Rush Expect Slow NLL Trade Deadline
March 17, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--- The National Lacrosse League's trade deadline usually means plenty of action on the phone and email for general managers.
But when it comes to the Edmonton Rush and their perfect 10-0 start, GM/head coach Derek Keenan can probably expect to have a relatively quiet afternoon on Tuesday.
When you're unbeaten and dominating, there aren't many - if any - holes to fill in your lineup. The NLL trade deadline comes just three days prior to the Rush's next home game when they take on the Buffalo Bandits on Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place.
"I never say never but it is safe to say highly unlikely that we will do anything," said Keenan.
Keenan's view is logical. It simply comes down to a pair of age-old adages - why mess with a good thing, and if it ain't broke don't fix it.
"Our chemistry and cohesion is very good right now so it would have to be something I feel would completely take us over the top but at the same time not upset what we have built," Keenan added.
Throughout the Rush's history, there have not been a great number of mid-season and trade deadline transactions as most of the major deals have come during the off-season. But a look back in time does show the Rush have made a handful of crucial swaps as the calendar approaches the playoffs.
Back in 2007, the Rush sent a first-round draft to the New York Titans and in exchange acquired goaltender Curtis Palidwor who would go on to be the team's MVP and tie the then-record for assists in a season by a netminder. A year later, the Rush unloaded a heap of veteran talent, shipping out names like AJ Shannon, Mike Accursi, and Chris Gill. Most of the names coming back had short-term stints in Edmonton but a first-round draft pick did turn out to be currently injured shooter Corey Small.
In 2011, the Rush's biggest mid-season acquisition was quite unique. Edmonton landed Zack Greer from Minnesota in exchange for a first-round pick. A couple years later, the pick came back to the Rush in a separate trade with the Swarm, and Edmonton used it to select 2013 top choice Robert Church.
And in 2012, the Rush made two important mid-year trades - the first of which landed speedy transition standout Jeff Cornwall. Shortly afterwards, the Rush sent holdout Athan Iannucci, who had come to Edmonton in a massive trade with Philadelphia for Brodie Merrill, to the Washington Stealth, and in exchange the Rush landed a first-round pick.
When the 2012 NLL Entry Draft came around, the Rush used their own pick and the one acquired from Washington to select Mark Matthews and Curtis Knight. Matthews went on to win the NLL's Rookie of the Year in 2013, and Matthews and Knight currently stand 1-2 in the Rush's team scoring.
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 17, 2014
- Rush Expect Slow NLL Trade Deadline - Edmonton Rush
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