It's always fun when Upper Deck releases the second series of their mainline product. Collectors get to pursue new Young Guns, and previous sets get updated cards. Though much of the cards are similar to the first series, Upper Deck does throw in new things for collectors to find. Depending on the rookie crop, one of the two series is usually the preferred during any given year. So far this year, there are compelling rookies to be found in both series! It'll be interesting to see if that holds up over time.
Base Card Design -
I won't go into too much detail about the basic set of Series Two as the cards are identical to that of the first. I will say, though, that looking through the cards I saw mostly just on-ice action photos. Gone were the more unique takes on the NHL season that I have seen in the past. I'm not sure why this is. Usually Upper Deck is the gold standard when it comes to photography. It's not that the pictures are bad, they are quite nice action photos... but I didn't find myself really being compelled by them. In my original score, I gave the base set a 9 out of 10. For this set, I'm knocking it down by a half point because of what I noticed in the photography on the cards.
Base Card Design Score:
8.5/10
Inserts/Game-Used/Autos -
Just like in Series One, collectors will get 24 packs per hobby box of Series Two. It makes for a nice substantial break. Series Two usually has more to find inside packs as old sets are updated. In this case, collectors will find updates to the O-Pee-Chee set here. There should be all sorts of OPC goodness such as rookies, retros, and rainbows to dig up.
Quite a few of the packs in the box had OPC updates. In the box I opened I was able to pull standard OPC updates as well as one foil and some retro cards. It was especially nice to find this Mitch Marner along with his true Young Gun as well. This box was certainly nice to me with finding a couple of sweet Marners within it.
As with Series One, you can find the venerable UD Canvas set within the packs. Just as with the base set, I feel that these cards have a bit less flair to them than they should. I mentioned in my previous review of 16/17 Upper Deck that I felt these cards were a bit pedestrian. And I still get that same feeling as I pull them out of this second series.
Rookie Breakouts are a exclusive to Series Two, but have been a mainstay insert within the Upper Deck series. These cards are very nice looking with a cracked acetate look and beautiful foiling. The look of these inserts are phenomenal. Each one of these are limited to just 100 each. This is probably my favorite looking card out of this set.
As for hits, UD Game Jersey cards once again can be found. These are enjoyable cards and is a nice little pack in for Series Two. I didn't get one, but Rookie Material cards are another jersey insert that can be found in these packs. It's really a toss up to which one you'll find in a box. I do like, however, that the UD Game jersey card features game-worn material whereas the Rookie Material cards are most likely from a photoshoot.
Series Two also continues the Upper Deck Portrait inserts as well as UD Signatures. Getting an autograph out of Series One or Two is a pretty tough proposition. They are usually case hits. In terms of getting bonus content, I like that Series Two ups the ante just a little bit. Its score gets a half point boost in comparison to Series One.
Inserts/Game-Used/Autos Score:
8.5/10
Overall Rating -
This year's Series Two seems to be a pretty strong overall product with a nice selection of Young Guns to be found. Rookies from Series One can also be found in the form of OPC update cards, so pulling out some of the top rookies from the year is definitely possible. As it always is, Series Two is a must buy if you're trying to build a set of Upper Deck. Series Two really is a great addition to the first set and completes the season in a nice way.
It's not hard to recommend buying Upper Deck Series Two. For the price, you can get some very nice cards and rookies. Buying Series Two is good in all of its forms - pack/blaster/box/case. I'm sure if you're into hockey cards, you've already gotten some or are planning on getting your hands on some soon.
It's not hard to recommend buying Upper Deck Series Two. For the price, you can get some very nice cards and rookies. Buying Series Two is good in all of its forms - pack/blaster/box/case. I'm sure if you're into hockey cards, you've already gotten some or are planning on getting your hands on some soon.
Overall Score:
9/10
Check out my box of Upper Deck Series Two:
Loved the review, great video and always love watching your channel. That marker young gun is a beauty. YouTube is Seagull Halo
ReplyDeleteNice Mitch Marner card.
ReplyDeleteNice young guns card! In the past few years, I opened a few boxes of these and I have never pulled a good young guns...
ReplyDeleteYouTube:Nicolas Bond
A great review and a great break as always!
ReplyDeleteLong live the BlackSheep!!!
YT: 88Blackhawks Fan19
Always cheer me up
ReplyDeleteYt Mark Haan
Opened a lot of those boxes. It's so much fun. Nice review :)
ReplyDeleteYT: Pierlou
Really like the relic YouTube is mg cards
ReplyDeletethis was a great box!
ReplyDeleteYoutube: RedWraith
great product i have 2 boxes coming in the mail. hope to get that same Marner YG!!! congrats
ReplyDeleteYT: EmkayBe
Always have loved series 2, UD did a great job this year.
