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.

Georgia Swarm

2018 record: 11-7 (first in East)

Playoff finish: Lost in divisional final

Coach: Ed Comeau (fourth season)

Top returners: Lyle Thompson, F; Shayne Jackson, F; Jason Noble, D

Key additions: Holden Cattoni, F; Brendan Bomberry, F; Adam Wiedemann, D

Key losses: Jesse King, F; Ethan O’Connor, D

Overview

The Georgia Swarm won the eastern regular season crown for the second year in a row last season, but in a bit less dominant fashion than in 2017. After a 1-3 start, the Swarm didn’t lock up the division until the dramatic final weekend of the season, only besting second-placed Rochester by one game and third-placed New England by two.

Georgia couldn’t repeat as East Division champs in the playoffs, though, as Rochester bested the Swarm by one goal in a tightly-contested divisional final.

Arguably no team was hurt by the expansion draft more than the Swarm, who lost Kiel Matisz and Jordan Hall to Philadelphia, but Georgia’s depth and the addition of two first round picks into the lineup softens the blow.

Storylines to watch

1. Should the Swarm be worried about a dip in offensive production?

The Swarm led the NLL in scoring in 2017 by an incredible 40-goal margin. Not the case in 2018, as their goals for dipped from 266 to 226. Only the New England Black Wolves scored less often in the East Division.

Lyle Thompson, Randy Staats, Kiel Matisz, Miles Thompson and Jordan Hall all saw their production decrease in 2017 compared to the year prior.

2. Can Lyle Thompson get back near the top of the league in scoring?

It takes a talent like Thompson to make 86 points, good for tenth in the NLL, look rather unimpressive. Thompson, the 2017 NLL Most Valuable Player and scoring champion, was only an All-Pro second team selection in 2018. It may be unfair, but a player of his ability is expected to be a sure-fire first-teamer every year in their prime.

On the optimistic side of things, Thompson did heat up toward the end of last season, notching five or more points in five of the Swarm’s last six games. He ended the regular season with a season-high eight points against New England.

3. Will Joel White be able to suit up this year?

White, one of the top transition players in the league, was limited to just nine games last year due to work commitments. He’d be a bit boost when it comes to consistency on the Swarm’s defense and transition units, which both feature a number of younger players.

Player to watch

Holden Cattoni

Cattoni was acquired from Calgary along with the No. 7 pick in a trade that sent Jesse King and the No. 23 pick the other way. He saw a 50-point increase from his first to second year in Calgary, but a trade back east made sense for the Alberta native with him now living on the east coast..

MVP candidate

Lyle Thompson

Thompson has already shown he’s got the stuff to take home the MVP and after how last season ended, he should be heavily motivated. As one of the faces of the league, he’ll be one of the favorites to win the award for a long time.

Verdict

Georgia is likely thrilled that Rochester lost Matt Vinc in free agency. With its biggest competitor weakened, is there another East team ready to step up?