Let's Have Some Fun - If the Licensees Have a Cap...

[polacksrules]

Here is what i would do if i was Upper Deck and I will list them in the order of how I would release them

August
1.Victory - Only because it was already announced so i will have to slap around my PR guy. But i would add some of the nice things that Collectors Choice brings like the tattoos and the stickers and make it more kid friendly (Low End)

September
2.Fleer - I would have this replace Ultra and use Ultra as a Parrallel Set to Fleer. Basically Fleer would be the base Set while the Gold and Ice Parrallels would be the Ultra Look. (Low End)

October
3. OPC - I would hold this set to be release to be closer to the end of October so that we can get a better chance of getting some of the bigger rookies that have made their debut. I would also keep the same logic with it as i would keep it a 700 Card set with the same parrallels. Rainbow, Retro, Rainbow Retro and Blank Back. I would Scrap the metal look.(Low Mid End)

November
4. Upper Deck Series 1 - I up the Hits by 1 or 2 but change the YG hits so that it be similar to 2002-03(just without the stupid memorable seasons of players nobody cared about) Have the same number of YG but 1 of them is SSP. Also since its the 20th Anniversary of Upper Deck in Hockey what i would do is release the first wave of Buy Back Young Guns and Make them either 1 a case or one every other case. (just think about what a Crosby YG Buy Back would be worth) (mid mid range)

5.MVP - always liked breaking this product and since they moved to the nice jersey/auto combos. Just make sure that there are no redemptions. (High Low end range)

December
6.Black Diamond - This product has grown on me in the last few years with the new inserts that they have intorduced in it. Maybe take some of the combo jerseys that are in Trilogy or UD Black to have some different types of Jersey/Patch combinations to get more hits. (Mid Mid Range)

January
7.SPX - For this set i would only change it so that it would go back to the cut auto look for the rookies like it did back in 02-03/03-04 so that it would not have to rely on sticker autos. Also Im not a big fan of the Flashback Fabrics I would change it to something else like the Manufatured Patches. But not like it is in OPC Premier but maybe more like they had in the first year of Trilogy. And then the parrallels could be their jersey number or shoulder crest. ex Joe Thornton has the regular shark logo on the normal version, then one parralle could be a manufatured patch of his jersey number and then a third parrallel could be the shoulder patch of the sharks fin in water. (Mid - High Mid Range)

February
8.ICE - Mixed with a trilogy look (i know they did this years ago in basketball - think it was UD GLASS) but have the rookies as the plexi cards and have them in three tiers with tier 1 being 999, tier 2 at 499 and tier 3 at 99 and have these ones as autographs on the plexi. You can also move the ice scripts to this set. I would also move the Frozen Tundra/Tundra Duo and Triple Jersey/Patch Cards from artifacts to this set. (high-mid range)

March
4b.Upper Deck Series 2 - Basically have it the same as it was with the changes that i have done in Series 1. Have the Second Wave of Buy Back Young Guns. Also keeping the Victory Update in this set. (low-mid mid range) (I consider series 1 and 2 as one set)

April

May
9.SP Authentic - Leave as it is with the addition of the lettermen and number marks for the rookies as well as other players. The Signs of the times can stay as i know alot of people that try to do that set. And also Third and last wave of Buy Backs from past years sets, but with lower numbered(Ex. 05-06 UD ICE A. Ovechkin RC /8 Auto BuyBack). The only thing that i would take out from this set would be the SP Notables. (High Mid range to Low High End)

10.Ultamite Collection - I would keep this as is but mix in up with UD Black/ using the game tickets and 6 on 6 jerseys swatches like they did this year. But I would rebrand it as ULTIMATE PREMIER COLLECTION. Have parallels of the rookies like they do in Premier with auto jerseys and auto jersey patches and auto patches. They can bring over the Remenant jerseys variations from OPC Premier.(Mid High End)

June
11.The Cup... Just leave it as is. I would just add the Pride of Nation stuff from UD Black in here.(High High End)

Now I know I only have 11 listed because the last one I have a few different Options on what could be done.

