Blockbuster NLL Trade

Roughneck
07-28-2004, 10:41 PM
In a very odd move, the Toronto Rock got seriously fleeced in a trade made by their new Head Coach and GM Terry Sanderson (well, not really new, but new enough).

The Rock sent transition man Steve Toll, defender Darryl Gibson, goalie Anthony Cosmo, and the 3rd and 14th Overall picks in the upcoming Entry Draft to the San Jose Stealth for forward Josh Sanderson, defender Phil Sanderson (yes they are related to Terry) and forward Rusty Kruger.

J. Sanderson holds the NLL single season assist record and is one tough SOB. Considered by many as the best passer in the game (some might say ever). Phil is a big tough defenseman, and Kruger has been known to shine moreso in the summer leagues than the NLL, but is best buds with J.San.

The Rock however traded away a key player from all four of their championship teams. The fastest player in the league (or at least one of them), has been in the upper tier of loose balls, played as well defensively as he did offensively and had unbelievable chemistry with many of the current Rock players. A classic Toronto move had always been the lob pass down the floor to 'Speedin Stevie' where he'd more often than not, score. He will be sorely missed, and I feel Terry undervalued his impact on the team.

Gibson is a fast defender who has many similarities with Toll, has come up with some key goals at key times (i.e. 2003 Championship winner), but with the arrival of Phil, his presence won't be missed for long.

Trading Cosmo is an interesting move as he was considered by many as better than Bob Watson, not to mention considerably younger. Could be a bad move for the Rock. The draft picks, well, they made this deal just that much more of a :banghead: move for Rock fans.

Inside joke for summer lax fans:

Are the Brampton Excelsiors the Rock's farm team now, or is it the other way around?

GKJ
07-29-2004, 09:29 AM
Steve Toll is a really underrated player. San Jose wins this trade by a mile.


But we see why the trade was made :shakehead

popperbolt*
07-29-2004, 09:40 AM
:huh: hm what is NLL ?

GKJ
07-29-2004, 09:43 AM
National Lacrosse League. An indoor North American league.


www.nll.com

popperbolt*
07-29-2004, 09:47 AM
National Lacrosse League. An indoor North American league.


www.nll.com

okay thank you!

eSabre
07-29-2004, 04:25 PM
Please welcome... your Toronto Excelsiors!!! :lol: The NLL boards were tearing this deal apart.

You can see why Terry Sanderson made this deal. I don't think this helps the Rock much at all. Who's gonna be backing up Watson now? Watson is spotty at best (see this year's East championship game vs. Buffalo), and the Rock lost a key player in Toll. The speed element was key, and that's a big dynamic they've lost.

San Jose wins this trade easily. I don't think Josh Sanderson is going to help Toronto enough to counteract the problems they'll have in net.

I think that the Rock are doing all they can to distance themselves from the Les Bartley days.

thesiver
07-29-2004, 06:32 PM
Is the NLL pretty popular nowadays? I used to go to a few games back when it first started, but then I sorta lost interest.

Roughneck
07-29-2004, 08:20 PM
Please welcome... your Toronto Excelsiors!!! :lol: The NLL boards were tearing this deal apart.

You can see why Terry Sanderson made this deal. I don't think this helps the Rock much at all. Who's gonna be backing up Watson now? Watson is spotty at best (see this year's East championship game vs. Buffalo), and the Rock lost a key player in Toll. The speed element was key, and that's a big dynamic they've lost.


I'm not sure if Matt Vinc is entering the draft this year, but Toronto also gave up any hope of nabbing him if he is in by trading away their first rounders. I guess they'll have to go and sign the Excelsiors backup just to keep things in order.

Toll was everything that the Rock stood for during their dynasty. I still can't beleive they traded him away.

leafaholix*
07-29-2004, 09:24 PM
Toronto got one of the best offensive players in the league and a couple other players for a guy who scored 34 points last season and their #2 goaltender. Along with a couple high draft picks.

The Rock will compete next season. No complaints from this Toronto fan.

:D

zecke26
07-29-2004, 09:37 PM
wow, finally a league with nice logos. that buffalo logo is great. i really like it.

it's the first time i noticed the NLL but maybe it's worth following, especially if detroit would get a franchise. :)

Bobby Ryan Getzlaf
07-29-2004, 09:46 PM
Is Terry related to Chris Sanderson, a goalie who was earlier released by the Storm? If so, although he's not that good, he may end up in Toronto soon.