Schedule Analysis
The Black Wolves will play the first game of the 2015 NLL season when they face the Buffalo Bandits at home. They have three home games to open the season, all against eastern opponents, with Rochester and Minnesota next.
Their first road trip is January 30th when they go to Edmonton. They go to Calgary later on, but they never have to make the long trek to Vancouver.
They have three road trip back to backs; March 14th and 20th at Minnesota and Calgary, April 3rd and fourth at Minnesota and Buffalo, and April 17th and 25th, at Toronto and Rochester.
The Black Wolves have four back to backs over all. February 20th and 22nd at Toronto and then back at home against Colorado; April 3rd and 4th, which is at Minnesota and at Buffalo; April 25th and 26th at Rochester and then at home against Buffalo; lastly, Mat 1st and second against Toronto and at Buffalo.
New England faces Buffalo four times, Rochester three times, Toronto three times, and Minnesota four times to round out the division. They travel to Edmonton and Calgary while Vancouver and Colorado are their home western division opponents.
Acquisitions
Mike McNamara (Colorado, trade)
Craig England (Toronto, trade)
Jesse Fehr (FA)
Ryan Hotaling (FA)
Jamie Lincoln (Vancouver, trade)
Brett Bucktooth (FA)
Mike Burke (Toronto, trade)
Jay Card (Minnesota, trade)
Luke Wiles (FA)
Losses
Kyle Belton (Vancouver, trade)
Brodie Merrill (Toronto, trade)
Rookies
Connor Campbell
Jayson Crawford
Sheldon Burns
Jesse Johnson
Ty Thompson
Rodd Squire
Mark Cockerton
Matt Crough
Quinn Powless
Mike Mawdsley
How They Got Better
New England looks a lot different than the Philadelphia Wings, but in some ways, things have stayed the same. They still have a larger American base than any other team. Their strength is their right side forward, led by Kevin Crowley along with Brett Bucktooth, an FA acquisition from Vancouver, Kyle Buchanan, coming off of a breakout season, Jay Card and Mike Burke, two trade acquisitions, and rookies Matt Crough and Quinn Powless.
The Black Wolves had the best draft of any team, adding several players who can be an immediate impact. Sheldon Burns fell in the draft but should see time right away. Mark Cockerton, Ty Thompson, and Quinn Powless will be a part of the offense right off the bat.
The ‘Wolves also extended Evan Kirk for three years this off season which means that their starting goaltending is solidified. The back up role, that’s a different story.
Jamie Lincoln is a huge pick up for the left side of the offense since Garrett Thul will miss this season while serving in the army. Kevin Buchanan returns after a season hiatus as well, and Pat Saunders has become viable. The Black Wolves will also be able to welcome back Brendan Mundorf after he was on the PUP last season.
How They Got Worse
The Black Wolves have lost a lot since they moved from Philadelphia. Brodie Merrill is gone which hurts the defense, which is young and inexperienced at the box game.
Max Seibald isn’t coming back; Blane Harrison told us on Lax Live Radio that he is done with the box game. Kyle Sweeney has also retired, which leaves the transition pretty decimated. This is why Ryan Hotaling could have a role right away, but he hasn’t played in the NLL for two years.
Tucker Durkin also isn’t going to play, which makes the defense an interesting bunch. Brett Manney is back, and Mike Manley broke out last year, which is good. How do John Ranagan, Mike Poppleton, Micheal Diehl, and Eric Hoffman improve in their second year? Can they make the proper step to replace Brodie Merrill?
The question then becomes the backup role. Kevin Croswell is signed, but there is the feeling that his job can be won. Free agent camp will have some good American goalies there, which could make for an interesting battle.
What to Watch
This is a new team so there are plenty of storylines in that alone. But new Black Wolves fans should be interested to see how the young defense steps up in their second year, and how players like Hotaling and Burke and Card play. This team is going to rely on a lot of role players.
Is Kevin Crowley the proper leader for this team? Can he be a captain? Is Kyle Buchanan ready to become the next star on this club?
These are just a few of the questions the ‘Wolves will face this season.
