The Klein Cup playoffs didn’t provide much suspense in the first round, with all eight of the higher seeds advancing and only one relatively close matchup.
The second round should be more competitive now that we’re into the conference semifinals, with the top four seeds facing off on both sides of the bracket.
1) Grizzlies defeated 8) Crypto Knights
2) Gators defeated 7) Stallions
3) Titans defeated 6) Duckman’s Domination
4) Monarchs defeated 5) Yetis
1) Defenders defeated 8) Dynasty
2) Strong Island defeated 7) Battle Hawks
3) Tornadoes defeated 6) Power Players
4) Rock Republic defeated 5) Snipers
1) Grizzlies vs. 4) Monarchs
2) Gators vs. 3) Titans
1) Defenders vs. 4) Rock Republic
2) Strong Island vs. 3) Tornadoes
Here is how the franchises stack up for the second round, with a roster comparison followed by a bit of analysis.
NOTE: These eight playoff franchises are leasing players from the 15 non-playoff UFHL franchises (listed in parenthesis).
Forwards (9)
Gabriel Landeskog — Colorado vs. Dallas (Blades of Steel)
Nazem Kadri — Colorado vs. Dallas
J.T. Compher — Colorado vs. Dallas
Matt Nieto — Colorado vs. Dallas (Blizzard)
William Karlsson — Vegas vs. Vancouver
Nick Cousins — Vegas vs. Vancouver (Warriors)
Jake DeBrusk — Boston vs. Tampa Bay (Blades of Steel)
Sean Kuraly — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Jay Beagle — Vancouver vs. Vegas (Bombers)
Defencemen (5)
Samuel Girard — Colorado vs. Dallas (Brutes)
Erik Johnson — Colorado vs. Dallas (Vengeance)
Ryan Graves — Colorado vs. Dallas
Mikhail Sergachev — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Nick Holden — Vegas vs. Vancouver
Goaltenders (1)
Robin Lehner — Vegas vs. Vancouver (West Coast Express)
Forwards (10)
Nikita Kucherov — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Brayden Point — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Red Army)
Tyler Johnson — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Royals)
Anthony Cirelli — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Alex Killorn — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Yanni Gourde — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Mitchell Stephens — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Vengeance)
Carter Verhaeghe — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Nate Thompson — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders (UFHL Free Agent)
Ross Johnston — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Defencemen (5)
Travis Sanheim — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders (Chilean Sea Bass)
Justin Braun — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders (UFHL Free Agent)
Victor Hedman — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Miro Heiskanen — Dallas vs. Colorado (Bombers)
Nikita Zadorov — Colorado vs. Dallas
Goaltenders (1)
Ben Bishop — Dallas vs. Colorado
ANALYSIS: This is going to be a great matchup between longtime friends and former university hockey teammates. It is another all-female matchup between Andrea Charanduk and Ashley Murray, who played together at the University of Regina. Andrea previously defeated Chericce Schulz’s Crypto Knights in the first round. Ashley’s Monarchs will present a bigger challenge, especially if Tampa Bay fares well against Boston and lights up Jaroslav Halak. The Monarchs are loaded with Lightning players, so that series is crucial to their success. The Grizzlies are heavy on Colorado players and will be hoping for a Colorado-Vegas matchup in the Western Conference final. The Monarchs have one extra skater in the second round, but this matchup will likely be decided by that Tampa Bay-Boston series.
