13-14 The Cup..../99 Predictions.

[walter5o9]

Hey all Since we have a double rookie class rapidly approaching us I thought it would be fun to see who we THINK is going to be in that set numbered out of /99.

Its really going to be tough to nail down some guys because of the insane amount of great tallent that is going to be out there (between this year and next).

So without further ado here are the "highlighted" rookies from this year and next that could make it to the /99 set rookie.

12-13 Rookie (notables)
Nail Yakupov
Jonathan Huberdeau
Cory Conacher
Brendan Gallagher
Alex Galchenyuk
Justin Schultz
Vladimir Tarasenko
Dougie Hamilton
Viktor Fasth
Mikhail Grigorenko
Gabriel Dumont
***Reach***Scott Laughton*

13-14 Potential
Seth Jones
Jonathan Drouin
Nathan MacKinnon
Aleksander Barkov

So with that we can see that they have at least 15 strong candidates for the next years cup.
If it were me I would see about splitting the cup into a series 1 and 2 just for this year with the double rookie crop. With all that potential you would want to maximize your /99 talent pool and not waste guys putting them at a /249. If it were to slit the year you could essentially double the rookies to /99 and make them all relevant, while maximizing your revenue.

Just thought this would be fun to talk about.

*Note*
I do not work for Upper Deck/Panini/ITG or any other card company (as I really wish I did). This is pure speculation as to who may be a /99 SP Rookie and have no inside knowledge of this or any other product.

 

[ry_dmack sportscards]

Wow splitting cup into a series 1/series 2 format - which means more filler added to the product to split into two releases to go along with some of the bigger hits. Personally I hope they do not go that route both logistically and financially - I dont think my wallet can handle that...

My hope is they limit the # of 99s. Ideally would it love if they went back to a 3-4 #/99 format but probably will not happen. Hoping they would do 6 at most with the top 3 from the 12-13 year and the 13-14 year and leaving the rest #/249 thereby ensuring some big names and some value in the lower tier ARPs.

 

[thedewk]

A name I would add is Tyler Toffoli. Next year's releases are going to be loaded with top talent.

 

[oasis]

just don't see that happening.

Wtih the rookie snafu, I project things with the cup remain the same

 

[30ranfordfan]

No chance they do multiple releases. Would be a disaster for the product.

I bet they double the 99s though. 5 from each year.

 

[Fred Bear]

Anybody think there's a chance they will add a tier? /99, /149, /249 or something similar? I'd guess they might expand the number of RCs included to bump the set to something like 200 or 210 total. Maybe 5 /99, 10 tier 2, and an additional 10 tier '3'.

 

[wildfan1833]

Jason zucker, granland, brodin

 

[RGM81]

If Gabriel Dumont or Mikhail Grigorenko becomes an /99, we can safely say that The Cup has jumped the shark.

Gotta keep it tight and low. I do think it will be expanded somewhat but only to 10 players:

Gallagher
Galchenyuk
Yakupov
Huberdeau
Conacher
Drouin
MacKinnon
Jones
2013-14 Rookie
2013-14 Rookie

 

[BillInDallas]

Anybody think there's a chance they will add a tier? /99, /149, /249 or something similar? I'd guess they might expand the number of RCs included to bump the set to something like 200 or 210 total. Maybe 5 /99, 10 tier 2, and an additional 10 tier '3'.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Of the three scenarios of expanding the /99 list, splitting the release into 2 series, or adding a tier, I think this is the most likely. It's logistically not a problem for UD and will make collectors happy at the same time whereas the other two scenarios could ruffle the delicate feathers of collectors and create logistical headaches for UD.

 

[dalecasey]

As a Jake Allen collector, I'm curious to see what number his Cup card will be assigned and whether it will be considered an XRC or not. (I'm thinking it will have to be.)

 

[frankiefives]

If UD plans to release The Cup for this summer, you can bet it will be series 1 of 13-14 instead. The product would be HORRIBLE with the current rookie crop allowed for 12-13

 

[gomaz]

My prediction is that there will be the same two tiers as in recent years - /99 & /249 and that there will be exactly six players /99 and the balance /249. And there will only be one series.

My prediction of players who will be /99 are:
Yakupov
Galchenyuk
Huberdeau
McKinnon
Jones
Drouin

I am tempted to go with Gallagher instead of Galchenyuk but won't because of Galchenyuk's draft position.

It makes more sense for UD to keep the /99's at six because they can "add value" by having more players at the /249 level. This was their thinking in 08-09 when Mason was /249 but would have been a huge hit (at that time) if he was /99. It gives them more pack hits which translates to more production overall and therefore more revenue.

 

[MrWrestler74]

I think that Jacob Trouba could be a /99 as well.

 

[gomaz]

I think that Jacob Trouba could be a /99 as well.

He crossed my mind as well but I think Jones may be d-man enough.

 

[MrWrestler74]

If Trouba makes the roster and shows well, it could happen. Luke Schenn was a /99, why not Trouba and Jones too!

 

[sanintarious]

Sven Baertschi is a very likely candidate for the 12-13 Rookies.

 

[Kol]

My prediction is that there will be the same two tiers as in recent years - /99 & /249 and that there will be exactly six players /99 and the balance /249. And there will only be one series.

My prediction of players who will be /99 are:
Yakupov
Galchenyuk
Huberdeau
McKinnon
Jones
Drouin

I am tempted to go with Gallagher instead of Galchenyuk but won't because of Galchenyuk's draft position.

It makes more sense for UD to keep the /99's at six because they can "add value" by having more players at the /249 level. This was their thinking in 08-09 when Mason was /249 but would have been a huge hit (at that time) if he was /99. It gives them more pack hits which translates to more production overall and therefore more revenue.

my exact thoughts if they make 6/99s. I have a gut feeling they are going to do 3x/99, 10-15/199, and rest /249.....kind of like 05-06

the 3 would be the two #1 picks and a dman or goalie

 

[stamkos21]

And just to be clear, this proposed version of The Cup would only be out in Summer 2014, correct?

That is still 14 months ago at the earliest?

Will be interesting to see what they will do with this year's release.

Also agree that will have 6 RC /99 next year with the rest being /249

Gomaz's selection looks right to me, althought i could potentially see both Habs making it if they have a good season next year (at least early part)

 

[thedewk]

Until UD announces they won't release the Cup later this fall all bets are off. The last few years they have passed the August deadline for releasing it and it was still considered to belong with the previous years' releases. In theory the 2013/14 Cup release could come out Sept. 1 and feature Yakupov, etc. Then next Sept, 2013/14 Cup release could feature Jones, MacKinnon, etc(provided they dress for a game) provided they apply for an extension. So there is some merit to the 2 release philosophy. Plus it has been a tough year on the hobby with the lockout, so having 2 Cup releases wouldn't hurt UD's pocket book.

In the event this happens, my prediction for 2013/14 "Series 1" #/99 would be:

Yakupov
Galchenyuk
Gallagher
Huberdeau
Hamilton
Kreider

Series 2 #/99(provided they qualify to appear)
MacKinnon
Jones
Drouin
Barkov
Nickushkin(spelling?)
Monahan

 

[JR]

Since Jack Campbell made a brief appearance this season as a backup for the Stars,wonder if he'll get a Cup rookie. Fingers crossed for a Garbutt,Roussel,Smith,Dillon and Chaisson as well.