The NLL trade deadline is coming up, so we spoke with general managers throughout the league about what we might see happen. Today we spoke with the GM of the Calgary Roughnecks, Mike Board.
Board says that he feels the offense is a strong point for the Riggers and that is not an area they would look to improve. “We feel our offence can compete with any team in the league and that we have solid goaltending and solid defence. So we aren’t looking to make major changes at this point. Adding depth on our back end would be first on our list at the upcoming trade deadline.”
In a nine team league, trade deadlines are hard to judge and might be a bit overhyped. Board says maybe it isn’t as tough as you’d think, however. “Actually, not as tough as it might appear. In a nine team league it isn’t too difficult to get a feel for players on other teams. With the Internet, televised games, You Tube replays, watching a particular player is really just a click away. For the most part general managers around the league have a good rapport with each other. You are not calling 30 other managers in this league. It’s eight phone calls or conversations to get a feel for what other teams are looking for. If there is a fit and a win-win concept for both teams, deals can be made.”
Board did say that it is difficult with just one team out of the playoffs because every team thinks they are in it. “It’s hard to find a team willing to trade away any players, let alone star players because there is so much parity in the league. Everyone, at this stage, has a chance to be in the playoffs. And in the playoffs a three-game roll is not out of the question. Unless a team decides to go into full re-building mode, which is rare in a nine-team league, star players don’t become available. It’s rare a single star player would be moved but we have seen star player for star player trades. There is still a third of the season left and with every team battling for a playoff position, I just don’t see top end players being traded.”
Check out InLacrosseWeTrust.com the rest of the week for more from GMs in the National Lacrosse League.
