Despite being selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2015 Draft, we had to wait a while for Kirill Kaprizov to make his NHL debut. 

He didn’t join the team until the 2020-21 season, although he went on to be named as the NHL rookie of the year after a number of spectacular displays. 

For example, the forward is the first player in NHL history with three points, including an overtime goal, in his debut game.

He also scored his 37th point in April 2021 to break Marian Gaborik’s Wild rookie record of 36 points which was set in 2000-01.

Here’s a roundup with five of the best Kirill Kaprizov rookie cards, as we look at his top options that have been committed to cardboard.  

The Best Kirill Kaprizov Rookie Cards 

Drafted in 2015 (135th overall), Kirill Kaprizov NHL rookie cards were released during the 2020-21 season. (He also has earlier cards from his KHL career, starting with 2016-17 cards for Salavat Yulaev Ufa.)

5. 2020-21 Upper Deck Stature Kirill Kaprizov RC #102 (eBay)

2020-21 Upper Deck Stature Hockey features a range of Kaprizov RCs, with a bordered design and lots of versions to chase. There are signed copies and image variants, while the colored auto parallels are the most popular options overall. (Each of the autos contained within the set is hard signed.) 

• Parallels: Green #/175, Red #/85, Blue #/45, Black #/20
• Variants: Base Portrait #/99, Red #/25, Purple 1/1
• Auto Parallels: Green #/85, Red #/45, Blue #/15, Black 1/1

Check prices of ​​2020-21 Upper Deck Stature Kirill Kaprizov RC on eBay

4. 2020-21 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Kirill Kaprizov Patch Auto RC #AHR-KK (eBay)

Continuing with the premium theme, 2020-21 Ultimate Collection Hockey contains a host of valuable Kirill Kaprizov rookie cards. 

In truth, any of the RPA’s numbered to 49 are likely to sell for a significant sum, and have to be seen as some of the best signed options on the market. 

This includes horizontal and vertical Kaprizov RPA’s, while some of the rarer options already sell for four figures. 

Check prices of 2020-21 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Kirill Kaprizov RC on eBay

3. 2020-21 SPx Rookie Jersey Autograph Kirill Kaprizov RC #KK #/165 (Redemption) (eBay)

With a lack of Kirill Kaprizov rookie cards in the 2020-21 SPx NHL base set, this redemption card is a viable alternative.  

The SPx set contains a Kaprizov RPA limited to 165 copies. Found in the Rookie Jersey Autograph subset, there’s also a sole Gold Spectrum parallel numbered to 49. 

• Parallels: Gold Spectrum #/49

Check prices of 2020-21 SPx Rookie Jersey Autograph Kirill Kaprizov RC on eBay

2. 2020-21 SP Game Used Authentic Rookies Kirill Kaprizov RC #180 #/97 (eBay)

With a print run of just 97, it’s hard to ignore the SP Game Used Kaprizov RC. It has the lowest serial number of the cards to make the list, matching his jersey number. (This leads to a range of parallels that can actually be more plentiful.)

You’ll be able to find autographed versions, relic cards, and even signed jersey copies. It’s a clear contender if you’re looking for the best Kaprizov RC on the market. 

• Parallels: Golden Burst #/299 (Hobby), Blue Burst #/199 (Hobby), Purple Burst #/5, Green Burst 1/1

Check prices of 2020-21 SP Game Used Authentic Rookies Kirill Kaprizov RC on eBay

1. 2020-21 Upper Deck Young Guns Kirill Kaprizov RC #451 (eBay)

Issued in 2020-21 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey, and our top pick in terms of the best Kirill Kaprizov rookie card to collect, Young Guns is always going to be one of the go-to collections for hockey RCs.

There are a host of parallels to chase, including Exclusives limited to 100 copies. 

• Parallels: Clear Cut UD Exclusives, French (1:120 Hobby/ePack), Clear Cut (1:288 Hobby), Exclusives #/100 (Hobby/ePack), High Gloss #/10 (Hobby/ePack)
• ePack: Silver Foil, Speckled Rainbow Foil

Check prices of 2020-21 Upper Deck Young Guns Kirill Kaprizov RC on eBay 

Kirill Kaprizov Rookie Cards: Buyers Guide 

What’s the outlook for Kirill Kaprizov rookie cards in the summer of 2022? Here are our thoughts. 

There are tons of cheaper Kirill Kaprizov hockey rookie cards available right now, especially if you’re looking at base cards or copies without a serial number. The /299 Golden Burst SP Game Used parallel can also be found for under $100. 

Either a rare RPA, or the Young Guns card would be our top pick overall. It stands to grow in value if Kaprizov can cement his place as one of the top forwards in the league.

Final Thoughts

Kirill Kaprizov rookie cards seem like a great idea if you’re looking for a more recent player to collect. After all, he received 99 out of 100 first place votes for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021. This is the highest percentage since Teemu Selänne in 1993. 

Kaprizov also featured in his first All-Star Game in 2022, so he’s massively hyped. However, as a Russian national, the forward recently; ‘attempted to return to the United States via a Dubai layover, but was not cleared to enter. He then tried gaining entry by way of the Caribbean Islands, but was denied entry once again.’ 

It’s slightly worrying, especially as he’s the face of the franchise in Minnesota, and is set to enter the second season of a five-year, $45-million deal. 

(If you’d prefer a more established star with no issues, we’d look to the likes of Wayne Gretzky or Connor McDavid.)