For any NHL card collector, looking up the best NHL trading cards is part of the fun. While each collector enjoys different cards, it’s fun to have an idea of what’s popular, more valuable, and so on.
To help you get started, we have found which cards are hugely sought after. Whether they hold historical significance or feature popular players, they are all different. Remember, our selections may change over time, but we will keep this page updated based on the current rankings. So, stick with us to take a look at what NHL cards are worthwhile.
Naturally, each collector is going to have different personal preferences, so every collection will be noticeably different. That is, if you aren’t driven by collecting the most valuable NHL trading cards. Given the variables, there are many ways to judge the best NHL trading cards to buy. Either way, we have picked up on a few of the best cards to add to your NHL collection, based on a few factors:
NHL cards from the vintage era hold a lot of historical significance, often representing the start of famous players’ careers and the beginning of the NHL itself. Plus, trading cards that were the first to be released also have a lot of value – both monetary and perhaps sentimental. Vintage cards can vary in price, depending on their popularity, cultural significance, and so on.
Wayne Gretzky is nicknamed ‘The Great One’ and was even referred to as the greatest ice hockey player ever by the NHL, including ex-players, managers, and coaches – not just fans. Gretzky has had more assists than any other player has total career points, so his rookie card is highly sought after.
Bobby Orr is a Canadian ice hockey player who hit legendary status, as he’s considered one of the greatest athletes in hockey history. Orr is known for his incredible speed and scoring. High-grade cards are valuable, as there are a lot of copies out there with printing imperfections. Therefore, finding mint condition copies is quite tough.
Mario Lemieux is a Canadian ice hockey player who previously set records in junior hockey. Lemieux was also the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1984 NHL draft. Given his status as one of the greatest players in NHL history, the rookie card is one of the most desirable cards. That said, it’s difficult to find high-grade versions because of printing and centring issues.
| Card | Number | Significance | Highest Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Gretzky | #18 | The O-Pee-Chee version had a lower production than the Topps card. | $3.75 million |
| Bobby Orr | #35 | A major vintage NHL card, featuring one of the most celebrated hockey players. | $276,000 |
| Mario Lemieux | #9 | Greater scarcity due to a limited print run. | $162,000 |
Modern era NHL trading cards introduced different designs and formats. While vintage cards had simple layouts with basic stats, modern cards have color borders, serial numbers, and were produced with high-tech printing. Vintage cards are often harder to find in mint condition, while the value of modern cards is more tied to the player’s current performance and hype, meaning they are more volatile.
Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain of an NHL team in 2007 and later led the Pittsburgh Penguins to 3 Stanley Cup championships. It might not be the rarest Crosby card, but it was part of a short print. It’s considered to be his flagship card and is sought-after by many collectors. Crosby’s NHL legacy is continuing to push demand for this card.
Connor McDavid started his hockey career as a junior in the OHL. He was later chosen as the first overall pick in the NHL 2015 Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. This card is considered to be one of the most important hockey trading cards, given McDavid’s talent. It isn’t exceptionally rare, but it was part of a short run, so there aren’t many versions around.
| Card | Number | Significance | Highest Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | #201 | Crosby’s flagship NHL trading card, marking the start of his career | $20,000 |
| Connor McDavid | #201 | Thought of as the most important modern-era hockey trading card | $85,000 |
What are the best NHL trading cards will fluctuate over time, due to various factors. As such, our rankings will be updated consistently to keep up with the current standings. For now, what we have done to come up with the best NHL trading cards to collect is stick to our tried and tested methodology. Our rankings are based on a combination of collector demand, historical importance, and previous auction sales.
We also evaluate the significance of the NHL trading card within the hobby by looking for cards from iconic sets, unique designs, and flagship cards. Rarity also plays a vital role, so we weigh up whether the NHL trading card was part of a limited production run and any cards that may have printing errors. For instance, vintage-era cards didn’t have high-tech printing technology, which often resulted in misprints.
NHL trading cards attract different types of collectors who have different goals, interests, and budgets. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of collectors:
High roller NHL trading card collectors will focus on the most valuable cards. If this is you, pursuing the most iconic cards and rare versions will be at the center of your collection. In this case, the condition, rarity, and recent auction history are key factors.
Some collectors build entire collections around their favorite NHL players, instead of focusing on the value or other factors. Instead, these collectors enjoy owning every variation of a specific player’s cards, such as autographs, rookies, and first print copies.
If this is you, you are likely to be driven by sentiment, emotion, and memories, with certain cards or players giving you a chance to reminisce. Perhaps you remember a specific player from your childhood, or you want to reconnect with a core memory of your parents, or perhaps there’s a key moment in hockey history you want to own a part of.
Growing a collection of NHL cards doesn’t have to be super expensive. While it can be a pricey hobby, it doesn’t necessarily have to involve you spending thousands. There are plenty of affordable cards, such as ones that feature underrated players, finding cards of players that perhaps haven’t surged in popularity yet, or you want to collect misprint cards that aren’t worth a lot.
Before you get started and grow your collection or visit the best hockey card breaks, let’s take a moment to look at the main pros and cons:
Collecting NHL trading cards is a fun hobby that offers you the chance to have a connection with hockey history. Even if you’re not interested in valuable cards, it can be such a fun hobby with a large community. Many NHL trading cards rank highly due to their market demand, rarity, and recent auction sales. The standout cards include the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Connor McDavid. However, the enjoyment of collecting hockey trading cards goes beyond the biggest players in the sport and the most expensive cards. Whether you are chasing rare finds or building a specific set, there’s something for everyone.
If you want to add even more joy to your collecting fun, why not check out our favorite sites for buying mystery packs? It adds another dynamic that many collectors appreciate. Tap the on-page banners to explore the best place to buy NHL trading cards.
NHL trading cards can be a good idea to buy for investment, but this depends on the cards you are buying at sites to rip sports cards. The best cards for this would be ones that feature legendary players, have a high collector demand, and perhaps were on a limited production run. That said, values can fluctuate.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, but you can find both types on the best card break sites. Vintage cards can hold a lot of nostalgia and often have a higher rarity rate, while modern cards feature the current popular players.
Yes, of course. You can rip NHL cards online by heading to virtual breaking sites.
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