You’ve probably seen the hype. It’s unavoidable if you spend more than five minutes on a hockey card forum or scrolling through eBay. Ever since the San Jose Sharks officially called Macklin Celebrini’s name as the first overall pick, the hobby has been in a full-blown frenzy. But here is the thing: most people are chasing the wrong stuff, or worse, they’re paying "Day 1" premiums for cards that won't hold water in three years.
Buying a Macklin Celebrini rookie card isn't just about grabbing the first piece of shiny cardboard with his face on it.
Honestly, the market is a bit of a minefield right now. We are currently in the 2025-26 season, and Celebrini is doing things we haven't seen since Crosby or Gretzky—putting up 70 points in the first half of the year. That kind of production makes people do crazy things with their bank accounts. If you want to actually build a collection that matters, you have to know the difference between a "true" rookie and a pre-rookie insert.
The Young Guns Hierarchy: Why Number 451 is Everything
In the world of hockey collecting, the Upper Deck Young Guns is the gold standard. Period. You can argue about "The Cup" or "Future Watch" all you want, but for the average collector, the Young Guns is the "rookie card" that defines a player's legacy.
For Celebrini, that’s 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 #451.
It’s the card everyone wants. Why? Because it’s the one that has historically held its value better than almost anything else. If you look at Connor Bedard’s trajectory from the previous year, the base Young Guns card stayed liquid even when the "1-of-1" mega-hits were locked away in private vaults.
🔗 Read more: James Harden Houston Rockets: What Most People Get Wrong About the Beard Era
But don't just buy the first one you see. The centering on these Series 2 cards has been notoriously finicky lately. You’ll see a lot of copies with a slight tilt or heavy top-to-bottom borders. If you’re buying raw (ungraded) copies on eBay for $300 or $350, look closely at the corners. A PSA 10 is currently commanding a massive premium—sometimes triple the raw price—because getting that perfect grade is getting harder with Upper Deck’s recent quality control struggles.
The Parallel Rabbit Hole
If the base card is too "common" for you, there’s a whole ecosystem of parallels.
- Outburst Silver: These are unnumbered but much rarer than the base.
- Deluxe /250: This is where things get serious.
- Exclusives /100: Historically, this is the "sweet spot" for high-end investors.
- High Gloss /10: If you find one of these, you're looking at a five-figure asset.
I saw an Outburst Gold 1-of-1 recently surface, and the rumored price tag was enough to buy a mid-sized SUV. It's wild. But for most of us, the Silver or the Clear Cut (the acetate version) provides that "premium" feel without needing to take out a second mortgage.
Don't Forget the Pre-Rookie "XRC" Cards
Before the Series 2 Young Guns dropped, we had a lot of "early" cards. You've got the 2023 Upper Deck Team Canada Juniors stuff.
Are they true Macklin Celebrini rookie cards?
Technically, no. The hobby considers these "Prospect" cards. But here's a secret: collectors love them. The 2023 Team Canada Juniors #26 is his first-ever Upper Deck card. It’s dirt cheap compared to the NHL stuff—usually just a few bucks for a base copy—but if he leads Canada to Olympic gold (which he’s poised to do in the 2026 Winter Games), these international cards are going to see a massive spike in interest.
Then there’s the 2024-25 Topps Now Debut Rookie Sticker. Topps has been trying to claw its way back into hockey, and while stickers don't usually carry the same weight as cards, the "Debut" branding has its own cult following. I wouldn't bank my retirement on a sticker, but it’s a cool piece of history for the "completionist" collector.
The "Investment" Trap: What to Avoid
It’s easy to get caught up in the "Hot/Cold" lists. As of January 2026, Celebrini is arguably the hottest player in the sport. But that means you are buying at the absolute peak of the "hype cycle."
Avoid the "manufactured" rarities. I’m talking about the inserts that look fancy but have no real long-term demand. Think "UD Portraits" or "Dazzlers." They’re fun to pull from a pack, but three years from now, nobody is going to be clamoring for a Pink Dazzler Celebrini. They’ll be looking for the Young Guns, the Future Watch Auto, or the Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) from The Cup.
Also, be wary of the "Game Dated Moments" cards. They are cool because they commemorate specific goals, but their print-to-order nature often leads to a saturated market. They are great for memories, but usually poor for ROI.
📖 Related: Who Won the Tampa Bay Rays Game? The Truth About the 2026 Season So Far
Where the Market is Headed in 2026
We are seeing a shift. The "Bedard Effect" from last year brought a lot of "tourist" money into the hobby—people who don't even watch hockey but heard cards were a good investment. That money is starting to consolidate.
People are realizing that Celebrini isn't just a "good" rookie; he’s a generational talent. He’s currently neck-and-neck with McDavid and MacKinnon for the Art Ross. That is insane for a 19-year-old. Because of this, his high-end cards like the SP Authentic Future Watch Auto #184 (numbered to 999) are becoming the new targets for serious money.
If you’re looking at an RPA from The Cup, you’re looking at the $5,000+ range. Just last month, a Limited Logos Patch Auto /50 sold for exactly that on eBay. That’s a lot of pressure on a teenager’s shoulders, but so far, he’s carrying it.
Your Strategy for Collecting Macklin Celebrini
If you're actually serious about getting into the Macklin Celebrini rookie card market without getting burned, you need a plan. Don't just "rage-buy" on auction nights.
- Prioritize the Young Guns #451: It is the foundation of any hockey collection. If you can only afford one card, make it this one.
- Buy the Grade, Not the Raw: Unless you are an expert at spotting surface scratches under a loupe, buy a PSA 9 or 10. The peace of mind is worth the extra $50.
- Look for the "Second Year" Value: In late 2025, Upper Deck MVP and Tim Hortons released his "second-year" cards. They are extremely cheap ($1-$5). While they aren't "rookies," they are great for kids or low-stakes collecting.
- Watch the Olympics: The 2026 Winter Olympics are going to be a massive catalyst. If Celebrini performs on the world stage for Team Canada, the demand will transition from "regional Sharks fans" to "global hockey fans."
- Diversify into O-Pee-Chee Platinum: The "Marquee Rookie" cards (#263) in OPC Platinum are beautiful and have a massive rainbow of parallels. The "Seismic Gold" /50 is a personal favorite if you want something that looks like a trophy.
The San Jose Sharks might still be rebuilding, but the Macklin Celebrini market is already fully built. Just remember: the hobby is a marathon. The guys who bought McDavid Young Guns for $200 back in the day and held them are the ones who won. Patience is usually the most valuable card in your deck.
Get your cards into protective sleeves and top loaders immediately. If you’re sitting on a high-value parallel, consider a magnetic one-touch holder. Surface scratches are the number one value-killer for modern cards with high-gloss finishes. Stay updated on the latest PSA and SGC population reports to see how many 10s are hitting the market before you pull the trigger on a big purchase.