NLL Insider

Although there was some apprehension over Gary Gait’s return to the NLL, after this week’s fan poll, it seems like it was pretty short lived.

For those that missed it, this week we asked you guys a series of Q’s centered around Gait’s return to the game and the impact it would have on the Rochester Knighthawks, the NLL and Gait himself too.

Although there was some concern over the Hawks bringing Gary back, you certainly wouldn’t have thought that based on what you told us this week.

Here’s a quick breakdown on how this week’s fan poll shook-out…

(1) Even though it appears Gait will likely miss at least two games, will he finish Top 10 in league scoring?
Without a full season and a three year playing break, no way he’s Top 10. 54%
It’s Gait!! Come on. He’ll be right up there. 46%

(2) Will Gait help push Rochester back into the post-season?
The K’Hawks are playoff bound for sure!! 64%
With or without Gait, Rochester wasn’t making the playoffs this winter. 36%

(3) Even though many feel Rochester gave up too much in the Gait trade, would a Champion’s Cup with Gait in the lineup justify the move?
Just like when Buffalo gave up a lot for Mike Accursi, a Cup would make it all good. 67%
Andrew Potter and two firsts is too much future potential to trade away for a Cup today. 33%

(4) Will a 41-year-old Gait experience any injury or health related issues this year?
Gait is in sick shape and will probably be fine from start to finish. 60%
The hard hitting NLL will have him on the shelf. 40%

(5) Will an average, mediocre or even weak season tarnish Gait’s legendary career in any way?
Gait’s past is too off the charts that one average comeback year would do anything to his legacy. 74%
Yes it will. See Macho Comacho versus Sugar Ray Leonard. 26%

(6) Will Gait’s presence this year, especially at away games, help improve the NLL’s overall attendance numbers?
Just like Beckham in the MLS and Jordan in the NBA, everyone wants to see Gait in their own barn. 66%
Not gonna make a difference to the attendance digits. 34%

So based on the poll results, he won’t be a top ten scorer with the games he misses due to his coaching gig at Syracuse, but come on, how many Top 10 scorers only post 14 games played anyways, right? He’ll help get Rochester back into the post-season, make Hawks’ fans happy if they win the Cup this year (or potentially next year) and forget about what they gave up for him, shouldn’t get sidelined due to injury, won’t hurt his rep at all even if he doesn’t come out gang busters, and will help amp up league attendance. All pretty positive stuff.

The numbers for the most part weren’t overwhelming, but the consensus is definitely that Gait’s impact will be a positive one on pretty much every level, on and off floor.

Still don’t like the idea of Gait unretiring? Think Gary will be a shadow of his former self? If you’re still not diggin’ Gait’s comeback, hit the boards and let us know why. Best responses could find their way into an upcoming issue of Inside Lacrosse.

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