1. I like the Idea of having a Artifacts mixed with Champs because it makes sense. The big hit in the Champs is an Artifact Card. Keep the Parrallels and the Redemptions for the rookies just add the Minis as part of the set with the mini Autofacts.I would not put much Jersey's in this set except maybe Treasured Swatches as it would fit into the theme here.I would release this set in April as a filler and use the redemptions for the upcomming draft that year. (Mid Mid range)

2. Having the BAP set. but bring it back more as the Signature Series was. I would release this in the April Time frame just to have something between Series 2 and SPA. (Mid Mid Range)

3. I know that this may not be popular but if people want their Update Set why not have Rookie Update run in the Middle or April and have it update Black Diamond, MVP, SPX, OPC, (maybe Ice). This way you can get the rest of the rookies that have come out released for other sets and bring back the dual Autos/ dual Jerseys of current stars and current rookies. Just think if there was a rookie update set this year, Gretzky/Tavares or Gustovsson/Lundqvuist, Duchene(sp)/Yzerman. (Mid Mid Range)

I know that some of this is radical and different. I actually had a bit of an argument because he believes that SP Game Used should be a set and I say that Game Used is basically a redundance of all the other sets put together. Always welcome to critisism and if Upper Deck is reading this and they like my idea .. all i ask in return.. is maybe a set of the buybacks for myself

[HammerHawks]

^I like it.

[charvey9]

Artifacts
Black
Ice
MVP
SP Authentic
SP Game Used
SPx
The Cup
Trilogy
Ultimate Collection
Upper Deck 1
Upper Deck 2
Victory

Its 13 total...but assuming that UD1 and UD2 could be rolled in to the same product.

[bidds55]

Here is what i would do if i was Upper Deck and I will list them in the order of how I would release them

August
1.Victory - Only because it was already announced so i will have to slap around my PR guy. But i would add some of the nice things that Collectors Choice brings like the tattoos and the stickers and make it more kid friendly (Low End)

September
2.Fleer - I would have this replace Ultra and use Ultra as a Parrallel Set to Fleer. Basically Fleer would be the base Set while the Gold and Ice Parrallels would be the Ultra Look. (Low End)

October
3. OPC - I would hold this set to be release to be closer to the end of October so that we can get a better chance of getting some of the bigger rookies that have made their debut. I would also keep the same logic with it as i would keep it a 700 Card set with the same parrallels. Rainbow, Retro, Rainbow Retro and Blank Back. I would Scrap the metal look.(Low Mid End)

November
4. Upper Deck Series 1 - I up the Hits by 1 or 2 but change the YG hits so that it be similar to 2002-03(just without the stupid memorable seasons of players nobody cared about) Have the same number of YG but 1 of them is SSP. Also since its the 20th Anniversary of Upper Deck in Hockey what i would do is release the first wave of Buy Back Young Guns and Make them either 1 a case or one every other case. (just think about what a Crosby YG Buy Back would be worth) (mid mid range)

5.MVP - always liked breaking this product and since they moved to the nice jersey/auto combos. Just make sure that there are no redemptions. (High Low end range)

December
6.Black Diamond - This product has grown on me in the last few years with the new inserts that they have intorduced in it. Maybe take some of the combo jerseys that are in Trilogy or UD Black to have some different types of Jersey/Patch combinations to get more hits. (Mid Mid Range)

January
7.SPX - For this set i would only change it so that it would go back to the cut auto look for the rookies like it did back in 02-03/03-04 so that it would not have to rely on sticker autos. Also Im not a big fan of the Flashback Fabrics I would change it to something else like the Manufatured Patches. But not like it is in OPC Premier but maybe more like they had in the first year of Trilogy. And then the parrallels could be their jersey number or shoulder crest. ex Joe Thornton has the regular shark logo on the normal version, then one parralle could be a manufatured patch of his jersey number and then a third parrallel could be the shoulder patch of the sharks fin in water. (Mid - High Mid Range)

