PLL Chaos Preview

Biggest Question: Will the Chaos be able to replicate their regular season success?

Last year, the Chaos finished the regular season in first place with a 7–3 record. Chaos was a physical team with big bodies Jarrod Neumann, Brodie Merrill, and Jack Rowlett. The team lost Merrill to the Waterdogs via the Expansion Draft, but the core of the team remains. Chaos also returns reigning Goalie of the Year, Blaze Riorden, whose play will be key to the team’s success in Utah. Unfortunately, Chaos did not gain anyone in the college draft because they traded first-round pick Matt Gaudet to Chrome for next season’s #17 overall pick, and will also be without second-rounder Jeff Teat who decided to take a 5th year at Cornell.

Key Addition: Austin Staats

Staats is a Six Nations, Ontario native where he had a lacrosse stick in his hand before he could walk. Staats took an unconventional route to the PLL. Most players play Division 1 while some others play for strong D2 or D3 schools; but instead, Staats chose to play JUCO for Onondaga Community College. The Native American was named a First Team All-American before being selected #1 overall in the 2018 NLL Entry Draft. Staats is a big lefty with game-changing ability, and he is a dark horse for Rookie of the Year.

Championship Series Prediction: Semifinalist

I am not very confident that the Chaos will be the same team they were last year, and I think it was a big mistake that Chaos is only bringing one FOGO to Utah. What if Thomas Kelly gets injured? Or what if Kelly simply burns out? I hope Chaos Head Coach Andy Towers knows something that I don’t, but either way, I’m not a fan of only taking one faceoff man for a two-week tournament. Chaos’ schedule is interesting; they play the two weakest teams (Waterdogs and Chrome) as well as last year’s two championship teams (Whipsnakes and Redwoods). I expect Chaos to grind out at least two wins, and if they can beat either the Whips or Woods they should be in a good position to make a run for the PLL title.