NLL Insider

OK well not really, but San Jose Stealth Goaltender, Tyler Richards is asking for your help on the design for his new helmet for the upcoming season. As posted on the Wingszone Fan Forum, Tyler is looking for any and all suggestions to create the perfect intimidator for the opposing shooters.

 Dallas Eliuk created his own custom paint job a few years back while he was in Philadelphia but, if I remember correctly, it was kiboshed due to graphic nature. Much like Ray Emery’ helmets were when he played for the Ottawa Senators. Now I’m not saying Richards is looking to put a pin up girl on his bucket to distract Gavin Prout one on one, but I’m sure anything is better than donning a straight white lid. Although flashy helmets may be like a bright porch lite for those big ass prairie flies. Shooters may take that as another reason to fire balls off the goaltender’s melon. So be careful what you create Tyler, just make sure you can see!

 As the Game Changes

 We are starting to see a growing trend amongst NLL teams this year that has been a long time coming if you ask me. I’m going to call this the ‘Jalbert Effect’. Every since Jay Jalbert reemerged into the NLL with the Colorado Mammoth in 2004, he changed the way the game was played. He was truly the prototypical two-way player that was designed to show true athletic ability of today’s lacrosse star. Now don’t get me wrong, nothing amazes fans like a John Grant ‘one handed behind the legs shot’ or a Brian Langtry ‘diving backhander’ but to watch a guy grab a loose ball in his own end, start an offensive rush and proceed to ’swim move’ past his defender only to switch hands and rip a shot top corner is why this is the fastest game on two feet!

 And now, because of the importance of a deadly transition game, teams are beginning to make sure players are in as peak shape as they can be. Sure being profession athletes, coaches expect their players to come into the season in good shape. But now more so than ever we are seeing teams bring in strength and conditioning coaches and putting their teams through boot camp like workouts as never before seen. As John Grant said in his blog earlier this week, ‘guys ran for almost two hours straight before they even got into drills.’ That’s unheard off! I remember a few years back with the Edmonton Rush, we would have one session per camp at night as a serious cardio session, but never right before a practice. This is the type of sacrificing today’s NLL players are going through to make sure not only are they ready for game one, but also to ensure they put the best product on the floor for the fans.  And if you don’t know what the ‘beep test’ is, look it up and be thankful you don’t have to do one at 9am Sunday morning, the morning after two long days of hard practices!

  Bring on the Holidays!

 Well it’s official, I was wished my first ‘Happy Holidays’ the other day. To be exact, the gentleman extending the warm wishes, wished them on the last day of November so I wasn’t too thrilled, as I don’t like to start the season until December actually comes about. Slowly, my word is starting to be enclosed with snow globes, repeated Christmas tunes and house decorations that make me want to puke, except this one(and if you say this guy’s your neighbour I applaud you for still living there- epileptics beware)

 But all this Holiday cheer got me thinking. Will the NLL every make a holiday gift that is with you all year around? No, I’m not talking about a 24 hour lacrosse channel- how sweet would that be though. I’m talking about an NLL Calendar! Over the past few weeks Insider has been posting some of the best pictures captured through out last season so how hard could it be? I’ve seen an unofficial MLL calendar in the Mall here and to be honest, its pretty weak. I’m sure as fans we could all submit our favorite pictures and make one pretty killer wall hanger! That’s on my wish list now- Santa I hope you are listening!

 And Finally-

 Ok I know by giving more air to a fire it just allows it to grow but I just need to say one thing about the Sean Avery ordeal that took place Tuesday. What some people may not know is that this was all staged. Avery waited until he could coral all of the media personnel in the dressing, brought them to one area and made his now famous ’sloppy seconds’ concession.  I know what he said was some what ill advised but come on, who out there didn’t laugh when they heard that. Seriously, what was so bad about what he said? Sure the way he went about it may have been the biggest issue but if he would have said it on the ice it would have been no big deal. I don’t think it really warranted a suspension; a fine? OK sure but come on the guy is just being who he is, a Sh** disturber and he does it with he best of em. He didn’t hurt anyone nor was he violent in anyway.  Just cause the guy dated a couple hot chicks and some other NHLers followed suit and is now poking a bit of fun. I hardly imagine Jarome Iginla and the boys in the Flames room haven’t already busted Dion Phaneuf’s chops countless times already. And I’m sure Jarret Stoll in L.A has never once been razed about being engaged to Rachel Hunter (another former Avery sidekick). Hears a solution, if you don’t want guys like Avery making idiots of themselves on TV/radio, don’t allow him/them to be  interviewed.

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