NLL Power Rankings: Preseason

Every week during the 2022-23 National Lacrosse League season, The Lax Mag will publish updated NLL Power Rankings reflecting the previous week’s performances, as well as incorporating a team’s overall regular season rep, status, and success rate.

We start with our pre-power (aka preseason) edition by ranking the San Diego Seals, who did some serious stocking up over the offseason, #1 heading into the highly anticipated season.

San Diego Seals
Last Year: 10-8 (1st West)
Playoffs: Lost West Conference Finals

Yes, the additions of Curtis Dickson & Kevin Crowley are significant, but so is the unexpected comeback of Jesse Gamble and a full season from rookie Mike McCannell (debuted in 2022 playoffs), both of whom will do wonders for the Seals in transition. The addition of box-newcomer Connor Farrell should help their under 50% face-off woes too.

Buffalo Bandits
Last Year: 14-4 (1st East)
Playoffs: Lost NLL Cup Finals

Even with a couple key losses over the offseason (Kevin Brownell via free agency & Connor Fields in the Expansion Draft), Buffalo’s depth on either side of centre clearly keeps them as an early Cup contender.

Toronto Rock
Last Year: 13-5 (2nd East)
Playoffs: Lost East Conference Finals

A bummer about Chris Corbeil being sidelined for a significant stretch this season, but Toronto’s #1 ranked defensive unit will obviously be fine while he heals. The additions of Corey Small & Stephen Keogh were under-the-radar vet signings that strength the Rock’s increasingly versatile attack, which will now include Challen Rogers, regularly.

Colorado Mammoth
Last Year: 10-8 (3rd West)
Playoffs: NLL Cup Champions

The defending champs start lower than a title holder typically would, but as the Mammoth showed last year, the Cup isn’t clinched in Week 1. With Dillon Ward, a well-built backend, and obviously plenty who can step up with Ryan Lee still recovering, they’ll be just fine.

Halifax Thunderbirds
Last Year: 11-7 (3rd West)
Playoffs: Lost Quarterfinals

A top of the table first half of the season soured in the second, but the Thunderbirds gave a heroic effort in the playoffs. Halifax lost some notable names in their own end (Scott Campbell & Brad Gillies), but bolstered their offense with Randy Staats (trade) & Ryan Benesch (free agent) up front. If starting stopper Warren Hill can shake off last year’s second-half slide, the Thunderbirds are easy title contenders, again.

Saskatchewan Rush
Last Year: 8-10 (4th West)
Playoffs: DNQ

The Rush sat #1 in our preseason rundown last year, and then obviously rocketed down the rankings after they struggled to reset. Their stopper situation is stronger (Eric Penney & Alex Buque), their defense will never not be good, plus they added some good depth to their offense through free agency (Marty Dinsdale) & the draft (Austin Madronic).

New York Riptide
Last Year: 6-12 (7th East)
Playoffs: DNQ

There is a lot more buzz coming out of the Riptide camp than there was a season ago. Kevin Brownell gives New York another veteran presence on defense as the team tried to address their most pressing need this past offseason. Plus, Jeff Teat.

Philadelphia Wings
Last Year: 9-9 (5th East)
Playoffs: Lost Quarterfinals

Whether it was just not the right mix of players or something else was off entirely, Philadelphia’s 2022 fell well below what many were expecting from the Wings. Their roster has since had some significant subtractions (Kevin Crowley & Corey Small), but a few big gets too (Joe Resetarits & Chad Tutton). Are they better? We’ll find out soon enough.

Calgary Roughnecks
Last Year: 10-8 (2nd West)
Playoffs: Lost Quarterfinals

Of course, losing Curtis Dickson to the San Diego Seals via free agency is a blow, but guys, their offense is still pretty decent. Jesse King killed it last year. Ditto for Tyler Pace. Free-agent find Brett Hickey is a former 50-goal guy. Plus, Haiden Dickson looks ready to pop off. If they can find chemistry early, Calgary could certainly have a strong season sans Superman.

Panther City Lacrosse Club
Last Year: 7-11 (5th West)
Playoffs: DNQ

In a recent TLM Twitter poll, followers felt Panther City was the most underrated in the West, but the players we polled gave little to no love for the LC. Sure, they’re still a young group, but if last year taught us anything, they’re pretty damn good already too. Add in ROTY contender Jonathan Donville & top transition player Tony Malcom, and PCLC has only strengthened their situation.

Georgia Swarm
Last Year: 9-9 (6th East)
Playoffs: DNQ

It’s been mentioned many times over the last several weeks, but the Swarm lost a lot of bodies from a season ago. They already trended young last year, but with Mike Poulin, Jordan Hall, Joel White and Stephan Leblanc lost to retirement, and then Miles Thompson MIA again, they will likely be even more dependent on their emerging talent in 2023. With rising stars like Brendan Bomberry, Adam Wiedemann, TJ Comizio and a few others, all those offseason exists might not sting so bad.

Vancouver Warriors
Last Year: 6-12 (6th West)
Playoffs: DNQ

The Warriors seem to have been written off by many, but not so fast. Vancouver were 5-3 and sitting pretty on the West side of the standings to start 2022. Mitch Jones was placed on their long-time IR, and well, you know what happened next. With Jones back, Troy Cordingley in charge, Shawn Evans signed, and some interesting depth pieces added, the vibe in Vancouver is probably pretty positive right now.

Rochester Knighthawks
Last Year: 4-14 (8th East)
Playoffs: DNQ

Rochester got hit with a number of critical casualties that crippled their ability to build chemistry last year. This season’s opening-day roster had Ryland Rees and others already on it. A healthy Rylan Hartley, Turner Evans and Thomas Hoggarth are huge, as are additions like Connor Fields, Brad Gillies and Riley Hutchcraft. Placing high enough to earn a post-season spot won’t be easy, but this Rochester roster is certainly stronger than it was a season ago.

Albany FireWolves
Last Year: 9-9 (4th West)
Playoffs: Lost Quarterfinals

Albany has the goaltending & defense to compete in the stacked East Conference, but their offense is one giant question mark after the team lost or traded virtually all of last year’s scorers over the summer. Of all their deals during the offseason, the best player going either way might have been now-FireWolves forward Kieran McArdle, who had his most impressive season in the league with the Riptide last year. Although his role may change in Albany, he was a good get.

Las Vegas Desert Dogs

Fine, we took the easy way out and put the expansion Deserts Dogs at the bottom of our ranking. Clearly the Dogs opening-day roster looks a lot better than a first-year flop. Their offense is a good mix of promising prospects & proven vets, led by high-end forwards Rob Hellyer & Zack Greer. They may not have a ton of defensive depth, but their season-starting eleven are solid. Plus, with Shawn Williams behind the bench, there will be few teams this year as prepared & focussed as the boys in Vegas.