NLL Insider

There’s just one week left in the NLL 2008 regular season before the playoffs hit.

Later I’ll bring you a breakdown of every rook this season, kind of like our intense NLL Rookie Preview that had a look at each team’s rookie roster. We’ll see which draft picks performed and call-out those that didn’t live up to expectations.

This week, the important spot to be is on our Top 10 Rookie Rankings (or this week’s variation of the Top 10), because all of those guys are still in contention for an All-Rookie team award. And with it - with the right agent - a year-end bonus.

Top 3 – All-Rookie Team Locks

1. Jordan Hall, New York – The kid’s a stud. He’s been at the top of this list since the midseason, when everyone had Point as their No. 1. If New York wins out over Rochester this Saturday, the Rookie of the Year award should be handed to Hall, if it hasn’t been already. Point has two final games against Chicago this weekend.

2. Craig Point, Minnesota – The Swarm are on a second-half slide, and with Point now held to just one goal in each of his last four games, the Rookie of the Year award may have slipped from his grasp. He’s a crunch-time performer though, and Minnesota will be hoping for bigger things from Point in the post-season.

3. Tyler Codron, Portland – Been drawing tough assignments all year and still has been able to contribute in transition. Has a great mix of athleticism, strength and offensive talent. He’s definitely top two among NLL rookie defenseman this season, so consider his All-Rookie selection a lock.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be. These guys were also Top 4 in our pre-season Rookie Rankings (ranked respectively No. 2, 1, 4).

If the three aforementioned are locks, however, that means just three other spots are up for grabs. Here’s a look at some of the top contenders by position for one of those final three spots on the 2008 NLL All-Rookie team.

Offense

1. Merrick Thomson, Philadelphia – His play has dropped off in the second-half, along with the rest of the Wings team after he was on a record setting pace. Named Rookie of the Month in January. Fellow rookie teammate Jamie Rooney has scored some clutch goals.

2. Cory Conway, Portland - Deserves consideration with Portland’s recent success. He logs a lot of minutes on that left-side with Dawson and doesn’t look out of place (throwing back hands and the whole nine). He’s also one of the younger rookies this season.

HM. Frank Resetarits, San Jose – Has shown glimpses of being an offensive force, but hasn’t lived up to the pre-season hype.

Defense

1. Kyle Ross, Minnesota – Some say Ross should be a lock for All-Rookie team too.

2. Mitch Belisle, New York – Developed into a solid boxla defender in his first indoor season. Extremely good at D-ing up one-on-one.

HM. Mike Carnegie, Calgary – Solid contributor defensively.

Transition

1. Bobby McBride, Chicago – Has produced all season for the Shamrox. Deserves serious consideration to be named among the Top 5 rookies in 2008.

2. Brandon Swamp, Buffalo – Probably hasn’t played enough games to be All-Rookie but a bright young talent.

HM. Jim Borell and Pat Heim, Philadelphia – Both are fast, aggressive and able to push the pace, part of that strong Philly start.

Thoughts? Who’d be your 2008 NLL All-Rookie team? Sound off on the NLL Forums.

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