Forwards (8)
Anders Bjork — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Chris Wagner — Boston vs. Tampa Bay (Vengeance)
Joakim Nordstrom — Boston vs. Tampa Bay (UFHL Free Agent)
Nathan MacKinnon — Colorado vs. Dallas
Valeri Nichushkin — Colorado vs. Dallas
Max Pacioretty — Vegas vs. Vancouver (Outlaws)
James van Riemsdyk — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders
Tyler Motte — Vancouver vs. Vegas (Elite Assassins)
Defencemen (6)
Nate Schmidt — Vegas vs. Vancouver (Elite Assassins)
Alec Martinez — Vegas vs. Vancouver
Brayden McNabb — Vegas vs. Vancouver (Norse Stars)
Zdeno Chara — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Jan Rutta — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Vengeance)
Oscar Fantenberg — Vancouver vs. Vegas (Murder Hornets)
Goaltenders (1)
Thatcher Demko — Vancouver vs. Vegas (Bombers)
Forwards (8)
David Pastrnak — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Nick Ritchie — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Travis Konecny — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders (Blizzard)
Nicolas Aube-Kubel — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders
Steven Stamkos — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Murder Hornets)
Reilly Smith — Vegas vs. Vancouver
Andre Burakovsky — Colorado vs. Dallas
Micheal Ferland — Vancouver vs. Vegas (IR)
Defencemen (4)
Philippe Myers — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders
Robert Hagg — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders (Blizzard)
Cale Makar — Colorado vs. Dallas
Esa Lindell — Dallas vs. Colorado (Norse Stars)
Goaltenders (2)
Andrei Vasilevskiy — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Curtis McElhinney — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Norse Stars)
ANALYSIS: This promises to be another terrific matchup on paper. The Gators have three more skaters (counting Ferland’s injury absence), but the Titans have the only starting goaltender. That should balance out. This matchup could come down to whether Steven Stamkos returns for Tampa Bay, which would give the Titans a big boost in terms of offensive firepower. Regardless, two Harty Trophy contenders are going head to head in this matchup with Nathan MacKinnon on the Gators and David Pastrnak on the Titans. They will be big factors, but the Titans seem to have more scoring depth despite having fewer skaters.
Forwards (8)
J.T. Miller — Vancouver vs. Vegas
Tanner Pearson — Vancouver vs. Vegas
Tyler Toffoli — Vancouver vs. Vegas (IR)
Jamie Benn — Dallas vs. Colorado (Elite Assassins)
Denis Gurianov — Dallas vs. Colorado (Royals)
Brad Marchand — Boston vs. Tampa Bay (Blizzard)
Sean Couturier — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders (Chilean Sea Bass)
William Carrier — Vegas vs. Vancouver
Defencemen (3)
Jamie Oleksiak — Dallas vs. Colorado (Ice Vikings)
Andrej Sekera — Dallas vs. Colorado (Elite Assassins)
Chris Tanev — Vancouver vs. Vegas
Goaltenders (0)
None
Forwards (4)
Mikko Rantanen — Colorado vs. Dallas
Jonathan Marchessault — Vegas vs. Vancouver
Jake Virtanen — Vancouver vs. Vegas
Casey Cizikas — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Defencemen (4)
Charlie McAvoy — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Jeremy Lauzon — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Ryan McDonagh — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Ice Vikings)
Erik Cernak — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Vengeance)
Goaltenders (1)
Carter Hart — Philadelphia vs. New York Islanders
ANALYSIS: Rock Republic produced the most fantasy points of any franchise in the first round but also lost the most skaters. The Defenders have two more skaters for the second round (three if Toffoli returns from injury), but Rock Republic have the lone goaltender left. On paper, the Defenders appear to have an advantage thanks to their extra forwards, so Rock Republic might need a couple more shutouts from Hart.
Forwards (7)
Corey Perry — Dallas vs. Colorado (West Coast Express)
Blake Comeau — Dallas vs. Colorado (Royals)
Jason Dickinson — Dallas vs. Colorado
Patrice Bergeron — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Jordan Eberle — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Brandon Sutter — Vancouver vs. Vegas
Cedric Paquette — Tampa Bay vs. Boston (Bombers)
Defencemen (5)
Torey Krug — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Matt Grzelcyk — Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Ryan Pulock — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Zach Bogosian — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Jon Merrill — Vegas vs. Vancouver (Blades of Steel)
Goaltenders (2)
Jacob Markstrom — Vancouver vs. Vegas
Anton Khudobin — Dallas vs. Colorado (Warriors)
Forwards (8)
Mathew Barzal — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia (Blades of Steel)
Brock Nelson — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Derick Brassard — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Blake Coleman — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Barclay Goodrow — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Pat Maroon — Tampa Bay vs. Boston
Alexander Radulov — Dallas vs. Colorado (Warriors)
Radek Faksa — Dallas vs. Colorado
Defencemen (2)
Devon Toews — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia (Warriors)
Scott Mayfield — New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Goaltenders (1)
Pavel Francouz — Colorado vs. Dallas
ANALYSIS: Strong Island has three more players for the second round — two skaters and one goaltender — but the Tornadoes shouldn’t be counted out, especially now that Francouz has been thrust into Colorado’s starting role with the Game 1 injury to Philipp Grubauer. Strong Island will need a big effort from Boston, while the Tornadoes will be wanting another upset from the Islanders. Both have a vested interest in Dallas as well, but whoever has a better showing between Boston and the Islanders could tilt this matchup.
