This off season we plan on going one on one with every general manager in the National Lacrosse League to discuss the latest news. We spoke with Steve Dietrich about the Buffalo Bandits this week. Below are notes on four main areas of pre season talk with NLL teams. Free Agency: The plan is for John [Tavares] to play again in 2015 and we couldn’t be happier to have our captain…
The Minnesota Swarm today announced that the team has signed F Dean Hill, F Zach Palmer and D Ian Crawford to one-year deals as well as T Sam Bradman to a two-year contract. Minnesota also agreed to terms with Rory McDade to join the sidelines as an assistant coach for the ’15 season. McDade was a forward with the Swarm from 2006-09. Hill, 29, returns to the Swarm for his…
The Rochester Knighthawks have won an unprecedented three Champion’s Cups in a row, arguably making them one of the greatest dynasties in NLL history. More impressively, they’ve improved in each season during the three-peat run. In 2012, the Knighthawks stumbled into the playoffs with an unremarkable 7-9 record before getting white hot in the postseason and taking the championship. In 2013, they improved to 8-8 before making their playoff run…
The Toronto Rock have made their defense and transition game stronger. Almost two weeks ago the Rock traded Craig England, Mike Burke, second round pick in 2014 draft, 1st round in 2015 and a 2nd round in 2016 for Brodie Merrill and a 2nd round selection in 2015. This was a move by the Connecticut organization to get back draft picks they never had from when they were the Wings….
The Colorado Mammoth announced on Tuesday that the team has continued its off-season signings as it has agreed to terms with 2008 NLL MVP Athan Iannucci and 2013 NLL All-Rookie Team member Joey Cupido. “When we brought Athan in last year, he showed flashes of his old self,” said Mammoth president & general manager Steve Govett. “We need more of that! As for Joey, he’s one of the most athletically-gifted…
With the Calgary Roughnecks finishing second in the west for the first time in three seasons, they look to get back to their winning way’s this January and this is how. Mike Poulin, the undisputed number one goalie. He has his moments where any simple shot seems to go in (but really, which goalie doesn’t) He was acquired in a trade from the now defunct Boston Blazers franchise and has…
The Colorado Mammoth had a rough year during the 2013-2014 season. Not only was there a goalie controversy; but the departure of Casey Powell; and the changing of the guards with the coaching staff. So what do they need to do to make the 2014-2015 season a success? They need to bring in new key players; and sign the big name veterans. The Mammoth started out with a bang when…
21. G Adam Shute—New England College, Coquitlam WLA Shute is by far the most polished and NLL ready goaltender in the draft. If selected he will no doubt be an option for the back up and might see some games. The Adanacs ‘tender started all 17 games the past two seasons after the team traded away former starter Nick Rose. A product of Okotoks in Alberta, he has come a…
The Edmonton Rush set an NLL record for consecutive wins in 2014 en route to winning the West Division in the regular season. Unfortunately, their storybook season came to an abrupt end in the playoffs when the Calgary Roughnecks took them out in the Division Finals. So how do they improve on so much success and get back to the Champion’s Cup? Even before they’ve started the draft, the second-best…
During the first game of the 2014 season, returning goaltender Tye Belanger was replaced in net by rookie, Dillon Ward. Belanger, following a solid sophomore season, never managed to regain his claim to the net. Following a poor start in the season opener, Belanger would go on to start in only two other games last season. He came in in relief of Ward once and on four other occasions, played…