February
8.ICE - Mixed with a trilogy look (i know they did this years ago in basketball - think it was UD GLASS) but have the rookies as the plexi cards and have them in three tiers with tier 1 being 999, tier 2 at 499 and tier 3 at 99 and have these ones as autographs on the plexi. You can also move the ice scripts to this set. I would also move the Frozen Tundra/Tundra Duo and Triple Jersey/Patch Cards from artifacts to this set. (high-mid range)

March
4b.Upper Deck Series 2 - Basically have it the same as it was with the changes that i have done in Series 1. Have the Second Wave of Buy Back Young Guns. Also keeping the Victory Update in this set. (low-mid mid range) (I consider series 1 and 2 as one set)

April

May
9.SP Authentic - Leave as it is with the addition of the lettermen and number marks for the rookies as well as other players. The Signs of the times can stay as i know alot of people that try to do that set. And also Third and last wave of Buy Backs from past years sets, but with lower numbered(Ex. 05-06 UD ICE A. Ovechkin RC /8 Auto BuyBack). The only thing that i would take out from this set would be the SP Notables. (High Mid range to Low High End)

10.Ultamite Collection - I would keep this as is but mix in up with UD Black/ using the game tickets and 6 on 6 jerseys swatches like they did this year. But I would rebrand it as ULTIMATE PREMIER COLLECTION. Have parallels of the rookies like they do in Premier with auto jerseys and auto jersey patches and auto patches. They can bring over the Remenant jerseys variations from OPC Premier.(Mid High End)

June
11.The Cup... Just leave it as is. I would just add the Pride of Nation stuff from UD Black in here.(High High End)

Now I know I only have 11 listed because the last one I have a few different Options on what could be done.

1. I like the Idea of having a Artifacts mixed with Champs because it makes sense. The big hit in the Champs is an Artifact Card. Keep the Parrallels and the Redemptions for the rookies just add the Minis as part of the set with the mini Autofacts.I would not put much Jersey's in this set except maybe Treasured Swatches as it would fit into the theme here.I would release this set in April as a filler and use the redemptions for the upcomming draft that year. (Mid Mid range)

2. Having the BAP set. but bring it back more as the Signature Series was. I would release this in the April Time frame just to have something between Series 2 and SPA. (Mid Mid Range)

3. I know that this may not be popular but if people want their Update Set why not have Rookie Update run in the Middle or April and have it update Black Diamond, MVP, SPX, OPC, (maybe Ice). This way you can get the rest of the rookies that have come out released for other sets and bring back the dual Autos/ dual Jerseys of current stars and current rookies. Just think if there was a rookie update set this year, Gretzky/Tavares or Gustovsson/Lundqvuist, Duchene(sp)/Yzerman. (Mid Mid Range)

I know that some of this is radical and different. I actually had a bit of an argument because he believes that SP Game Used should be a set and I say that Game Used is basically a redundance of all the other sets put together. Always welcome to critisism and if Upper Deck is reading this and they like my idea .. all i ask in return.. is maybe a set of the buybacks for myself

This is well thought out. I don't entirely agree with all of it, but well thought out none the less. I like the idea of an "Update Set", which updates any sets that need updating.

[kostit]

keep
Artifacts
Black Diamond mixed with 1 per box ud black letterman
Ice mixed with trilogy ice script
McDonald's
MVP
O-Pee-Chee
SP Authentic
SPx
The Cup
Ultimate Collection
Upper Deck 1 released in january, with all the nice rc
Victory

theres also a place for 1 special release per year, example canadiens centennials, legends masterpieces... ...

[LALakers23]

My favorite so far, great idea with the buybacks, I think it is about time they bring them back. especially an Ovechkin ice rc /8 buyback. That sounds amazing. Series 1 it should be only YG's. Series 2, the base set with a buyback parralel as well as random low #d rc sets buybacks. sets like ice, bap etc. But both the buybacks should be fairly scarce, like 1 every 3 cases or so.

