GET READY FOR THE 2023 PLL SEASON & A PRO LACROSSE DRAFT DOUBLE-HEADER

🥍 Free Agency & Playoffs & Drafts, Oh My!

It’s been a busy few weeks in the pro lacrosse world with free agency moves, schedule announcements, playoff races and college draft news dominating the conversation. Here’s what we have on tap for today:

• PLL Free Agency Doesn’t Disappoint: Several free agents were on the move once the signing period officially began.

• NLL Playoff Race Reaches its Peak: Six of the eight NLL playoff spots have been claimed, but there is still a tight battle for the remaining two spots with just two weeks left in the season.

• Athletes Unlimited and PLL Announce their College Drafts: We’re getting a doubleheader on draft night! Both Athletes Unlimited and the PLL announced college drafts, both of which will air on May 9.

• PLL Releases Full 2023 Schedule: Every matchup of the 2023 PLL season has been set! We list our top game to watch for each PLL weekend.

🔀PLL Free Agency Features Several Big Moves

The first-ever free agency period in the PLL’s history didn’t disappoint. Several star players switched teams, a handful of new players signed contracts to make their PLL debut in 2023 and a few big-name players are still without team for 2023. Let’s dive into the biggest free agency storylines.

Biggest Names on the Move

There were a lot of free agents on the move, with several teams acquiring more than a couple new players in free agency.

• Archers LC signed Mac O’Keefe and Challen Rogers to reunite the former with his Penn State teammate Grant Ament and the latter with his Toronto Rock teammates Tom Schreiber and Latrell Harris.

• Atlas LC signed attackman Justin Guterding to a one-year deal.

• Cannons LC head coach Brian Holman was busy not only signing his son Marcus Holman to a 1-year deal, but made the biggest splash in terms of free agent acquisitions. The Boom Squad also added Adam Ghitelman, Jeff Trainor, Jakob Phaup, Matt Rees, Kyle Hartzell and Finn Sullivan.

• Redwoods LC signed attackmen Ryan Tierney through 2023 and (re-)signed midfielder Wes Berg to a two-year deal. Berg, who’s been rostered by Chaos, Chrome, Redwoods and Waterdogs during his PLL career, became the first player to re-sign with a former team following stints with two other teams.

• Waterdogs LC signed attackman Jake Carraway to a two-year deal.

• Whipsnakes LC signed attackman Will Manny to a two-year deal.

New Faces in New Places

While current PLL players have rightly received a ton of publicity, a few teams signed players that have yet to make their PLL summer debut.

• Archers LC signed midfielder Reid Bowering, who played attack at Drexel and currently plays defense in the NLL for the Vancouver Warriors.

• Atlas LC signed Marc O’Rourke, who played for Atlas during the 2023 PLL Championship Series and played under new Atlas LC head coach Mike Pressler during their time at Bryant University.

• Cannons LC signed Max Wayne, who was drafted by Atlas LC in 2022 and played under new Cannons assistant Mike Thompson at Christopher Newport University.

• Chaos LC signed goalie Mike Adler, who attended training camp with Chaos last year, and attackman Kevin Lindley, who was drafted by Chaos in 2022.

• Chrome LC signed SSDM Alex Smith, who played for Chrome during the 2023 PLL Championship Series.

• Redwoods LC signed Eli McLaughlin, who plays for the Colorado Mammoth along with Redwoods teammate Ryan Lee and played with new Redwoods OC John Grant Jr. during his time in the NLL.

• Whipsnakes LC signed midfielder Luke Frankeny, who spent his final college season at Richmond.

Free Agents Still Available

While most free agents have signed with their 2023 clubs, there are still more than a dozen players who have yet to sign—with six players in particular to keep an eye on.

• Jack Near — As of publication, the Redwoods’ best SSDM has still not signed. Near is a do-it-all midfielder who’s come up big in many pivotal moments, such as his goal in the 2019 PLL Championship that sparked a late Redwoods rally. While Near is the likeliest of the group to return to his respective club, a few teams could upgrade at SSDM if he chooses to sign elsewhere.
  90% Chance to Re-Sign with Redwoods LC

• Jay Carlson — It’s hard to imagine Juicy Jay in any other uniform, but the reality is the fan-favorite attackman saw a more limited role in 2022. Coach Jim Stagnitta opted for a few different attack lineups in 2022 and they didn’t always include Carlson. Yet, Carlson’s off-ball acumen, finishing ability and groundball prowess make him a unique offensive asset that can still thrive in the PLL — whether that’s on the Whips or a another team like the Waterdogs.

  85% Chance to Re-Sign with Whipsnakes LC

• John Ranagan — The veteran midfielder is another name that is likely to re-sign with his respective club, but his absence from the gameday roster in 2022 could prompt Ranagan to explore options outside of Chrome LC. Ranagan was a captain last season and can certainly still play at a high level, but only appeared in three games last season. Could another team like the Whipsnakes or Cannons acquire his services?

