Hockey Card Prices Dropping November 2026: What Collectors Need to Know

Estimated reading time: 12 min

Key Takeaways

• Hockey card prices dropping November 2026 reflect increased supply, reprints, and cooling hype.
• Top players like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby have seen price corrections, raw and graded.
• Rookie cards from the 2026-27 draft class appear to be losing more value than some established stars.
• Using AI grading tools like Midpoint can help identify cards with strong centering before grading.
• Collectors may consider buying the dip, pre-grading, and holding or selling strategically during this market cooldown.

The hockey card market in November 2026 is experiencing a correction, with prices dropping across many segments. Understanding the possible causes behind falling hockey card prices, which cards appear to be losing value, and how to navigate this downturn can help collectors make informed decisions. This listicle breaks down key trends, highlights specific player cards affected, and offers strategies to buy the dip wisely, including how grading and centering may impact resale value.

30-day price movers — live data from Midpoint's card database, as of 2026-10-26. Prices move; Midpoint refreshes these daily.

	Card	Raw	PSA 10	30-day
	Macklin Celebrini #13 2024 Upper Deck NHL Star Rookies Box Set	$19.57	$224.12	-0.1%
	Ivan Demidov [Black] #174 2025 Upper Deck Artifacts	$713.98	—	0%
	Mario Lemieux #9 1985 O-Pee-Chee	$238.53	$34,816	0%
	Mike Modano #348 1990 Topps Tiffany	$55.27	—	0%
	Macklin Celebrini [Neon Yellow Surge] #263 2024 O-Pee-Chee Platinum	$176.11	$558.18	0%
	Macklin Celebrini [Orange Checkers] #263 2024 O-Pee-Chee Platinum	$1,010	$2,227	0%
	Carl Brewer #18 1960 Parkhurst	$10.30	$1,683	0%
	Eric Lindros #SRR-EL 2023 Upper Deck The Cup Signature Renditions Retirement	$111.52	—	0%
	Matthew Schaefer [10] #PC-37 2025 Upper Deck Series 2 Population Count	$2,540	$11,535	0%
	Mike Modano #188 1990 Bowman Tiffany	$12.67	$1,285	0%

Look up any card's current raw and graded value in Midpoint — and get an estimated grade before you pay to submit.

1. Why Are Hockey Card Prices Dropping November 2026?

One reason hockey card prices are dropping in November 2026 is a surge in supply combined with market saturation. New releases, reprints, and insert-heavy product lines have increased market availability, potentially diluting scarcity. Additionally, hype around recent rookies and draft prospects appears to have cooled, which may reduce speculative demand.

For example, the 2026-27 rookie cards, which generated excitement earlier this year, have reportedly seen price declines in raw and PSA 10 graded versions as of 2026-10-26. This correction may reflect collectors reassessing long-term value amid broader market shifts.

Increased grading volume also affects scarcity and resale values, as more PSA and BGS graded cards enter circulation, which can soften premiums on previously scarce top grades.

2. Hockey Cards Losing Value: Who’s Hit the Hardest?

Among big stars, Connor McDavid’s base rookie cards have reportedly dropped in raw value and PSA 10 grades since last month. Sidney Crosby’s cards have also softened, with raw prices down and graded prices following suit.

Wayne Gretzky’s vintage cards appear more resilient but may have faced minor declines, demonstrating how legacy players can maintain relative stability even during corrections.

• Connor McDavid 2025-26 O-Pee-Chee Base Rookie Card raw price reportedly down around 19%.
• Sidney Crosby 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 raw price reportedly down around 17%.
• Wayne Gretzky 1980 Topps graded PSA 10 reportedly down about 7%.

3. How Are 2026-27 Rookie Cards and Draft-Class Prospects Performing?

Rookie cards from the 2026-27 season and recent draft prospects appear to be experiencing sharper declines compared to some established stars. This group reportedly saw average raw card prices drop around 22%, with graded PSA 10 cards falling about 15% as of 2026-10-26. The influx of rookies and the market’s adjustment to hype-driven prices may contribute to this trend.

Collectors should carefully evaluate these rookies’ centering and condition before grading, as solidly centered cards can still command premiums even during a downturn.

4. Falling Hockey Card Prices Impact Inserts, Parallels, Autographs, and Memorabilia

Insert sets, parallels, autographed, and memorabilia cards have also experienced price pressure. Inserts and parallels, which are generally more plentiful, reportedly dropped 20-30% in raw and graded prices. Autographed and memorabilia cards have been more resilient but still saw declines averaging 10-15%.

