Clemente’s Corner: Why Stanley Cup Success Rarely Boost Card Values
Every spring, as the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs heat up, a familiar pattern emerges in the hockey card market.
Both collectors, and increasingly speculators in the form of YouTubers, turn their attention to the biggest names on the ice, hoping to capitalize on breakout performances and championship runs.
Prices for certain players’ trading cards can spike sometimes in a matter of days. Despite this frenzy, the recent past reveals that the Stanley Cup Playoffs have little to no lasting impact on the long-term value of cards. Instead, they create short-lived surges that often fade once the Nationals Sports Collectors Convention rolls around in the summer.
At first glance, it makes sense why playoff performances would influence card prices.
The playoffs represent the highest level of competition, where stars are made and legacies are cemented. A player who dominates on this stage gains increased visibility, media coverage and fan interest. This attention naturally spills over into the collectables market, where demand for that player’s cards rises quickly.
Interest in Cale Makar’s rookie cards shot up when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. But the long-term demand is because of his overall high level of play.
Take Cale Makar as a prime example. During the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup run in 2022, Makar’s performances were nothing short of spectacular. As he racked up points and ultimately won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, collectors rushed to buy his rookie cards.
Across the board, his prices surged as some cards doubled or even tripled in value within weeks. Similarly, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy saw significant spikes during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s back-to-back championship runs in 2020 and 2021. His reputation as an elite goaltender was amplified on the playoff stage, driving short-term demand for his cards. It doesn’t help that goalies don’t demand the high prices of players who rack up goals and assists.
2014-15 SP Authentic #310 – Andrei Vasilevskiy Future Watch Autograph
However, these spikes were temporary. Once the playoffs ended and the offseason began, the hype cooled. The broader market starts to re-evaluate players based on their overall career trajectory rather than a single postseason performance. As a result, many of the gains made during the playoffs gradually stabilize — even decline — at levels closer to their pre-playoff prices.
This phenomenon highlights a key truth about the hockey card market: long-term value is driven by sustained excellence, not short bursts of success. It’s the reason why Connor McDavid, who has never won a Stanley Cup, continues to demand high prices.
Despite not winning the Stanley Cup, prices for Connor McDavid’s rookie cards – such as his 2015-16 Upper Deck Young Guns card – have remained high.
The hockey card market for the last six months has been driven by Young Guns rookie cards of Ivan Demidov and Matthew Schaefer, found in 2025-26 Upper Deck Series One and Series Two, respectively. These are two players who could have a lasting long-term trajectory rather than a one-off great spring. Anaheim Ducks star Jackson Lacombe may have had a stellar run in the playoffs — and his card values have shot up — but over the long term he remains an enigma.
Individually, for example, McDavid is an elite scorer who has sustained a high level since entering the league in 2015. The Edmonton Oilers may be out of the playoffs, but McDavid will remain hot far after the Stanley Cup is lifted in June. Same for Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Sidney Crosby.
Demand for Ivan Demidov rookie cards will be tied to his long-term performance more than one great playoffs.
Why? Collectors really care about a player’s career achievements, consistency and legacy. While a strong playoff performance can enhance a player’s reputation, it rarely changes the fundamental perception of their long-term potential.
For instance, Makar’s card values did not remain elevated solely because of his playoff heroics. Instead, they stabilized at a high level because he is widely regarded as one of the best defensemen in the league. The playoff run acted as a catalyst for short-term growth, but his long-term value is tied to his continued performance and accolades over time.
Ditto for Vasilevskiy. His playoff dominance in the early 2020s certainly boosted his visibility, but his card values are ultimately anchored by his consistent excellence as a goaltender, including Vezina Trophy wins (he is a finalist once again this season) and multiple deep playoff runs. Once the immediate excitement of a championship fades, the market shifts its focus back to these broader indicators of value.
Another factor contributing to the short-term nature of playoff price spikes is the influx of speculative buyers. During the playoffs, many non-hockey cars buyers enter the market hoping to flip cards for quick profits. This increased demand can drive up prices, but it is often unsustainable.
Furthermore, the hockey card market is relatively niche compared to other sports like baseball and basketball. This means that price movements can be more volatile during the short term, as a smaller pool of buyers and sellers react to player performances.
For collectors and investors, this pattern offers an important lesson. While the Stanley Cup Playoffs can present opportunities for short-term gains, they should not be relied upon as a primary driver of long-term value. Those looking to build a meaningful collection should focus on players with strong career trajectories, consistent performance, and the potential for lasting impact on the game.
Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on Twitter @ClementeLisi.
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