  75% Chance to Re-Sign with Chrome LC

• Bryan Cole — Another free agent whose status on the Whipsnakes is in question is Bryan Cole. Cole scored 13 points in eight games during his lone season with the Whips and a return to the Whipsnakes feels like the best fit. Yet, Cole’s versatility gives him some options. If he doesn’t sign with the Snakes, a team like the Chrome or Cannons—both of which feature some of his Georgia Swarm teammates—could be logical landing spots.
  55% Chance to Re-Sign with Whipsnakes LC

• Dan Bucaro — Compared to the other players on this list, Bucaro has the most potential landing spots based on his skill set. Yet, his 2023 plans may not even come down to which team to play for, but whether to play this summer at all. Dan Arestia reported that Bucaro was weighing a decision to sign with Whipsnakes LC or retire from pro lacrosse. If Bucaro opts to not hang up the cleats the Whipsnakes or even a team like Chrome (who just placed Brendan Nichtern on the military reserve list) could use Bucaro’s talents.

  15% Chance to Re-Sign with Atlas LC

• Nick Marrocco — The Cannons’ starting goalie of the past two PLL seasons (four if you count his time in the MLL) is the last goalie without a home. Marrocco’s odds of returning to Cannons LC decreased drastically when head coach Sean Quirk stepped down and a return to the Boom Squad became even less likely when Adam Ghitelman signed with the team. Marrocco’s situation is by far the most intriguing. Marrocco is good enough to be a starter on any team in the PLL, but wouldn’t move the needle enough for any coach to consider replacing their current starting goalie. The Redwoods appeared to be the best fit before they opted to re-sign Jack Kelly — a move that further illustrates that when it comes to goaltenders, coaches would often rather stick with their “guy” than rock the boat by signing/trading for another goalie. Which team Marrocco suits up for in 2023 is anyone’s guess, but it will likely be in a backup role to start the season. Make no mistake though, if an injury to a starter was to occur, Marrocco’s name will be one of the first to come up.

  10% Chance to Re-Sign with Cannons LC

Hear more of my thoughts on PLL Free Agency along with Inside Lacrosse’s Kevin Brown on Dan Arestia’s “Sticks In” podcast.

🏆 2023 NLL Playoff Picture Takes Shape

The NLL playoff picture is coming together with six teams already clinching spots in the postseason. Yet, with two weeks left, there are still four teams fighting for just two remaining spots. Let’s take a look at the current NLL playoff picture and each team’s current title odds.

Top 4 Teams Secure Home Playoff Games

The Toronto Rock (+375 on Barstool Sportsbook) and Buffalo Bandits (+500 on FanDuel) claimed the top two spots in the East, while the San Diego Seals (+450 on bet365) and Calgary Roughnecks (+600 on DraftKings) both secured home playoff games in the west. Yet, the #1 and #2 seeding in both conference is yet to be decided. Toronto and Buffalo are both 12-4 and will duke it out this weekend, with the winner claiming the top seed in the East. Both San Diego and Calgary have 12 wins as well, but the Seals control their own destiny when it comes to the top seed since they have two games left compared to Calgary’s one. Two wins to wrap up the season or a loss by Calgary would give the Seals the top seed since they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Old and New Faces in the West

The other two West teams have also been decided, with both Panther City (+1400 on DraftKings) and Colorado (+2000 on bet365) securing playoff berths last weekend. The 2022 NLL defending champs have made the playoffs in all but one season since arriving in Colorado, while Panther City secured their first-ever playoff appearance in just their second season.

Battle in the East

Buckle up, the battle for the final two playoff spots in the East are about to get interesting. The four teams competing for the final two spots are the Rochester Knighthawks (+1600 on bet365), Halifax Thunderbirds (+2500 on BetMGM), Georgia Swarm (+2500 on BetMGM) and Philadelphia Wings (+8000 on FanDuel).

The Rochester Knighthawks have been in free fall mode, losing five of their last six games. Yet, thanks to a 6-0 start to the season, they still control their own destiny and have an 85% chance to make the playoffs. If they win either of their last two games, they’re in.

Then there’s the surging Georgia Swarm who have erased their 0-7 start and won eight of their last nine games to get to above .500 for the first time this season. Rookie goaltender Brett Dobson has led the charge and has his team on the cusp of a playoff berth. Georgia currently has a 56% chance of making the playoffs with two games remaining against Rochester and Halifax.

The Thunderbirds sit at a 50% chance to make the playoffs and, like the Swarm, can set themselves up for a win-and-in scenario in the final week with a win this weekend. The Thunderbirds can even earn as high as the third seed if both they and the Wings win out and the Knighthawks lose out.

Finally, Philadelphia’s playoff hopes are on life support. The Wings have just a 9% chance of making the playoffs and there are just three scenarios that get them into the playoffs, all of them requiring both a win and a Rochester loss this week.

Interested in all the potential NLL playoff scenarios? Check out Graeme Perrow’s playoff predictor on NLLStats.com.