NOTE: These 15 non-playoff UFHL franchises are loaning players to the eight playoff franchises. The non-playoff franchises are listed in order of most players remaining in the Klein Cup playoffs.
Forwards (5)
Brad Marchand — Defenders
Travis Konecny — Titans
Vincent Trocheck — Gators
Jonathan Drouin — Rock Republic
Matt Nieto — Grizzlies
Defencemen (2)
Brett Kulak — Rock Republic
Robert Hagg — Titans
Goaltenders (1)
Corey Crawford — Tornadoes
ANALYSIS: Blizzard are now leading the pack with eight players spread across the final eight playoff franchises — two each on Titans and Rock Republic. The way it works with the payouts and the loan system, the eventual champion will be paying out approximately $17 per leased player on their 23-man roster — $17 translates to 850 score coins (SCO), which is the in-game token on the UFF Sports’ platform. The total prize for the Klein Cup champion is $780 USD, which equates to 39,000 SCO, with 50 per cent of that purse ($390 USD or 19,500 SCO) going straight to the winning franchise (owner/GM), while the other 50 per cent is evenly distributed to every player on their roster. Like the NHL, this is a winner-takes-all tournament, with only the Klein Cup champion receiving a prize — at least for this year.
Forwards (4)
Gabriel Landeskog — Grizzlies
Jake DeBrusk — Grizzlies
Mathew Barzal — Tornadoes
Sammy Blais — Rock Republic
Defencemen (2)
Haydn Fleury — Grizzlies
Jon Merrill — Strong Island
Goaltenders (1)
Darcy Kuemper — Defenders
ANALYSIS: Blades of Steel are one of three franchises with seven players left, including three for the regular-season champion Grizzlies.
Forwards (1)
MacKenzie MacEachern — Gators
Defencemen (5)
Esa Lindell — Titans
Robert Bortuzzo — Titans
Carl Gunnarsson — Titans
Brayden McNabb — Gators
Connor Murphy — Tornadoes
Goaltenders (1)
Curtis McElhinney — Titans
ANALYSIS: Norse Stars also have seven players left and will continue cheering for the Titans, who are rostering four of them, while two others are with the Gators.
Forwards (3)
Brock McGinn — Grizzlies
Chris Wagner — Gators
Mitchell Stephens — Monarchs
Defencemen (4)
Seth Jones — Rock Republic
Erik Cernak — Rock Republic
Erik Johnson — Grizzlies
Jan Rutta — Gators
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: Vengeance are the third franchise with seven players left, including two for the Grizzlies, Gators and Rock Republic.
Forwards (6)
Alex Ovechkin — Strong Island
Max Domi — Strong Island
Blake Comeau — Strong Island
Tyler Johnson — Monarchs
Tyler Bozak — Titans
Denis Gurianov — Defenders
Defencemen (0)
None
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: The Royals are one of six franchises with six players remaining, including three on Strong Island’s roster.
Forwards (5)
Johnny Gaudreau — Strong Island
Corey Perry — Strong Island
Evgeny Kuznetsov — Gators
Dylan Strome — Tornadoes
Brad Richardson — Titans
Defencemen (0)
None
Goaltenders (1)
Robin Lehner — Grizzlies
ANALYSIS: West Coast Express also have six, including two with Strong Island.
