May 1, 2025
By Daniel Cohen
Week 1 lived up to all the hype, and I couldn’t be more excited for a slate of double-digit games in Week 2 with another handful of 2025 debuts. This week’s watchlist features loads of All-UFA level talent, explosive playmakers, and multiple MVP candidates.
Christian Boxley, DC Breeze
Before sitting out last season, Christian Boxley earned Second Team All-UFA honors in 2023, leading the DC Breeze in goals (33), receiving yards (2,883), and hockey assists (36). His return to the lineup will hopefully help right the ship, as this offense looks to get back on track after a devastating Week 1 loss to Philly; the Breeze completed just 2-of-12 hucks in the game, as they showed very little ability to attack deep with any consistency. One fix for that is adding a Christian Boxley to the lineup, a guy that can read and high-point a floaty disc as well as anyone, not to mention his impeccable cut timing, speed, and field awareness. Look for Boxley to immediately become DC’s most consistent downfield target, and he should thrive in a matchup against a Toronto defense that finished worst in the league in 2024 in opponent O-line conversion rate (59.7 percent) and bottom third in huck completion rate allowed.
Leo Gordon, Oakland Spiders
It’s been just one week, and Oakland Spiders rookie Leo Gordon has already put both himself and the Spiders on the map in 2025. He was the most creative thrower on the field in the season opener against New York, and the way he’s immediately slotted in as a field general for this Spiders O-line should terrify West Division opponents. He’s a rookie already playing well beyond his years, showcasing a veteran poise in the red zone, big plays in big moments, and never succumbing to defensive pressure. He gives the offense another explosive young thrower alongside Evan Magsig, and it’s clear from one game that opponents are going to have their hands full containing this up-tempo Spiders offense. They’ve got a great test ahead of them against the reigning West Division champions this Saturday, followed by a matchup with Oregon on Sunday to complete their double-header road trip.
Anthony Gutowsky, Madison Radicals
Fresh off a Second Team All-UFA selection in 2024, Anthony “Gumby” Gutowsky is back for his third season in Madison. He evolved into a two-way playmaker last season after shining as a goal scorer as a rookie, and early reports from preseason practices are that he looks even better in 2025. Gumby has scored at least four goals in over half of his 26 career UFA games, and he should find plenty of success as a field-stretcher this weekend going up against Houston and Austin; there were 23 combined huck completions in last week’s Austin vs. Houston game, most of any Week 1 matchup. It’s uncharted territory for Madison this week as they take on two never-before-seen opponents, but if Gutowsky can hit another level in year three and work more as a facilitator between the 20s, he could bring the right balance of stability and explosiveness to the Radicals O-line.
Brett Hulsmeyer, Atlanta Hustle
Off to a perfect start to the season after completing 33-of-33 throws with five assists in Atlanta’s Week 1 win over Salt Lake, Brett Hulsmeyer will look to keep the Hustle on track in another Game of the Week this Saturday. He bookended last season with monster performances against Carolina; he amassed over 750 total yards in their Week 1 meeting and over 800 yards in the South Division Championship Game. However, both games were Atlanta losses. Hulsmeyer deservedly received First Team All-UFA honors in 2024 and looks like a strong MVP candidate in 2025 with his combination of size, underrated quickness, throwing ability and downfield dominance. If the Hustle are going to be a serious contender this year, they’re going to need Hulsmeyer to continue elevating in these Carolina rivalry games.
Arvīds Kārkliņš, Toronto Rush
Not long ago on a preseason episode of Swing Pass, Evan Lepler picked Toronto Rush rookie Arvīds Kārkliņš—one of the first two Latvian players, alongside teammate Tom Abeltins, to play in the UFA—to be the number one international impact player in 2025, then followed it up with naming Karklins as his number four preseason MVP candidate on the next episode. Hearing about Evan’s conversation with European ultimate broadcaster and analyst Liam Grant, it’s hard not to buy into the hype. “I asked [Liam Grant], ‘Who would you compare Arvids Karklins to?’ And he’s like ‘Well, there’s nobody really like him in the game today’ [...] He compared him to a young, uninjured Brodie Smith. Size, power, swagger.” Here’s the full Swing Pass clip. We’ll see if the hype is warranted, but a double header weekend in DC and Philly should give us a ton of insight into what Toronto’s new international additions will bring to the table in 2025.
Allan Laviolette, Carolina Flyers (Pictured)
While he had a rough outing in last year’s title game, Allan Laviolette had an overall outstanding 2024 season as the primary distributor for the Carolina Flyers. Despite having last played in 2021, Laviolette had his best season as a pro in his eighth UFA season and earned First Team All-UFA honors. Particularly down the stretch, he was the unquestioned engine of the Flyers offense and played lights out against Atlanta in the South Division Championship Game, with six assists, a season-high 51 completions, and over 450 yards of offense. Carolina’s O-line should have a new look to it this year after a fair amount of roster turnover, but if rookies Rutledge Smith and John McDonnell are able to take on primary roles in the backfield, Laviolette could be freed up more than ever to operate in his prototypical midfield hybrid position.
Dalton Smith, Houston Havoc
Seventh-year UFA veteran Dalton Smith is set to make his Houston Havoc debut tomorrow night against Madison. We last saw Smith helping quarterback the Chicago D-line in 2022, when he tossed 10 assists and recorded seven blocks in six games, including two games at Championship Weekend. Smith brings some much-needed Championship Weekend experience to a young, still unproven Houston squad, and his leadership and presence on the 20-man gameday roster should immediately elevate Houston’s ceiling. It remains to be seen how big of a workload he takes on and whether he plays offense, defense, or a little of both, but Smith’s versatility as a hybrid gives the Havoc a key weapon to deploy as they see fit.
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