Connor McDavid’s electrifying pace and goal-scoring capacity have made him one of many NHL’s most dynamic gamers since he entered the league in 2015. The Edmonton Oilers famous person has amassed a protracted record of particular person accolades, having led the league in factors in 5 of his 10 seasons. His fame because the NHL’s finest makes his rookie playing cards extremely wanted by collectors.
In the course of the Oilers’ 2025 Stanley Cup playoff run, his one-of-a-kind Higher Deck Final Assortment Rookie Patch Autograph card, which incorporates the NHL protect from his jersey, offered for $305,000 at Heritage Auctions, changing into the most costly McDavid card ever offered.
But when that’s a little bit above your funds, the place’s one of the best place to start out a McDavid card assortment? We’ve received you coated.
High choose
(full suggestions beneath)
2015 Upper Deck Young Guns #201 rookie card
The 2015 Higher Deck Younger Weapons #201 rookie card is my prime choose due to its reputation. Higher Deck Younger Weapons are broadly thought to be the gold customary for contemporary NHL rookie playing cards, because of their high-quality pictures and restricted printed run in comparison with extremely collected rookie playing cards from the opposite main sports activities. In trendy card gathering, there are such a lot of choices that it may be powerful to know the place to start, however with hockey playing cards it’s a lot clearer: Younger Weapons.
Issues to know earlier than shopping for
The worth of sports activities playing cards can fluctuate for numerous causes reminiscent of situation, print runs, or graded inhabitants. Different components that may trigger costs to go up or down embrace participant efficiency, market developments, and well being of the broader economic system. The secondary gross sales marketplace for particular person playing cards of a given sport usually hits its lowest level throughout the offseason (in different phrases, you’ll be able to often discover higher costs within the offseason than throughout the season). My suggestions are usually not an try to advertise particular funding habits or buying and selling recommendation, however to information and inform readers about common and distinctive playing cards which can be celebrated by the sports activities card group.
Finally, one of the best playing cards to gather are all the time those you’ll take pleasure in no matter whether or not they go up or down in worth. The suggestions beneath ought to function a place to begin for playing cards to think about, however an enormous a part of the enjoyable in gathering is the hunt for the playing cards you want probably the most.
“Uncooked” playing cards vs. Graded playing cards
Playing cards can come out of the pack (their “uncooked” state) with all kinds of imperfections that may influence their worth. Card grading is a course of in a which an knowledgeable of the sphere determines the situation of a card primarily based on a lot of components (together with nook sharpness, picture centering, print imperfections, and extra) and assigns a numerical grade, often on a scale of 1-10 (with the latter being near excellent) and sealed in a protecting case. There are a selection of grading firms, every with their very own distinctive grading scales, however PSA (Skilled Sports activities Authenticator) is by far the biggest and most outstanding within the business. Playing cards graded a “PSA 10” can carry a major worth multiplier in comparison with uncooked playing cards or these graded by different firms. Within the case of McDavid rookie playing cards, nevertheless, notice that you simply’re more likely to discover lots of them graded by Beckett, since that was a extra outstanding grading service at the moment than it’s at present.
It’s high-quality (and sometimes cheaper) to purchase playing cards uncooked, however if you wish to guarantee authenticity and/or a minimal situation stage and also you’re not skilled at figuring out card situation for your self, chances are you’ll need to purchase a graded card as a substitute — significantly in the event you’re shopping for on-line and solely in a position to see the cardboard in images.
Greatest low-end (~$1-$100) Connor McDavid playing cards
This can be a class for collectors who’re on a tighter funds or aren’t as involved concerning the long-term financial worth of the playing cards they purchase.
2015 Upper Deck Star Rookies #1
If you’re trying to personal an entry-level McDavid rookie card that’s modestly priced, I’d contemplate his card from the 2015 NHL Star Rookies field set.
This manufacturing facility set launch wasn’t distributed via conventional sealed packs and doesn’t characteristic the standard mixture of inserts, variations, or serial-numbered parallels. Nonetheless, Higher Deck provided uncommon rookie autograph parallels that have been inserted one per case (with 20 packing containers per case).
PSA 10 graded examples of McDavid’s UD Star Rookies card are promoting for round $100, and uncooked gross sales are between $15-$30.
The field set is a enjoyable launch to personal, whether or not you accumulate units or take pleasure in submitting uncooked rookie playing cards for grading. 2015 Higher Deck Star Rookies units are assured to incorporate notable rookie playing cards of McDavid, Mikko Rantanen, Jack Eichel, and Sam Bennett.
2015 Upper Deck Parkhurst #PR1 rookie card
Parkhurst has been producing hockey playing cards for the reason that Fifties, and Higher Deck has carried that torch following its acquisition of the model in 2005. Parkhurst is a lower-end set launch produced utilizing conventional paper inventory playing cards.
In 2015, McDavid’s Parkhurst #PR1 card was featured in a subset of Parkhurst Rookies that have been solely out there in Walmart Black Friday blaster packing containers of Higher Deck Sequence 1 hockey. Every field had a three-card bonus pack that included three Parkhurst rookie playing cards.
