Just two weeks into the 2015 NLL season there are a couple players who are looking like they’re ready to take their games to the next level. Three of the four people on my early season list are members of the New England Black Wolves, a strong indication of why the Wolves have had such a hot start.
Kyle Buchanan—New England Black Wolves: Last season Buchanan was a breakout star, doubling his per game offensive output to almost four points per game (68 points in 18 games). Two games into the 2015 season, Buchanan is averaging six points per game, making him a breakout star yet again. If he can maintain his torrid pace the rest of the way, he’ll break 100 points on the season, giving him a legitimate shot at a scoring title. With seven goals already, he could blow past last year’s production by Game 5 this year and take a run at 50-60 goals by the end of the season.
Shayne Jackson—Minnesota Swarm: The Swarm forward’s sophomore performance was decent (51 points in 18 games), but down from his rookie production (63 points in 16 games). But if he can maintain his current 2015 pace (11 points in two games), he’ll hit 99 points and almost double his 2014 numbers. With five goals already notched, he’s on pace to outdo his 2014 total a third of the way through this year.
Patrick Saunders—New England Black Wolves: Saunders played in just one game as a rookie in Rochester in 2009, then made it to a single game in 2012 with the Philadelphia Wings before finally landing permanently on the Wings roster in 2014. He played in 15 games last year, recording a respectable 39 points. This year he has already racked up nine points in two games, putting him on pace to finish the year with 81 points, blowing last year’s stats out of the water. He’s currently tied for eighth in the NLL in goals, with six, and is on pace to hit the 50-goal mark.
Evan Kirk—New England Black Wolves: Kirk had a tremendous rookie season, posting a 9.81 goals against average, but he hasn’t been able to rediscover that early potential in the two seasons since then. But in 2015 he seems to have gotten his groove back. Kirk’s 7.50 GAA is best in the NLL by a full two goals per game; his .848 save percentage is 31 points better than the next best guy, Anthony Cosmo. Even if he cools off by a couple goals per game the rest of the way, he’ll still be a frontrunner for Goaltender of the Year.
