Top 2020-21 NHL Rookie Cards Guide and Hockey Rookie Card Hot List
The NHL season got a much later start than usual, but that has not slowed down hockey collectors. Those fans looking into the top 2020-21 NHL rookie cards have several notable choices.
The top pick in 2020, Alexis Lafrenière headlines the '20-21 rookie class. Although his career has not started out as expected, several other key players have also emerged as future stars, including Kirill Kaprizov.
Unlike the NBA and NFL, which generally issue rookie cards based on the player's draft year, official NHL rookies normally arrive following the player's debut. That means that top draft picks might not get their first Upper Deck rookie card for several seasons after being taken in the NHL draft. However, Lafrenière is an exception to this as his first rookie cards released before he ever hit the ice for the New York Rangers in the regular season.
Review the top players so far and peruse the most-watched lineup featuring some of the most popular 2020-21 hockey rookie cards at any given moment.
Where to Find 2020-21 Hockey Rookie Cards
As is the case with most major sports, the NHL has only one official trading card producer. Upper Deck provides the only league and team-licensed hockey cards, so most rookie collectors stick with UD.
New sets are issued throughout the 2020-21 season. You can track all the sets using the 2020-21 hockey cards guide, which includes detailed info and checklists.
Best 2020-21 Hockey Rookie Cards Sets to Collect
There are naturally many choices for fans of the 2020-21 NHL rookie cards. Leading the way is the famed Young Guns subset. These rookie cards are issued in the flagship lineup, which includes 2020-21 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey, 2020-21 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey and 2020-21 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey.
Because rookie players become eligible throughout the season, certain sets can be more attractive than others. For instance, many key names have their first pack-pulled cards (non-redemption) in Series 2, including Tim Stützle and Kirill Kaprizov, who has previous KHL rookies.
Other popular rookie options are found in 2020-21 Upper Deck Artifacts Hockey, 2020-21 SP Authentic Hockey and 2020-21 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey (TBA).
Visit our New Release Calendar to be ready for all the upcoming hockey sets.
Top Players
Top 2020-21 NHL Rookie Cards to Collect
The guide below covers a few of the hobby standouts from the 2020-21 NHL rookie card class. The players are listed in order by draft year.
Check back for updates as additional favorites emerge.
Alexis Lafreniere - New York Rangers
2020 Draft: 1st Overall
Tim Stutzle - Ottawa Senators
2020 Draft: 3rd Overall
Bowen Byram - Colorado Avalanche
2019 Draft: 4th Overall
Josh Norris - Ottawa Senators
2017 Draft: 17th Overall
Kirill Kaprizov - Minnesota Wild
2015 Draft: 135th Overall
RC Hot List
Most-Watched 2020-21 Hockey Rookie Cards Hot List
Looking for the best NHL rookie cards of 2020-21? The always-updating hot list below pulls rookie card auctions with the most watchers so you can get a quick rundown of which players and sets are diving the most attention.
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