If the 2015 Major League Lacrosse regular season was an exercise in excellence, the playoffs were a show of proper spectacle. The New York Lizards stormed their way to the championship after participating in one of the best semifinal games of all time, against the Boston Cannons.

Even with league-wide player shuffling this offseason, the Lizards remain the favorites to repeat as champions — despite having a stable of extremely robust personalities on the roster. An interloper has joined the fray from Atlanta, and the Blaze have pilfered enough talent to compete with the upper echelon of the league. Former league powers Chesapeake and Denver are looking to rebound from a sleepy 2015. Boston and Ohio are hungry for a taste of the finals after being bounced in the semis for the second straight year. Florida and Charlotte are picking up the pieces after disastrous campaigns.

The talent level of the league is at an all-time high; 2015 was a hit, 2016 will be a blockbuster. Here are five of the teams I selected to preview in alphabetical order (To click directly for easy access: Boston, Chesapeake, Denver, New York, Rochester). Chris Rosenthall will be back Wednesday with the rest of the teams in Part 2.

Boston Cannons (8-6; lost in MLL Semifinals in 2015)

Key Players: Will Manny (29, 26), Kevin Buchanan (23, 8), Max Seibald (19, 9), Chad Wiedmaier (13gb)

Will Manny (29, 26), Kevin Buchanan (23, 8), Max Seibald (19, 9), Chad Wiedmaier (13gb) Additions: Tyler Fiorito (11.9GAA, 60.6%sv), Justin Turri (5, 4), Michael Pellegrino (1gb, 6PIM), Mason Poli (DNP)

Tyler Fiorito (11.9GAA, 60.6%sv), Justin Turri (5, 4), Michael Pellegrino (1gb, 6PIM), Mason Poli (DNP) Departures: Scott Ratliff, Jordan Burke, Ryan Tucker, Adam Ghitelman, Rob Emery, Tyler German, Ryan Young

Scott Ratliff, Jordan Burke, Ryan Tucker, Adam Ghitelman, Rob Emery, Tyler German, Ryan Young Rookies: Brandon Mullins (Syracuse, Defense), Challen Rogers (Stony Brook, Midfield), Jake Matthai (UNC, D-Mid)

Brandon Mullins (Syracuse, Defense), Challen Rogers (Stony Brook, Midfield), Jake Matthai (UNC, D-Mid) Drake Song Lyric: "Sweatpants hair tied chillin with no make up on/that’s when you the prettiest I hope that you don’t take it wrong" —Best I Ever Had



It’s probably crazy to have the Boston Cannons anywhere near the top half of the league given how much they have lost and how many question mark surround the team. A new coach, Sean Quirk, will patrol the sidelines after the defection of John Tucker (and his son, Ryan) to the confederate Atlanta Blaze in the offseason. Quirk has no MLL experience, but he has a solid reputation in New England as both a disciplinarian and mentor to hundreds of players from Endicott College, where is he also an administrator.

After making headlines last season with a big trade, the Cannons did so again this fall making two big moves. First, they sent Scott Ratliff off to his homeland for a handsome ransom of players and draft picks, including Brodie Merrill, Justin Turri and Michael Pellegrino. The Cannons also moved their No. 1 pick in this year’s draft (Greg Coholan, M, UVa), Tyler German and Ryan Young for top-tier goalkeeper Tyler Fiorito of the Chesapeake Bayhawks to replace the retired Jordan Burke. On top of all this, the Cannons are also going to be without the services of Rob Emery, who refused to sign his MLL contract on time and have limited access to long-range sniper John Glesener, who will miss time to be…a…real life…sniper later in the summer.

So why be optimistic about the Cannons? They drafted really well for the first time since 2011. They shed some dead weight in the midfield, and most importantly they have the personnel to play two-way track meet lacrosse: Incredible athletes in the midfield with Max Seibald, Josh Hawkins, Justin Turri and Brent Adams will get plenty of cheap goals keyed by big Fiorito stops. Add in the element of returning and developing players at attack like Will Manny, Davey Emala, Wells Stanwick and Kevin Buchanan and you have a sneakily effective group of playmakers. This team absolutely needs another shooter (or two) but if they can cash in on transition and move the ball to get good looks on and around the crease they will be poised to return to the playoffs.

Defensively, there are a few question marks now that Ratliff is gone; he was regaled for his ability with the ball, but he was just as good on the ball last year and turned into one of the league’s better takeaway defenders by the conclusion of the season. Boston will replace him with a platoon or Mason Poli, Mike Pellegrino and maybe even rookie Brandon Mullins depending on how the former two players perform at the outset. Down low, Merrill is the anchor on defense where Mitch Belisle and Chad Wiedmaier will flank him. Boston’s biggest weakness last year was its weak-side defense, as teams constantly drove and kicked on them to force rotations that someone down low always missed. That trio will need to tighten up and play to its fullest potential for the Cannons to maintain their position in the league as a dangerous run-gun-now-you-are-done team.

