PLL Protected Player Roster Projections

With Premier Lacrosse League protected player rosters (say that three times fast) due on February 28, we decided to make our projections for who each PLL coach will choose to protect from the PLL Expansion Draft on March 11. Protected player rosters for some teams were no-brainers, while most were much more difficult to predict. Coaches value players differently than fans, so there are always bound to be a few surprises. Sometimes those surprises are also based on the level of risk associated with certain players and whether they could get passed over and return to their original team as well. In the end, we both put on our head coach hats and formed our protected player lists for the original seven PLL teams. Let's discuss!

Archers LC

Possible Departures: Adam Ghitelman (G), Curtis Corely (D), Jackson Place (D), Jack Rapine (D), Joey Sankey (A/M), Josh Currier (M), Mike Simon (LSM)

Overview

Both of us chose to let defenders Curtis Corely, Mike Simon, Jack Rapine, Evan Connell and Jackson Place test expansion. With the exception of Rapine (who was a rookie in 2020), every one played a part in this vaunted Archers defense that ranked first in Scores Against Average (10.5 SAA) in 2019 and played well again down the stretch in 2020. Knowing that Sean Quirk can only select three players from the Archers (and likely one will be Sankey) guarantees a couple of these defenders will be back next season, but also potentially frees up the team to potentially select a Ben Randall or Liam Byrnes in the PLL Entry Draft and further solidify this defense.

We also chose to let both Stephen Kelly and Brendan Fowler test expansion. With the second pick in each round of the PLL Entry Draft, Coach Bates will be able to upgrade at the stripe if either of these faceoff specialists are scooped up in expansion. If Kelly does get picked up by the Cannons, expect the Archers to possibly target Max Adler or Alex Woodall in March.

Adam

The toughest decision for me with the Archers was whether to keep both halves of the goalie tandem. With the addition of Connor Fields taking up another protected spot, I sided with just one and went with Drew Adams. Coach Chris Bates protected Adams in last year's expansion draft and I expect him to do the same this year.

Hutton

The Archers are in an interesting spot given the amount of talent they have on both sides of the ball. Last season, due to the PLL 2020 expansion draft rules, Coach Chris Bates had to roll the dice on his goalie tandem of Adam Ghitelman and Drew Adams and opted to let Ghitelman test expansion. The gamble paid off as Ghitelman was not drafted by the Waterdogs and returned to the Archers for 2020.

This year coaches are allowed to use any number of their 14 spots on goalies (as long as they protect at least one), so I don't think Coach Bates tempts fate and instead protects both Adams and Ghitelman. The logic here is that both have proven the past two seasons (and even during their MLL days) that they are capable of starting in this league and would be a prime pick for Sean Quirk if left unprotected.

Atlas LC

Possible Departures: Aidan Hynes (D), Austin Piffani (D), Joel Tinney (M), Kevin Unterstein (M), Paul Rabil (M)

Overview

Ben Rubeor showed his hand early by releasing Jeremy Thompson, Kyle Hartzell, Scott Rodgers and Callum Robinson rather than just leaving them unprotected. However, the odds are very slim that any of them would have been drafted in the PLL Expansion Draft anyway with the exception of possibly Kyle Hartzell (still a longshot), so releasing guys early doesn't really affect our predictions. However, the move does shed some light on the new direction Ben Rubeor intends to take the Atlas in 2021, and while the 2021 Atlas protected roster is fairly easy to predict, there could still be some major shakeups on the horizon.

Adam

I know a lot of people enjoy bashing on the Atlas, but I think the bones are here to compete this season, even with the subtraction of Rob Pannell. The suggestion of competing next year somewhat contradicts the exclusion of Paul Rabil on my list for say Jake Richard. While I think Coach Ben Rubeor has every intention to win next season, I think the Pannell trade suggests that he may be looking to go in a different direction. (Okay, he probably keeps Rabil.)

Hutton

It is clear Ben Rubeor is planning to go younger with the Bulls in 2021, yet I still think Paul Rabil and his veteran presence has a home on this roster. Rabil is coming off a mediocre 2019 and truly abysmal 2020 (though the sample size is much smaller). Yet, I believe Rabil can still hang with the best of them, albeit in maybe a different role than in the past. I think Rubeor chooses to protect Rabil over Austin Pifani (and maybe targets a Ben Randall, Liam Byrnes or Michael Rexrode in the draft), and I think he does so as a lacrosse move, not a PR move.

Chaos LC

Military Exempt: Johnny Surdick (D), Matt Rees (LSM)

Possible Departures: Deemer Class (M), Miles Thompson (A), Jason Noble (D/LSM), Tyson Bell (SSDM), Dan Coates (D), Tommy Kelly (FO)

Overview

In many ways we are on the same page when it comes to the Chaos. Dillon Ward isn't going to be left off this list, and the same can be said about a few other players that we've seen debated such as Mark Glicini (who was named a captain in 2020). The addition of Ian MacKay via the Connor Fields trade also didn't affect our rosters too much since we both expected Andy Towers to protect Connor Fields if a trade wasn't made prior to protected player rosters being submitted. (Though we both expected that a trade coming prior would free up a spot, not go to another player that Towers traded for.)

