Predictions-NLL [Archive] - The Lacrosse Forums

NLLStormCA

10-29-2006, 07:18 PM

Irishlax22

10-29-2006, 07:20 PM

Im only predicting one thing.

NLL Champions = New York Titans

NLLStormCA

10-29-2006, 07:21 PM

what a homer...

Canadian Lax

10-29-2006, 07:37 PM

BANDITS......NLL champs.

I'll do the rest of the predictions later, right now i got homework

Irishlax22

10-29-2006, 07:39 PM

what a homer...
GUILTY. :roll:

Hooligan

10-30-2006, 04:34 AM

NLL Champ: Portland Lumberjax

West Division Champs: L-jax

East Division Champs: Toronto Rock

Jax should be better this year. Keep an eye on the Rush out west, and old stand-bys like Colorado. Out east, no one will be spectacular, again, and Toronto will be able to run away with the league, with Buffalo in tow. But because of a late season problems, like every year, Buffalo won't pass the second round of the playoffs this year. Outside of the Titans, don't look for much of a threat from any other team in the east.

(the rest are too early to even think about. I have no idea who'd be in place for any of those categories)

Sesor

10-30-2006, 05:37 AM

I am going to wait a bit, also to see the exhibition game.

Ex-Laxer

10-30-2006, 08:21 PM

So I dont think it is TOO early to start a prediction thread for the up coming season(2007). Most of the teams know who will be playing for them, everyone has there GM's, coaches, and players. Now its time to predict!!!

NLL Champ:

West Division Champs:

East Division Champs:

MVP:

Rookie of the year:

Defensive Player of the Year:

RBK Goaltender of the Year:

Head Coach of the Year:

lets see those predictions....

Champs: Colorado, squeaker over Philly.

West: Mammoth
East: Philly

MVP: Who Knows?

Rookie of the Year: Dawson (the goalie)

RBK Goaltender of the Year: Pat Campbell

Coach of the Year: Gary Gait

shoebag2000

10-31-2006, 05:16 PM

I suck at making any predictions, so I am just going to hope that it at least comes down to Arizona vs Colorado for the west, and then Arizona wins. That way I get to rub it in everybody's face at school.

11laxboy11

10-31-2006, 05:38 PM

edmonton rush forsure! :(

ReLaxin 13

10-31-2006, 09:31 PM

'Tender of the Year: Nick Patterson, he proved himself last year, he's going to be an even a bigger stonewall this year.

captain crunch

10-31-2006, 11:39 PM

roughnecks vs knighthawks, roughnecks take it. Lewis Ratcliff MVP. Pat O'Toole top goalie, Paul Day of the Rush for coach of the year, Taylor Wray for defensive player of the year.

LaxDr

11-01-2006, 08:03 PM

colorado again there stacked

tastycakes

11-10-2006, 09:12 AM

NLL Champ: Arizona Sting

West Division Champs: " "

East Division Champs: Rochester

MVP: Dan Dawson

Rookie of the year: Athan Iannucci (San jose will wonder why the passed up on so many good players for Benny, who will have no impact on that roster like zywicki or wiles did last year)

Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merrill (for the next ten years, no one comes close)

RBK Goaltender of the Year: Gee Nash

Head Coach of the Year: Definitely not Glen Clark. Paul Day (smell a big turnaround in Edmonton this year)

lets see those predictions....

Comments
I think San Jose is in for another long year. They brought no impact players in and after bringing in some good young guys, this year's their rooki class will crash. Not enough impact players on this team to make a difference and they lost maybe their biggest impact player in Woods.
Toronto will not make the playoffs. Glen Clark has no coaching experience, has too many close/friendly relationships with virtually that entire roster (which you can't have if you want to rule a bench) and their once famed defense is easily one of the worst in the East. Watters has burnt a lot of bridges over the years and it appears he's made so many enemies he's turned to his final resource in Clark and Klopffer (who he doesn't even have enough faith in to call him is General Manager). You heard it hear first, the Rock will collapse this year and not make the playoffs.
I really like Philadelphia and think they will not only make the playoffs but challenge Rochester and Buffalo for the entire East. Really like the look of their lineup. With everyone on the same page for the first time in years, plus a Sanderson reunion, think the Wings will make a lot of noice this year.
I really like the moves Edmonton has made and feel they will fight for a playoff spot as well.
Think Colorado will be in the mix, but I just like Arizona to come out of the West this year finally.

