Saskatchewan Rush

2018 record: 14-4 (first in the West)

Coach: Derek Keenan (10th season)

Key returners: Mark Matthews, F; Kyle Rubisch, D; Chris Corbeil, D

Key additions: Travis Cornwall, T; Connor Robinson, F

Key losses: Ryan Dilks, D; Dan Dawson, F; Adrian Sorichetti, T

Outlook

This era of Rush history will be revered for a long time, as Saskatchewan earned its third title in four years and its fourth straight NLL Cup appearance in 2018.

However, if the Saskatchewan dynasty is to continue, it will have to be with some new characters. Ryan Dilks, the 2016 NLL Defensive Player of the Year, and Jeff Cornwall must sit the season out to work as firefighters. Three other Rush players are currently holding out – Robert Church, Mike Messenger and Nik Bilic.

If any team was built to deal with this though, it would be Saskatchewan. Plenty of talent remains from last year, including Mark Matthews, Kyle Rubisch and Chris Corbeil, and Derek Keenan has proved his ability to find quality players through the draft and free agency over the past decade.

Storylines to watch

1. Can the Rush solve the contract disputes?

Saskatchewan isn’t the only team dealing with holdouts as the season approaches, but it is the team saddled with the most. And like New England and Calgary, one of the players that hasn’t reported is among the team’s best players.

Robert Church was second in the NLL in points last season with 107, trailing only Matthews. He was nominated for the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

Messenger and Bilic have been steady cogs on the best defense in the league.

2. How will the new names fit in?

Most Rush players have become household names in the indoor lacrosse world over the past few years with the postseason runs the team has gone on. That’s different in 2018, as a handful of new faces cracked the full-time roster, including Connor Robinson, Nick Finlay, Ryan McLean, Tyler Gaulton, Jordi Jones-Smith and Mason Pynn. Finlay is the only player of that group to have played for the team last year, suiting up for three games.

Robinson is the biggest name of the bunch, having gone fifth overall in the draft. The lefty forward notched 51 points in 18 WLA games with the New Westminster Salmonbellies this summer.

3. Do the changes in defense affect how the Rush play?

The Rush gave up the fewest goals in the league last season, besting second-placed Colorado by three. With the changes on that side of the ball, Saskatchewan may need to rely on its offense at points if games get up into the teens. There shouldn’t be any worry there, though, as Saskatchewan also scored the most goals of any team last season. 

Player to Watch

Ben McIntosh

He'll slide into that top righty forward spot if Church’s holdout lasts into the season. The former first-overall pick scored 46 goals, a career high, in 2018.

MVP Candidate

Mark Matthews, of course. The reigning NLL Most Valuable Player won the scoring race with 116 points last season. He’s been a nominee for the MVP award three times.

Verdict

Even with a few changes, Saskatchewan has the talent to still be considered the class of the West Division, and perhaps even the league.