The Boston Cannons shipped Long Stick Midfielder Scott Ratliff (who currently lives in Atlanta), the number 15 pick in this years Collegiate Draft, as well as a 2017 third round supplemental draft pick to the new expansion team Atlanta Blaze. In return the Blaze sent Defensemen Brodie Merill, LSM Michael Pellegrino, Midfielder Justin Turri, and a 2017 first round pick in the Collegiate draft to the Cannons.
The departure of Scott Ratliff had been a long time coming since he has been a big part of growing lacrosse in Atlanta, and having him recently been named President of LB3 Atlanta, I think the Cannons realized it was time to part ways with Ratliff.
In this trade the Cannons gave up a chance to select another player in this years collegiate draft, and a great LSM in Ratliff who could create great transition offense and produce points for you, I think the Cannons got the best out of this trade.
Brodie Merrill is returning to Boston after he was selected by the Blaze in the expansion draft. Merrill coming back is great he was a great part of this defense last year and I think his veteran presence on the defense end will be a huge part in seeing the Cannons succeed this year. Although they lose a great transition playmaker in Ratliff the Cannons do get to bring back a outstanding close defensemen in Brodie Merrill.
Michael Pellegrino is another great pickup for this Cannons team personally I love a lot about him, he is an outstanding LSM with some great speed who can really help you on the wing play on face-offs. Pellegrino is fast and does not provide that same kind of transition offensive ability as Ratliff but Pellegrino can help get things going at times. Their is one big thing that I can see where a lot of people have criticized Pellegrino he is not the biggest guy standing at only 5'8 185 pounds. Pellegrino is not that big imposing threat and he might often be criticized for not really being able to body people because most of the time when he is chancing around Midfielders they got a good 4 inches on him most times, but he does make up for his lack of height by being able to be quick and staying in front of those bigger explosive Midfielders. So I'm excited to see what Pellegrino can bring to the table.
Next up Justin Turri, I love this addition! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! This addition Turri is a great Midfielder who can do so much for the Cannons especially being able to dodge and score goals from the Midfield position. Turri last year just made no sense to me he played in 11 games but really didn't do much, which is sup rising because in 2014 he was named the MLL Most Improved Player. I think if Turri can get back to the way he was in 2014, the Cannons could be unbelievable this year. Adding another Midfield threat alongside Max Seibald who can score and do pretty much anything.
Finally the 2017 first round pick in the Collegiate draft. You may be thinking why are we talking about a draft pick that won't have any affect on the organization for another year! But hear me out that might end up being the best part of the deal. Next year is going to be a very great draft class, and several GM's have already been hooting and hollering about how deep that class is. Let me just toss out a couple of names in next years draft. Sergio Perkovic Midfielder Notre Dame, Connor Carnizzaro Attack Denver, Dylan Molloy Attack Brown, Zach Miller Attack/Midfield Denver. I could keep going on, this draft is so deep the chances of getting just one of them is exciting. Just imagine if the Blaze have a tough year and somehow the Cannons end up with the first pick that would just be crazy.
In my mind this trade was something that needed to happen and I think the Cannons benefited from this deal a great deal!
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