Upper Deck Young Guns -- The Cornerstone
The 2015-16 Upper Deck Young Guns is the card every McDavid collector needs. It is the hobby's de facto benchmark for his rookie year -- the card that market sites reference for price tracking and the one most frequently submitted for PSA grading. The short-print status relative to base series keeps the population from expanding endlessly. A PSA 10 example commands a large premium over ungraded copies. For a personal collection or a long-hold investment, this is the foundation piece.
Check price on Amazon →The top Connor McDavid rookie cards for collectors in 2026. Ranked by long-term value, print run size, and desirability across the graded card market.
Connor McDavid’s 2015-16 rookie cards remain some of the most actively traded hockey cards in the hobby. As a generational talent whose career statistics continue to build, his rookie card market has held up better than most NHL collectibles. These five cards represent the strongest long-term picks and the best entry points for collectors at various budgets in 2026.
| Card | Set | Print Run | Market Tier |
|—|—|—|—|
| Upper Deck Young Guns | 2015-16 UD Series 1 | Short-printed | Core rookie |
| Parkhurst Rookie | 2015-16 Upper Deck | Standard | Budget entry |
| The Cup Rookie Auto | 2015-16 The Cup | Numbered /249 | Premium |
| SPx Rookie Auto Jersey | 2015-16 SPx | Numbered | Mid-tier |
| O-Pee-Chee Rookie | 2015-16 OPC | Standard | Value-grade |
How we picked
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Top picks compared
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Deck Young Guns -- The Cornerstone | Check price | ||
| Parkhurst Rookie -- Best Budget Entry | Check price | ||
| The Cup Rookie Auto -- Premium Investment Tier | Check price | ||
| SPx Rookie Auto Jersey -- Best Mid-Tier with Memorabilia | Check price | ||
| O-Pee-Chee Rookie -- Canadian Collector Favorite | Check price |
Our picks up close
Upper Deck Young Guns -- The Cornerstone
The 2015-16 Upper Deck Young Guns is the card every McDavid collector needs. It is the hobby's de facto benchmark for his rookie year -- the card that market sites reference for price tracking and the one most frequently submitted for PSA grading. The short-print status relative to base series keeps the population from expanding endlessly. A PSA 10 example commands a large premium over ungraded copies. For a personal collection or a long-hold investment, this is the foundation piece.
Parkhurst Rookie -- Best Budget Entry
The Parkhurst rookie comes from the same Upper Deck product line and features a clean, classic design that photographs well in a display. It is more affordable than the Young Guns short print and available in larger quantities, which makes it accessible for new collectors or those building a set. For someone who wants an authentic McDavid 2015-16 rookie in hand without the premium spend, the Parkhurst is the practical choice. Condition still matters: look for sharp corners and centered printing when buying raw copies.
The Cup Rookie Auto -- Premium Investment Tier
The Cup set from Upper Deck is an ultra-premium product with thick cards, on-card autographs, and serial-numbered print runs. The McDavid rookie autos from this set are numbered to 249 and represent the most significant investment-tier rookies outside of 1/1 variations. On-card autographs (rather than sticker autos) carry a meaningful premium with serious collectors. If you are allocating a larger budget and want a card that holds strong in premium market conditions, The Cup is the correct target.
SPx Rookie Auto Jersey -- Best Mid-Tier with Memorabilia
The 2015-16 SPx set combines an autograph and a jersey swatch in a single card at a numbered print run. The combination of auto, relic, and rookie in one card at a mid-range price point makes SPx a strong value play for collectors who want more than a base rookie without committing to Cup pricing. Authentication of the jersey swatch is built into the card itself. Look for clean centering and undamaged jersey windows when purchasing raw copies.
O-Pee-Chee Rookie -- Canadian Collector Favorite
O-Pee-Chee is Upper Deck's Canadian brand, and for a player who grew up in Ontario and is the face of the Edmonton Oilers, the OPC rookie has natural collector significance in the Canadian market. It is priced accessibly and trades at modest premiums in Canada relative to US prices. The OPC design is traditional and clean. For a Canadian collector starting a McDavid PC, the OPC rookie alongside the Young Guns is the natural two-card foundation.
Before you buy
What to consider
Budget is the first filter. For the raw Parkhurst or OPC rookie is the right entry. For an ungraded Young Guns in excellent condition or a graded lower-tier example is attainable. For and above, target PSA 10 Young Guns or numbered autos from SPx or The Cup. Condition is critical regardless of card: corners, centering, and surface scratches all affect graded outcomes. Store all cards in penny sleeves inside toploader cases, and avoid older cards sold loose without any protection history.
What to consider
For more collecting guides, see our articles on [best hockey card boxes for beginners](/articles/best-hockey-card-boxes) and [best sports card storage solutions](/articles/best-sports-card-storage). All picks follow our [methodology](/methodology).
Quick answers
The 2015-16 Upper Deck Young Guns is the cornerstone rookie and most widely tracked. Among premium cards, 1/1 variations and low-numbered autographed rookies from the 2015-16 Upper Deck Series 1 and The Cup set regularly set market records. Graded PSA 10 examples of the Young Guns card trade for substantial premiums due to their population and collector demand.
PSA 10 grades on the Young Guns rookie carry a meaningful multiplier over raw copies, but grading fees and turnaround times have increased since the hobby's 2020-2021 boom. The math still works for cards in near-mint condition from protected storage. For lower-grade raw copies, the cost of grading may exceed the premium it adds. Submit through PSA or BGS depending on your preference for centering tolerance.