The MLL got its unofficial start to the season on Wednesday as every team took part in the annual MLL Supplemental draft. It was the first step in many for teams to start constructing their rosters in hoping to win the 2015 MLL Championship. This coems after a crazy offseason that saw some of the best players to ever play the game retire. Gone are Rochester’s Kevin Leveille, Denver’s Lee Zink, Boston’s Ryan Boyle and Chesapeake’s Kyle Dixon.
The next step in the reshaping of MLL rosters comes on Friday January 23 when teams will infuse themselves with the newest crop of young talent from the college ranks. Before the MLL takes part in their annual draft, lets rank every team as it heads into the new year.
1. Rochester Rattlers
The Rochester Rattlers are my No. 1 team. They bring back the league’s best defense and lost nobody from it. Their offense will miss Kevin Leveille’s leadership and scoring ability on the inside but that could open things up for Miles Thompson and Mark Cockerton to make a huge impact in his absence. I really like the addition of Jeremy Boltus, Rob Guida and backup faceoff man Adam Rand as well. Boltus could be a huge addition to a pretty stacked midfield.
2. Denver Outlaws
Everyone returns to the team except for Lee Zink, which is a humongous loss on defense. Teams were essentially playing 5-on-5, that is how good Zink was. Without him on defense, how good will the defense be? It will still be pretty good and you can’t overlook the amount of success they have on offense. Let’s not forget that these guys are the defending champions. Don’t count them out from another title run.
3. Ohio Machine
Yes, the Ohio Machine come in at No. 3. They had the league’s best offense and the only question is the defense. If they can find a couple impact defensemen in the draft, no team in the MLL is going to want to face them. Their offense has the best starting six in the league between Steele Stanwick, Logan Schuss, Marcus Holman, Tom Schreiber, Kyle Harrison and Peter Baum. Give this team a little defense and they will be in the championship game moving forward.
4. New York Lizards
The Lizards have the second best player in the MLL in Rob Pannell. They have plenty of other offensive threats around him as well after the flurry of offseason moves they made before the 2014 season. They also have a rock solid defense led by one of the best goalies in the game in Drew Adams. They got a little deeper with the addition of Shamel and Rhamel Bratton who could addd some depth at short stick defensive midfield if they can make the team. Their offense may be one big gun away from truly becoming a title threat.
5. Chespaeake Bayhawks
This team went into 2014 as the prohibitive favorites to win their third straight MLL Championship. They ended up missing the playoffs all together. Their offense should be better with a year together to work out chemistry issues. The defense is still physical as ever and they will likely target this area in the draft as they aim to get younger. If they get an impct player though, this team could be scary good, especilly if Kip Turner comes back healthy. Last season, he didn’t look great and it contributed to their struggles. Also the additions of Chris Hipps and Matt Lovejoy could prove to be absolute steals as both those guys were some of the best players at their position in college.
6. Boston Cannons
The Cannons have the best player in Paul Rabil who had his season end a little early because of injury. The offense should be fine despite losing Ryan Boyle. The defense got a boost from the addition of future Hall of Famer Brodie Merrill. Not coincidentally, Jordan Burke played better in goal after stinking it up the year prior. The Cannons can definitely make the playoffs after being in it going into the last game or two of the season. Give them one more playmaker on offense and a solid No. 2 defender and this team could be a dark horse.
7. Charlotte Hounds
The Hounds were the biggest disappointment of 2014. They were coming off a cinderella run in the playoffs and brought in a really nice crop of rookies for the upcoming season. They ended up finishing last at 4-10. The roster is still young and very talented. If you look at the roster, you would think it is a recent college all-star team. I think they could be a dark horse to completely reverse their fortunes and finish in the Top 4. The best thing about this team, is that they will get Lyle Thompson who will team with last year’s rookie attackman Justin Ward. Ward had 33 points in 12 games after having a great senior season at Loyola. Mike Chanenchuk have a mini-breakout season after having 14 points in nine games. Look out for the Hounds in 2014.
8. Florida Launch
The Launch are the worst team in the league by a hair. Casey Powell was unbelievable in his full-time return to the MLL and he showed everyone that he still has it. The addition of Kieran McArdle proved to be incredible as he was the Rookie of the Year in 2014. Unfortunately, their midfield is incredibly weak but that has to do with Kevin Crowley having a down season after earning the MVP the year prior. The defense also needs some help as they don’t have a true No. 1 guy. Brett Queener is pretty good but when things turn badly for the Launch, he seemed to lose his cool and it affected his team.
