The Major League Lacrosse season starts Saturday, April 21. These team-by-team previews — in order of finish as projected by US Lacrosse Magazine contributor Phil Shore — were written before the MLL collegiate draft.

Find those results here.

1. Ohio Machine
2. New York Lizards 
3. Dallas Rattlers
4. Denver Outlaws
5. Chesapeake Bayhawks
6. Florida Launch 
7. Atlanta Blaze
8. Boston Cannons 
9. Charlotte Hounds

Atlanta Blaze

2017 Record: 6-8
Coach: Liam Banks (1st season)

Power Rankings (Scale of 1-5)

Offense: ⭐⭐⭐
Defense: ⭐⭐⭐
Faceoffs: ⭐⭐⭐
Goalie:⭐⭐⭐

Key Losses: Chris Bocklet, A; James Pannell, A; Randy Staats, A
Top Returners: Matt Mackrides, M; Kevin Rice, A; Scott Ratliff, D
New Arrivals: Matt Gibson, A; Jason Noble, D; Tom Palasek, A

MVP Watch

Kevin Rice, A

He may not have scored at the record pace he did in 2016, but Rice remains one of the top attackmen in the league. He proved he is a capable finisher and passer, scoring 26 goals (including one 2-pointer) and adding 20 assists for 47 points, which tied for eighth-best in the league. (Every player ahead of him played more games than Rice’s 10.). He finished tied for third among attackmen for most assists. He will once again be the centerpiece of the Atlanta offense. “Kevin Rice is one of the best players in the league and a proven winner,” Banks said.

Under-the-Radar Star

Justin Pennington, M

He may not have scored a lot of points in 2017, but Pennington is a veteran presence this young team needs. He scored only five points in 2017, his lowest total since he had zero in three games with the Rochester Rattlers in 2011, but he played 14 games for only the third time in his eight-year career. He was one of only three Atlanta players to play in all 14 games, creating a consistent presence for a team the Blaze have lacked that, both on and off the field, in its first two years of existence.

Scouting Report

Three things you need to know about the Blaze

1. New-look attack.

The Blaze got a lot of contributions at the attack position from James Pannell, Chris Bocklet, Randy Staats and Mark Matthews. None of those players return in 2018. Instead, the Blaze brought in former New York Lizards attackmen Tommy Palasek and Matt Gibson through player movement and trade, respectively. Palasek scored 22 points playing in 11 games, the fewest since his rookie season in 2012. Gibson had a career-high 34 points. On a team with Will Manny, Rob Pannell and Paul Rabil, Palasek and Gibson were never the focal points. They could be featured more in Atlanta. “Tom Palasek was an excellent move who can create and dodge,” Banks said. “Bringing in Matt Gibson, he’ll have more of an opportunity to have the ball in his stick. He has some of the best hands in the world.”

2. Noble brothers together.

Last season, Jeremy Noble played eight games for the Blaze, scoring 10 goals and adding two assists. This season, Atlanta added his brother, defender Jason Noble. Noble was on Chesapeake’s roster but did not play a game in 2017. “Jeremy was extremely close to [late Blaze coach] Dave Huntley,” Liam Banks said. “It is the first opportunity Jeremy and Jason will have to play together. They’re playing in the honor of Coach Hunt. I thought it was vital to have them with us.”

3. Defense starting to come together.

Under the tutelage of former MLL player and new Blaze defensive coordinator Jamie Hanford, the Blaze defense seems to be a clearer picture than in recent years. Scott Ratliff is one of the best players in the league and Banks believes Graeme Hossack is on the same level. Callum Robinson returns after needing surgery last season, as does Notre Dame product Garrett Epple, who played in seven games as a rookie. The team added James Fahey, who played well in eight games for Boston, as well as Jason Noble. There will be competition in camp for depth while Noble and Hossack are playing in the NLL, but Banks strongly believes this group has a lot of potential.

Biggest Question Mark

What effect will Dave Huntley’s passing have on the team?

Huntley died in December from a heart attack while watching a box lacrosse in Florida. Banks said that while Huntley won’t physically be on the sidelines, he will be with the players. “He’s a special man,” Banks said. “In the short time I spent with him, formerly with the Blaze and how he spoke with my children and engaged in their interest, I think it’s a very powerful thing these guys have. They are playing for something this year bigger than the MLL championship in their hearts and minds. I firmly believe he’ll be looking over those guys, so they feel his presence. It’s going to be emotional.”

Enemy Lines

What the opposition has to say about Atlanta

“They had some injury issues that set them back. They had high hopes. With Rice going out and other issues, I’m sure they were disappointed. … They made significant moves in the offseason. They’ll be a new team with new look. You have Kevin Rice and Dylan Donahue. They’ll be a much-improved team and certainly a team to watch for in the end. … They have a ton of draft picks. They have 11 picks in the draft. They’re going to get five rookies. They’ll be a whole different team in Week 6. … It’s interesting. They picked up so many guys and draft a ton of guys. They’ll be a younger team with energy. … Spencer Ford has been around forever. Liam is experienced and been around the league. Those two guys have a ton of knowledge. They almost broke through last year, a couple games here or there. They’re a scary opponent.”

Number of Significance

10

In three seasons, the Blaze have not gotten a full 14 games from star attackman Kevin Rice. In 2016 and 2017, he was hampered by injuries. The good news for Atlanta, however, was his injury was not season-ending like it was in 2016, and the 10 games he played were a career-high and an increase for the second consecutive season.

Bottom Line

The Blaze will be playing for their third head coach in three seasons. There was a change in ownership. There are a lot of new faces. This team has battled adversity before; despite those issues as well as a myriad of injuries, the team still finished 6-8, two games out of the playoff hunt. It is unsure how the new pieces will fit, but Atlanta improved its win total in season two and could very well do the same in year three, making them a viable threat to make the playoffs.