With the Stanley Cup playoffs just around the corner, new hockey heroes are set to emerge as their teams go on deep postseason runs. Year after year we see players come out of nowhere to suddenly become household names because of playoff heroics.
In real life, this can translate into big offseason paydays (ex: Barclay Goodrow), but in the world of sports cards, it can often mean an increase in demand for certain players’ rookies, patches, autos and more. This surge in buyers that accompanies the Stanley Cup playoffs, also means these next few weeks are likely your last opportunity to grab certain cards at affordable prices before they skyrocket on the secondary market.
Here are 5 players whose rookie cards are set to spike if their teams are able to go on deep playoff runs:
1)Spencer Knight, G, Florida Panthers – Young Guns: $30-35 Ebay
With a 54-15-6 record, the Panthers are one of the hottest teams in the NHL. The club went out and acquired several big name players at the trade deadline and appear poised for a deep playoff run in the sunshine state.
Typically the postseason is where teams lean on their veteran players. However in Florida, incumbent starter Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled down the stretch and was pulled in a few starts recently as well. The NHL has seen its fair share of playoff heroics from young netminders over the years, and should the veteran goaltender waiver in the early going, the Panthers could make the switch to Knight sooner rather than later.
Oozing with talent, and part of a loaded Florida club, Knight is likely a strong “buy” candidate as is. But if he takes over the starters role this postseason, and Florida wins a couple rounds, get ready for his Young Guns cards to double, or even triple in price in the not so distant future.
2)Kevin Fiala, F, Minnesota Wild – Young Guns $10-15 Ebay
With 69pts (28G, 41A) through 74 games, Fiala is quietly having a breakout season in Minnesota. The Wild currently sit in 3rd in the Central Division and are likely to clinch a playoff spot in their next few games.
Only 25 years old, the Swiss winger isn’t a household name owing to the small market he plays in, however could turn some heads if the Wild are able to string together some wins this May. Moreover, with the cap crunch the Wild are facing, it’s more than likely he’ll be a budget related casualty this offseason, meaning that if he’s dealt to a larger market team, then his card’s value could be in line for a major jump regardless of how far Minnesota advances.
At only $10 a pop, he’s a low risk, high reward buy at this point.
3) Gabriel Landeskog, F, Colorado Avalanche – Young Guns $40-$50 Ebay
If you think this is the year that the Avalanche finally get over the hump in the postseason, then you could do worse than to invest in some Landeskog rookies. Falling between $40-50 on average, the Avalanche captain is a relative bargain compared to his teammates Mackinnon or Makar who you’ll be shelling out significantly more to acquire.
Landeskog is in the midst of another solid campaign with 59pts (30G, 29A) in 51 games. But his skillset is built for the more physical, tightly contested atmosphere of the playoffs. For his career he’s averaged nearly a point per game (45pts in 49 postseason games) in the playoffs, meaning he’s got an outside shot at possibly taking home a Conn Smythe, and would be the first person who gets to hoist the cup for Colorado if they do indeed make it to the promised land.
While he won’t be confused for Joe Sakic anytime soon, captains of Stanley Cup winning teams tend to command a premium on the secondary market for their cards, even well after they’ve hung up their skates for good.
4)Claude Giroux, F, Florida Panthers – Young Guns $40-50 Ebay
Similar to Landeskog, Giroux’s potential future value is tied to whether you think the Panthers can win it all this year or not. If he’s able to add a Stanley Cup to his resume his Young Guns card could easily settle in the $90-100 range heading into next season.
His long term appeal is tied to his history with the Flyers organization, however as a UFA at season’s end, he could very well wind up in a more favourable situation from a collectors perspective (i.e. a Canadian team, or original six club). So even if Florida ultimately falls short of winning the Cup, he could see a $15-20 boost simply by signing his next contract.
Then again, if the 34 year old takes a big money deal to bask in the sun of say Arizona, then you could be faced with a card which might actually lose $5-10 on the secondary market a year from now. That being said, the upside of potentially doubling your money is definitely there.
5) Anthony Deangelo, D, Carolina Hurricanes – Young Guns $7-15 Ebay
He may not be the league’s most popular player, but he’s managed to stay out of the tabloids during his time in Carolina thus far. With 48pts (10G, 38A) in 58 games, no one has ever doubted Deangelo’s offensive upside.
The Hurricanes are once again heading to the postseason, and currently lead the Metropolitan division with 104pts. Carolina is a balanced team who could go on a deep run this spring.
Unless you’ve got a generational talent like a Makar, rookies for defensemen generally don’t appreciate in value rapidly. But given the super low entry point for his cards right now, there’s not much risk in taking a flyer or two on the blueliner and seeing what happens this postseason.
Don’t expect his cards to suddenly hit $100 overnight, but if he puts together a strong playoff resume, then is $20 out of the realm of possibility? No. And if you grab him at $7 that’s nearly tripling what you shelled out for him in the first place.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner