NLL Insider

Portland's Tim Campeau will be on the move come Tuesday. (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)

Although no official word has come from either the National Lacrosse League or Portland Lumberjax, as has been rumoured and speculated since shortly after the team announced they would no longer be opperating in Portland, the Lumberjax franchise is in fact on the shelf heading into 2010 season, NLL Insider learning that a Dispersal Draft will be held this upcoming Tuesday, July 7th.

At one point it appeared the sale of the team and relocation to Everett, Washington was a possibility, but it appears terms could not be met. The San Jose Stealth, who still maintain the same ownership group they had in California, recently announced that they would be relocating to Everett, the team now known as the Washington Stealth.

Franchise majority owner, Angela Batinovich, a former NLL excutive of the year, recently addressed fans, saying the team has filed for an “involuntary suspension”, citing one of the main deciding factors was the state of the current economy in the US.

Although the franchise will not participate in anyway during the 2010 season, Batinovich did say that the team was still currently involved in “sensitive negotiations” with a potential buyer, but could not discuss further.

The city of Vancouver has been linked as a potential destination for the league over the past year, The Vancouver Sun reporting last month that the new Abbotsford Events Centre is extremely eager to get an NLL franchise playing in their 7,000-seat arena. Abbotsford, BC was a destination recently considered by the Stealth franchise as well, prior of course to their move to Everett.

Lumberjax owner, Angela Batinovich, at a team press conference. (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)

As far as Tuesday’s anticipated draft goes, it’s expected that ‘09 transition player of the year, Brodie Merrill, will go number one, and even though the Edmonton Rush, who finished last in the league this past season, would own that pick, it’s expected a number of eastern based teams will make a strong push to either trade for the pick, or make a deal for Merrill shortly after.

The team most intensely linked to dealing for Merrill is the Toronto Rock, who many feel will spend this off-season making wholesale changes to their roster, recently announcing a new owner and GM, that being Jamie Dawick and Terry Sanderson respectively. It’s expected the team will also shortly be officially naming Troy Cordingley as their new head coach.

Many NLL Insider has spoken to also feel that pure hard hitting defender, Tyler Codron, will also be a player many teams make a play for next week either through the draft or via a trade later this off-season. Due to his youth, aggressive and athletic style, and growing potential, Codron is considered by many to be the second best option in Tuesday’s draft.

If the Rush and Rock do spark a deal for that number one selection, it’s expected the second overall pick, which Toronto currently owns, would likely go back the other way.

With Portland owning a roster that is extremely western heavy, it’s also expected that many Eastern Division teams will deal their picks, likely trying to trade up in the upcoming talent rich Entry Draft.

And with the Rush owning the first pick in the draft, who’ll be making their selections, and likely trades? As NLL Insider reported last month, it’s expected the Alberta based franchise will be announcing Derek Keenan as their new GM and head coach. Keenan of course was the Lumberjax’s long time coach, and was previously linked to the Toronto Rock earlier this off-season, all but having the Rock gig locked up before the franchise was rumoured to have been sold.

The Rush parted ways with former GM and coach of the year, Bob Hamley, shortly after the team’s 5-11 regular season came to an end. Hamley spent about a season and-a-half with the struggling franchise, who say they want a more exciting on-floor product next season.

Prior to any trades, it’s expected the first round and any future rounds, will be in the following order:

1. Edmonton Rush (5-11) ‘09 regular season record
2. Toronto Rock (6-10)
3. Minnesota Swarm (6-10)
4. Philadelphia Wings (7-9)
5. Colorado Mammoth (7-9)
6. Rochester Knighthawks (7-9)
7. San Jose Stealth (7-9)
8. Boston Blazers (10-6)
9. Buffalo Bandits (10-6)
10. New York Titans (10-6)
11. Calgary Roughnecks (12-4)

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