Here is what i would do if i was Upper Deck and I will list them in the order of how I would release them

August
1.Victory - Only because it was already announced so i will have to slap around my PR guy. But i would add some of the nice things that Collectors Choice brings like the tattoos and the stickers and make it more kid friendly (Low End)

September
2.Fleer - I would have this replace Ultra and use Ultra as a Parrallel Set to Fleer. Basically Fleer would be the base Set while the Gold and Ice Parrallels would be the Ultra Look. (Low End)

October
3. OPC - I would hold this set to be release to be closer to the end of October so that we can get a better chance of getting some of the bigger rookies that have made their debut. I would also keep the same logic with it as i would keep it a 700 Card set with the same parrallels. Rainbow, Retro, Rainbow Retro and Blank Back. I would Scrap the metal look.(Low Mid End)

November
4. Upper Deck Series 1 - I up the Hits by 1 or 2 but change the YG hits so that it be similar to 2002-03(just without the stupid memorable seasons of players nobody cared about) Have the same number of YG but 1 of them is SSP. Also since its the 20th Anniversary of Upper Deck in Hockey what i would do is release the first wave of Buy Back Young Guns and Make them either 1 a case or one every other case. (just think about what a Crosby YG Buy Back would be worth) (mid mid range)

5.MVP - always liked breaking this product and since they moved to the nice jersey/auto combos. Just make sure that there are no redemptions. (High Low end range)

December
6.Black Diamond - This product has grown on me in the last few years with the new inserts that they have intorduced in it. Maybe take some of the combo jerseys that are in Trilogy or UD Black to have some different types of Jersey/Patch combinations to get more hits. (Mid Mid Range)

January
7.SPX - For this set i would only change it so that it would go back to the cut auto look for the rookies like it did back in 02-03/03-04 so that it would not have to rely on sticker autos. Also Im not a big fan of the Flashback Fabrics I would change it to something else like the Manufatured Patches. But not like it is in OPC Premier but maybe more like they had in the first year of Trilogy. And then the parrallels could be their jersey number or shoulder crest. ex Joe Thornton has the regular shark logo on the normal version, then one parralle could be a manufatured patch of his jersey number and then a third parrallel could be the shoulder patch of the sharks fin in water. (Mid - High Mid Range)

February
8.ICE - Mixed with a trilogy look (i know they did this years ago in basketball - think it was UD GLASS) but have the rookies as the plexi cards and have them in three tiers with tier 1 being 999, tier 2 at 499 and tier 3 at 99 and have these ones as autographs on the plexi. You can also move the ice scripts to this set. I would also move the Frozen Tundra/Tundra Duo and Triple Jersey/Patch Cards from artifacts to this set. (high-mid range)

March
4b.Upper Deck Series 2 - Basically have it the same as it was with the changes that i have done in Series 1. Have the Second Wave of Buy Back Young Guns. Also keeping the Victory Update in this set. (low-mid mid range) (I consider series 1 and 2 as one set)

April

May
9.SP Authentic - Leave as it is with the addition of the lettermen and number marks for the rookies as well as other players. The Signs of the times can stay as i know alot of people that try to do that set. And also Third and last wave of Buy Backs from past years sets, but with lower numbered(Ex. 05-06 UD ICE A. Ovechkin RC /8 Auto BuyBack). The only thing that i would take out from this set would be the SP Notables. (High Mid range to Low High End)

10.Ultamite Collection - I would keep this as is but mix in up with UD Black/ using the game tickets and 6 on 6 jerseys swatches like they did this year. But I would rebrand it as ULTIMATE PREMIER COLLECTION. Have parallels of the rookies like they do in Premier with auto jerseys and auto jersey patches and auto patches. They can bring over the Remenant jerseys variations from OPC Premier.(Mid High End)

June
11.The Cup... Just leave it as is. I would just add the Pride of Nation stuff from UD Black in here.(High High End)

Now I know I only have 11 listed because the last one I have a few different Options on what could be done.

