Current Essential Buffalo Sabers Rookie Cards – The Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

Even though the Stanley Cup hasn’t been lifted yet, teams like the Buffalo Sabers have already entered the dog days of summer. The NHL Draft and free agency are coming up, but most are looking forward to the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. This also means that there is only limited room for speculation without action.

Related: Buffalo Sabers need to be all-in on Brady Tkachuk

Rather than discussing the same topics over and over again, let’s take a different approach. Hockey cards have been around for over a century, and the pastime may be more popular than ever. There are even successful podcasts, like Gongshow Hockey Cards. So why not take a look at some of the most essential rookie cards belonging to this generation of Sabres?

Some thoughts on the criteria

Before we get into the list, I just want to make one thing clear. While value is important when discussing rookie cards, it shouldn’t be the entire discussion. If that were the case, this list would simply consist of cards from Upper Deck’s biggest annual release, The Cup.

Instead, I wanted to look at a few factors. Accessibility is important. While the Cup may be the most valuable, it also tends to be the most expensive and, therefore, out of reach. These should be reasonably achievable. For this reason, The Cup will be excluded from the list.

I will also look at the uniqueness of certain cards. Whether it’s a first release, first certified autograph, or some other factor to consider, it will play into the list. Finally, I will not choose the same card for more than one player. So while some may consider an Upper Deck Young Gun essential, we don’t want a roster full of Young Guns.

Essential Buffalo Sabers Rookie Cards

As the team currently stands, there is a good mix of talented players and NHL prospects. For now, let’s stick to the guys who are NHL regulars. Considering the most essential names on the list, we’ll look at five guys: Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Tage Thompson – 2017-18 SP Authentic Future Watch Autograph #’d /999

After the Cup, SP Authentic Future Watch rookie autographs could be the next most desirable rookie. More often than not, Future Watch is the first opportunity to collect autographed rookie cards (not counting insert sets in other products). It checks all the important boxes that modern rookie cards need to tick:

• A real recruit? ☑
• Action plan ? ☑
• Hard-signed autograph (signed directly on the card rather than on a sticker)? ☑
• Serial numbering? ☑

These have become highly sought-after collectibles since the pandemic, especially compared to the more accessible Young Guns. Collectors know that there are 999 of them (actually 949 since the first 50 copies bear the start date of this player), which gives them a tangible rarity. Even though it is represented as a St. Louis Blue, this is one of the best Tage Thompson cards to have.

Alex Tuch – 2017-18 UD Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph #’d /89

Prior to The Cup, Upper Deck broke new ground in premium products with its annual basketball release, Exquis. In the many years since that initial release, featuring LeBron James’ ultra-valuable rookie patch autograph, Upper Deck has imported the product as a complement to products like The Cup and Ice.

This card is undoubtedly more beautiful than its Cup version while being more limited. It features a large window featuring a patch (an element of the jersey’s number, nameplate or logo) and a hard-signed autograph. Think of it as a taste of The Cup which is generally much more affordable.

Rasmus Dahlin – Young Guns of the Upper Deck 2018-19

Easily the most accessible and affordable, Young Guns have been a staple of the hobby for over two decades. Although the mintage is not known, it is estimated that thousands of copies were made of Upper Deck’s Series 1 and 2 flagships.

The reason this card is essential for Dahlin is because he doesn’t have an autograph rookie card to speak of. He opted not to sign a deal with Upper Deck, leaving the market without Dahlin’s autographs. So why not go for the first notable recruit available? It is very affordable, often available for $30 and less for a raw copy.

Dylan Cozens – 2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Platinum Seismic Gold Rookie Autograph #’d /25

For basketball and football, Panini’s Prizm version is a must-have. Since hockey doesn’t have Prizm, O-Pee-Chee Platinum is the best solution. The product not only features hard-signed recruits, but is paralleled by unique and shiny features such as Emerald Surge, Red Prism, and Seismic Gold.

Limited to 25 copies and featuring a hard-signed signature from Cozens, it quickly became one of his most valuable rookie cards. The rarity, the ridiculous shine of the gold leaf, the autograph and the player make this a must-have. This is definitely one of the nicest cards you’ll find from this Sabers mainstay.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – 2021-22 SP Authentic Future Watch Patch Autograph #’d /100

This may seem like a bit of cheating, but Future Watch patch autographs are some of the most sought-after recruits in the hobby. Approximately 10 times rarer than the basic Future Watch autographs, these include a jersey patch as well as a hard-signed autograph from the player.

Since Luukkonen took over the starting job in Buffalo, the value of his rookie cards has exploded. One of the nicest and most affordable (yet valuable) rookies is his Future Watch patch autograph. Depending on the condition and quality of the patch, a copy can be obtained for $100-150.

Improve your connection to the product on ice

For those who regularly collect hockey or sports cards, the connection exists for a variety of reasons. Those considering it will find a different type of connection not only with the players and the Sabers, but also with the league as a whole. Anything that can strengthen my love for hockey is a worthwhile effort in my books.