The Fix is my latest series, jumping into the GM chair for the bottom four PLL teams, coming up with an offseason plan for how to fix the squad and get them back into contention. This includes strategy and targets in both drafts, plus some fantasy trades and other moves I think could help bring success. Now on deck: Chrome LC.
Chrome had way more fun last summer than in 2019 but could still use some help to get to the promised land.
What’s wrong with Chrome?
Well, considering 2019, nothing. Chrome drastically improved on both sides of the ball. It had a great group stage, going 3-1. The team then instantly lost in the playoffs, ending the #Chromeback earlier than anticipated. To make matters worse, Chrome lost to the 0-4 Chaos team that it had, to put it mildly, chirped a good amount in the first meeting. So, you know, not ideal.
The real problem was the defense, which was the worst unit in the PLL last summer in goals allowed per game by more than a full goal. Chrome LC had the second-fewest caused turnovers. It had the second-fewest ground balls. Its offense got much better, going from last to fourth, but that could use a few more goals as well.
How does Chrome’s College Draft look?
The Chrome have the No. 3, No. 12, No. 20, and No. 28 picks in the upcoming 2021 College Draft. This team needs help defensively, some help offensively, but it doesn’t have a glaring hole at any one spot in my eyes. We’ll just look for talent here.
Round 1, Pick 3: Mac O’Keefe, Attack, Penn State
Alright, hear me out. The best pick for Chrome in a perfect world would be JT Giles-Harris, but he’s likely unavailable for now because football after this season, and I don’t want to risk him never playing. It’s the Pat Spencer fear. The best player left is probably Jeff Teat, but I’m not going to realistically bench Jordan Wolf or Justin Guterding. So, we draft Mac O’Keefe, the draft’s ultimate shooter, instead. Imagine the damage he could do playing off of Wolf and Guterding. Matt Gaudet had a good season, but slotting O’Keefe into the crease spot levels this offense way up.
Round 2, Pick 4: Tre LeClair, Midfield, Ohio State
A different level of size and outside shooting than Chrome currently has. I would love to watch a line of him and Jesse King getting to run out of the midfield with a guy like Jordan MacIntosh. I know we should be addressing defense, but this is too good to pass up.
Round 3, Pick 3: Jack Kielty, Defenseman, Notre Dame
Chrome needs to improve its defense. Kielty, an All-American and All-ACC defenseman, is a good defender. Boom, easy.
Round 4, Pick 4: Drake Porter, Goalie, Syracuse
I’m not saying we draft him to replace Galloway … in 2021. I’m just saying that the former Syracuse man is getting a little up there now. Chrome has had a terrible defense in both years, and it has a solid roster of dudes there. Galloway also allowed the most two-pointers in the league in 2020. I don’t think he’s washed or anything, but bringing in a fellow ‘Cuse guy in Porter to learn from him for a year or two before taking over seems like a good use of a late-round pick.
What about its Entry Draft?
Chrome LC has the No. 5 pick in each round of the Entry Draft, meaning that it’ll be drafting in the back half of the draft. Again, talent is my biggest concern, but there’s an added focus on defense.
Round 1, Pick 5: Liam Byrnes, Defense
We’ve got to finish fixing the defense, and bringing in the 2019 MLL Defensive Player of the Year certainly feels like it would help there. Byrnes instantly helps drag this defense out of the gutter.
Round 2, Pick 5: Tommy Palasek, Attack/Midfield
Chrome has had success with attackmen who play midfield, and this just keeps adding to the list of versatility in this offense. I like it best when Chrome is breaking out all the tricks, so let’s keep adding those guys to the mix.
Round 3, Pick 5: Pat Aslanian, SSDM
Chrome has solid SSDMs already, and I love Will Haus, but a defense ranked at the bottom can always use more depth, and I like Aslanian a lot. He’s a feisty one.
What trades could Chrome make?
Chrome LC trades a 2nd Rounder in the 2021 Entry Draft to Redwoods LC in exchange for Pat Harbeson
Chrome could use another SSDM to pair up with Haus. For Redwoods, the emergence of Jack Near could make Harbeson, one of my favorite PLL players, expendable, turning this into a useful trade for both squads.
Chrome LC trades attackman Jordan Wolf to Waterdogs LC in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 College Draft
I wouldn’t actually make this trade personally, but there’s a sort of argument to be made here. Wolf is amazing, but he’s also going to turn 30 this year. For a guy whose game is built so much around blinding speed, that could mean a drop off coming in the next few years. It’s definitely too early to move on from him, but they could swap him out for Chris Gray or Jeff Teat and reload the offense. Again, don’t think I’d do this, but worth a mention.
Chrome LC trades the No. 3 pick in the 2021 College Draft to Whipsnakes LC in exchange for defenseman Bryce Young
Not sure the Whipsnakes pick up the phone for this, but if expansion hits them hard, they might. Chrome could really use a defenseman of Young’s caliber, and I don’t really see any in this draft class outside of Giles-Harris, who might not play.
What’s next on The Fix?
Each day this week, my offseason plan for one of the bottom four teams in the PLL will be released. Here is the schedule and where you can find The Fix for the lower half of the league:
Tuesday – Atlas LC
Wednesday – Waterdogs LC
Thursday – Chrome LC
Friday – Chaos LC
BONUS – Redwoods LC
Would my ideas improve the team? Am I completely and entirely clueless? Let us know on Twitter and Instagram what you think and what moves Chrome LC should make before the 2021 PLL season begins.