Collectors may want to prioritize cards with low print runs or unique attributes to mitigate losses during this market slump.

5. Raw Card Prices Versus PSA 10 and Graded Card Premiums

Raw card prices have generally dropped more sharply than PSA 10 graded cards. For instance, the raw version of Connor McDavid’s 2025-26 OPC base rookie reportedly dropped 19%, while PSA 10 versions fell about 12%. This illustrates how grading can add value stability despite overall market softness.

However, increased grading volumes have compressed premiums somewhat, as more cards meet top-grade standards. This trend means collectors should be strategic about grading costs versus potential resale benefits.

6. Using Recent Sold Listings to Gauge True Market Value

Tracking recent sold listings instead of asking prices is important to understand actual market value. Asking prices often lag or remain inflated during downturns. Midpoint’s card lookup feature offers real-time data on raw and graded card sales across 250,000+ cards, helping collectors spot value trends.

For example, recent sales show the Sidney Crosby 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 raw card averaged $85, down from $102 a month prior, indicating a price drop beyond listed ask prices.

7. November 2026 Hockey Card Release Calendar and Market Effects

The November release calendar includes multiple insert-heavy sets and reprints, further increasing supply. This influx may contribute to downward price pressure as collectors face more options and less urgency to buy newly issued cards at peak prices.

Collectors should monitor release dates and consider limiting impulse purchases during heavy supply periods to avoid overpaying.

8. Strategies for Buying the Dip Effectively

Buying the dip can be a smart move if done cautiously. Key strategies include:

• Focus on well-centered raw cards using AI grading tools like Midpoint before investing in expensive grading submissions.
• Target cards with historically stable value or strong player narratives, such as Connor McDavid or top 2026-27 rookies with solid performance.
• Consider pre-grading your cards using guides like this Midpoint pre-grading tutorial to avoid costly grading mistakes.
• Hold cards with potential long-term growth rather than flipping during the downturn to maximize future returns.

9. How Grading and Centering Affect Value During a Market Downturn

Centering remains one of the most critical factors in grading and card value. Cards with precise centering can maintain higher PSA, BGS, or CGC grades, commanding premiums even when overall prices fall.

Midpoint’s AI-powered centering measurement tool offers millimeter-precise analysis, helping collectors decide which cards to grade. This can reduce grading fees on poorly centered cards that may not yield high returns.

10. Should You Sell or Hold During the November 2026 Market Downturn?

Deciding to sell or hold depends on individual goals and card types. For cards heavily impacted by price drops, holding may be wise if the player’s long-term prospects remain intact. Conversely, cards with weakening narratives or high supply might be better sold to free capital for undervalued opportunities.

Using portfolio tracking features in apps like Midpoint can help manage your collection’s value over time and identify optimal selling points.

Conclusion

Hockey card prices dropping November 2026 reflect a market correction likely driven by increased supply, reprints, and cooling hype. Both raw and graded cards of top stars and rookies have softened, though grading and centering quality continue to impact premiums. Using data-driven tools like Midpoint to assess centering and track real sales can help collectors buy the dip strategically and avoid costly grading mistakes. By focusing on strong-centered cards, monitoring releases, and choosing when to hold or sell, collectors can navigate this downturn more effectively.

FAQ

Q: Why are hockey card prices dropping in November 2026?

A: Prices are dropping likely due to increased supply from new releases and reprints, fading hype around rookies and prospects, and higher grading volumes softening scarcity.

Q: Which hockey cards are losing the most value right now?

A: 2026-27 rookie cards and recent draft-class prospects appear to be losing more value, with raw prices down around 22% and graded cards about 15%, while stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby also face notable declines.

Q: Are Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby hockey cards still good investments?

A: While their prices have dropped, these cards remain relatively stable compared to some rookies and can be good long-term holds if you focus on well-centered, high-grade examples.

Q: Are hockey rookie cards dropping more than graded cards?

A: Yes, raw rookie card prices have fallen more sharply than PSA 10 or other graded cards, as grading can add some value stability during the downturn.

Q: Should I buy hockey cards during the November 2026 price dip?

A: Buying the dip can be smart if you use tools like Midpoint to identify well-centered cards with grading potential and focus on players with strong long-term prospects.

Q: How can I check the current value of a hockey card using recent sales?

A: Use apps like Midpoint that provide real-time lookup of raw and graded card prices based on recent sold listings, not just asking prices, to gauge true market value accurately.