Connor Bedard Top Cards to Buy This Year | HobbyAlpha
Connor Bedard Top Cards to Buy This Year
The best Connor Bedard cards to buy this year focus on his 2023-24 Upper Deck Rookie Cards (RCs), as these represent the gold standard for modern hockey collecting. Investors and collectors prioritize "Young Guns," high-end RPA (Rookie Patch Auto) cards from the Upper Deck Cup, and short-printed parallels like the Clear Cut or Silver Outburst. Following his Calder Trophy-winning season, Bedard's market remains the highest-volume segment of the NHL trading card industry, driven by historic demand and limited-number parallels.
Overview: The Bedard Market Explosion Connor Bedard entered the league as a "generational" prospect, and his cardboard follows that trajectory. Unlike other sports where multiple brands compete, Upper Deck holds the exclusive license for the NHL. This focuses all market liquidity into a few specific releases. Whether you are looking for a "safe" entry point or a high-ceiling "Grail" piece, Bedard’s 2023-24 releases are the primary targets for this year.
Key Cards and Parallels to Watch The Bedard market is tiered by rarity and brand prestige. While the flagship Young Guns is the most traded, high-end collectors focus on low-numbered "Exclusives" and "High Gloss" versions.
| Card Name | Set / Release | Significance |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Young Guns #451** | 23-24 Upper Deck Series 2 | The definitive "Blue Chip" rookie card. |
| **Young Guns Silver Outburst** | 23-24 Upper Deck Series 2 | A rare, unnumbered shiny parallel with high eye appeal. |
| **FWA (Future Watch Auto)** | 23-24 SP Authentic | Hard-signed and numbered to /999. |
| **The Cup RPA** | 23-24 Upper Deck The Cup | The most expensive Bedard card (Numbered to /99). |
| **Pink Dazzlers** | 23-24 Upper Deck Series 2 | A popular retail-exclusive short print. |
Current Market Dynamics Currently, Bedard cards carry a "generational premium." During the season, prices fluctuate based on nightly performance and highlight-reel goals. In the off-season, volume typically dips, providing a potential entry window for long-term holders.
- **Grading Strategy:** For Bedard, the "PSA 10" or "BGS 9.5" premium is significant. Because millions of Series 2 packs were ripped, population reports are high. High-grade specimens or low-pop parallels (like Clear Cut or Deluxe /250) are essential for value retention.
Investment Take If you are buying Bedard this year, the "buy and hold" strategy favors his **Series 2 Young Guns** for liquidity and his **SP Authentic Future Watch Autos** for prestige. Avoid overpaying for unlicensed "custom" cards or "pre-rookie" cards that lack the NHL shield, as these historically do not hold value as well as official Upper Deck flagship products.
Track Bedard on HobbyAlpha Staying ahead of the Bedard market requires real-time data. Use HobbyAlpha’s suite of professional tools to monitor price floors and population growth.
- **Market Outlook:** Compare Bedard’s pricing trends against historic legends like McDavid and Crosby.
- **Player Outlook:** Track how game-day stats correlate with immediate spikes in eBay and PWCC sales.
- **Hidden Gems:** Use our scanner to find mispriced Bedard parallels or low-numbered inserts often overlooked by casual buyers.