The NLL is holding a dispersal draft tonight for the Arizona and Boston franchises going under for the 2008 season. Both teams say they'll be back for '09, but Boston isn't keeping any of their players in '09, they'll get the benefit of a new Expansion Draft - a huge bonus to their franchise, cause their '08 roster was pretty fucking brutal.
So even though Arizona players will likely be available for a year, expect most of the top picks to come from the Sting. They've got a roster full of proven winners. As for the rumours that Arizona will fold in '09 too, well, those are likely true. But even though they may be sold from Arizona, the team as a whole will likely move.
The NLL Dispersal Draft will be held tonight at 8PM ET, and consist of three rounds. They'll likely be more trades coming out of the draft, but here's the prediction we're giving (cause no one else is doing it).
If GM's are smart, here's how the draft will go:
First Round
1. Portland - Patrick Merrill / Boston (To be united with Brodie Merrill. More importantly, Portland needs to build for the feature and can't take a one-year rental player, even if it's Dawson)
2. New York - Dan Dawson / Arizona (He's a force at 6'5. Dawson finished second in league scoring last year with 107 points)
3. Philadelphia - Scott Self / Arizona (Self is coming off of a great Mann Cup championship series and his third straight OLA Defender MVP award. Philly could use the back-door presence)
4. Chicago - Jon Harasym / Boston (The former No. 2 overall selection in the '02 Entry Draft out of UMBC, Harasym doubled his career output last season - and u getta keep him)
5. Edmonton - Matt Brown / Arizona (Going off the chart on this one, but Brown was a fucking stud each of his 5yrs! in Jr.A with the dominant Burnaby Lakers and can contribute)
6. Chicago (from Toronto)* - Lindsay Plunkett / Arizona (Plunkett registered more points than any Chicago player in '07. And the 'Rox top scorers are aging)
7. San Jose - Matt Alrich / Boston (SJ has a ton of fire-power, plus they like Americans and they'd rather build than take a one-year rental)
9. Calgary - Rob Blasdell / Arizona (Calgary has a few offensive stars but they need more leadership and a balance w/ younger tenders Leyson and Avery)
10. Buffalo - Craig Conn / Arizona (He may be done for most of the year, but Buffalo's already one of the best teams in the East, and they'll take a chance at landing this former No.1 draft choice)
11. Colorado - Chris McKay / Arizona (McKay's a captain with the Shamrocks in the WLA and he's a proven winner. Possibly trade bait?)
12. Rochester - Mike Grimes / Arizona (Played with Rochester players Grant, Evans and Pat O'Toole this summer for the champion Peterborough Lakers. pretty solid)
13. Rochester - Matt Lyons / Boston (Build for the future and add even more firepower by picking up Boston’s first-round pick in this year’s Entry Draft, if he's still available)
Check the NLL.com for all the real selections.
