The Rochester Knighthawks traded Casey Powell to the Colorado Mammoth yesterday in exchange for defenseman Jon Sullivan and a third-round pick in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft. Some fans may be dismayed to see a big name such as Casey Powell leaving Rochester, but this trade actually works out well for both teams.
Rochester's offense was overly crowded and things just weren't working out. They need more role players on offense and as strange as it sounds, this move could be the kick that Rochester needs to start scoring goals more consistently. In seven games this season, Powell had eight goals and 14 assists. He was fourth on the team with 22 points. This wasn't exactly the level of production that some fans expected from one of the greatest American players the sport has ever seen.
Prior to coming to Rochester, Powell had over 80 points in his last five consecutive seasons and over 30 goals in each of his last four. He should be able to work well with John Grant Jr. in Colorado. Powell and Grant played together on the Rochester Rattlers from 2005 to 2008 and the Toronto Nationals in 2009.
Although the Knighthawks already have one of the best defenses in the league, adding Jon Sullivan should only make it better. Sullivan is generally a strictly defensive player. In 10 games with the Mammoth this season, he has 31 loose balls and has tallied three assists. Sullivan was traded to Colorado in 2011 but before that he played seven seasons with the Minnesota Swarm and was even named the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. The move is reminiscent of when the Knighthawks acquired another of Minnesota's decorated defenders, Ryan Cousins, last year.
The National Lacrosse League's trade deadline is on Wednesday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
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