Next Page: Chesapeake

Chesapeake Bayhawks (6-8 in 2015)

Key Players: Joe Walters (19, 18), Matt Danowski (19, 24), Matt Abbott (17, 7), Mike Evans (1a, 7gb)

Joe Walters (19, 18), Matt Danowski (19, 24), Matt Abbott (17, 7), Mike Evans (1a, 7gb) Additions: Brendan Mundorf (From injury hiatus, DNP), Anthony Kelly (56.7%, 47gb), Brian Phipps (12.2GAA, 55.7%sv), Tyler German (8gb)

Brendan Mundorf (From injury hiatus, DNP), Anthony Kelly (56.7%, 47gb), Brian Phipps (12.2GAA, 55.7%sv), Tyler German (8gb) Departures: Tyler Fiorito, Kip Turner, Henry Schoonmaker, Chris Hipps, Ben Hunt

Tyler Fiorito, Kip Turner, Henry Schoonmaker, Chris Hipps, Ben Hunt Rookies: Greg Coholan (acquired in trade with Boston, UVa, M), John Maloney (Albany, M), Mark Glicini (Yale, M)

Greg Coholan (acquired in trade with Boston, UVa, M), John Maloney (Albany, M), Mark Glicini (Yale, M) Drake Song Lyric: "Please don't speak to me like I'm that Drake from four years ago/ I'm at a higher place /Thinkin they lions and tigers and bears/I go huntin, put heads on my fire place" — No Tellin

This team could very well be an absolute disaster until Matt Danowski and Joe Walters join the squad full time after their NCAA and NLL commitments. Still, there is enough mystery and intrigue surrounding this roster to suggest that a rebound season is a possibility. Chesapeake was slow and old last year, and as a result did the majority of its offensive work in the 6 on 6. They may have been called the Chesapeake Bayhawks, but they played an awful lot like the Maryland Terrapins.

Rebuilding through the draft wasn’t much of an option for the Bayhawks, as they didn’t have a draft pick in the first two rounds. Trading for Greg Coholan was a step, but given his struggles this season that move is looking less and less productive. John Maloney and Mark Glicini can be productive MLL players, but they’re not first-line material and Chesapeake knows it. There is a lot riding on Brendan Mundorf’s comeback bid and whether or not Drew Westervelt has another big year on the wing with his former partner in Denver. That duo needs to be more than dynamic for Chesapeake to have success.

Still, there are things to be optimistic about. Matt Abbott is still Matt Abbott, and he will likely be allowed to play his game instead of being force-fed into the offense by inverting and being asked to initiate with dodges as well as play end to end defense. This team has no choice but to adjust their style of play and use their personnel in a more rational manner. Matt Mackrides might see some time in the midfield and will look to return to his 2014 form as one of the best swingmen in the league.

Acquiring Anthony Kelly to pair with Charlie Raffa at the X is a massive leap forward for Chesapeake after stitching together the position with cadavers and masking tape since Alex Smith’s retirement years ago. Kelly still has the ability to brawl with anyone at the dot, and even his worst effort will be better than anyone else the Bayhawks trotted out for the past two seasons. He won’t be alone at the X, either as Raffa will be healthy for the first time in years; he is the definition of an under-the-radar player.

All told the Bayhawks have made some necessary improvements, but sacrificed some of their strengths to do so. Brian Phipps steps in for the departed Tyler Fiorito in net. Could it be worse? Absolutely. Phipps is a proven MLL goalie, but he’s never had a season like Fiorito had last summer, and the Bayhawks leaned heavily on the lefty from Princeton to plug the holes in their defense. That defense returns Mike Evans, who was rumored to be retiring in the offseason but returns for 2016. Kyle Sweeney is back for a song of swans, and Jesse Bernhardt completes the unit when he’s not splitting time with CJ Costabile at LSM. There are a lot of “ifs” for the Bayhawks — Brian Reese takes over as head coach for Dave Cottle, as well — but if they can go .500 or better for the first six games of the season their NCAA/NLL obligated reinforcements will turn them into a playoff team.

Next Page: Denver

Denver Outlaws (7-7 in 2015)

Key Players: Drew Snider (35, 11), Jeremy Sieverts (27, 17), John Grant junior (24, 18), Dillon Ward (11.35GAA, 44.4%sv)

Drew Snider (35, 11), Jeremy Sieverts (27, 17), John Grant junior (24, 18), Dillon Ward (11.35GAA, 44.4%sv) Additions: None

None Departures: Jesse Schwartzman, Anthony Kelly, Justin Pennington, Jeremy Noble

Jesse Schwartzman, Anthony Kelly, Justin Pennington, Jeremy Noble Rookies: Matt Kavanagh (Notre Dame, A), Stephen Jahelka (Harvard, D), Matt Hossack (RIT, LSM), Sam Llinares (Hofstra, A/M)

Matt Kavanagh (Notre Dame, A), Stephen Jahelka (Harvard, D), Matt Hossack (RIT, LSM), Sam Llinares (Hofstra, A/M) Drake Song Lyric: "I tried to keep us together/ you were busy keeping secrets." — Karaoke

No veteran additions to a team that looked as lost as your grandmother watching “Game Of Thrones” for the first time is disquieting. This ship has no rudder and no captain to steer it until John Grant Jr. comes back from his indoor obligations. Even then how much can you heap upon the back and necrotic knee of the mythic Canadian lefty?

Talk about a team dependent upon their rookie class: Kavanagh is on the perfect team for his game. The Outlaws understand spacing better than any other MLL team (you have to be when you’re playing with Junior, after all) and Kavanagh should have plenty of opportunities to take the ball to the wing and dodge to create. After all, Denver hasn’t had a wing dodger since it traded Mundorf, and Kavanagh is game ready in that capacity. Jahelka is not likely to play the rest of this season due to an injury that may yield him another year of NCAA action. Sam Llinares has had a strong season, but there is palpable concern about his size at the next level. Matt Hossack could be just the pole that Denver needs, but might not be able to join the team until game five or six depending on his responsibilities to RIT.

Who is this team’s face-off man? Who is playing with Dillon Roy down low? Can Michael Bocklet repeat his ridiculous post-30-years-old, plus-30-goal rookie season? Let’s tackle those questions one by one:

Brent Hiken is on the roster to take draws, but he is no Anthony Kelly. His career MLL draw percentage is 41.5 and I’m rounding up. Conor Helfrich is set to compete after his NCAA obligations to Tufts, but how many DIII face-off men have had success in the MLL? (Sorry, guys. That hurt to type).

Chris O’Dougherty will join Roy down low, but it remains to be seen who will complete the trio. That’s not just worrying; it’s problematic. Holes can be patched, downright negligent absence of coverage cannot.

In short: no. Teams will have film on the eldest Bocklet now, and no one will want to be embarrassed by his peculiar combination of grit and ability to constantly draw short sticks on switches.

The loss of Jesse Schwartzman doesn’t just loom over this team; it casts a menacing shadow of doubt. Dillon Ward has had solid outings, but might not be ready to transition to a full time professional outdoor lacrosse keeper at the professional level. Jack Kelly is a phenomenal goalie who plays behind a truly professional style offense, but is he ready to face MLL shooters? There are just so many questions surrounding this team that it’s hard to put them anywhere near the top of the league.

Next Page: New York

New York Lizards (10-4; Won MLL championship in 2015)

Key Players: Paul Rabil (34, 25), Rob Pannell (44, 33), Greg Gurenlian (72.8%, 195gb), Drew Adams (11.5GAA, 56.7%sv)

Paul Rabil (34, 25), Rob Pannell (44, 33), Greg Gurenlian (72.8%, 195gb), Drew Adams (11.5GAA, 56.7%sv) Additions: Dave Lawson (27, 10), Michael Kimmel (DNP), Luke Duprey (DNP)

Dave Lawson (27, 10), Michael Kimmel (DNP), Luke Duprey (DNP) Departures: Ned Crotty, John Austin, Hakeem Lecky, Conrad Oberbeck

Ned Crotty, John Austin, Hakeem Lecky, Conrad Oberbeck Rookies: James Pannell (UVa, A), Jacob Richard (Marquette, DM), Ryan Ambler (Princeton, A), David Manning (Loyola, D)

James Pannell (UVa, A), Jacob Richard (Marquette, DM), Ryan Ambler (Princeton, A), David Manning (Loyola, D) Drake Song Lyric: "I had someone tell me I fell off ooh I needed that/and they wanna see me pick back up well where’d I leave it at" — Headlines

The Lizards are planning on having another successful season, but each member of Gang Green has a giant red bull's-eye painted on their backs. New York straight up embarrassed teams last year with a combination of size, speed and scoring. Most other teams would be content to repeat that feat with a renewed focus and a focused squad. Not the Lizards. They just went out and acquired Dave Lawson from the Rattlers in exchange for the occasionally out-of-place Ned Crotty to bolster their bloated band. Lawson brings a different dimension to New York’s lineup than Crotty did, but it is decidedly less nuanced. Is Lawson great at beating his man on the wing and getting underneath? Yup. Is he good dodging right off the catch? Uh huh. Is he going to see the ball more than everyone but Matt Gibson in front of him? Nope. Lawson is a phenomenally talented player that likes to occupy the same spots as established guys (Marasco, Rabil even Palasek) in this Liz lineup. There is some serious Kevin Love potential here and if you don’t see that then you’re beyond my reach or you go to games begging for free equipment. Or both.