Chamoo

11-10-2006, 04:35 PM

NLL Champ: Portland Lumberjax

West Division Champs: Edmonton Rush

East Division Champs: Buffalo Bandits

MVP: Gavin Prout

Rookie of the year: Geoff Snider

Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merrill

RBK Goaltender of the Year: Anthony Cosmo

Head Coach of the Year: Paul Day

West Division Standings:

1. Edmonton Rush
2. Portland Lumberjax
3. Colorado Mammoth
4. San Jose Stealth
5. Calgary Roughnecks
6. Arizona Sting

Eastern Division Standings:

1. Buffalo Bandits
2. Rochester K-Hawks
3. Philadelphia Wings
4. New York Titans
5. Toronto Rock
6. Minnesota Swarm
7. Chicago Shamrox

tastycakes

11-10-2006, 05:00 PM

My standings would be:

East
1. Rochester
2. Philadelphia
3. Buffalo
4. Minnesota
5. Toronto
6. New York

West
1. Arizona
2. Colorado
3. Edmonton
4. Portland
5. Calgary
6. San Jose
7. Chicago (or are they in the East? also going to guess that Chicago doesn't win a single game this year. they are relying on just a few key players to do a lot of work and had just a horrible draft)

BClax17

11-10-2006, 05:29 PM

NLL Champ: Arizona Sting
I have full hopes for the Sting this year, the only thing that bothers me is their goaltending which let in one of the highest GPG last year. Their offence is going to be just deadly, 2 goals off from being the highest scoring team last year.

West Division Champs: Arizona Sting

East Division Champs: Rochester

MVP: A flip between Dawson or Conn

Rookie of the year: Geoff Snider

Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merrill (for the next couple years they should just name it the Brodie Cup)

RBK Goaltender of the Year: Nick Patterson

Head Coach of the Year: Paul Day

Final Standings:
West
1- Arizona
2- Colorado
3- Portland
4- Edmonton
5- Calgary
6- San Jose

Out West expect to see Edmonton improve incredibly. Colorado hasn't changed much but with a Championship team, why would you? Cosmo WILL be gone from San Jose by the end of the year, mark my words. Portland had a great first year but has little offensive threats defend that West title.

East
1- Rochester
2- Buffalo
3- Toronto
4- Minnesota
5- Philadelphia
6- New York
7- Chicago

The East has been, and will be for a while, the toughest division. The difference this year is that the 5 good teams last year now have 2 expansion teams to pick on and gain wins from. Minnesota is constantly improving so watch out for them. Philly grabbed some great players at the draft but will continue to disapoint. One thing for sure is that Geoff Snider will be playing, he may be used to be the new face of the franchise. The expansion teams will play like expansion teams and Toronto won't play like the Cahmpionship team they were 2 years ago.

sidewinder19

11-12-2006, 11:51 AM

NLL Champ: Minnesota Swarm

West Division Champs: Edmonton Rush

East Division Champs: Minnesota Swarm

MVP: Jeff Zwiky(sp)

Rookie of the year: Geoff Snider

Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merrill (is and always will be for a decade to come)

RBK Goaltender of the Year: ?????

Head Coach of the Year: Gary Gait

West Division Standings:

1. Edmonton Rush
2. Portland Lumberjax
3. Colorado Mammoth
4. San Jose Stealth
5. Calgary Roughnecks
6. Arizona Sting

Eastern Division Standings:

1. Buffalo Bandits
2. Rochester K-Hawks
3. Philadelphia Wings
4. Minnesota Swarm
5. New York Titans
6. Toronto Rock
7. Chicago Shamrox

i think the swarm are going to have an amazing year despite getting off bad at the start. they are going to take the championship over edmonton 14-8

Guyute Lax

11-12-2006, 01:46 PM

Im only predicting one thing.

