The Trade That Sunk the Bandits: Anthony Cosmo

Today, Buffalo Bandits’ head coach and general manager Darris Kilgour mortgaged two first round picks, one in 2013 and and one in 2014, to the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for Anthony Cosmo, a 34-year-old goalie taken in last year’s Boston Blazers dispersal draft.’

Is two first round picks a stiff price? Sure, but there’s no doubt that Bandit head coach Darris Kilgour is in win-now mode. NLL legend John Tavares is on his last legs as a player, and concluding his career with another championship has to be on Kilgour’s mind.

Buffalo.com, February 17th 2012

As the clock ran down without the Buffalo Bandits taking even one last shot, their playoff hopes were dismantled as they fell to the Rochester Knighthawks at home, 10-9. As that ship sank, Anthony Cosmo, the goaltender whom they traded for a little over a year ago, wasn’t even on the bench, but injured with a concussion,

With the Bandits as the only team not making the NLL playoffs, they are awarded the first overall pick so that they have the opportunity to rebuild for the future. Except, the Minnesota Swarm now have that pick after the Bandits sent them two first rounders for Anthony Cosmo.

With the first overall pick the Bandits could have drafted Robert Curch, or Jason Noble, Tor Reinholdt, Reid Acton or many others. Instead, one of those guys will end up in Minnesota as they continue to stock up in the draft year in and year out.

If Buffalo struggles again next season, Minnesota gets that draft pick as well. Cosmo was franchised before this season so he is a free agent. He refused to play in Minnesota and wants to play on the east coast, but Rochester has Matt Vinc and Toronto has Nick Rose. If Cosmo is to stick around, Buffalo might be the only option.

However, after a season where Cosmo had a GAA of 13.37, they might feel the need to move on from him. He was only better than Matt Roik (released by Colorado), Frankie Scigliano (Calgary backup), Kevin Croswell (released by Philadelphia), Chris Levis (released by Colorado), Angus Dinley (played one game in Philadelphia, gave up 20 goals), Niel Tyacke (Washington practice squad), Nick Patterson (released by Washington) and Evan Kirk, the Minnesota backup. Cosmo still has never won an NLL playoff game.

Cosmo was the only NLL goaltender who was franchised last season. There are plenty of viable options in the NLL these days for goalies. The only teams where goalies are locks are Washington (Tyler Richards), Edmonton (Aaron Bold), Calgary (Mike Poulin), Toronto (Nick Rose) and Rochester (Matt Vinc). Philadelphia, Colorado and Minnesota might be in the market for more goalies, but that’s unclear. Buffalo will be for sure.

In a league where Nick Patterson, Kevin Croswell, Scott Komer and other goalies in the NALL are available to play at a high level, the trade for Cosmo has become a bust. The days of giving up top picks for goalies are over, and the Bandits are learning that the hard way.

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