What Flyers Rookies Should You Be Collecting?

Upper Deck, who has the sole licensing rights to the NHL, releases their flagship rookies every year called Young G*ns. As a Flyers junkie and card collecting geek, below are my modest predictions for the collectibility potential of the Flyers rookies last season and the rookies set to be released by Upper Deck on November 10th.

2021-2022 Upper Deck YG's

#209 Wade Allison - Wade will be a fan favorite, as he is a north south type banger, who isn't afraid to get a little gritty. Wade will get the majority of his goals in the greasy areas, but won't be an impact contributor. I would cap his point total at around 35, seeing the vast majority of his time in a bottom six roll. Collectability Potential: C-

#236 Jackson Cates - Jackson made his first NHL appearance at age 23 in 2021, relatively late by NHL standards. In his first season in the AHL he produced 10 points (2g - 8a) in 37 games and his chipped in 1g and 1a in a combined 15 games over two seasons. It will be difficult for Jackson to find a steady gig in the NHL. Collectability Potential: F

#238 Tanner Laczynski - A 2016, sixth round draft pick, the 25 year old hasn't been able to etch out a regular spot in the Flyers lineup and there isn't much to suggest he will buck that trend this year. Tanner will likely find himself in the AHL, seeing spot duty in call up situations. Collectability Potnetial: F

#243 Cam York - Drafted in the first round in 2019, with the 14th overall pick, The Flyers passed up on the hyped Cole Caufiled and selected York. I like his game! He's poised and plays heads up hockey. York can walk the blue line with his tremendous edge work, has excellent vision, and an accurate shot, that typically finds its way through traffic. The Flyers will groom him to be the QB on the power play; a roll he should see in a year or two. Don't be surprised if he surpasses 50 points soon and his cards can be had for a song and dance right now! Collectability Potential: B+

#452 Maxsim Sushko - Sushko just signed with the KHL's HC Dynamo Moscow, so it isn't likely he'll wear the orange and black jersey again. If you hadn't heard of him before, it's likely you won't hear of him again! Collectability Potential: F

#497 Maxwell Willman - Maxwell is your prototypical roll player and at 27 years old, he will not land a permanent job in the NHL and Upper Deck pumping out his rookie card was just a set filler. Collectability Potential: F

#725 Felix Sandstrom - an interesting prospect who comes with a bit of hype, it is difficult to see him unseating Carter Hart, as the Flyers number 1 netminder. He appears to be the number 3-4 goalie in the organization and the military enrollment of Ivan Fedetov opened the door for the #2 position. Unfortunately, the hobby doesn't love backup goalies. Collectability Potential: D

2022-2023 Upper Deck YG's

207 Hayden Hodgson - with James Van Reimsdyk style wheels and no mitts to match, the 26 year old Hodgson has floated between the ECHL and the AHL for the better parts of five seasons. He might have a cup of coffee in the show and drop the mitts, but I wouldn't drop a dime on his rookies. Collectability Potential: F

217 Linus Sandin - a depth defenseman in the organization, with little capability of being a top four D in the league, Sandin will see his cards disappear from products after his rookie year. The hobby doesn't pine over defensemen too much, especially depth players. Collectability Potential: F

227 Bobby Brink - a diminutive winger who is tenacious, shifty, and can distribute the puck effectively. Bobby Brink showed the ability to work the half wall on the power play, in his brief stint with the big club. His work ethic and determination on the ice is easy to see and he will attack open ice when available, as well as being able to slow the play with his patience and puck skill. Can he eventually play PP1? Collectability Potential: B-

240 Isaac Ratcliffe - a big man, who plays a big, physical game. Ratcliff stands 6'6», 210lbs and has a mean streak to his game. Ratcliffe has deceptively good hands for a big man and can combine that with his large frame to create offensive opportunities. A natural goal scorer in junior, it will be interesting to see if his skill set with translate to an effective NHLer. Collectability Potential: C-

249 Noah Cates - Noah made a great first impression last season, chalking up 5 goals and 4 assists in his first 16 games. You have to like his game and his energy on the ice; great work ethic, a nose for the net, and his attention to detail seems NHL ready. From a hobby standpoint, it is tough to see him becoming one of the Flyers top point producers, which is the industries measuring stick for value. Collectability Potential: D+

Happy Collecting!