Chaos LC
Adam
- A – Curtis Dickson
- A – Josh Byrne
- A – Austin Staats
- M – Sergio Salcido
- M – Jake Froccaro
- M – Dhane Smith
- M – Ian MacKay
- SSDM – Mark Glicini
- SSDM – Tyson Bell
- LSM -Troy Reh
- D – Jack Rowlett
- D – Jarrod Neumann
- G – Dillon Ward
- G – Blaze Riorden
Hutton
- A – Curtis Dickson
- A – Josh Byrne
- A – Austin Staats
- M – Sergio Salcido
- M – Jake Froccaro
- M – Dhane Smith
- M – Ian MacKay
- M – Deemer Class
- SSDM – Mark Glicini
- LSM – Troy Reh
- D – Jack Rowlett
- D – Jarrod Neumann
- G – Dillon Ward
- G – Blaze Riorden
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.