NLL Champions = New York Titans
I'll see you at the Garden. I can't wait to see their defense in action. I predict domination.

sookelaxkid

11-12-2006, 02:20 PM

NLL champ Portland lumberjax
west champ Portland
east champ new york
MVP Ryan Powell
Rookie Geoff snider
defensive player brodie merriel
RBK goalie of the year Dallas Eliuk
coach derek keenan

RockStar

11-12-2006, 03:22 PM

........... I can't wait to see their defense in action. I predict domination.
Meh, it's a bunch of guys who are decent field lacrosse defensemen. They tried this before in NYC once (IIRC, they had Polanco, Ghedina, Spallina, etc.). I think it was called the Saints.

They were a pretty sucky team, 4-12ish their last two seasons in the league. If I were you, I really wouldn't get too confident about this version of the Taints yet.

Note also that the previous edition of the Saints couldn't stop other teams from scoring even with Gee Nash as their goalie.......Curtis Pallidwor sure ain't Gee Nash, so there could be some very long nights in NYC this year.

Chamoo

11-13-2006, 05:12 PM

As much as I like Gee Nash, I think he has a tough time with the bigger nets in the NLL. He has never really stood out to me in NLL nets or in MSL nets. He seems to get beat on some weak ones from far out sometimes. I know his transition game is great, and it's one of the reasons he is great, but I don't think he is the best ball stopper in the league either.

NLLStormCA

11-19-2006, 10:39 PM

good stuff...

svtg40

11-20-2006, 02:25 PM

chris passavia will tear someones head off.

dougm

11-20-2006, 03:46 PM

east champ new york
coach derek keenan
if ny wins the east, its mueller's in a romp

sailorslax88

11-26-2006, 08:32 PM

Meh, it's a bunch of guys who are decent field lacrosse defensemen. They tried this before in NYC once (IIRC, they had Polanco, Ghedina, Spallina, etc.). I think it was called the Saints.

They were a pretty sucky team, 4-12ish their last two seasons in the league. If I were you, I really wouldn't get too confident about this version of the Taints yet.

Note also that the previous edition of the Saints couldn't stop other teams from scoring even with Gee Nash as their goalie.......Curtis Pallidwor sure ain't Gee Nash, so there could be some very long nights in NYC this year.

it was nikki polanco's brother, mondo, the lesser known brother.

tastycakes

11-27-2006, 01:18 PM

Rookie of the year: Athan Iannucci (San jose will wonder why the passed up on so many good players for Benny, who will have no impact on that roster like zywicki or wiles did last year).
Four goals in his first taste of the NLL, not too shabby. Still stand by my pick for sure.

RockStar

11-27-2006, 02:08 PM

Four goals in his first taste of the NLL, not too shabby. Still stand by my pick for sure.

Good debut, but what was he attacking?

(I can't seem to find data on whether veteran D-men were actually playing and on who was playing goal for either side.)

All I could find was a final score, and scores at the half (5-2 Rock at halftime, 10-8 Rock final. I certainly expected more goals than that during the 4-on-4 second half!).

tastycakes

11-27-2006, 02:32 PM

Good debut, but what was he attacking?

(I can't seem to find data on whether veteran D-men were actually playing and on who was playing goal for either side.)

All I could find was a final score, and scores at the half (5-2 Rock at halftime, 10-8 Rock final. I certainly expected more goals than that during the 4-on-4 second half!).
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, it's only exhibition. But at the same time, no one else was scoring four times. I've been searching for more than that crappy blurb nll.com has, which interestingly has the same paragraph repeated twice over for some reason. The front pic on the site also has a shot that is obviously of Bullen, has Clark faded in the background, but the blur under the pic says it's Bullen, implying that Clark has morphed into a big black guy. Hello, nll front office, do you ever even look at what you've put on your site?!?!!? :concerned

tastycakes

11-27-2006, 02:43 PM

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, it's only exhibition. But at the same time, no one else was scoring four times. I've been searching for more than that crappy blurb nll.com has, which interestingly has the same paragraph repeated twice over for some reason. The front pic on the site also has a shot that is obviously of Bullen, has Clark faded in the background, but the blur under the pic says it's Bullen, implying that Clark has morphed into a big black guy. Hello, nll front office, do you ever even look at what you've put on your site?!?!!? :concerned
Oh wow, one of the errors was fixed. They've now clarified who is who in the pic. :worship:

