NLL Insider

So now that the season’s truly underway, we finally got to see which rookies are actually in the line-ups and not just taking up roster spots. Some of the guys I ranked up in the preseason Top-15 didn’t actually dress so that shock things up a bit.

There was hype surrounding a couple of players in this year’s rookie crop, including Frank Resetarits (San Jose), Kevin Olson (Edmonton) and David Mitchell (Philly), but they didn’t crack their team’s respective squads last weekend. Other guys split time in home and homes… So I’ve re-worked the Rookie Rankings this week and chopped down the number ranked considering so many simply aren’t dressing.

Guys who are getting an opportunity to play, however, are contributing. And the top three overall draft selections from the 2007 Entry Draft are at the top of the list. They’ve also got a legitimate shot at breaking a six-year-old NLL record.
Here are your Rookie Rankings after the first full weekend of NLL games:

The Top-3

1 (1) Craig Point, Minnesota
Point got a lot of minutes and he contributed right off the hop by collecting eight points in Minnesota’s 17-16 OT win over Toronto. He picked up another two points in the Swarm’s second victory of the season. “Craig is playing as if he were a polished NLL veteran and has taken our power-play to a new level,” added Minnesota’s GM Marty O’Neil. Point collected seven of his points on Minnesota man-ups, including assists on Minny’s last two goals in Game 1 to force OT. The right-handed forward now has 3G, 7A in 2gp.

 2 (2) Jordan Hall, New York
Hall played all over the floor with New York. It’s hard to look at just his stats ‘cause he brings a lot of energy to that team and his youth and enthusiasm are having an impact. He’s also delivering offensively and, like Point, looks calm when the game’s on the line. With last weekend’s game tied 11-11 after four straight forth-quarter goals by Portland, Hall assisted on NY’s next two powerplay goals to push the lead to 13-11. Goaltender Matt Vinc capped off the 14-11 Titan win with an empty net goal. The left-handed transition player has 3A and seven ground balls in 1gp.

3 (6) Merrick Thomson, Philadelphia
Philadelphia ended up pilling on the points in the fourth quarter of their game against Chicago to run away with 19-11 victory on the strength of nine goals in that final quarter. And Thomson was in the action, collecting four goals and six points. They’re putting big expectations on Merrick and giving him the green light to shoot, as he took 14 shots in the opener. He should continue to put up legit numbers this year. The left-handed forward has 4G, 2A in 1gp.

Record Watch: 2006 first overall draft pick Ryan Benesch topped all rookies last season with 33 goals and 58 points for Toronto, while Colorado’s Jamie Shewchuck led all rookies in ‘07 with 26 assists. This year’s class is on pace to shatter those stats… But can Point, Hall or Thomson capture the rookie record for points in a season? That mark was set in 2002 by Gavin Prout at 83 points… We’ll track it, and other all-time rookie records.

Sure it’s just one game for Thomson, but he’s on pace for 96. These guys are good and making an immediate impact.

Rounding out the Top 10

4 (4) Tyler Cordon, Portland
Despite the fact New York potted 14 goals against Portland in their season opener, Cordon played well and will continue to mesh with that defense and transition game. “It was his first game in the NLL and he handled his own,” added Portland’s front-office personnel Steven Masters. Cordon should end up being a staple on that Portland D. (3gbs in 1gp)

5 (12) Bobby McBride, Chicago
McBride adds a lot to Chicago’s defense and transition. After earning Rookie of the Week honors in Week 2 for a two goal, one assist performance, he followed it up with two assists and six ground balls in Chicago’s second game last weekend. McBride was solid again and that game was closer than the final score indicates, as the ‘Rox were only down three at the half and after three-quarters of play. (2G, 3A in 2gp)

6 (9) Justin Norbraten, Minnesota
Norbraten was scratched from Minnesota’s first game, but the right-hander got in during Game 2 and impressed as I thought he may. Norbraten picked up three assists in his NLL debut, helping the Swarm cruise to series sweep over T.O. Is it enough to keep him in the line-up though? (3A in 1gp)

7 (7) Dane Dobbie, Calgary
With lefty Kelly Hall back in Calgary’s line-up, Dobbie may start to see more limited minutes after posting three points in the season opener, allowing him to collect the first Rookie of the Week honors. Dobbie got off four shots against Cosmo but failed to collect any points or loose balls in Calgary’s 13-12 OT loss to San Jose last weekend. (1G, 2A in 2gp)

8 (8) Matt Lyons, Rochester
Lyons played really well in Rochester’s 12-9 road win over Buffalo scoring twice on five shots, and collecting one assist. In Game 2’s 14-9 loss, however, Matt only got off one shot on goal and he registered just one assist. The right-hander was one of the better rookies in the pre-season, and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares the rest of the season. (2G, 2A in 2gp)

9 (13) Kyle Schmelzle, Buffalo
Big and athletic, Schmelzle fit in well on Buffalo’s back-end during the first game, but did not dress in Game 2. Kilgour was unavailable for comment. (4gbs in 1gp)

10 (14) Brandon Francis, Buffalo
As you’ve guys have noted on the boards, Francis also looked good in his Bandits’ debut and contributed on the draws, an area Buffalo’s lacked strength in previous years. Splitting that series the hard way was big for Buffalo and Francis contributed in Game 2 after being scratched in the opener. (14-27 FO)

Missing Out

As noted, there were a few guys we had expected to see in action during the first full weekend of the ‘08 NLL season, but those guys didn’t get the call. Their stats still say they should be able to compete at the next level and management was hopeful they’d have an impact in 2008, but they’ve got to do more if they want to see game action.

Out (3) Frank Resetarits and (10) Tom Johnson, San Jose
Resetarits was pegged by some to be this year’s Rookie of the Year after impressive seasons at Albany and St. Catharines. And Stealth management told us they expected “exceptional” rookie seasons from both Resetarits and Johnson after strong camps. But Frank didn’t get the call in the opener, and Johnson didn’t collect any points in his debut.

San Jose Head Coach Walt Christianson told me yesterday, however, the only reason Resetarits didn’t get the call in game one was because they decided to go with three right-handers, not four. Zywicki and Wiles are obviously staples on that side, so Resetarits will have to beat out Peter Veltman for playing time, or have Christianson carry four.

“Frank definitely has played well enough in camp to start a game,” added Christianson. That may mean Resetarits gets the call in San Jose’s rematch with Calgary next week, while Johnson may sit. Tom had three shots in the opener and zero points.

Out (5) Kevin Olson, Edmonton
This looks to be another case of playing behind some proven pros. Despite the solid numbers that Olson’s put up in the WLA, including over 210 points in three seasons with Burnaby Sr. A, Olson didn’t get the call, and neither did Edmonton’s No. 15 overall pick in this year’s draft, Whitby’s Steve Hutchins.

Edmonton Coach Paul Day told me he still hopes to work those guys into the line up within the first four games of the season. Of Olson’s play at camp while doing my draft preview, Day said: “At 25 he is ready to make the step to the NLL and will get an opportunity to play. We expect both guys to get in some action and will be depth for us”.

The point: rookies have to be on their game all of the time. It’s so competitive in the league, but also on teams that it’s tough to crack line-ups. Just cause you’re drafted doesn’t mean you’ll stick, and even if you do, you’ve got to earn your playing time. What you’re seeing this year is some awesome lacrosse.

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