We're still going strong and free agents are still being signed. Two big time players are staying put: Ryan Conrad is staying with the Philadelphia Waterdogs and Josh Byrne is staying with the'Aos. The versatile midfielder Conrad is 'Zach Currier lite', which is crazy because the Waterdogs already have Zach Currier. Conrad is part of a dangerous midfield group which earlier this weekend signed SSDM Jake Richard from the Atlas. Whoever takes the head coaching position for Philly after the departure of Andy Copelan will have some tough choices to make when picking a 19-man game day roster.
The Carolina Chaos have made some big free agent signings and none bigger than re-signing All-World attackman Josh Bryne. Coach/GM Towers has been busy keeping key pieces and adding new ones. Well done Coach T. No other players changed teams today, but some key free agents re-signed with their teams. SSDM Pat Resch stays with the Carolina Chaos. Resch was arguably the Chaos' best defensive players last summer.
Attackman Ryan Lee, who missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to injury and summer indoor lacrosse, resigns with the Redwoods and provides an elite off-ball finisher for an offense that gets a second summer under the coaching of the great John Grant Jr. The Redwoods also re-signed goalie Jack Kelly, which was probably at top priority after the departure of Tim Troutner to the Atlas. The 'Woods could fill that back up keeper spot with a rookie in the upcoming draft or find another veteran though free agency (Nick Marrocco???).
The Boston Cannons re-signed defenseman Max Wayne, who finally got to show the PLL world what he could do after being drafted by the Atlas in 2022, but appearing in no games. The rangey D3 player of the year from Christopher Newport University helped the Cannons in 2023 become one of the top teams in the PLL after missing the playoffs the year before. The Cannons defense has more than enough fire power to chase a championship with former Whipsnakes Bryce Young and Connor Kirst acquired in a trade this off season for LSM Matt Rees, along with the returning free agents and the new addition of Garret Epple. I gotta say that trade came as surprise to many in the PLL community as Rees, this summer, will be becoming back from a knee injury which required off season surgery. The Whipsnakes also have Mike Ehrhardt who is arguably the best LSM ever, but as I write this Big Mike has not been re-signed by the Whipsnakes. Maybe Coach Stagnita knows something the rest of us don't. Former UAlbany Great Dane Elijah Gash who is another enormous LSM in the mold of Ehrhardt and Rees has yet to play in the PLL after being drafted in 2023. I'm really looking forward to hopefully seeing Gash on the field at some point this summer. With the trade of Bryce Young, the unknown of Ehrhardt, and the recovery of Rees, this could be Gash's big chance.
There are no less than 25 possible free agents to still be signed. Tucker Durkin, Matt McMahon, Chase Frazer, and Eddy Glazener are among the biggest names yet to sign or re-sign with a team, undoubtedly some of the free agents will return to their teams, but some will find new homes in the PLL's first season with home locations. I cannot wait to see what day 5 of PLL Free Agency has instore.
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