NHL rookies are driving fresh collector interest
NHL rookies continue to be among the most closely watched names in the card hobby, with collectors looking beyond established stars for the next wave of impact players. The appeal has only grown in recent years as high-profile young talents have entered the league with major expectations and strong early demand for their rookie cards.
Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini helped push that interest even further. Bedard, the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, arrived as one of the most hyped prospects in years. Celebrini followed as another No. 1 overall pick in 2024, bringing the kind of talent that can shape a franchise and energize the hobby at the same time.
That momentum carries into the 2026-27 season, when another group of rookies and young players will enter the spotlight. Some are top draft picks with major expectations. Others have already shown they can handle professional competition and are now poised for bigger roles.
For collectors tracking the next Young Guns chase, these 10 players stand out as names to know.
Gavin McKenna brings elite offensive upside
Gavin McKenna is one of the most closely followed young forwards in the game. The Maple Leafs selected him No. 1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, and he arrives with the kind of skill set that has already made him a major talking point among collectors.
The 18-year-old winger posted 51 points in 35 games at Penn State last season, showing the playmaking ability and offensive creativity that have made him such a highly regarded prospect. His Young Guns card is expected to appear in Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey next year. He also has a 2025-26 Bowman U NOW card.
Porter Martone is expected to make an immediate impact
Porter Martone, selected sixth overall by the Flyers in the 2025 NHL Draft, is another player drawing significant attention. The big, powerful forward recorded 50 points in 35 games at Michigan State last season and also made an immediate NHL impact late in the year.
Martone is expected to play a major role in Philadelphia this season. He already has several cards in Upper Deck CHL sets, and his first pro card appears in 2026-27 UD MVP Hockey.
Related coverage includes 10 NHL Rookies and Young Guns Card Paths to Watch for 2026-27.
Ivar Stenberg has already shown high-end skill
San Jose used the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Ivar Stenberg, a skilled Swedish forward with strong offensive instincts. He produced 33 points in 43 Swedish league games last season and has also stood out on the international stage.
Stenberg starred for Sweden at the World Junior Championship and World Championship, adding to the profile that has made him one of the more intriguing young players in the hobby. He has appeared in SHL card sets.
Caleb Malhotra adds size and two-way ability
Caleb Malhotra, the son of former NHL star Manny Malhotra, was selected third overall by Vancouver in the 2026 NHL Draft after a strong season with the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs.
The 6-foot-2 center finished with 84 points in 67 regular-season games, combining size, playmaking ability and a strong two-way game. He has cards in UD CHL sets and enters the next stage of his career with plenty of attention from collectors following top draft picks.
Anton Frondell already has NHL games on his resume
Anton Frondell, the No. 3 pick from the 2025 NHL Draft, could become an important part of Chicago's young core. The Swedish forward split last season between Djurgardens in Sweden and the Blackhawks, scoring nine points in 12 NHL games while showing he can also handle center duties in North America.
Frondell already has a Young Guns card in 2026-27 UD Series 1 Hockey, making him one of the more notable names for collectors following the next wave of Blackhawks talent.
Konsta Helenius has already produced at multiple levels
Konsta Helenius has become one of Buffalo's top young players. The Finnish center led Rochester with 63 points in 63 AHL games last season before contributing in the NHL playoffs.
He also scored the overtime goal that gave Finland the 2026 IIHF World Championship gold medal. Helenius has cards in the 2024-25 Upper Deck AHL set and remains a player with a strong mix of production and international success.
Viggo Bjorck brings speed to Winnipeg's pipeline
Winnipeg selected Viggo Bjorck eighth overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, adding a dynamic center with impressive speed. Even with a smaller frame, Bjorck has already excelled against veteran competition in Sweden and internationally.
He has cards in Swedish hockey card sets and enters the season as a prospect whose pace and skill could make him a favorite among collectors watching the Jets' system.
Jacob Fowler is the lone goalie on the list
Jacob Fowler is the only goaltender among these 10 names, but he has already taken meaningful steps toward NHL playing time with Montreal. After posting a 2.23 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in 27 AHL games last season, he also appeared in 17 NHL games.
Fowler is expected to push for more playing time in Montreal this season. He has appeared in ONIT sets featuring him in a Boston College uniform, giving collectors another route to follow his early career.
Cole Hutson offers offensive value from the blue line
Cole Hutson signed with the Capitals after an impressive two-year career at Boston University. The 2024 second-round pick recorded 80 points in 74 NCAA games and has already appeared in the NHL.
His vision, puck-moving ability and offensive instincts make him one of Washington's more intriguing young defensemen. His Young Guns card is expected in UD Series 2 Hockey, and he has also appeared in Topps Now NHL stickers.
Alberts Smits gives the Rangers another big defenseman
The Rangers are banking on another large blueliner in Alberts Smits, following the emergence of Matt Rempe as a towering presence in the organization. Smits, a 6-foot-3 Latvian defenseman, was selected fifth overall by the Rangers in the 2026 NHL Draft.
He recorded 13 points in 38 games with Jukurit in Finland last season and has impressed the rebuilding Rangers with his size, composure and potential to make the jump to the NHL quickly. Smits has cards in Finnish card sets.
Why these rookies matter to collectors
The rookie card market often follows a familiar pattern: top draft picks draw early attention, but players who can translate talent into NHL production quickly tend to separate themselves. That is why this group is so compelling. It includes elite draft selections, players with professional experience, and prospects who have already shown they can contribute in meaningful games.
For collectors, the appeal goes beyond one card or one set. Some of these players already have cards in CHL, AHL, SHL, ONIT, Topps Now NHL stickers or other regional and league-specific releases, while others are still building toward their first major NHL rookie cards. That mix creates multiple entry points for collectors following their development.
McKenna, Martone, Stenberg, Malhotra and Frondell bring the buzz that comes with being top draft picks. Helenius, Fowler and Hutson have already logged professional or NCAA production that suggests they may be closer to NHL roles. Bjorck and Smits add more depth to the list, offering size, speed and upside that could become more valuable as their careers progress.
As the new NHL season approaches, these are the names likely to stay on hobby watch lists. Whether collectors are focused on Young Guns cards, early prospect issues or simply the next breakout player, this group offers plenty to track in the months ahead.
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