NLL Insider

Rookie Report

NLL Rookie Rankings

There were only a few games last weekend, but rookies again impressed; specifically, Philly’s Merrick Thomson who, after throwing in a four goal, six point night in his NLL debut, followed it up with another three goals and six points on Saturday.

In two games and two Philly victories, Thomson’s already collected 12 points. He’s on pace for an impressive 96 point season. That would eclipse the current rookie record for points in a regular season that was set back in 2002 at 83 points.

Thomson isn’t the only player putting up legit numbers in Philadelphia, however. Rookie right-handed forward Jamie Rooney has collected four goals and nine points. So, it only makes sense to add him to the list and drop off Francis who did not dress last weekend.

That results in only a minor shake-up to the rankings then. But I’ve also gone ahead and listed some of the bubble players we’re tracking. So, without further ado, let’s start with the front-runners for this year’s Rookie of the year award. READ MORE »

Rookie Report

NLL Rookie Rankings

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. READ MORE »

Q&A, Rookie Report

Q&A with Colorado Rookie, Dylan Llord

The Mammoth are carrying just one true rookie on their roster in 2008, and that’s Dylan Llord.

Colorado selected Nathan Sanderson at the No. 26 spot in this year’s Entry Draft and in the next round they picked up Dylan Llord. The two forwards battled it out in camp for one spot on the team and Dylan won out.

“Dylan Llord came to camp with all the tools that make a successful NLL player,” said Colorado GM Steve Govett. “He has an outstanding stick with a great shot, from both outside and inside, and was always around the loose balls. We have heard it been said that he might be the next Craig Conn out of St. Catharines. His game is multi dimensional…”

As I noted in my Rookie Report today, however, it’s still a long road for those young guys to crack the line-up even if they impress at camp. While mature players like Jordan Hall, Merrick Thomson and Craig Point are having immediate impacts, most rookies are just trying to catch up with the speed of the pro game.

Dylan’s worked hard to earn himself a roster spot and he’s trying to take in as much as he can to become a regular in this league. READ MORE »

Rookie Report

2008 NLL Rookie Rankings

Earlier I provided a “Rookie Watch” report that listed every NLL rookie this year, by team. This week I’ve gone ahead and ranked who I believe will have the biggest impact in 2008, and listed some of those players who could have an impact, if only they can crack their team’s respective rosters.

Agree? Disagree? Talk it up on the NLLForums.

Top-15 NLL Rookies

Here are your Top-15 NLL Rookies most likely to have an impact in 2008. READ MORE »

NLL Insider, Rookie Report

California dreaming

So here I am, sitting in the airport in Chicago waiting for my plane back home to Buffalo, which has been delayed. My first training camp is over and we have two weeks off for the holidays before we resume practice. As I sit here I begin to think about what I could write in my first blog. My first camp experiences seem like a logical start, but then it hits me, I’m going from sunny San Jose, where it was 60 degrees and I was swimming a day earlier, to Buffalo, where a Noreaster has just swept through and 12 inches of snow are waiting for me upon my arrival. So why not write on the differences between the places. So here goes.

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Rookie Report

Rookie Watch

Rookie Watch 2008

NLLinsider.com will keep a ranking of this year’s Top Rookies. Before we take a look at the rankings, however, let’s first take a look at the ’07 Entry Draft and see which rookies lasted through training camps.

Buffalo

Three rookies will see time in and out of the line up for the Bandits. Looking to play the biggest role amongst those rookies is Six Nation’s product and St. Regis defender Kyle Schmelzle. ”He’s a big, physical guy, very athletic,” said Head Coach and GM Darris Kilgour. Darris is also high on Brandon Francis who won close to 80% of their draws in an exhibition against Toronto. “He’s doing a great job on the draws, which is something we haven’t had in a long time. I’m very pleased with him as well,” said Kilgour.

READ MORE »