The Washington Stealth will have to wait a while before making their first pick in today’s National Lacrosse League entry draft in Toronto.
Barring a trade, 30 players will be selected before the Stealth make their first choice with the final pick of the third round.
But Washington general manager Doug Locker and head coach Chris Hall are comfortable with just four picks in the six-round draft, since they crafted it to be that way.
“I think we knew the situation going into this year where we stood at this year’s and next year’s draft,” Hall said. “I think we’ve managed to do a pretty good job of putting together a squad that’s pretty deep from top to bottom right now.”
Washington, the reigning NLL champion, has prospered from past draft success — transition player Paul Rabil and forward Rhys Duch were drafted Nos. 2 and 3 overall by the Stealth in 2008. Defender Matt Beers was the team’s first selection at No. 13 overall in 2009. All three players were top performers for the Stealth during last season’s championship run.
“We used those picks in the past to build where we are, and I’m happy with where we are,” Hall said.
Don’t expect much excitement surrounding the team’s selections today. Washington likely will be looking to add a third goaltender to serve as a backup to regulars Matt Roik and Tyler Richards. The other picks will be used to look for prospects — players who most likely will not play right away.
“There is some fairly solid younger talent that should be available in the third or fourth round,” Locker said. “It would give us an opportunity to look at a couple guys to see whether they’re potential practice-roster guys or whether they’re guys who we want to invest in at a higher level.”
Locker said there isn’t really much allure to moving into the first or second rounds, but don’t be surprised if Washington swaps picks for future selections.
“This is a pretty good year for us not to have a ton of picks,” Locker said, adding that if a team makes an offer the team can’t resist, the Stealth would move up. “… We may also look to trade some of those picks for picks in 2011 or 2012.”
The Rochester Knighthawks own the first overall selection and many around the league expect 23-year-old forward Cody Jamieson, a Six Nations, Ontario, native, to be the first pick. Jamieson played for Syracuse University and also for the Six Nations Chiefs of Ontario’s Major Series Lacrosse league. The 5-foot-9 forward scored 28 goals and 34 assists in 15 games this summer for the Six Nations. In 20009, he led the league with an eye-popping 48 goals and 48 assists in his first full season.
The Stealth probably won’t be able to snag a player with Jamieson’s ability, but with a handful of free-agent signings and the potential for four more additions through today’s draft, the sheer number of players looking to compete for very few open roster spots during fall training camp will make for some exciting lacrosse.
“It’s going to make for a great camp,” Hall said. “We’re looking to improve our performance levels and that’s why we’re not standing pat. We want to keep guys competitive and we don’t want to be resting on anything we did last year.”
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