NLL Insider

Last week when we polled the Insiders and players, the consensus prediction for Rookie of the Year was New York’s Jordan Hall, the No. 1 overall selection in last season’s NLL Entry Draft. And although the Titans didn’t play last weekend, Hall did further strengthen his position as the best rookie in this year’s rookie crop after contenders Craig Point, Merrick Thomson and Frank Resetarits again had sub-par performances.

Top 10 NLL Rookies

1 (1) Jordan Hall, New York – The thing about Hall and the Titans is they keep improving. Jordan had seven points in New York’s last win and is No. 18 overall in league points. Huge game this weekend at Minnesota.

2 (2) Craig Point, Minnesota – Tied at No. 11 overall in league goal scoring with some big names. But he’s not finishing as effectively as early in the season. Just one goal on 17 shots in a loss last weekend.

3 (3) Tyler Codron, Portland – Has been one of the best rookie defenders all season, and his last two weekends in action have been his best. Home and home with San Jose this weekend in more big divisional games.

4 (7) Brandon Swamp and (T-7) Kyle Schmelzle, Buffalo – Had a bye last weekend, again. April 5 will only be their second game in a month – at home to Colorado.

5 (NR) Bobby McBride, Chicago – Five points and a tied game-high eight gbs in a Chi-town victory last weekend. He started in our rankings by winning the league’s second rookie of the week honors and has impressed again the last two weekends, in Chicago victories.

6 (4) Kyle Ross, Minnesota – Did not play last weekend. Ross is actually dealing with a separated shoulder, but could return as early as this week.

7 (5) Jaime Rooney, Philadelphia – For the second game in a row, Rooney was held without a goal in another Wings’ loss. Four points in his last two games, but has scored clutch goals.

8 (6) Merrick Thomson, Philadelphia – After starting on a record-setting pace with 31 points in his first six games, Thomson’s play has dried up as he’s been held with just one goal and two points in his last three games.

9 (9) Mitch Belisle, New York – Had a bye last weekend. Was actually named the NLL’s transition player the week prior for his strong performance, that included his well-read first two career NLL goals.

10 (NR) Cory Conway, Portland – Sneaks into the rankings after collecting two goals and five points in the ‘Jax 16-15 victory over Colorado two weekends ago. Has 12 points in six games.

Honorable Mention

(NR) Mat McLeod, Rochester – Collected two goals and three points in a dominant Rochester win last weekend. The Knighthawks have been looking for McLeod or Matt Lyons to progress more quickly.

(NR) Kevin Croswell, Minnesota – In a league where goaltending is crucial, it looks like Crowsell may be able to develop into a good one for the Swarm. Played over 18 minutes last weekend and made 11 saves on 14 shots. Has seen brief action in two other games and has a .75 SV%.

Out

NR (8) Steve Panarelli and (10) Frank Resetarits, San Jose – When a team only scores five goals in a 12-5 loss, as San Jose did last weekend, no one looks good. That was the case for Panarelli, and for Resetarits who took 10 shots last weekend and only scored once, too little, too late with an extra-man attacker.

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