We both also opted to leave Tommy Kelly unprotected. Kelly drastically underperformed in 2020, which is why we think the Chaos will try and upgrade by selecting a Max Adler (who eventually replaced Kelly with the Denver Outlaws) or Alex Woodall in the PLL Entry Draft. That being said, Kelly can still perform in this league and if Towers leaves him unprotected, expect him to be a potential pick in the PLL Expansion Draft.

Our biggest toss up was Miles Thompson, who, if left unprotected, is all but guaranteed to be picked up in the PLL Expansion Draft and join his brother and expected #1 pick in the PLL Entry draft Lyle Thompson on Cannons LC. We think both the signing of attackman Chase Fraser and the fact that Towers likely has his eye on adding another stud Canadian in Jeff Teat or Ethan Walker in the 2021 PLL College Draft makes Miles Thompson expendable and gives UAlbany fans the potential for a Thompson brothers reunion.

Adam

As I denoted on the most recent episode of the Pro Lacrosse Talk podcast, I think Dillon Ward is too good not to protect. Though I do still think that Coach Andy Towers should #TradeWard so he gets a chance to start next season, it would be irresponsible to let arguably the best goaltender in the world walk for nothing. Short-stick defensive middies are at a premium in this league and with the amount of offensive talent coming from the MLL and 2021 College Draft, I also opted to keep transition threat and short-stick defender Tyson Bell over Deemer Class or Miles Thompson.

Hutton

While Andy Towers didn't free up a protected spot when trading Connor Fields for Ian MacKay, he does get to keep to core defensive pieces in Johnny Surdick and Matt Rees thanks to the military exemption rules. Both will be key pieces on a defense that struggled (without Surdick) in 2020. That's why I prioritized Deemer Class over Jason Noble and Tyson Bell. Both Bell and Noble could still find there way back on the Chaos after expansion, while I think the odds of Sean Quirk passing on Deemer Class in the PLL Expansion Draft are much slimmer.

Chrome LC

Military Exempt: Tom Rigney (D)

Possible Departures: Donny Moss (SSDM/D), Eli Salama (LSM), Jake Pulver (D), James Barclay (D), Jesse King (M), Sam Duggan (M)

Overview

When looking at this Chrome team, it's easy to pick out Tim Soudan's guys. Yet, deciding who is protected or allowed to test expansion is tougher than you would think.

A player that was tough for us to leave off was Donny Moss, a versatile defender who can play with a shorty or a pole and has been a key part of Tim Soudan's rosters for several years. Yet, Moss is getting up there in age and didn't have a great showing in 2020. We could see Coach Soudan protecting him, but feel the odds are more likely he is left off the protected list, but still ends up returning to the men of Chrome after escaping the PLL Expansion Draft. The odds are much higher that any combination of Eli Salama, Jake Pulver, James Barclay or Jesse King end up finding their way on Cannons LC via the expansion draft.

Adam

The Chrome won't have to protect new defender Tom Rigney because of the military exemption, despite Chrome's first round pick never even suiting up for the squad. They will have to protect old friend Joel White, after he opted out of the PLL bubble in 2020. I presume Coach Tim Soudan will gladly oblige. The Chrome should be able to protect a majority of their producers from last season, with one of those on my list being 2020 newcomer Jesse King.

Hutton

Chrome was a really tough egg to crack for me. While my logic for Archer LC was to leave a handful of defenders unprotected with the high odds that a couple will return to the roster, I took the opposite approach with the Chrome. It's hard for me to imagine a world where Coach Soudan doesn't protect Joel White or Mike Manley. That being said, both defenders are getting up there in age, and younger poles like Reece Eddy, Jake Pulver and James Barclay would likely be swept up in the PLL Expansion Draft if left unprotected. So I chose to protect both Eddy and Pulver, and let offensive weapon Jesse King test expansion.

Redwoods LC

Military Exempt: Matt Landis (D)

Possible Departures: Clarke Petterson (A), Greg Puskuldjian (FO), Hugh Crance (LSM), Jack Kelly (G), Joe Walters (M), Kyle Harrison (M), Larken Kemp (LSM), Peyton Smith (FO), Tyler Dunn (SSDM/D)

Overview

Both of us applaud Coach Nat St. Laurent's trade for generational attackman Rob Pannell, but the move didn't do Redwoods any favors in regards to protected player rosters. The Redwoods have so much talent, that any way you slice it, we think they'll lose the maximum three players to expansion.

Young players like Clarke Petterson, Hugh Crance, Larken Kemp, Tyler Dunn and Peyton Smith were all left off our protected players list, but could be prime depth picks for Sean Quirk. We also both opted for youth over protecting veterans Kyle Harrison, Joe Walters and Greg Puskuldjian, though there is a decent possibility that all could return to the Redwoods after testing expansion.

