I cant believe it's that time already! As you've seen here, both the turmoil ridden Minnesota Swarm and defending champs Edmonton Rush moved to Georgia and Saskatoon, respectively. The legendary Hall-of-Famer-to-be John Tavares retired after twenty-four seasons, the only player for the Buffalo Bandits to have suited up in at least one game in each season of the team's history while also becoming an assistant coach with the team under Troy Cordingley.
Also, the big news is that Commissioner Daniel stepped down to pursue a personal law venture, at we didn't say was who would take his place, a still vacant position. Today, I will make my decisions on who should make the playoffs and highlight the power rankings.
If anything, on would think the preseason power rankings are about who made the best moves, but with me that is not necessarily the factor. My opening week predictions have some influence in that.
1. TORONTO: The Rock surprised me by playing better than their record showed as last year's divisional regular season and playoff champs. It happened even after Rochester won all four meetings against Buffalo. The big question is whether or not TO will platoon Nick Rose and Brandon Miller guarding the twine tent.
2. SASKATCHEWAN: Disappointing the team has to leave from somewhere after they've just won a championship. Then again, it's hardly a province over but make me miss the battle for Alberta even though it's always Calgary's province). It took ten seasons, but now the Rush find themselves looking for a third straight final and second consecutive Champions Cup.
3. ROCHESTER: As far as I'm concerned, Matt Vinc is still the best goalie in the East. Though some key players didn't show up too often, Knighthawks found themselves both second in the East and in the division final. The real test will be will their good fortune against Buffalo continue?
4. BUFFALO: Though Tavares traded his jersey for a clipboard, grabbing Daryl Veltman from Calgary via trade is good for the Bandits considering the circumstances. Buffalo needs to play better against archrivals Rochester and Toronto if they want to grab the division, regular season or playoffs. Out side of a poor 1-6 against those teams, the Thieves (I wish that name would catch on already) were 10-1 against the rest of the league.
5. COLORADO: The Mammoth are a team that is difficult for me to get a read from. I have no idea how things will go. Though the had a solid team last season, there always seems to be a pattern of finishing middle of the pack which can go in cycles from one end of the spectrum to another and back in a four or five year span.
6. CALGARY: This is not you're mom and dad's Riggers team. The 'Necks are still with some of their stars and hoping that last year was just a hiccup after that horrible first half start. But it appears that head coach Curt Malawsky is getting Sciggy with it by allowing previous back-up Frankie Scigliano to start over Mike Poulin in front of the cage.
7. VANCOUVER: Statistically speaking, the Stealth were the least stealthy team. Beside goalie Tyler Richards and forward Rhys Duch, I see a Edmonton Oiler-esque perpetual stagnation at the bottom. The franchise as a whole deserves better performance, but it may just never happen for a long time.
8. NEW ENGLAND: Leaving Philadelphia was not easy for the new franchise, as they appeared the same as they arrived - lacking star power. That surely didn't help their dismal record. Now that they're firmly nestled in Uncasville, perhaps they can see some more cash flow to make some acquisitions.
9. GEORGIA: The Aroltta/Minnesota Fan-base debacle is really what spurred the move, as we covered somewhat extensively. But everything that followed in Georgia wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Well see if they can muster a fight for the final Eastern playoff spot, but don't count on it.
Week 1:
Def. by Def.
You can read the IL Indoor staff's season preview here.
-Ricky
Also, the big news is that Commissioner Daniel stepped down to pursue a personal law venture, at we didn't say was who would take his place, a still vacant position. Today, I will make my decisions on who should make the playoffs and highlight the power rankings.
 |
| Courtesy of the NLL. |
If anything, on would think the preseason power rankings are about who made the best moves, but with me that is not necessarily the factor. My opening week predictions have some influence in that.
1. TORONTO: The Rock surprised me by playing better than their record showed as last year's divisional regular season and playoff champs. It happened even after Rochester won all four meetings against Buffalo. The big question is whether or not TO will platoon Nick Rose and Brandon Miller guarding the twine tent.
2. SASKATCHEWAN: Disappointing the team has to leave from somewhere after they've just won a championship. Then again, it's hardly a province over but make me miss the battle for Alberta even though it's always Calgary's province). It took ten seasons, but now the Rush find themselves looking for a third straight final and second consecutive Champions Cup.
3. ROCHESTER: As far as I'm concerned, Matt Vinc is still the best goalie in the East. Though some key players didn't show up too often, Knighthawks found themselves both second in the East and in the division final. The real test will be will their good fortune against Buffalo continue?
4. BUFFALO: Though Tavares traded his jersey for a clipboard, grabbing Daryl Veltman from Calgary via trade is good for the Bandits considering the circumstances. Buffalo needs to play better against archrivals Rochester and Toronto if they want to grab the division, regular season or playoffs. Out side of a poor 1-6 against those teams, the Thieves (I wish that name would catch on already) were 10-1 against the rest of the league.
5. COLORADO: The Mammoth are a team that is difficult for me to get a read from. I have no idea how things will go. Though the had a solid team last season, there always seems to be a pattern of finishing middle of the pack which can go in cycles from one end of the spectrum to another and back in a four or five year span.
6. CALGARY: This is not you're mom and dad's Riggers team. The 'Necks are still with some of their stars and hoping that last year was just a hiccup after that horrible first half start. But it appears that head coach Curt Malawsky is getting Sciggy with it by allowing previous back-up Frankie Scigliano to start over Mike Poulin in front of the cage.
7. VANCOUVER: Statistically speaking, the Stealth were the least stealthy team. Beside goalie Tyler Richards and forward Rhys Duch, I see a Edmonton Oiler-esque perpetual stagnation at the bottom. The franchise as a whole deserves better performance, but it may just never happen for a long time.
8. NEW ENGLAND: Leaving Philadelphia was not easy for the new franchise, as they appeared the same as they arrived - lacking star power. That surely didn't help their dismal record. Now that they're firmly nestled in Uncasville, perhaps they can see some more cash flow to make some acquisitions.
9. GEORGIA: The Aroltta/Minnesota Fan-base debacle is really what spurred the move, as we covered somewhat extensively. But everything that followed in Georgia wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Well see if they can muster a fight for the final Eastern playoff spot, but don't count on it.
Week 1:
-Ricky
No comments:
Post a Comment