NLL Insider

It’s the article GM’s, players, readers and even NLL staff have hounded us for over the past week; team draft grades from this year’s NLL Entry Draft.

I’m not sure why I put myself through it, cuz it’s the article I get blasted for the most from NLL brass, for apparently being so wrong, but the masses want it, so here she goes…

Boston Blazers

Grade: A
Picks: Daryl Veltman, Nick Cotter, Jon Harnett, Dilan Graham, Reed MacPhail, Chad Henry, Paul Manesis, and Danny Brennan
The Skinny: Think everyone expected Tom Ryan to draft a whole host of Americans, especially with the guys that were available and willing to commit to the NLL this year. Only thing is, he already had those kinda Americans prior to the draft even going off. Ryan already picked a good pool of young Americans who also have some much needed NLL experience. During the summer, Ryan traded for two of last winter’s best defensive US rooks in Mitch Belisle and Steve Pannerelli, as well as Jack Reid and Sean Morris, all four, more than capable of starting in 09. Instead, he was able to balance out his roster real nicely on draft day, getting the best pound-for-pound baller available in Veltman, a likely decent pro secondary scorer in Cotter, probably the best Ontario JR. defensive prospect in Harnett, and another at least three guys that should be challenging for a roster spot. Ryan made sound choices versus gambling on the unknown and continues to set-up Boston for a decent expansion season.

San Jose Stealth

Grade: A
Picks: Paul Rabil, Rhys Duch, Kevin Huntley, Alex Turner, Trevor Wagar, and Nick O’Hara
The Skinny: Originally I had the Stealth with a petty perfect A+ score until I heard  what our very own Brian Shanahan was told by the Stealth front office. There’s very little doubt that Rabil and Huntley will be able to transition to the indoor game, but can they do it as eastern fly-ins? The Stealth currently say that both field studs are in their plans for 09, but for a team that has very much wanted their players to live in Cali in the past, especially their young guns, it sounds a bit odd that they’re flipping the switch on that mindset with two guys that probably need as much time working in the box to fine-tune their game for the NLL (have heard however Rabil will be doing a bit of work in the Baltimore Box Lacrosse League). The Americans who have done well in this league have 99.9% of the time lived in the market they play in, allowing them to practice with the team weekly and pick-up what they can even on their off days. Even after Shanny’s article, the buzz still is that at least one of the Stealth’s two American first rounders will be moved for a decent profit. With all that said though, San Jose did really well at the draft, no matter what they end up doing with Rabil and Huntley. Duch has Top 20 scoring potential, Turner is probably one of the biggest steals of the day, Wagar is a hard workin’ defender that might even find a spot with San Jose this year based on his work ethic alone, and O’Hara is a nice guy to have in your pocket for likely 2010.

Chicago Shamrox

Grade: B+
Picks: Jamie Kirk, Geoff Griffiths, Josh Funk, Steven Brooks, Steve McKinlay, Peter Striebel, and Pat Saunders
The Skinny: Don’t think many expected Chicago to do too much on the day after trading away their first round pick in the Anthony Cosmo deal, but Jamie Batley did a pretty solid job of grabbing a few names that dropped a bit in Kirk and McKinlay (who dropped a lot) and also got an insanely eager American in Funk, who apparently had a pretty solid combine. Brooks, who told me much earlier in the year that if he could find a workable gig in the NLL he’d definitely want to commit to the bigs, has the potential to be one of the best Americans taken in 08, but obviously the juries still out. Either way though, Chicago did not too bad for themselves and should at least get a couple guys long term outta this year’s draft.

Minnesota Swarm

Grade: B+
Picks: Andrew Watt, Kevin Buchanan, Joe Cinosky, Tom Michaelsen, Ricky Pages, Justin Haworth, Bruce Bickford
The Skinny: GM Marty O’Neill picked up one of the best guys he could when he traded up to get Watt, one of the most pro ready ballers available this year. He also got the American many felt might have the easiest transition to the box game in Ohio State’s Buchanan. In fact, Buchanan and the Terps’ Cinosky were easily two of the most impressive Americans during the combine weekend, their draft stock taking a major jump after the combine game. Minnesota has always had a pretty Canadian heavy roster, but like, say Buffalo, play a real effective athletic, run-and-gun style of lacrosse. If they can get Cinosky, Michaelsen and Pages to fit into their lineup, just imagine what just those three could bring to their already impressive transition game!! Have heard from a number of people asking what Minny mighta been thinking based on who they took after Watt, but with O’Neill definitely drafting based on the Swarm’s style of play versus just simply the best available guy at the spot, we may see their Yankees thriving a bit more than with some other teams. Also should be interesting to see what happens with All-American HM tender Bickford. The next Eirk Miller?

