10 Trades That Should Be Made

5. Chase Fraser and Chris Cloutier to Redwoods LC

Chase Fraser and Chris Cloutier have both been healthy scratches for Chaos LC’s two best offensive performances. They’re on pace to dress for under 30% of eligible games – which would allow them to opt-in to free agency this fall. Better to get something for them now than to let them grow frustrated and eventually walk.

Jerome Taylor covered four trade targets to improve the Redwoods’ 7th-ranked offense. This package was one of them. A few reasons why it makes sense:

• Cloutier played for John Grant Jr. with the Denver Outlaws in 2018 – where he won Rookie of the Year and the team won the MLL Championship.
• Both Cloutier and Fraser played with Wes Berg for the 2021 Chaos. That precedent of Fraser and Berg coexisting on the righty wing is important.
• This offense had intentions of moving in a different direction when it hired Grant Jr. Personnel has prevented it from executing its pairs set as planned. Ryan Lee suffered a season-ending injury representing Team Canada. They need to find crafty finishers to replace their downhill dodgers.

Cloutier was dealt to Chaos LC for a third-round pick in 2021. This package isn’t worth a coveted first-round pick in the 2024 College Draft. But if Chaos can snag a second-round pick now, it’s worth exploring.

6. Mikie Schlosser to Redwoods LC

Mikie Schlosser is one of the best downhill dodgers in the league. His decision-making at full speed is incredible. He rarely settles for his own shot down the alley – often opting to throw it forward or hit a pull pass to an open stepdown shooter. But when he does pull the trigger, he shoots 34.8% on unassisted looks.

Grant Jr. coached Schlosser with the Outlaws. The Waterdogs have too many midfielders. When they’re fully healthy, they’ll only be able to dress six of: Zach Currier, Connor Kelly, Jack Hannah, Ryan Conrad, Thomas McConvey, Jake Carraway, Schlosser, and Jeff Conner.

Schlosser’s timetable to return is TBD. It’s unlikely the Waterdogs would part with him; there’s no better locker room guy in the league. But they’ll need to deal some midfielder – or risk losing him in free agency – and Schlosser would be the best fit for the Redwoods, assuming Currier, Kelly, and Hannah are untouchable.

7. Sergio Perkovic to Atlas LC

Atlas LC needs to start turning more of Trevor Baptiste’s league-high 78.2% faceoff rate into scores. The best way? Put the king of “time, room, bullseye” shots on the wing.

Sergio Perkovic is at his best early in the shot clock. He shoots 21.5% in settled six-on-six sets – down from 27.8% on powerplays and 28.6% in transition. Atlas LC should dress him as their fourth SSDM, strictly for faceoff.