ReplyDeleteContact: Instagram @justnhlstuff
Nice cards. Really like the design of them this year especially on the canvas cards. Congrats on the Marner! YT:johnj84848484
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNice rookie breakouts. I love the cracked acetate.Overall a great box. YouTube:Hockey Mtg
ReplyDeleteLove this video and nice cards go leafs go
ReplyDeleteYt: Captainstorm2311
Nice Marner Young Gun. Series 2 was overall a solid product.
ReplyDeleteYT: ZeroWolfGiven
Great break. Love that Marner young gun
ReplyDeleteYouTube: VCcanucks 101
Not the best box but the Marner was the card of that box! Hoping you would pull a Laine young guns.
ReplyDeleteYouTube: Brennan Osinski
Wish the hit was better, great box anyways
ReplyDeleteYouTube: chanedw
Instagram: chanedw
+ Great looking Rookie Breakouts set.
ReplyDelete+ Decent selection of Young Guns.
- I miss the more unique photos on the base cards.
- A bit too many "cheap" card from OPC included, compared to regular hits and inserts.
Youtube: Majlfp
I'm from Toronto and I love that marner card!
ReplyDeleteYT:Mkapps19
Nice review. As a Kings fan I'm liking that Toffoli UD game jersey.
ReplyDeleteYT: Jess S.
Hi Blacksheep, great break again, are you trading the Chychryn Card?:)))
ReplyDeleteYT:choongulrich
I love series 2 as always. Affordable and you get alot of nice things. The best part is in almost every pack pack you get something so it pretty fun. This year the boxes seem to be pretty juiced with nice cards. Great video
ReplyDeleteYoutube name: Brayden Morgan
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat Leaf's box. UD S2 always a great product as usual.
ReplyDeleteYT: Jams
Rookie breakouts look really cool this year. Youtube: Justin Lee
ReplyDeleteDang that Mitch marner is nice. Great break as always! YouTube is Dan Seo
ReplyDeleteLove the Linden Canvas and the Rookie Breakout of Chychrun!
ReplyDeleteYT: Julien Bouchard
Nice Break getting the Marner!
ReplyDeleteYT - Flames Fan14
FYI Wedgewood = Laine
ReplyDeleteYT - SJFLAMESFAN
Love the Design of the base this year
ReplyDeleteYT - WesThePest
Looking forward to s2! Always nice to round out the season with more UD!
ReplyDeleteYT-Skroeker24
great review as always! keep it up
ReplyDeleteyt: Thomas Cojocar
That was actually a really good box! Crazy Marner YG, a rookie breakout, and a limited UD canvas of Linden. Plus, as I am a Hawks fan, there were a good amount of Hawks rookies/inserts. Overall, GREAT box! My YouTube is Luke Christensen
ReplyDeleteNice solid box. That Linden Canvas is pretty rare and nice Marner and rookie Breakouts.
ReplyDeleteYouTube: Paul Courcelles
Yt: carsonartt58@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteGood review I'm very fond of the rookie breakout insert it looks very nice
Great pack opening. Great pulls. That Mitch Marner one was really nice. Wondering how much the box is.
ReplyDeleteYoutube: Nick Cagna
I like last years design and inserts better.
ReplyDeleteYT: matt gauthier
Nice break! And the Marners look awesome.
ReplyDeleteYT: CY Lam
Sick break! I like the inserts this year especially the Marner one
ReplyDeleteYOUTUBE: HockeyHighlights 7903
nice looking cards and good inserts
ReplyDeleteinstagram: Flamesfan_24
Awesome box, love your videos. YT: BarDownFilms
ReplyDeleteJust bought some of series 2. Hope I have as good of luck as you!
ReplyDeleteYT:Brendan Roskewich
Ahoy there, I love this review compared to the previous products you did. So many good hits packed in Series 2. I'm in Canada and prices already went sky high for these boxes. If it drops for sure it will be really tempting!
ReplyDeleteYoutube user name: sapphirecore
WOW what an awesome Leafs pack eh! Great review as always!
ReplyDeleteYoutube username: Capitals26_guitarboy1134
Yeah that Mitch Marner Rookie rally saved the box! Awesome review. Youtube username: JC Kuks
ReplyDeletePersonally I get annoyed by 'updates' for other products appearing as inserts, seems lazy to me.
ReplyDeleteNot doing 16-17 young guns until I finish 15-16!
YouTube: Adrian Lloyd
Nice box! I must have the worst luck as I got zero hits in my hobby box. :(
ReplyDeleteYT: Lars from Mars
That Marner Tho
ReplyDeleteYT: Legit Hockey
That was a Leafs hot box, or getting damn close to it. Solid overall product. Great video!
ReplyDeleteYT: Kyle Waters
Great Video love you content!! Youtube name is yono gucci
ReplyDeletenice box yt is nick brady
ReplyDeleteGreat break
ReplyDeleteYT:Jacob bachmeier
agreed with the review from what I've noticed from my experience with the product this year. I have also noticed that like last year I have defiantly noticed that in series two if you get some young gun with the last name blackwood or something like that you usually get the laine in the same box
ReplyDeleteYt: celebrity A.H
Delete