connor Bedard is the man, myth, and legend of 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two Hockey. Bedard's Young Guns PSA 9 and PSA 10 population counts have surpassed Connor McDavid's Young Guns PSA 9 and PSA 10 population counts by over 1,600.
There is still an unclaimed $1,000,000 bounty on the Gold Outburst Bedard 1/1 Young Guns.
It is also important to note many casual collectors are only targeting Bedard cards out of 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two Hockey which leads to opportunities to capitalize on other players.
It has been three months since 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two Hockey was released, how have the top Young Guns performed and who are some under-the-radar investment targets?
Far from a hot take by any means, but Bedard is where 95% of everyone's focus is on for 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two Hockey. The 18-year-old had a solid rookie campaign with 22 goals, 39 assists, and appeared in 68 games. Bedard is a massive favorite to win the Calder Trophy.
Leo Carlsson came in as the Young Guns primary target behind Bedard and lived up to expectations. Carlsson has 12 goals, 17 assists, and appeared in 55 games. The Anaheim Ducks have no shortage of young players, and Carlsson would become part of the Ducks' youth movement that includes Mason McTavish and Trevor Zegras.
Pavel Mintyukov may not have been as highly touted as Carlsson, but Mintyukov's season may have been more impressive than Carlsson's. The No. 10 overall pick from the 2022 NHL entry draft had 24 assists for an Anaheim Ducks team that was No. 30 overall in goals-per-game. There is nothing but upside for the 20-year-old.
Connor Zary has a chance to develop on the fly for a Calgary Flames team that is in the early stages of a rebuild. The 22-year-old had 14 goals, 20 assists, and appeared in 63 games. The 2020 No. 24 overall draft pick will have a chance to develop and deliver in Calgary.
Offseason Investment Targets
Dmitri Voronkov is not exactly a household name in the NHL. But he is getting an opportunity to develop with the Columbus Blue Jackets and delivering. The 2019 No. 114 overall pick had 18 goals, 16 assists, and appeared in 75 games. His PSA 10 Young Guns from 2023-24 Upper Deck Series Two has traded below $10 just a couple weeks ago.
Tye Kartye of the Seattle Kraken was playing for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL in 2021-22. Kartye spent the 2022-23 season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL. The undrafted free agent made his debut with the Kraken during the 2022-23 playoffs and scored five points in 10 games.
Kartye had 11 goals, nine assists, and appeared in 77 games for the Kraken during the 2023-24 season. Look for a possible breakout campaign next season for Kartye.
Zachary Benson of the Buffalo Sabres could be a star in the making. The 19-year-old transitioned from the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL directly to the NHL for the 2023-24 season. The 2023 No. 13 overall pick had 11 goals, 19 assists, and appeared in 71 games for the Sabres. Not bad for a 19-year-old.