We are now less then a week away from the start of the 2014 NLL season.
The Philadelphia Wings once again have a turnover of major proportions for this season. The Wings will have ten new faces on the active roster from last season. This is mainly due because of the World Outdoor Lacrosse Championships in Denver this coming July. Its no secret the Wings were heavily loaded with talented American players and their roster would take a hit.
Team Acquisitions: Evan Kirk (Goalie-Min), Ryan Ward (F-Edm), Tracey Kelusky (F-Buf), Pat Saunders(F-Min), Kyle Buchanan(F-Van)
Team Loses: Drew Westervelt(trade Col), Kyle Hartzell(RFA-USA), Kevin Buchanan(RFA-USA), Ned Crotty(RFA-USA), Jeff Reynolds(RFA-USA), Max Seibald(RFA-USA), Paul Rabil & Brandon Miller (Protected Player List), Steve Holmes(released), Pat Heim(released), Mike McLellan(released)
Offense: Jordan Hall, Kevin Crowley, Kevin Ross, Ryan Ward, Tracey Kelusky, Garrett Thul, Pat Saunders, Kyle Buchanan
Defense: Brett Manney, Mike Manley, Chad Wiedmaier, John Ranagan, Brian Megill, Michael Poppleton
Transition: Brodie Merrill, Kyle Sweeney, CJ Costabile, Joel White
Goaltending: Evan Kirk, Don Alton
Season Outlook: Once again it’s a roster turnaround in Philadelphia. In the offseason the Wings traded Drew Westervelt to Colorado for a #12 & #18 pick (AJ Masson and James Delaney) along with Ryan Hotaling and a #1 pick in 2015. Well, all three players were released and AJ Masson was picked up by Toronto.
The offense has become stronger with Ryan Ward and fellow veteran Tracey Kelusky. Wings will be looking to Garrett Thul to use size and strength to push toward the goal and put a few in
The Defense and Transition will have three rookies on defense with strong leadership from Manney on defense and Brodie Merrill on the transition.
Goaltending is now a question mark. When the Wings acquired Evan Kirk prior to the draft, the Wings looked to have a solid 1-2 punch between the pipes. But right now the back up is rookie Don Alton as Brandon Miller remains unsigned. Big question is, Will the Wings get Miller under contract, and if not can Alton be the back-up to stop the bleeding when needed.
Last time the Wings finished at .500 or better was in 2008 when they finished 10-6. Since then, 2009 (7-9), 2010/2011 (5-11) 2012/2013 (7-9). If the Wings want to see the post season this year they will have to finish at .500 or better, which means a minimum of 9 wins.
With the Minnesota Swarm moving back into the east, it will make it tough as only three teams advance. The Wings will be fighting for that spot with the Swarm and the Bandits. And this can be decided in the first five games as the Wings face each of these teams twice.
Stronger offense, young and big Defense, Young but stable starting goalie, back-up not enough info.
Wings finish 10-8 and get the third spot in the east.
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