In accordance with PSA’s grading inhabitants report, McDavid’s Parkhurst base rookie card has lower than 400 PSA 10s in existence. Present PSA 10 gross sales are within the $250 vary. Uncooked and PSA 9 costs are way more reasonably priced, going for between $30-$60.
Parkhurst’s wealthy legacy and the unorthodox launch of this card ought to proceed to maintain collectors concerned about acquiring it.
Dearer parallels: Blue (1:3 packs), Pink (1:15 packs)
Greatest worth (~$100-$499) Connor McDavid playing cards
This can be a class for collectors trying to pay a bit extra for playing cards which have some extent of shortage and have a greater likelihood at retaining or rising in worth long-term.
2015 O-Pee-Chee Platinum Marquee Rookies #M1
O-Pee-Chee rookie playing cards have been a cornerstone of hockey gathering for the reason that Canadian-based firm started producing NHL playing cards within the Thirties. Among the most iconic and precious O-Pee-Chee rookie playing cards of all time embrace these of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Patrick Roy.
Higher Deck acquired the rights to provide O-Pee-Chee branded playing cards in 2006 and debuted a chrome model of the legendary set, coined “O-Pee-Chee Platinum” in 2008. Much like units like Topps Chrome or Panini Prizm, OPC Platinum provides quite a lot of colourful refractors and restricted version parallels.
McDavid has two totally different rookie playing cards within the 2015 launch, with “Marquee Rookies” having the bottom rookie card designation. The opposite McDavid rookie card within the set is a retro insert that pays homage to the basic O-Pee-Chee hockey card designs of the previous and is value barely extra in gem mint examples. McDavid’s #M1 Marquee Rookies has fewer than 500 PSA 10 graded copies in existence and sells for about $200.
Its reasonably priced value, relative shortage in PSA 10 examples, and standing as one of many go-to chrome units for hockey card collectors make it an important selection.
In March 2025, McDavid’s O-Pee-Chee Platinum Marquee Rookies Gold Seismic Refractor (restricted to 50 produced) in a PSA 10 offered on eBay for over $10,000.
Dearer parallels: Rainbow, Traxx, White Ice (/199), Pink Prism (/149), Black Ice (/99), Blue Cubes (/75), Seismic Gold (/50), Rainbow Purple (/25), Emerald Surge (/10), Golden Treasures (1/1), Printing Plates (1/1)
2015 Upper Deck Artifacts #205 rookie card
Higher Deck has been producing Artifacts hockey playing cards since 2004, that includes autograph and memorabilia playing cards from a mixture of NHL rookies, present stars, and legends. One other distinctive side of the annual Artifacts launch is the rookie card redemptions. Resulting from Artifacts’ early launch, McDavid and different 2015 draft picks didn’t have playing cards made in time for the set’s launch and have been included as redemption playing cards.
These redemptions have been inserted into packs and anybody who discovered was was in a position to redeem it for a selected participant’s rookie card via Higher Deck’s web site. For collectors who have been lucky sufficient to tug McDavid’s rookie redemption, Higher Deck despatched again his Artifacts rookie card, restricted to 899 copies, in alternate for the redemption card.
Regardless of its comparatively low variety of PSA graded variations (round 100), PSA 9 Mint copies usually promote for $150-$200, and PSA 10s within the $600 vary. McDavid additionally has just a few Artifacts rookie parallels which can be much more restricted than the bottom card and promote for below $500 in mint situation. It’s additionally value noting that the bottom rookie card doesn’t embrace the phrase “rookie” on the entrance, whereas the parallels have it straight above his head.
Dearer parallels: Ruby (/399), Emerald (/99), Sapphire (/85), Gold Spectrum (/25), Black (/5)
Greatest high-end (~$500+) Connor McDavid playing cards
This can be a class for collectors trying to purchase probably the most desired McDavid playing cards available on the market.
2015 Upper Deck Young Guns #201 rookie card
Higher Deck’s Younger Weapons rookie playing cards are the best choice in trendy hockey playing cards within the premium NHL rookie playing cards chase. Debuting in 1990, this line has change into probably the most coveted and precious base rookie playing cards in skilled hockey.
In 2015 Higher Deck Hockey Sequence 1, Younger Weapons rookie playing cards appeared on common in a single out of each 4 passion packs and one out of each 5 blaster field packs. By limiting the print run of the prized rookie playing cards, Higher Deck avoids the overproduction that’s nonetheless a problem within the passion at present. This technique of short-printing base rookie playing cards during the last twenty years has considerably boosted the long-term worth and desirability of Younger Weapons playing cards.
As of this writing, McDavid’s Younger Weapons rookie card in a PSA 10 grade is among the many prime three most costly, alongside Sidney Crosby’s and Alexander Ovechkin’s from 2005. PSA 9 graded examples are at present promoting for round $1,000, and uncooked gross sales are within the $750 vary. When you’ve got the funds and need to make a much bigger buy, PSA 10 copies promote for north of $2,500.