Forwards (4)
Steven Stamkos — Titans
Zach Sanford — Titans
Elias Lindholm — Rock Republic
Nino Niederreiter — Grizzlies
Defencemen (1)
Oscar Fantenberg — Gators
Goaltenders (1)
Cam Talbot — Gators
ANALYSIS: Murder Hornets have six, including two for the Gators and Titans.
Forwards (1)
Tom Wilson — Tornadoes
Defencemen (5)
Brenden Dillon — Defenders
Jamie Oleksiak — Defenders
Ilya Lyubushkin — Defenders
Ryan McDonagh — Rock Republic
Radko Gudas — Strong Island
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: Ice Vikings have three of their six with the Defenders.
Forwards (3)
Jamie Benn — Defenders
Mikael Backlund — Defenders
Tyler Motte — Gators
Defencemen (3)
Nate Schmidt — Gators
Jason Demers — Monarchs
Andrej Sekera — Defenders
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: Elite Assassins also have three of their six with the Defenders, plus two more with the Gators.
Forwards (4)
Vladimir Tarasenko — Titans
Jesperi Kotkaniemi — Rock Republic
Cedric Paquette — Strong Island
Jay Beagle — Grizzlies
Defencemen (1)
Miro Heiskanen — Monarchs
Goaltenders (1)
Thatcher Demko — Gators
ANALYSIS: Bombers are the last with six left, having one player on six different franchises — all but the Defenders and Tornadoes.
Forwards (2)
Alexander Radulov — Tornadoes
Nick Cousins — Grizzlies
Defencemen (1)
Devon Toews — Tornadoes
Goaltenders (2)
Petr Mrazek — Rock Republic
Anton Khudobin — Strong Island
ANALYSIS: Warriors have five players left, including two with the Tornadoes.
Forwards (2)
Sean Couturier — Defenders
Derek Stepan — Defenders
Defencemen (1)
Travis Sanheim — Monarchs
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: Chilean Sea Bass are down to three players, with two on the Defenders.
Forwards (2)
Teuvo Teravainen — Strong Island
Max Pacioretty — Gators
Defencemen (1)
Shea Weber — Tornadoes
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: Outlaws also have three left, with three different franchises.
Forwards (0)
None
Defencemen (2)
Samuel Girard — Grizzlies
Jakob Chychrun — Strong Island
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: Brutes have just two left, with the Grizzlies and Strong Island.
Forwards (1)
Brayden Point — Monarchs
Defencemen (0)
None
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: Red Army have only left one, with the Monarchs now their last hope.
Forwards (7)
Justin Williams — Gators
Joakim Nordstrom — Gators
Zac Rinaldo — Gators
Milan Lucic — Defenders
Tobias Rieder — Defenders
Nate Thompson — Monarchs
Troy Brouwer — Titans
Defencemen (4)
Dean Kukan — Grizzlies
Derek Forbort — Grizzlies
Niklas Hjalmarsson — Titans
Justin Braun — Monarchs
Goaltenders (0)
None
ANALYSIS: There are still 11 UFHL free agents left on Klein Cup rosters, led by three with the Gators, while the Grizzlies, Defenders, Titans and Monarchs have two each.
1) Vengeance
2) Outlaws
3) Brutes
4) Chilean Sea Bass
5) Blades of Steel
6) Murder Hornets
7) Warriors
8) Elite Assassins
9) Blizzard
10) Royals
11) Ice Vikings
12) West Coast Express
13) Red Army
14) Bombers
15) Norse Stars
16) Crypto Knights
17) Stallions
18) Dynasty
19) Battle Hawks
20) Power Players
21) Snipers
22) Duckman’s Domination
23) Yetis
The Entry Auction is the UFHL’s version of the annual NHL Entry Draft but works a little differently with five franchises getting to bid on every prospect. So 1-5 will be bidding on the NHL’s first overall pick, with the remaining four and 6 bidding on the NHL’s second overall pick.
The franchises from 16-23 lost in the first round of the Klein Cup playoffs and are placed in reverse order of their regular-season standings. The 24-31 auction spots will also be determined by the remaining playoff results.
© 2019-2020 Ultimate Franchise Fantasy Sports | All Rights Reserved.