Adam

Don't get me started. The fact that I left Nick Ossello off my list is surprising and disappointing to me too. In all seriousness, it was also hard for me to leave off a guy like Jack Kelly, who hasn't played in a couple years, but would easily start in this league if fully healthy. But with the addition of Pannell, what can a guy do? Not too mention other guys like Kyle Harrison and Joe Walters, who I wasn't able to find spots for. Needless to say, this was the list that I had the least fun putting together.

Hutton

I came to the same conclusions as Adam, but it honestly ended up being easier than I thought it would. Leaving out key locker room guys like Kyle Harrison and Joe Walters was certainly not fun, but if you follow the logic of protecting players who are less likely to survive the expansion draft, then it makes more than enough sense to leave both off the list with the hope they still return to the Woods roster.

The toughest decision for me was protecting Finn Sullivan over Tyler Dunn. Sullivan is the better overall defender, but Dunn is a lot more versatile, being able to play SSDM, LSM or close defense if needed. Due to the uncertainty around Matt Landis' availability this summer, I chose to protect Finn Sullivan.

Waterdogs LC

Military Exempt: Noah Richard (LSM/D)

Possible Departures: Brian Karalunas (LSM/D), Ben Reeves (A), Charlie Cipriano (G), Christian Cuccinello (A), Drew Simoneau (FO), Drew Snider (M), Kyle McClancy (SSDM), Ryan Conrad (M), Ryan Drenner (A), Steve DeNapoli (SSDM), Wes Berg (A)

Overview

The Waterdogs have a ton of options when it comes to their protected roster, but an area where we both agree the Waterdogs should retool is their offense. This means top offensive picks like Christian Cuccinello, Ryan Drenner and even Ben Reeves could enter the expansion draft once again. Those decisions were fairly easy.

A decision that wasn't so easy for us was not protecting faceoff specialist Drew Simoneau, who had a another solid year at the stripe despite once again performing in a backup role, but who we just couldn't seem to justify keeping given Jake Withers' presence and the possibility of upgrading in the PLL Entry Draft. (Fun fact: Coach Andy Copelan targeted Max Adler last offseason prior to Adler's decision to return to the Denver Outlaws in the MLL).

Adam

The Dawgs had a tough season one during the PLL Championship Series, but I think the foundation is there for success during their sophomore season. I left off notable expansion draftees from last year in Ryan Drenner and Christian Cuccinello. Instead, I sided to protect two guys that haven't even suited up for Coach Andy Copelan in Michael Kraus and Brian Karalunas. You may recall that Kraus suited up in the pros last year for the Connecticut Hammerheads. Since he played in the MLL last year, Coach Copelan retains his rights, but will have to protect him. If I'm looking at upside, I'd rather take the versatile Kraus over Drenner or Cuccinello.

Hutton

If I'm being honest, no player from the Waterdogs attack, save for Kieran McArdle, played well enough in 2020 to deserve protection. Based on what I saw from Christian Cuccinello and Ryan Drenner last season (the latter who didn't play in the Waterdogs' final game), I decided to not waste a protected spot on either of them, and followed Adam's lead in protecting Michael Kraus. The harder toss ups for me were Wes Berg and Ben Reeves, but with Reeves's medical career plans prompting uncertainty around his pro lacrosse career and the talent coming from the MLL, I chose to leave the big-bodied Canadian and the former Tewaaraton winner unprotected (and will continue to second guess it until protected rosters are released).

While the Waterdogs were exposed on offense, their defense and wing play was a particular bright spot in 2020 and that is why I kept long-stick midfielder Ryland Rees, two-way threat Drew Snider and short-stick defenders Kyle McClancy and Steve DeNapoli over some of the offensive guys I mentioned. You can replace your attack with players in the PLL Entry Draft (expect the Waterdogs to select Randy Staats if he drops to them at #4). However, two-way and defensive talent at the midfield is much harder to find. (Fortunately, the Waterdogs also happen to have the best two-way guy on the planet right now in Zach Currier.) With the Waterdogs able to protect Noah Richard through military exemption, I chose to let the older Brian Karalunas test expansion.

Whipsnakes LC

Possible Departures: Dylan Maltz (A), Jacob Stover (G), Max Tuttle (M)

Overview

The defending champs are fairly set heading into 2021. Their roster is fairly thin (partially due to the retirement of Brett Schmidt and Jeremy Sieverts and leave of absence by Ty Warner), which allows the Whips to protect their core group of players. Almost every player who saw action in 2020 will remain on this roster heading into 2021, and that's a scary thought for the rest of the league.

Adam

They've won back-to-back championships and Coach Jim Stagnitta has the ability to bring back his entire core. I don't think there are any surprises here. While I do think that Max Tuttle could possibly be protected over a TJ Comizio, I chose to keep the latter because short-stick defensive midfield talent is at a premium, particularly for the Whips who lose Ty Warner this year due to his medical school commitments.

Hutton

What Adam said...

What are your thoughts on our projected rosters? Who did they snub? Let us know in the comments or on social media.