NLL Insider

Jimmy Quinlan is one of a few familiar faces for Edmonton (Jarred Chandler)

There are only a small handful of players on the Edmonton Rush that were with the team at this time last year.

365 days ago new signings like Mike Accursi, Kyle Goundrey, Matt Disher and Ben Prepchuk were supposed to turn the franchise around and give them consistency in areas on the rug they were sorely lacking.

All four of those vets, plus a bunch of others, have either been traded, released or can be filed under “other”, cuz GM and Head Coach Bob Hamley is givin’ the Rush a severe makeover in order to compete in today’s NLL, but will it be enough?

Find out  the answer to that question and others after the jump, straight from the pages of Inside Lacrosse’s NLL Preview issue, on newstands now.

The Inside Lacrosse Magazine Breakdown

This story appears in the January issue of Inside Lacrosse magazine. Click Here to see what's inside/order your copy.

Depth

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The Rush are finally deep enough to bury more than leftover chicken wing bones. The bottom third of their roster will finally be competitive.

Balance

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They’ve rebuilt the leadership they lost when Andrew Turner semi-retired. His replacement is Chris McElroy, one of the sport’s grittiest workers.

Chemistry

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There is almost an entirely new roster versus 2008’s opening night. However, Matt Disher, Kyle Goundrey and Mike Accursi had Edmonton in the same boat a year ago too.

Transition

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Chris McKay’s return did a lot for Edmonton’s transition; ditto for Chris Seller, who was grabbed again in the Arizona Dispersal Draft.

SHANNY’S TAKE

The Rush failed to meet my expectations last year, but I’m going back again as the most improved team. New GM/coach Bob Hamley has them on the right track by adding key players Steve Dietrich, Ryan McNish, Andy Secore and Chris Levis. Edmonton will make the playoffs this year.

SCOUTING REPORT

“Defensively, they have a pretty good group, but offensively I don’t see how they are going to score. I don’t know that Andy Secore is going to be healthy enough to put up the numbers he did last year. The rest of their guys are still those second-tier guys… McNish will help them but the problem with him the last few years is he got it in his head he was supposed to be a tough guy, not a lacrosse player… I just don’t know why you put Timmy O’Brien in the line-up when you’re starved for goals. I don’t see how he helps you.”

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