You ever look at a hockey card and just wonder how the market got it so wrong? That's the vibe with the Artemi Panarin Young Guns rookie card. It’s card #221 in the 2015-16 Upper Deck Series 1 set. On paper, it should be a holy grail.
Think about it. Panarin didn't just stumble into the NHL; he kicked the door down. He put up 77 points in 80 games as a 24-year-old "rookie" with the Chicago Blackhawks and walked away with the Calder Trophy. He beat out Connor McDavid. Yeah, that guy.
Yet, you can often snag a raw Panarin Young Guns for roughly $30 to $50. If you want a PSA 10, it’s usually sitting around $350 to $400. Compare that to McDavid’s flagship rookie from the same year, which costs as much as a used Honda Civic, and you start to see the weirdness of the hobby.
The Weird History of Card #221
Panarin was a "late bloomer" in the eyes of North American collectors. He was already a KHL champion with SKA Saint Petersburg before he ever touched Chicago ice. Because he arrived at 24, collectors didn't treat him like the 18-year-old phenoms they were used to.
There's also the "Overproduction" ghost that haunts this specific year. 2015-16 was the year of McDavid. Every person with a heartbeat and a wallet was buying boxes of Series 1 and Series 2 trying to hit the "97" jackpot.
Because everyone was ripping, there are a lot of Artemi Panarin Young Guns cards out there. The supply is high. It’s not rare in the sense of a 1-of-1, but the quality of the player is top-tier.
What most people get wrong about the value
People assume that because he’s played for three teams—Chicago, Columbus, and the Rangers—his card value is diluted. There's some truth there. Collectors love a "one-team" legend.
But look at his Rangers tenure. He’s been a Hart Trophy finalist. He’s the engine of a New York team that is constantly in the spotlight. Honestly, if he were Canadian and stayed in Chicago his whole career, this card would be triple the price it is now.
Spotting the Real Deals and Variations
If you're hunting for the Artemi Panarin Young Guns, you need to know there isn't just one version. Upper Deck likes to make things complicated (and expensive).
- The Standard Young Guns (#221): This is the one most of us own. It features a young, clean-shaven "Breadman" in a red Blackhawks sweater. It’s the base rookie.
- UD Canvas Young Guns (#C108): This one has that nice textured feel. It’s technically an insert, but collectors treat it as a premium rookie. It usually carries a bit of a price premium over the base because the print run is lower.
- Exclusives and High Gloss: Now we're talking big money. The Exclusives are numbered to 100, and the High Gloss versions are numbered to just 10. If you find a High Gloss Panarin, you’ve basically found a unicorn.
- Printing Plates: These are 1-of-1s used in the actual printing process. They look kinda industrial and weird, but for player completists, they are the ultimate trophy.
Recently, in 2024-25, Upper Deck even released a "Young Guns Renewed" version. It’s an insert that pays homage to the original design but features updated art. It’s cool, but don’t confuse it with the 2015 original. The 2015 card is the one that matters for long-term value.
Why the Market Disrespects the Breadman
It’s the "Russian Factor" mixed with his age. It's kinda unfair, but it's the reality of the hobby.
Collectors tend to gamble on potential. They’d rather spend $500 on an 18-year-old who might be a star than $300 on a 30-something who is a star. Panarin is a proven elite talent, but since he doesn't have 15 years of "runway" left, the speculators stay away.
Also, the Chicago uniform is a bit of a sticking point. Most of his legendary moments now happen at Madison Square Garden. For a Rangers fan, seeing him in a Blackhawks jersey is sort of like looking at a photo of your spouse with their ex. It's fine, but it’s not the "definitive" version of the person you love.
Is it a good investment?
If you're looking to flip a card next week for a 50% profit, probably not. But as a cornerstone of a modern collection? Absolutely.
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Panarin is on a Hall of Fame trajectory. When a guy is a perennial 90 to 100-point scorer in the biggest market in the world, his "flagship" rookie card is always going to have a floor.
The Artemi Panarin Young Guns is currently one of the best "bang for your buck" cards in hockey. You’re getting an elite, superstar-level player for a fraction of what you'd pay for a Jack Hughes or a Cale Makar.
Check the corners
If you are buying raw, watch out for the corners. 2015-16 Upper Deck was notorious for "white chipping" on the back edges. The card stock they used that year was a bit soft. A card might look like a 10 on the front, but if you flip it over and see white specks on the blue borders, you're looking at an 8 or a 9 at best.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
- Prioritize the Canvas version if you want something slightly rarer than the base but don't want to spend four figures. The photography is usually better, too.
- Target PSA 9s if you want the "graded" look without the PSA 10 "perfection" tax. You can often find 9s for only a small markup over raw prices.
- Check eBay sold listings religiously. Don't look at "Asking Prices." Anyone can ask for $1,000. Look at what people actually paid in the last 30 days.
- Verify the year. Make sure you are buying the 2015-16 Series 1 card. Don't get tricked by "Reprint" or "Renewed" inserts unless that's specifically what you want.
- Look for "Lot" deals. Sometimes people sell a Panarin with a few other 2015 rookies. You can often snag a better price per card when buying in bulk.
The Breadman might not get the same hype as the guys drafted #1 overall, but his play on the ice is undeniable. His rookie card is a weird anomaly where the price hasn't quite caught up to the legend. Grab one while people are still distracted by the newest shiny rookies.