2015 Calgary Roughnecks and NLL Thread

[FlamingHomer]

Looks like Minnesota Swarm will move to Atlanta as the Georgia Swarm. I guess that means they inherit those horrible jerseys.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=4978100

[JiriHrdina]

That's a surprise, but looking around - it seems there is at least a reasonable amount of grassroots lacrosse happening down there.
Long travel for the Roughnecks - not ideal - but they may just keep them completely of their schedule to help manage costs.

[Trojan97]

I see from that article that the Swarm have 4 first round picks? How is that even possible in a 9 team league? Are draft picks just not worth anything in the NLL?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

I see from that article that the Swarm have 4 first round picks? How is that even possible in a 9 team league? Are draft picks just not worth anything in the NLL?

They've been trading off their decent players for picks the last couple of years. Generally firsts move around a lot in the NLL

[FlamingHomer]

Looking at the Gwinnett Center where the Swarm will play. Capacity of 13,000 and 36 corporate suites. Very nice venue.

http://www.gwinnettcenter.com/venues/detail/the-arena

As mentioned, the cost for any of the teams to get there plus the cost of the team itself to get it's players there could be a real financial drain all around. We will see how this plays out but I don't like the long term chances of this working.

[Resolute 14]

Well, at least that arena is professional calibre. Unlike the mess that is Langley.

As far as the costs go, many teams still have to fly their players in from (mostly) Ontario and BC for games anyway, so I doubt too much changes in that regard.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FlamingHomer

Looking at the Gwinnett Center where the Swarm will play. Capacity of 13,000 and 36 corporate suites. Very nice venue.

http://www.gwinnettcenter.com/venues/detail/the-arena

As mentioned, the cost for any of the teams to get there plus the cost of the team itself to get it's players there could be a real financial drain all around. We will see how this plays out but I don't like the long term chances of this working.

Wow, that's an excellent venue for a lacrosse team.

[jayswin]

Could you imagine the Hitmen playing in a fantastic 13k arena like that? It'd be so perfect.

[FlamingHomer]

The Roughnecks own Karsen Lueng has been named a finalist for Transition Player of the Year. The other players are Joey Cupido of Colorado and Toronto Rock's Brodie Merrill.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=4990919

[JiriHrdina]

Karsen probably doesn't win it this year - I think Cupido takes it - but the sky is the limit with this kid. Reminds me of a young Jeff Shattler.
And he's a great guy. Really humble and coachable.

[FlamingHomer]

Fully agree. I think this is one of those times where it's an honour just to be nominated. Those are some pretty strong candidates he is among.

[FlamingHomer]

Calgary's Shawn Evans has been named a finalist for the MVP Award in the NLL. Tough competition for this award this year.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=4996885

[FlamingHomer]

Shawn Evans also named as a finalist for Pinty's Wingman of the Year. This is an award based on this:

Pinty's served as an official partner for the NLL on TSN during the 2015 season. Each week, an NLL player received the "Pinty's Wingman of the Week" award based on their performance with respect to passing prowess and playmaking abilities. The weekly winners were automatically entered into the pool of nominees for the first-ever Pinty's Wingman of the Year award with the finalists determined by the league office.

Full story- http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=5000681

If he wins MVP you would think this would be a lock. After setting a league scoring record, 2 awards are not out of the question.

As a side note, Pinty's does do a pretty good job of pre-packaged wings.

[FlamingHomer]

Calgary Roughnecks have re-signed Frankie to a multi year deal. Looks like they may have him penciled in as a starter for next year. Was a main factor in sneaking into the playoffs this year.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=5005428

[Resolute 14]

Good on Frankie! I would hope to land a good backup as well though, just in case.

[Acey]

Kevin Jesus @GlobalJesus
BREAKING NEWS: The Edmonton Rush moving to Saskatoon. Announcement on Tuesday. @KevinKarius with details in 10min on @GlobalEdmonton #yeg

[The Familia]

Wow! They win the title then leave town? Saskatoon should be a good location for a team. I think they will do well. Hopefully Edmonton can get a team back.

[jayswin]

I just hope they don't do too much of a championship ceremony at the home opener. I know they probably will because it's the same franchise and they'll want to boast that they are a championship team to attract locals.

But I cringe at the idea of an arena full of fans that didn't cheer for the team last year all of a sudden being asked to cheer and get excited for the amazing championship season that 90% of the crowd won't have followed. It'll be so forced and awkward, haha.

[JiriHrdina]

Ugh that sucks

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by The Familia

Wow! They win the title then leave town? Saskatoon should be a good location for a team. I think they will do well. Hopefully Edmonton can get a team back.

The Edmonton Sun all but confirmed that Edmonton will get a new team under Katz' rule after the arena is complete. Frankly, Katz doesn't deserve it so I hope it is another ten-year fail.

But from a league perspective, and especially from Calgary's, having another team in Edmonton is a good thing. Given how unstable the rest of the NLL is, having Calgary-Edmonton-Colorado and Toronto-Buffalo-Rochester as stable anchors for the east and west is almost a necessity for the NLL's long-term survival.

A successful Saskatoon team would be a major boon for Calgary as well in that scenario.