Today, we’ll take a look into some of the NHL’s most prominent D-men and identify which Young Guns to buy, sell, and hold.
If you’ve been around the hockey card hobby long enough, chances are you have already heard the phrase “D-men don’t get enough love in the hobby”. While that may be true for the large majority of defensemen in the NHL, there are a few rookie cards out there that are now starting to get the attention and recognition in the hobby they deserve. The issue, however, is how to identify when to buy, sell, and hold these cards.
Today, we’ll take a look into some of the NHL’s most prominent D-men and identify which Young Guns to buy, sell, and hold.
Sell: Quinn Hughes (36 points in 28 games)
In the past year, Quinn Hughes has finally started to get the love he deserves within the hockey card market. After racking up a career-best 76 points in 78 games on the blue line, Hughe’s Young Guns card has risen 58% in the past year in raw condition and 134% in PSA 10 condition.
It’s no secret the three Hughes brothers are household names in the hockey world, and now Quinn is getting the recognition he deserves for his on-ice performance. The price increases in the past year prove it. Looking at the graphs, Quinn’s card has consistently been climbing the price ladder for the past year. Currently sitting just one assist shy of the NHL lead with 27, perhaps goals aren’t the only thing that matters anymore.
Although Hughe’s Young Guns cards in both raw and PSA condition are now getting the hobby love they deserve, I believe now is a great time to sell. Like any good investment, it’s not a bad idea to sell sometimes and redistribute profits. One year ago, the same card in raw condition was selling for $24. Today, the same card is $50, according to Cardladder. The same can be said about the PSA 10 card as it was selling for $106 a year ago and today it’s $217.
The Canucks are playing excellent hockey and Hughes is a power-play machine. He will continue to rack up the points and looks to be at least an 80-point player this season, given his current pace. Heck, the Canucks even look poised to make a deep playoff run. There’s a lot to like about Hughes and the current situation he’s in.
But at the end of the day, the profits for a well-known Dman here are too good to pass up. Indeed, there’s still a chance that Hughes continues to play well and this card might even rise a little bit higher in terms of price. With that said, it’s not a gamble I’m willing to take. Take the profits now. If and when the market on Quinn settles back down as I expect it to eventually, then, it might be the time to pick up his card again. But for the time being, take in those profits.
Buy: Cale Makar (36 points in 26 games)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or are completely new to hockey in general, you’ve never heard of Cale Makar. The 25-year-old D-man is one of, if not, the best two-way players in the NHL as he continues to rack up points. Currently in the top ten for points in the league, Makar has picked up right where left off last season when he registered 66 points in 60 games. The NHL 24 cover boy is currently on pace to register 105 points this season, including 80+ assists.
Despite being a Stanley Cup Champion, Norris winner, and NHL cover boy, mixed with terrific on-ice stats, the hockey card market continues to disrespect him in terms of sales numbers. For example, Makar’s Young Guns in PSA 10 condition is down 42% in the past year.
With that said, it’s not like Makar has never received hobby love. It’s the absolute opposite. Last year, Makar’s PSA 10 was selling for $810, which makes the current price of $468 seem not too shabby – especially when you consider his card in raw condition was selling for $403 this time last year.
The point is, that there’s a good sale on right now if you believe in Cale Makar. If and when the hockey card market begins to catch fire once again, Makar is sure to be one of many players whose cards will see a rise in price. Remember, the card doesn’t have to reach all-time highs for you to turn a profit. If you have the mentality of “buy low, sell high”, this is likely the best opportunity to “buy low” on one of the league’s best blue liners.
Hold Adam Fox: (17 points in 16 games)
If you’ve been reading these buy, sell, and hold articles for a while now, you probably picked up on the fact that I'm a huge fan of buying players' cards while they’re injured or ice-cold. Well, recently coming off the IR, Adam Fox was forgotten about by many, including Rangers fans during their hot start to the season. As a result, Fox and his Young Guns card in PSA 10 condition took a 13% dip in the past season. Even worse, the card in raw condition is down 30% in the same period.
It’s not that Fox has played poorly by any means, it’s just simply the fact he's only played in 17 games so far and the Rangers have continued to win games even without him. However, I’m a firm believer that playing on the Rangers, being an Original 6 franchise, in a massive market with passionate and loyal fans on one of the league’s best teams (statistically speaking) is exactly why now is the right time to hold onto Fox’ Young Guns.
I’m extremely confident in the fact his cards will see a rise soon enough. However, while the Rangers continue to be near the top of the league in points and play excellent hockey, Fox is getting overshadowed by superstars such as Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin, and even Alexis Lafreniere who is slowly but surely stealing the spotlight some nights.
The point is, that Fox will see a rise in his Young Guns soon enough. Currently selling for $104 in PSA 10 condition and $24 in raw condition, I wouldn’t question anyone who wishes to pick up the cards at these prices. However, I do believe there will be a small dip in price before the card begins to rise in price again.
If you’re comfortable paying current prices, go for it. If you already own a card, I wouldn’t be looking to sell just yet either. That’s why the play for Fox is currently to hold and let a dozen or so more games play out.
Hold Erik Karlsson (19 points in 26 games)
Not many people would expect to see the aging 33-year-old veteran on this list, but here he is. Having three Norris trophies under his belt, including winning the award just a season ago, it’s no secret Karlsson is a legend in the game. However, after a few rough years with the San Jose Sharks before racking up 100+ points a season ago, many begin to forget about you. After all, D-men rarely get hobby love.
Think about it. Karlsson has been named the NHL’s best defenseman three times and is likely a future Hall of Famer. Yet, his Young Guns is currently selling for $180 in PSA condition and only $70 in BGS 9.5 condition. Unfortunately, he’s a pretty good example of despite what you do on the ice, the hobby won’t always respect it if you’re a blue liner.
With that said, for those who are collectors before investors, I believe this is a great card to have in the collection. Currently sitting at 780 lifetime points, there’s a possibility the 33-year-old could eclipse 1,000 career points and maybe even win a Stanley Cup. At current prices, I’m not necessarily going out of my way to buy his Young Guns, however, if I can find a deal I might pull the trigger.
If you already own his card, hold onto it. There will eventually come a time when it’s the clear time to sell on Karlsson. But for now, holding is the play.
Rasmus Dahlin (23 points in 28 games)
The Buffalo Sabres drafted Dahlin in 2018 hoping he could help put an end to a dismal playoff drought, which now sits at 12 straight seasons. A key component to the team's success, there’s no secret he’s a fan favorite and he will only be more loved when he leads the Sabres to playoff success. After all, the fans have waited long enough.
Coming off a great year where he registered 73 points in 78 games last year, Dahlin is continuing his solid offensive play with 23 points in 28 games so far in 2023-24.
But focusing on card prices, which is why we’re all here, let’s take note that his PSA 10 Young Guns last sale was for $118, according to cardladder. That’s a price I’m personally willing to pay today. Sure, the card is up 6% in the last year, but it’s not enough to deter me from buying. If anything, it tells me the market will start to also want to get their hands on a Dahlin rookie card soon enough.
While the Sabres are currently in second to last place in the Atlantic Division, they are also only four points behind the Lightning, they also only have one less win. With a lot of season left to play, the Sabres could very well figure things out and sneak themselves into the playoffs. And as we all know, hockey cards go bananas come playoff time.
If not in 2024, it will be soon enough. When the day comes, and Dahlin is a seasoned vet playing the best hockey of his life, savvy collectors will be happy they own his cards. It’s a marathon, not a race. Regardless of what you want to call it, I’m comfortable buying at the current price. If you’re able to buy even cheaper, more power to you!