Still has the double paragraph, but hell, what do I know, maybe Kyle Sweeney's opening goal is worth a double posting of the exact same paragraph.

tastycakes

12-02-2006, 12:12 AM

Just checked out the score card for tonight's exi with tor and ari and the Rock better hope that nothing happens to their big three, colin, shooter and manning, because without even one of them tonight, that 11-8 loss could have been a hell of a lot uglier. You can only lean on the same bodies for so long before one or two finally start falling over.

shoebag2000

12-02-2006, 12:19 AM

Yay, I'm so glad that the Sting won. A great way to start the season. And my favourite players all had 2 a piece too, Conn, Dawson, and Brown.

tastycakes

12-02-2006, 11:10 AM

The worst thing is, the Rock were virtually shooting on three rookie goalies... and only scored 8 goals!!! Atwood has been around for a bit, but has barely even served as a backup while the kids from out west were just drafted this year. 63 shots to 49 in favor of the Sting. That offense looks like it's going to be in some trouble this year. Four even strength goals all game versus the Sting's seven, ouch. And from just looking at the scoresheet, it looks like their defenders took a lot of lazy penalties. I know I'm probably reading too much into an exi game, but I have a feeling this will be an ongoing thing for the Rock in 2007.

RockStar

12-02-2006, 01:15 PM

The worst thing is, the Rock were virtually shooting on three rookie goalies... and only scored 8 goals!!! ........

Sloppy execution and no finish on offense last night......could be a long season. Note that there weren't even really four even-strength goals. One of the four non-powerplay goals was a shorthanded one on a bit of a broken play.

Only real sweet spot for the Rock last night was a fantastic performance by Poulin in the second half.

As far as the penalties - lots called on both teams, some really soft relative to years past. If I had to guess, I'd say the refs have been directed to crack down on holding-the-stick.

The 4v4 in the second half was a huge disappointment - There was a bit of run-and-gun which was kind of fun to watch, but in the set offense, both sides looked a bit lost, and neither managed to find a way to exploit all the extra room.

tastycakes

12-02-2006, 09:42 PM

[QUOTE=RockStar]

Only real sweet spot for the Rock last night was a fantastic performance by Poulin in the second half.

QUOTE]
Good to hear. I wasn't sure he could make the jump, but after equalling Waton's numbers against a good Sting team, last night was a good showing for Poulin.

tastycakes

12-04-2006, 02:05 PM

Rookie of the year: Athan Iannucci (San jose will wonder why the passed up on so many good players for Benny, who will have no impact on that roster like zywicki or wiles did last year).
4 goals for Benesch in exi play last weekend. Hey, maybe I'm wrong.

ND14

12-12-2006, 06:38 PM

NLL Champ: Toronto Rock

West Division Champs: Colorado Mammoth - forced to go with them, but only because of major goaltending questionmarks in Calgary and Arizona. If Arizona's goaltending is solid, I like their chances.

East Division Champs: Toronto Rock - though this is tough to call, because the east is so balanced. Also doing well is Buffalo.

MVP: John Grant Jr. - The most dominant player in the game today.

Rookie of the year: Athan Iannucci - Wait till you guys out east see what this guy can do. 8th overall was WAY too low for him. He's an offensive powerhouse with one of the best outside shots in the league.

Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merrill - Seems to be quite the league favorite. This award is so subjective, I question its legitimacy anyways.

RBK Goaltender of the Year: Anthony Cosmo

Head Coach of the Year: Glenn Clark (If they win the east).

RockStar

12-12-2006, 10:22 PM

..............Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merrill - Seems to be quite the league favorite. This award is so subjective, I question its legitimacy anyways..............

