NLL Players still not signed three weeks before opening night

December 4th, 2008 by Paul Tutka

We’re just over three weeks away from Rochester and Chicago throwing down at the Sears Centre to open the 2009 National Lacrosse League season and as usual for this time of year, there are still several high profile ball players who have not officially inked fresh contrasts heading into the New Year.

After the jump, check out the guys who have yet to sign or have inked a deal but are likely awaiting league approval.

Either way, take a look at who has still not made their way officially onto the league’s transaction page. Any fans worried out there?

Boston Blazers

Boston has no major players left unsigned after inking Dan Dawson last month and having the signing approved by the NLL last week.

Buffalo Bandits

As reported earlier this week on NLL Insider, the Bandits have still yet to officially sign the likes of Mark Steenhuis and Pat McCready, while John Tavares, who has yet to practice with the Bandits during training camp due to an injured shoulder, has also yet to officially sign with the defending champs. It doesn’t appear keeper Mike Thompson has signed as of yet either.

Chicago Shamrox

The revamped Rox have most of their team inked to deals but have yet to officially announce new starting tender Anthony Cosmo signed to a contract. The only other “big” name not officially mentioned on the NLL’s transaction page is All-Rookie Team member Bobby McBride, who was a huge part of Chicago’s two-way game last year after his long awaited pro debut.

New York Titans

New York has everyone signed and sealed, outside of course last year’s MVP candidate, Casey Powell.

Philadelphia Wings

Although injured, MVP and scoring champ Athan Iannucci has yet to officially sign for the 2009 season, ditto for Geoff Snider. Both are expected to be signed shortly however, one likely by week’s end.

Rochester Knighthawks

Although even their GM has signed a playing contract, the Knighthawks have still yet to ink American defender Scott Ditzell, who the Hawks say won’t be available until January anyhow. The one name missing at the start of the week was of course Marshall Abrams, who has since been signed to a one-year deal.

Toronto Rock

The only name that appears to be missing from the Rock camp is pure defender Derek Suddons, last signing a one-year deal in November of 2007. A two-year deal with Blaine Manning was made official earlier this week.

Calgary Roughnecks

The Necks have everyone on board, outside of course NLL Insider’s Junior Defender of the Year and first round pick, Curtis Manning, who still has a year left captaining SFU’s field team. Other high profile draft pick, Cayle Ratcliff, was signed just days after being drafted.

Colorado Mammoth

Colorado has all their pieces in place except long time vet Jason Wulder, who showed last year he still has some serious gas left in the tank. The Mammoth picked up Wulder in a deal with Edmonton in 2007, sending a second round pick the other way. The Mammoth also appear to have renegotiated Dan Carey’s contract yesterday, signing him to a new two-year contract. Update: NLL Insider confirmed with the Mammoth that they will not be re-signing Wulder this season.

Check out the Mammoth’s boards for Gee Nash’s reasoning on why he routinely signs a one year contract in the NLL.

Edmonton Rush

Although Edmonton has a host of new faces on their projected roster for 09, they still have a couple of defensive vets not officially signed for this winter, Rory Glaves and Rob Williams. The team also released five year vet Randy Daly yesterday. Former captain and defender of the year, Andrew Turner, who sat out last season due to work commitments, has not signed a contract for 2009 yet either, and isn’t expected to.

Minnesota Swarm

Rookie of the year Craig Point remains the lone piece of the puzzle still unsigned in Minnesota. Also unsigned is vet Keith Cromwell, who likely will be unable to commit to Minnesota this year. As reported on NLL Insider earlier this week, defender Ian Rubel will not be playing this season due to a new career as a police officer.

Portland Lumberjax

Unless it was lost in the shuffle after a trade with Boston shortly after the second Arizona Sting dispersal draft, it appears the only major guy left unsigned in Portland is defender Brad MacDonald, swapped with the Blazers for Matt Holman. The team recently signed former Johns Hopkins middie and New York Titans draft pick, Jamison Koesterer, a 6′3″, 230 lbs. stud that could fit into the Jax’s already massive and up-tempo lineup.

San Jose Stealth

The Stealth have several players not officially on the books, including top forwards Colin Doyle and Jeff Zywicki. Both are expected to be official signings shortly however. Rumours are that Paul Rabil is also close to having his contract approved by the league, but it is unclear how many games the sport’s newest super-stud will be able to commit to. Also still unsigned however; Eric Martin, Shaydon Santos, Kevin Huntley, Tim Booth and Zach Heffner. Martin and Santos were arguably the team’s top two defenders last year, while Huntley of course was one of the team’s first rounders from 08’s draft.