With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement in place thru 2020 the fans of the NLL will have indoor lacrosse action for seven more seasons. But with the new agreement there were also some changes. Rosters have gone from 23 active and 3 practice squad to 20 active and 4 practice squad, and teams can only dress 20 players.
This means it will be much harder to make a NLL team this season. Players reporting to camp this season will really need to be in shape and ready to go. So what does that mean for the players in this years draft, especially ones drafted in the late rounds, such as Philadelphia Wings sixth round selection Rob Panell?
Pannell who turns 24 on December 11 plays for the New York Lizards of the MLL. The former Cornell University standout is the leading scorer in men’s Division I history, and holds the Cornell and Ivy League all-time scoring records.
Pannell who was the first overall pick in the MLL draft and registered 25G/17A in his rookie season for the Long Island Lizards. But the question is, can this American player transfer his talent from the outdoor game to the indoor game?
Pannell will join Cornell alumni Max Seibald in Wings camp. Rob Pannell won the Tewaaraton Award in 2013. He was this summer’s MLL Rookie of the Year and his future is big in the field game. Pannell has expressed an interest in playing in the NLL, though. If he does crack the lineup with the Wings and can transfer his scoring touch from outdoors to the indoor game, he will prove to be a diamond in the rough, but that’s the chances you can take with the 50th overall pick.
With the Wings only having only two players on the right side (Crowley & Wiles), they obviously need more help. Pannell can provide that help if he can make an impact during camp. He has the talent, speed and an accurate shot, but the standard question is the same for Rob as with all the American players. Can they play the indoor game?
If Pannell can make the roster, not only will he be that diamond in the rough, but he could definitely strengthen the Wings offense on the right side which is much needed.