Sure it's partly subjective (NLL doesn't track hits, playing time, or who was on the floor when a goal was scored). That said, they can look at team GAA, loose balls, and points produced objectively to narrow it down to five guys to pick from subjectively..

Regardles of team D stats - Brodie's a one-man wrecking crew, a loose ball vacuum, and can produce 40-50 points per year.....he's top 5 D for sure.

rampartmiddie

12-13-2006, 11:10 AM

NLL Champ: Lumber jax

West Division Champs: Lumber jax

East Division Champs:Toss up Buffalo, Philly

MVP:

Rookie of the year: Athan Ianucci

Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merril

RBK Goaltender of the Year: Toss up Dallas Eliuk, Steve Dietrich

Head Coach of the Year: Derek Keenan

Jax coming up big this year, I think they will build on last year and just blow up.

ND14

12-14-2006, 01:52 AM

Sure it's partly subjective (NLL doesn't track hits, playing time, or who was on the floor when a goal was scored). That said, they can look at team GAA, loose balls, and points produced objectively to narrow it down to five guys to pick from subjectively..

Regardles of team D stats - Brodie's a one-man wrecking crew, a loose ball vacuum, and can produce 40-50 points per year.....he's top 5 D for sure.

Yeah, I agree about Brodie. He's set apart from other defensemen because he's so good on transition/offense. But that doesn't necessarily mean that he's a better defenseman than a whole wack of other guys.

Brodie is as good a choice as anyone, for sure. But I just have trouble with the idea of picking one guy out of dozens of potential candidates when it's so hard to measure good defensive play. There are a whole bunch of players who are as good one on one defensively as anybody who has won this award who would never be considered because they're not good on transition or because they're not leadership types. Great defensive players are usually the ones you don't notice because they never get beat and rarely take penalties.

Plus I have trouble putting ANY confidence in an award that claims Pat Coyle was at one point the best defensive player in the league.

RockStar

12-14-2006, 06:14 AM

.........

Plus I have trouble putting ANY confidence in an award that claims Pat Coyle was at one point the best defensive player in the league.
You just haven't watched enough.

At one point he was top five for sure.

ND14

12-15-2006, 01:34 AM

You just haven't watched enough.

At one point he was top five for sure.

Well, I live in Vancouver and I've been going to lacrosse games since before I could walk. Coyle has played out here for the Coquitlam Adanacs for a very long time, so I've been able to see him just about every season in recent memory. Plus I've watched him just about every time he's been on TV or visiting Vancouver (when we still had a team).

I'm sure he's a great leader in the dressing room and he tends to have a bit of a mean streak to him, which is fine. But in terms of pure defense, he's very average. He's big and physical but is very slow laterally and has trouble with good one on one players when he's got no help. He's also prone to mental letdowns.

I think he has this great reputation because of his leadership qualities, aggressiveness and the fact that he was the captain on several championship teams in both the summer and pro leagues. IMO, one the most overrated players in the game.

CALEGIESE22

01-02-2007, 04:04 AM

NLL Champ: Calgary roughnecks(ratcliff,kelusky,toth... enough said)

West Division Champs: colorado(calgary will win tho
East Division Champs:Rochester
MVP: John Grant Jr. ( he dominates i dont know why noones saying him)

Rookie of the year:Brett Bucktooth

Defensive Player of the Year: Brodie Merrill, give me a break we all know its all about Veltman

RBK Goaltender of the Year: Eliuk (big year)

Head Coach of the Year: Gary Gait, obviously

West Division Standings:

1. Colorado Mammoth
2. Calgary Roughnecks
3. Portland Lumberjax
4. San Jose Stealth
5. Arizona Sting
6. Edmonton Rush

Eastern Division Standings:

1. Rochester K-Hawks
2. Toronto Rock
3. Buffalo Bandits
4. Philadelphia Wings
5. New York Titans
6. Minnesota Swarm
7. Chicago Shamrox

dpole4life

01-07-2007, 12:00 AM

Im just goin for the East and West Titles...

East: Rochester

West: Colorado

dougm

04-09-2007, 02:49 AM