📅 2023 PLL Game Schedule Released

Get those calendars ready! The tour stops for the 2023 Premier Lacrosse League season have been public for months, but the matchups for each weekend are finally here. Yet, which games will be the most exciting on a given weekend? We went week-by-week and picked out the top game for each PLL weekend. Let's take a look at the Top 10 matchups on the 2023 PLL schedule.

• Week 1: Chaos vs. Waterdogs
  While all four opening weekend matchups feature some great storylines (Marcus Holman's first game with his father as head coach facing his former team, anyone?), the game of the weekend will be the rematch of the 2022 PLL Championship. Waterdogs ended the 2022 season on top in a game that was chippy from start to finish. We expect plenty of more antics before and after the whistle when these teams face off on June 4. Ironically enough, neither team has ever started a season with a win. Something will have to give when these teams face off in Albany and we personally can't wait to see how the game unfolds.
  

• Week 2: Atlas vs. Whipsnakes
  Will Atlas finally beat the Whipsnakes (outside of the PLL Championship Series) this year? The first Saturday matchup in Charlotte is sure to be an exciting one, with the Whipsnakes potentially having a "home field" crowd given the club's numerous Charlotte Hounds ties. Yet, one of the biggest storylines will be how the Whipsnakes will fare without leading faceoff man Joe Nardella. Nardella and Atlas faceoff athlete Trevor Baptiste have had some big battles in the past, but the Whips will likely be rolling out either Bailey Savio or a rookie in this Week 2 matchup. In addition to the faceoff clash, it will also be Justin Guterding's first game against his former team. Will Gutty and the rest of this high-powered Atlas offense be able to get the job done against Kyle Bernlohr and Company? We're not sure, but we're excited to find out!
  

• Week 3: Archers vs. Chaos
  PLL Week 3 in Columbus, Ohio might as well be called "Rivalry Week…” Yet, the game to watch in Week 3 will be the Chaos vs. Archers. Not only has this matchup been more of a rivalry—with Archers often dominating in the regular season, while Chaos find more success in the playoffs—it now holds even more weight since Mac O'Keefe and Challen Rogers joined the Archers this offseason. The former Chaos midfielders will likely have increased roles on the Archers and we anticipate that this game will be as gripping as every prior game in this series.

• Week 4 to Week 11: ???
  Visit prolacrossetalk.com for the full list of our most-anticipated 2023 PLL matchups.

📺 Athletes Unlimited and PLL Announce College Drafts

The PLL announced that the 2023 PLL College Draft will air on ESPNU at 7pm ET on Tuesday, May 9. Shortly after, Athletes Unlimited announced that their draft would also be on May 9 and will air on their YouTube page at 8pm ET.

In addition to the draft dates themselves, be sure to tune in to the PLL’s discord channel at 6:45pm ET on Thursday, May 4 for a special draft preview.

🎙️Check Out Our Latest Podcast Appearance

I joined NLL writer and IL Indoor contributor Adam Levi on the Lacrosse Matrix Podcast to discuss Corey Small’s season with the Toronto Rock and try to answer the question: Is Corey Small in the Top 30 NLL forwards of all-time?

🥍 Quick Sticks: Our Favorite Content from Around the Web

🏛️ The PLL announced its 2023 class for the Pro Lacrosse Hall of Fame, with six MLL legends getting the nod this year. We asked pro lacrosse fans who their favorite 2023 inductee was to watch!

⚔️ Chrome LC will be without starting attackman Brendan Nichtern for at least the first three weeks of the season. Coach Tim Soudan placed the 2022 PLL Rookie of the Year on the military reserve list on Monday. Nick Zoroya explains what this means for the Chrome and when we could see Nichtern return to the lineup.

🏹 Archers LC had the toughest task this offseason with core players such as Dominique Alexander and Scott Ratliff retiring and Marcus Holman and Will Manny departing in free agency. Yet, Coach Chris Bates and Co. have managed to sign free agents, such as Mac O’Keefe and Challen Rogers, to assemble a roster that could—dare we say—be even better in 2023. Phil Shore examined O’Keefe’s reunion with fellow Penn State alum Grant Ament and the Archers’ new look ahead of the 2023 PLL season.

💰 There’s never been a better time to bet on lacrosse with sportsbooks offering odds on Athletes Unlimited, NLL, PLL and college lacrosse. On a recent episode of Gamblin’ & Ramblin’, I attempted to explain the various different versions of lacrosse you can bet on.

📊 The PLL announced that it will be tracking every pass and every touch starting with the 2023 season. We’ll have to see how valuable this data will be, but more stat tracking is always a good thing. We’ve come a long way since the early days of Major League Lacrosse when caused turnovers weren’t even tracked.

📰 Looking for the latest COLLEGE lacrosse news?! Subscribe to The Lacrosse Newsletter, which has been providing a steady dose of NCAA men’s and women’s lacrosse content every week.

🏷️ Shop the Latest NLL Gear