The Lizards pulled another fast and loose move by announcing the retirement of longtime enforcer Brian Spallina…on April 1. I thought perhaps it was a ploy at first, but I was tasked with writing about it nonetheless. When I reached out to team personnel I was confronted with my own naiveté. You got me fair and square, but you also got a ton more time on man-down in 2016; I hope it was worth it. Defensive player of the year Joe Fletcher returns in raptor-esque form this summer to lead the New York defense. The most intriguing addition to the backline is Luke Duprey, who has yet to play a minute in MLL despite being drafted in the first round behind Fletcher in 2014. If Duprey is 100% — and reports out of camp are that he is —then this defense is going to be better full stop. And that…that is a truly terrifying thought.

The only thing more frightening than an improved Lizards defense is an improved Greg Gurenlian, a truly healthy Paul Rabil and a re-focused Rob Pannell. What team matches up well with the Lizards? None. No teams. If you combined two of the best D-units in MLL, had them practice and watch film together for a month then set them loose they would still not be able to stop Gurenlian’s impact, Rabil’s explosiveness or RP3’s runs to 5 and 5. Good luck unseating the reptilian overlords, league. You’re going to need it.

Next Page: Rochester

Rochester Rattlers (8-6; Lost the MLL Championship final in 2015)

Key Players: Jordan Wolf (39, 25), Jordan MacIntosh (25, 15), John Galloway (13GAA, 52.4%sv), Joel White (3, 6, 79gb)

Jordan Wolf (39, 25), Jordan MacIntosh (25, 15), John Galloway (13GAA, 52.4%sv), Joel White (3, 6, 79gb) Additions: Ned Crotty (12, 12), Kip Orban (DNP)

Ned Crotty (12, 12), Kip Orban (DNP) Departures: Dave Lawson, Justin Turri, Kevin Rice, Mark Matthews, Randy Staats

Dave Lawson, Justin Turri, Kevin Rice, Mark Matthews, Randy Staats Rookies: Matt Dunn (Maryland, D), John Edmonds (Cornell, A), TJ Neubauer (Fairfield, M)

Matt Dunn (Maryland, D), John Edmonds (Cornell, A), TJ Neubauer (Fairfield, M) Drake Song Lyric: "Lately I feel the haters eatin away at my confidence/ They scream out my failures and whisper my accomplishments" — 6pm in New York

The Rattlers don’t play in a fancy stadium. They don’t have legions of screaming super fans. They don’t even have five of their top 10 scorers from last season. What they do have is the strongest team bond in the league and a player’s coach who would eat broken glass for his team.

The guys that the Rattlers let go in the Blaze expansion draft say far fewer than the players that they re-acquired afterward. John Ranagan has borderline troublesome numbers, but he serves an important purpose for the Rattlers midfield: He’s a big shooter that lets fly on the run and drives alleys hard to open up lanes for his teammates. Jeremy Boltus is a gifted finisher that (people seem to be forgetting) won the MVP of the all-star game last summer.

How about the guys that the Ratts couldn’t get back? Kevin Rice is a significant loss in so far as he was another reliable ball-carrier to relieve Jordan Wolf, but snapping up the underrated Steven Boyle in the supplemental draft has filled that need. Randy Staats somehow achieved cult hero status, but his pro numbers are overrated as he had just 14 points in seven games last season. Justin Turri is set to have a big role in Boston’s midfield this year, but statistically he will also go unmissed as Kyle Denhoff outscored him by six goals and did it in one less game. So if you’re wondering how Rochester can recover after losing so much, maybe consider how much production they actually lost.

Jordan MacIntosh has a free-flowing role as a creator on the wing and from the topside. Jordan Wolf owns all of the real estate behind the cage. Ned Crotty put up way more points than people expected on a stacked Lizards team last summer, and on this Rattler’s team he will always be a part of that starting six and also higher in the pecking order. The Rattlers will still be looking for that second off-ball/step-down lefty finisher who completes their scheme, but maybe they can convince Jesse King to be that guy in between summer jaunts to our lovely neighbor to the north.

John Galloway is the real conductor of this cold-blooded train, and he will backstop a defense that needs to be more cohesive than last year’s mash unit. Mike Manley won’t be ready to go after playing in the NLL again this winter, but the real focus will be on the two top tier LSMs that suit up for the Rattlers: Joel White (who also may be delayed by NLL commitments) and John LoCascio. Rochester is one of the only teams that can not only get away with running two poles on every face, but also prefers it and gets results by doing so. Watch for rookie Matt Dunn to slot in as soon as he is able depending on Maryland’s progress in the NCAA Tournament. He is MLL ready and tailor made for Ratty defense.