PLL Free Agency: Day One Recap

Free agency opened March 3rd at noon in the Premier Lacrosse League. Most players who were set to hit the market never actually did; teams extended their own stars before free agency opened. Keeping core groups together is nothing new. While official announcements from the league have been in short supply, plenty of signings have been reported. A flurry of signings happened over the last week as team's locked up a few more stars. The Atlas notably secured both Myles Jones and Danny Logan without letting them hit the market.

Here is what went down on day one.

The Outlaws keep Justin Anderson, Owen McElroy, Greg Weyl, and Nick Grill in Denver

Inside Lacrosse writer Chris Rosenthal reported each of these four signings today. Anderson has been a team leader on offense. He’s a ‘21 grad from UNC, but he’ll turn 30 this year. The keys to the Outlaws offense are going to the young guns. Brennan O’Neill, Graham Bundy Jr, the newly acquired Pat Kavanagh, that’s the direction the club is going in. But those are first and second year players, and veteran leadership still matters. Learning how to win in the pros is valuable. It’s why players like Eric Law and Anderson are important to have in the locker room.

Owen McElroy took over as the starter last year in Denver to strong results.  He finished the season going at about 53% in net, with a SAA of 12. There were ups and downs, as any goalie has. The thing that makes you nervous is that in games against the Archers, Atlas, Cannons, and Whips, aka the top of the league, McElroy was under 50% each time and under 40% three times. He needs to settle in and perform against the best of the best this year. 

Greg Weyl is a veteran defender who suffered an injury to end his 2024 campaign. He’s been with the club since 2021. In recent years, he’s most often played as a fill in for an injury, but when he gets opportunities, he performs. His two year deal is a sign that he’s serious about return from injury, and that the team is confident in him as a contributor.

Grill offers pole depth which is important for a team with some aging stars down low. Grill closed the year on a great three game stretch a year ago, becoming a monster on ground balls. His return solidifies the LSM pair of him and Jake Piseno, while the close defense is intact with Mike Manley, Jesse Bernhardt, and JT Giles-Harris. An injury anywhere, and Grill can easily step into that spot as a starter. 

Sergio Perkovic and Austin Kaut return to Carolina

Rosenthal reported both of these signings as well. Perkovic has been officially announced by the league as a deal through 2025. Perkovic started last season hot after joining Carolina in free agency. He scored six points in the first three games, including a pair of twos, looking like the Perkovic of old. Ultimately couldn’t keep the pace up, dealing with injury and time out the lineup, and scored just one goal the rest of the year. Perkovic offers midfield depth, but the Chaos midfield runs through Shane Knobloch now. 

Kaut is good enough to start for most PLL clubs, but he backs up Blaze Riorden. Kaut got action last year while Blaze dealt with injury. In three games in place of Riorden, he was never below 50%. He went over 60% against the Redwoods. He’s great in the locker room, and one of the best security blankets in the league. The Chaos should have no concerns with either of their goalies between the pipes. 

Kyle Jackson to the New York Atlas

I reported this one this afternoon. KJ has been a fixture for the Chaos for years. Before the departure of Andy Towers and staff, it looked like his skill set would be perfect for their offensive rebuild. As they stockpiled players high on quickness and explosive change of direction, Jackson was a natural. The new regime may be building things differently. Jackson heads to New York where he can play on the left side alongside another tremendous box player, Jeff Teat. 

John Geppert to Boston Cannons

Rosie reported this one (there was a burner in my mentions saying it but I don’t trust burners and it should be obvious why). Geppert didn’t appear in a game for the Atlas last year. Given their poles, it’s not surprising. That’s not a knock on Geppert, the Atlas just have a stacked pole group. There are more abundant opportunities for Geppert in Boston. Jake Pulver and Cade Van Raaphorst are still on the free agent market, should they not return, it’s an obvious place for Geppert to play. His signing may even be an indication that one or both of those players will not be back.  

Zach Geddes to the Denver Outlaws

I reported this late last week during the open discussion period. Geddes was up for SSDM of the Year last season. Signing out west with Denver reunites him with Georgetown teammates Graham Bundy Jr and Owen McElroy. It also forms one of the best young SSDM duos in the league, pairing him with Ryan Terefenko. There might not be a better duo going from defense to offense with speed in the PLL.

Carter Parlette and Chris Aslanian traded from Boston to Carolina for a 2026 third round pick

I reported the players, Rosie had the deal with the full trade terms. With Geddes gone to Denver, Carolina needed SSDM help. Parlette didn’t crack the lineup much for Boston as an SSDM last summer, but showed some bright flashes at the Championship Series and had a solid career at Notre Dame. Grabbing a young SSDM, and a proven offensive weapon in the midfield like Aslanian, for a third round pick is an easy move to make. The draft is deep with SSDM talent, the Chaos can grab some more help at the position there. 

Cole Williams to the New York Atlas

Officially announced by the league before it was reported by anyone. Williams played last year at the Championship Series for Archers and looked good, but suffered an injury that sidelined him for the summer. He was healthy enough to play for the Archers at this year’s Championship Series and once again performed well. He’s at his best sweeping to the middle with his left hand from the low wing. Atlas are adding weapons who can play well on the left with Jeff Teat, Williams is very much that. 

Redwoods sign Ryan Aughavin, Marquez White, and Jackson Morrill

The Woods made moves late in the day. I reported the Aughavin signing, the White addition was announced directly by the team, and Rosie reported the Morrill deal.

Aughavin can stretch a defense to the arc, which is valuable in the PLL. The Redwoods will have a rebuilt attack this year that is still to be determined. With the 2nd pick in the draft, they could feasibly land a scorer like Chris Kavanagh who is dangerous with and without the ball. By adding more weapons to their midfield who are a threat from range, they open up space for their new attack to operate inside or as dodgers from behind the goal. 

Marquez White wasn’t on a PLL roster last year, which feels like an oversight. White had an exceptional SSDM career for Princeton, and also played some elite defense and transition ball indoors. Athletically he’s more than capable to succeed in the PLL. His speed will be an asset when it comes to creating transition opportunities from D to O, an area the Woods lacked in a year ago.

Morrill has bounced around a bit. He was acquired in a deadline deal by the Whipsnakes two summers ago, then played sparingly for them last summer. He was then acquired in a deadline deal by the Archers, and didn't see the field much after the acquisition. Now, he signs with the Redwoods. As noted above, the Redwoods are building a new attack this summer. Morrill has the chance to play his natural position. Morrill was an outstanding distributor of the ball with the then Chrome in 2023, registering 15 assists in the regular season and at least one point in ever game.