1. I like the Idea of having a Artifacts mixed with Champs because it makes sense. The big hit in the Champs is an Artifact Card. Keep the Parrallels and the Redemptions for the rookies just add the Minis as part of the set with the mini Autofacts.I would not put much Jersey's in this set except maybe Treasured Swatches as it would fit into the theme here.I would release this set in April as a filler and use the redemptions for the upcomming draft that year. (Mid Mid range)

2. Having the BAP set. but bring it back more as the Signature Series was. I would release this in the April Time frame just to have something between Series 2 and SPA. (Mid Mid Range)

3. I know that this may not be popular but if people want their Update Set why not have Rookie Update run in the Middle or April and have it update Black Diamond, MVP, SPX, OPC, (maybe Ice). This way you can get the rest of the rookies that have come out released for other sets and bring back the dual Autos/ dual Jerseys of current stars and current rookies. Just think if there was a rookie update set this year, Gretzky/Tavares or Gustovsson/Lundqvuist, Duchene(sp)/Yzerman. (Mid Mid Range)

I know that some of this is radical and different. I actually had a bit of an argument because he believes that SP Game Used should be a set and I say that Game Used is basically a redundance of all the other sets put together. Always welcome to critisism and if Upper Deck is reading this and they like my idea .. all i ask in return.. is maybe a set of the buybacks for myself

[kovyheater]

Why make 12 when really all you need are these 4 series

1. Upper Deck Series 1 & 2 with YGs
2. SP Authentic
3. UD Ultimate
4. The Cup

If I were the UD CEO, I would consolidate and simplify the market, not flood them with crap stuff that no one will care about in 3 years.
Spend the due diligence and time in making these 4 sets spectacular, full of the top rookies, auto's and actual GU pieces (not photo-shoot).

I vote for quality over quantity.

[Slyner77]

I would keep the following

Artifacts
Be A Player
Black Diamond
Ice
MVP
SP Authentic
The Cup
Trilogy
Ultra
Upper Deck 1
Upper Deck 2
Victory

[afholmes87]

Low End:
1. Victory-just because UD has already announced it lol.
2. O-Pee-Chee- I really enjoy this stuff, like the Retro parallels and it always seems like you get good value(trade at least) every time you open any of this stuff.

Mid-End:
3. SP Authentic- My favorite set of the year, always a great selection of hard-signed auto's and the FW Auto'd RC's are some of the most desirable cards year in and year out, for set/rookie/player collectors alike.
4. SPx- Really like the RC Jersey Auto's and subsets like Flashback Fabrics, plus all of the nice patch variations.
5. Artifacts- Though I'm not huge on Artifacts, you do have the chance to pull some nice stuff.
6. UD1- Young Guns are a Rookie staple as they are usually the first true RC's of the "Big Guns" from the draft. My only problem is the inserts, too many garbage insert sets...
7. UD2- Same as UD1, but I think maybe they should hold on to 1 or 2 of the bigger RC's from UD1 and release them in UD2 to make it a bit more desirable.
8. SP Game Used- A lot of nice stuff can come out of this product, the letter marks, by the letter, nice dual/triple/quad/etc. patches
9. Black Diamond- Love the tier'd RC's and the parallels are a nice chase without being overdone(see Champ's, Artifacts) but is missing something. It'd be nice to be able to pull Quad patch variations of the jersey cards.

High End:
10. The Cup- I really have a hard time justifying over $100 for a single pack of cards so these high end sets don't really affect me, but the singles that come out of this product look really nice and the RPA's are a hit every year.
11. OPC Premier- Again, I'd never buy it, but the Rookie's always look great and I do pick up singles of my PC guys when I see them on ebay.
12. Ultimate- see OPC Premier.

[pacadie]

1- Victory - No choice. Add some numbered parallels a la MVP.
2- Upper Deck 1 - A sure shot.
3- Upper Deck 2 - Another sure shot.
4- O-Pee-Chee - My favorite product every year.
5- SP Authentic - We need to keep those FW Auto RC.
6- The Cup - Axing it will lead to a riot.
7- O-Pee-Chee 2 - I never have enough of OPC.
8- SPx - Love the AU RC and Flasbhack fabrics.
9- Black Diamond - A fan favorite
10- Ultimate Collection - Because High-End collectors can never get enough

That's it. The rest is just too redundant for me. Seriously, what is the difference between base sets and RC of Trilogy, Artifacts and SPGU?
Take the best inserts sets of those and add some value to Black Diamond, SPx and even OPC. Or do a better selction in Upper Deck inserts.