If I had to decide on one McDavid base rookie card to stash away for the long run, it’s his 2015 Higher Deck Younger Weapons.
Dearer variations and parallels: Exclusives (/100), Excessive Gloss (/10), Masterpiece Press Plates (1/1)
2015 SP Authentic Future Watch Rookie Autograph #226
Certainly one of McDavid’s most treasured and precious rookie autograph playing cards is from the 2015 SP Genuine launch, which is very regarded and a premier hockey card set famend for its “Future Watch” rookie autograph playing cards.
An enormous cause collectors cherish SP Genuine Future Watch autos is that gamers signal straight on the cardboard. Not like many trendy autograph playing cards which have pre-signed stickers utilized to the floor, “on-card” autographs add a extra private contact that collectors respect because it means the participant bodily dealt with the cardboard itself.
McDavid’s 2015 Future Watch Autograph #226 is proscribed to 999 copies, and solely 224 have been graded by PSA up up to now. PSA 10 graded examples have just lately offered for $10,000-$15,000.
2015 Upper Deck The Cup Rookie Patch Auto #197
Essentially the most desired units for premium rookie patch autograph playing cards in basketball and soccer gathering are at present Panini’s Nationwide Treasures and Flawless. However in hockey, Higher Deck’s The Cup reigns supreme.
Rookie patch autographs (or “RPA” for brief) are extraordinarily common amongst trendy collectors as a result of it combines a rookie’s signature with game-used or player-worn memorabilia on one card. When speaking about high-end RPA’s from units like The Cup, the emphasis on restricted print runs in comparison with different well-known merchandise may improve the demand and worth considerably.
Relying on the game, participant, set, or parallel, RPA’s can command gross sales within the six-figure vary. In McDavid’s case, a PSA 10 of his The Cup RPA serial numbered to 99 copies offered on eBay for a jaw-dropping $200,099 in 2022.
This is without doubt one of the seven-time All-Star’s most dear playing cards so far and the crown jewel of McDavid’s playing cards.
Dearer parallels: Gold Foil (/12)
Different cool McDavid Playing cards
2009 Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament #910
Should you performed youth leisure sports activities rising up like myself, you may recall carrying your uniform for image day and your mother and father proudly displaying these pictures and buying and selling playing cards of you round the home. Nicely it seems in the event you change into a world-class hockey participant, these playing cards change into precious, and that’s what’s occurred to McDavid’s 2009 Quebec Pee-Wee Event #910 —his first-ever buying and selling card.
The entrance of the cardboard encompasses a portrait of a 12-year-old McDavid in his York Simcoe Specific jersey, with the Quebec Worldwide Pee-Wee Hockey Event emblem proven in two locations. I used to be shocked to see this early card of McDavid is available in two variations: a base card and a gold foil parallel. Nonetheless, the foil on the parallel is barely alongside the entrance backside fringe of the cardboard and could also be troublesome to identify at a look.
McDavid’s base card is at present valued at about $50, and the gold foil has offered for just a few hundred {dollars} in restricted transactions in recent times.
It’s a enjoyable and distinctive card that marks the start of “The Chosen One’s” journey to the NHL.
2015 Upper Deck Full Force Thermal Threats #TTCM rookie card
McDavid’s 2015 Higher Deck Full Power Thermal Threats insert is without doubt one of the weirdest rookie playing cards you’ll ever see. Using vibrant colours and thermal aesthetic creates a hanging look that makes him appear to be the Human Torch from Marvel’s The Unbelievable 4.
One other cool side of this heat-inspired McDavid card is that there are few examples at present graded by PSA. Round 70 copies have been graded, with solely 12 Gem Mint PSA 10s in existence.
Higher Deck produced Full Power units for just one 12 months in 2015, however fortunately, it was launched throughout McDavid’s rookie season.
Uncooked variations promote for about $50, and PSA 9’s are fetching round $75.
Getting one of the best value
Costs for a sure buying and selling card can fluctuate wildly and fluctuate rapidly, making it essential to examine current gross sales of a given card to be sure you’re shopping for at a good worth. You’ll be able to examine current gross sales of an merchandise on eBay by choosing the “offered objects” filter on search outcomes. You can even run a search on 130point.com, which is a free web site that gives gross sales information from a lot of on-line marketplaces. There are additionally a number of apps that present extra in-depth gross sales information, typically charging subscription charges for full entry.
To account for outliers, it’s essential to take a number of earlier gross sales into consideration, not simply the only most up-to-date. It’s additionally essential to notice the recency of these gross sales and any real-world components that might have an effect on adjustments in worth.
Why you need to belief us
As a second-generation collector, Tyler Holzhammer began gathering playing cards and attending the Nationwide Sports activities Collectors Conference at 10 years previous. He’s continued his ardour as a collector right into a profession, offering sports activities card content material and market evaluation for firms like Sports activities Card Investor and Goldin Auctions. Tyler’s sports activities card assortment is centered round gamers from his favourite groups, the Los Angeles Rams and the St. Louis Cardinals.
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(High picture: Steph Chambers/Getty Photos; all card photographs: eBay)
