NLL Insider

As part of the Inside Lacrosse NLL Preview issue, the crew at NLLInsider.com broke down eight questions for the 2010 season and provided a look at who will be the league’s top rookies and second-year players.

This class lacks the depth of last year’s but there are some equally big stars.

This story appears in the January 2010 article of Inside Lacrosse. To purchase a copy,click the image

Ilija Gajic, Colorado Mammoth

Rumored to be heading to Colorado before the draft, Gajic wound up there after a blockbuster November trade with the Knighthawks that sent all-star Gavin Prout to Rochester. The 24-year-old can easily be an immediate-impact two-way player this season. Having led the WLA’s New Westminster Salmonbellies to back-to-back Mann Cup appearances, Gajic can score, play solid D, impress on either side of special teams and has already dealt with responsibilities few if any of this year’s rookies have faced during their young careers.

Zack Greer, Minnesota Swarm

Leading up to the 2009 NLL Entry Draft, many questioned whether Greer’s stock might drop since he’s played very little competitive indoor ball the past couple summers. Greer went third overall to Minnesota and had several other teams clamoring for his services, killing any pre-draft bunk. “I haven’t played box in a couple years, but I grew up playing indoor so I should be alright,” says Greer. “It’s going to take time to adjust to the smaller goal.” The Swarm’s offense and power-play struggled at times last year, two areas to which Greer should bring immediate consistency.

Kevin Huntley, Philadelphia Wings

A year after what should have been his rookie year (Huntley was unable to agree to terms with the Stealth) the much-anticipated debut of the ’08 first-round pick will be in Philadelphia after a series of trades lands him playing for his father, coach/GM Dave Huntley. The Wings, who never replaced the goals lost from the retired Jake Bergey, injured Athan Iannucci or free-agent loss of Jason Crosbie, will need Huntley to put a major dent in the almost 40-goal drop Philly experienced last year.

Cliff Smith, Colorado Mammoth

Only Edmonton scored fewer goals than Colorado last year — their 172 in ’09 was the franchise’s lowest total since the league went to a 16-game regular season. University of Denver attackman and New Westminster forward Cliff Smith should on his own bring that number a lot closer to the 200 mark to which the Mammoth are more accustomed. His presence inside will also free up space for the rest of Colorado’s O, which lacks serious size up front and looked predictable throughout much of last season.

Sid Smith, Rochester Knighthawks

Smith’s addition gives the Knighthawks another proven pure defensive prospect that’ll step right in and start all 16 games this year. He plays exceptional fundamental coverage D and should easily fit into Rochester’s game-day backcourt while the team finally looks to have rebuilt its defense, which has seen the likes of Casey Zaph, Mike Hasen, Marshall Abrams and, soon enough, Regy Thorpe retire in recent years. Smith was the fourth Iroquois player taken first overall in the Entry Draft (Delby Powless, Cam Bomberry and Darris Kilgour).

Garrett Billings, Toronto Rock

Another western player rumored to be on the move this preseason, Billings will no doubt excel in Toronto — or in any other offense. As good as Billings was during his four years at Virginia, he’s arguably even better indoors, one of the Burnaby Jr. A Lakers’ all-time great scorers and one of last summer’s top impact players in the WLA, his first full season in Sr. A. Billings finished third overall in WLA scoring last year, behind only Lewis Ratcliff and 2009 NLL Rookie of the Year Rhys Duch.

Wait Till Next Year

Kyle Clancy, Buffalo Bandits

The Peterborough Jr. A Lakers’ gritty, high-scoring forward was the first junior-aged player taken in last year’s draft but finds himself on a Buffalo roster that doesn’t have many openings.

Scott Tinning, Edmonton Rush

The fifth straight offseason offensive overhaul in Edmonton, may make for a tough roster to crack as a rookie. Tinning’s work ethic, athleticism and strength inside on O should make him a future role player in the NLL, though.

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