Calgary Roughnecks

Grade: B
Picks: Curtis Manning, Cayle Ratcliff, Joe Vetere, Joel Henry, Bryan Johnson, Eric Lamothe, Tyler Pridham
The Skinny: Hopefully Brad Bannister didn’t draft Manning based on the fact that he hoped he’d play this year, like was suggested in Shanny’s post-draft coverage, cuz as NLL Insider has reported all summer, although Manning was draft eligible he still had a year left at SFU and would likely not be able to suit up in 09. Drafting him was definitely a pick for down the road,  but still a solid grab if you’re able to wait. Ratcliff gives Calgary a real bulldog to open things up on O. Will he be able to penetrate pro D’s? The kid has no fear and guts it out like few can, so the smart money is that he’ll likely be able to fill that role for the Necks. Lamothe, who already showed this summer that playing at the Sr. level wasn’t an issue, could definitely challenge for one of the last D spots on the team too. And although Calgary was kinda guilty of drafting a good deal of locals, at least they’re good locals, with a number of them potentially cracking their top 23. Definitely a decent draft for the Roughies.

Edmonton Rush

Grade: B
Picks: Jamie Floris, Ryan Campbell, Kelly Kilpatrick, Myles Kenny and Adam Foss
The Skinny: Unlike last year at this time in Edmonton, Bob Hamley hasn’t left a whole lotta room for rooks to make much of an impact on the Rush’s growing roster, but they should have at least one full-time baller for 09 in Floris. The New West forward will likely be a decent secondary threat for the Rush and you’d have to think he’ll see action in most of Edmonton’s 16 games this year. He’s right up there as being one of the most pro ready guys in  this year’s draft crop. Campbell and maybe even Kilpatrick, who apparently was extremely high on the Rush’s wish list, should also have outside chances of finding one of the last spots on Edmonton’s roster heading into January. On top of picking up Andrew Biers from Minny, Edmonton comes away lookin’ pretty good from maybe the club’s most successful draft in franchise history. The Hamley era continues…

Rochester Knighthawks

Grade: B
Picks: Joel McCready, Kyle Guadagnolo, Brendan Loftus, Jesse Guerin, Logan Kane and Mitch Nanticoke
The Skinny: Rochester was able to score McCready, who seemed to gain a lot of buzz in the final week heading into the draft, especially outta the Rochester and Buffalo camps. Most feel McCready will fill a two-way roll in the bigs, probably more of an O to D guy. McCready, nephew to NLL vet Pat McCready, put up decent ratings in NLL Insider’s Playoff Edition of The Money Ballers and was also named as one of the OLA’s more under valued ballers in a recent coaches poll run on the site. Guerin’s another clutch scorer outta the junior ranks, with his 5′8″ frame the only real negative to his game (which obviously isn’t something he can really help, right). The kids a gamer though, so should be interesting to see if he can make the jump over the next couple years. Rochester is also trying to replace the likes of American defenders like Regy Thorpe and even Jack Reid, and found a pretty impressive potential replacement in Syracuse’s Guadagnolo. Although the Orange defender wasn’t able to attend the combine, many feel his style of play is perfect for the NLL and could even find him taking one of the Hawks’ last spots heading into the regular season. Kane, who plays for Thorpe’s Six Nations Arrows, is another guy that could find a spot with a number of D spots open with Thorpe, Ried, Stephen Hoar and Kyle Laverty all gone from last year’s back-end.

Toronto Rock

Grade: B
Picks: Michael Fleming, Nick Rose, Derrick Gordon and Tommy Hurley
The Skinny: It was the Rock’s best draft in ages. They get a B on just their picks, but easily scored an A on their draft eve wheelin’ n’ dealin’, scoring both Luke Wiles and Stephen Hoar. Fleming’s a guy that some teams had going as early as late first round and might even factor into the Rock’s O as early as this year. Ditto for Rose, who should challenge for the backup spot behind Bob Watson. Rose was named NLL Insider’s Jr. Keeper of the Year. The most interesting pick was off-radar player Hurley outta Burlington. The Chiefs’ two-way stud could be a pretty decent long term project for the Rock, who over the years, haven’t really had many long term projects. With a little more muscle on him and some experience playing against the big boys, the athletic Aurora native could find his up-temp game playing in front of a packed ACC. Real positive stuff going on in TO after a tough winter.

