The 2018-19 NLL season, salvaged when the league and players reached a collective bargaining agreement, starts Dec. 15 with a revamped schedule. Check back to uslaxmagazine.com as we roll out our season preview — including Jack Goods’ projections, team-by-team capsules and additional features, some of which appeared in the December edition.

Colorado Mammoth

2018 record: 11-7 (second in the West)

Playoff finish: Lost in divisional semifinal

Coach: Pat Coyle (fifth season)

Top returners: Ryan Benesch, F; Dillon Ward, G; Dan Coates, D; Robert Hope, D

Key additions: John Lintz, D

Key losses: Bryce Sweeting, D; Cam Holding, D

Overview

The Mammoth had a strong regular season in 2018, finishing in second in the West for the second time in three years. However, the season ended with a bitter taste in the team’s mouth when they lost to the Roughnecks in the first round of the playoffs and missed out on a shot at the eventual champions, Saskatchewan.

Even so, Colorado retained its top offensive weapons and has a major reinforcement coming to a defense that was already one of the best in the league. With some changes in Saskatchewan, this may be the year for the Mammoth to pounce.

Storylines to watch

1. What does Dan Coates’ return mean to the team?

The Mammoth were without their former captain last season after he suffered an ACL injury, and while he’s certainly an important cog in the group, Colorado did perfectly fine without him. The Mammoth allowed the second fewest goals in the league, with Robert Hope taking on the captaincy in Coates’ stead.

That defense should get even scarier with Coates, as he’s expected to improve those around him in addition to showing off his own talent.

As Pat Coyle told ColoradoMammoth.com, “It’s sort of like when your dad is around. Guys are going to act different when their dad is there compared to when he’s not.”

2. What will fresh faces on the coaching staff bring?

Pat Coyle is the last man standing from the three-headed coaching staff the Mammoth opted for in 2014. Chris Gill and Dan Stroup are out as his assistants and in their place are a pair of legends in the league, Shawn Williams and Andrew McBride.

3. Can the Mammoth get over the Roughneck boogie man?

Colorado beat the Roughnecks in the 2006 divisional semifinals, the first step in the Mammoth’s road to their first championship. The teams have matched up eight times in the postseason in the 12 years since then, with Calgary winning every time.

That includes last year, when the Mammoth couldn’t hold on to a five-goal second quarter lead.

Player to watch

Jacob Ruest

Ruest’s breakout 60-point season felt a bit underdiscussed. He nearly doubled his production from his rookie season.

MVP Candidate

Ryan Benesch

Benesch had a nice bounceback season in his second year in Colorado. He jumped from 68 points in 2017 to 93 in 2018, good for fifth in the NLL.

Verdict

Colorado has continuity, one of the best goalies in the league and talent at every position, but the Mammoth have something to prove after going 0-3 against the Rush last season.