Not even a month after winning the MLL Championship, the Chesapeake Bayhawks and Denver Outlaws are already making moves.
After seven years with the Outlaws, Brendan Mundorf has been traded to the Chesapeake Bayhawks for John Grant Jr, Michael Simon and a second round (16 overall) draft pick for the 2014 MLL Collegiate Draft that will be held in Philadelphia, PA.
Grant Jr was awarded the 2013 Championship Weekend MVP after putting up seven points in two games (6G, 1A) and leading the Bayhawks in points that weekend. Simon unfortunately did not play in the championship game due to an plaguing injury that nabbed him in the Hamilton game, keeping him out from their match against Charlotte. In games that Michael has played, he’s been tough, physical and puts his opponent in a position to take a shot that he knows his goalie will save.
This trade, in my mind, is part of the conflict with the NLL scheduling. Mundorf plays for the Philadelphia Wings, about two hours away from Annapolis, where the Bayhawks hold their home games. While Grant is a member of the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth. With their moves, they both are closer to their families.
Another thought of mine is that with Jr going to the Outlaws and Mundorf to Chesapeake, they may be able to draw more of the NLL crowd to the outdoor game. Fans of Mundorf’s on the east coast and Grant Jr’s in the west haven’t been able to see them play outdoors due to their home games being far away. With their homecomings their fans will be able to watch and learn from their mentors which will hopefully draw more of a crowd.
Who wins in this trade is tough to say. Grant Jr and Mundorf are two of the best players in the game. They’re different styles of play make them unique and they will both bring their teams a level of play that can only help their programs. Simon is a great pole that helped the Bayhawks tremendously at the LSM position, splitting time with rookie Jesse Bernhardt. He will be able to help Bocklet out with shift breaks and give the Outlaws another defensive weapon.