Philadelphia Wings

Grade: B-
Picks: Sean Thompson, Matt Bocklet, Mike Leveille, Matt Lalli, Jordan Levine, Jerry Lambe, Tony McDevitt and Steve Grossi
They Skinny: Like with Minnesota, think you have to look at Philly’s picks based on the Wings style of play and what type of ball they’re pushing with Dave Huntley running the bench. Really any of their American pickups have a chance of cracking their roster. They’re ridiculously good college ball players that just need that commitment like we saw from guys like Pat Heim, Brett Moyer and Jim Borell recently. Do you think any of those three woulda found a spot in 08 if they played for a team like Toronto or Calgary? Likely not. With Americans, it really depends on where you end up and who’s coaching you, and in Philly you have both right now. A good environment and a coach that can communicate with American box newbies. And have Philly found a potential replacement for Jake Bergey in Thompson? Well, the two play different games, so it wouldn’t be a straight up replacement, but Thompson  will definitely help opening up options on O and should be a solid two-way guy in the NLL. Although there were no Geoff Snider’s or Athan Iannucci’s in this year’s draft for the Wings, think they addressed some needs and also added a string of guys that have a very good chance of fitting into their systems.

Colorado Mammoth

Grade: B-
Picks: Matt Danowski, Mike Ward, Terry Kiminer, Ryan McFadyen
The Skinny: With only a couple picks this year, the Mammoth’s draft class obviously hinges on what Danowski does in the NLL. After seeing him at the combine, most NLL Insider have talked to feel Dino has what it’ll take to transition to the indoor game pretty easily. He’s as skilled and lethal with the ball in his stick as absolutely anyone in this year’s draft, and to argue him as the most skilled would be a pretty easy argument to win. His size might make it a bit tougher to hang while getting a mauled in traffic in box, but Dino’s killer first step should make him pretty tough to put a leash on. Matt’s Duke teammate, Ward, played with Denver in the MLL and could turn out to be a decent pickup too. He brings decent size and a D transitional style of ball that might help bolster Colorado’s two-way game, which was definitely off a bit last year. Pretty good trade by Steve Govett to land that first round pick in the twofer swap with Calgary.

Portland Lumberjax

Grade: B-
Picks: Tim Campeau, Matt Yager, Dayne Michaud, Matt Flindell, Sean Robinson
The Skinny: Portland’s one of the few US teams that doesn’t go too heavy on American talent, but over the last two years, GM Derek Keenan has done a pretty decent job of getting quality western Canadian talent without holding down too many high picks. Guys like Campeau, Yager and Michaud have as much chance of producing like we saw from players like Cory Conway and Pete Jacobs in 08. Definitely not gonna find a Tyler Codron this year, but based on their draft positioning, the Jax did fairly well. Should be interesting to see Joel Weber and Flindell fight for that third tender spot. The two were the most high profile keeps in the BCJALL this past summer, with Flindell getting first team honours and the tender of the year nod over Weber, who landed on the province’s second team. Flindell also found a spot on NLL Insider’s All-Canadian Second Team.

New York Titans

Grade: C+
Picks: Stephen Peyser, Steve Ammann, Ben Rubeor, Mike Ammann and Dan Cocoziello
The Skinny: New York was probably pretty surprised that Peyser was still around when they stepped out to the podium and are pretty fortunate to able to score him. He probably brings the most to the table of any player this year no matter his background and should not only give Jamie Hanford some help at the circle, but add some more punch to New York’s already impressive two-way game. After that though, not sure how much of an impact the rest of their picks will have in 09. And even though Cocoziello wasn’t at the combine, he might end up being the best out of the players past Peyser. The guys built like a brick sh** house and has good mobility. He has a lot of the extras NLL GM’s look for when trying to find guys to transition to the indoor game. If he commits fully, he might be a decent late round pickup. Right now though, it’s too tough to call past Peyser.

Buffalo Bandits

Grade: C
Picks: Eryn Jones, Tory Gardner, Shane Pollock and Dustin Dunn
The Skinny: With zero high round picks, it was kinda hard for Darris Kilgour to have much of an impact in this year’s draft, but as reigning NLL champs and roster depth that goes on for miles, don’t think Buffalo should be too worried they only picked up four guys on the day. Jones and Gardner give Buffalo two prospects that play with that hard hitting, no-nonsense style that Kilgour loves. Jones hits so hard he’ll leave you feelin’ his game for weeks, while Gardner, who this summer came back from a pretty severe car accident that left him with a broken femur and other internal injuries, is one of the toughest players (and fighters) in all of junior ball. Gardner brings leadership, heart, skill, crazy speed and an unmatched work ethic that any coach would love. Doubt we’ll see much from this year’s crop in 09, but they might factor in a few years from now. Sure Buffalo is already trying to figure out how they’ll try and score Sid Smith in next year’s super top heavy entry draft. Trust us, 2009 will be the Dolly Parton of entry drafts.

Also, check back next week as NLL Inisder projects the top prospects over the next three years.

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