Last week, the Pro Lacrosse Talk staff created a list of free agent moves we’d hope to see this offseason. The goal was to provide some realistic Premier Lacrosse league signings that we could see once free agency opened and it’s already been reported by Dan Arestia that at least one of those deals could be happening.
Yet, how many free agency moves will truly shake up the PLL this March? That’s a question I wanted to ask myself. So, I crafted six free agency moves that, while much less realistic, would truly rock the PLL at its core. So let’s dive into my six free agency moves that would shake up the league.
Marcus Holman, Will Manny and Adam Ghitelman Sign with Cannons LC
Why It Should Happen: This one is pretty obvious, but I’ll still provide an explanation in case you’re not up to speed. Earlier this year, former Utah head coach (and Marcus Holman’s father) Brian Holman was named head coach of Cannons LC. Marcus Holman, Will Manny and Adam Ghitelman all served as assistants during Coach Holman’s time with the Utes.
While I’d still love to see Holman and Manny join the Redwoods, the obvious fit is for Holman and Manny to join the Cannons, especially with it being reported that lefty attackman Mac O’Keefe plans to sign with Archers LC. While the Cannons already have a trio of dynamic attackmen in Lyle Thompson, Asher Nolting and recently-signed Matt Kavanagh on their roster the additions of Holman and Manny would add even more firepower in the form of two lethal shooters who could balance the field whether starting on attack or running from the box.
The addition of Holman and Manny to a Thompson-led offense would already shake up the league, but what if Coach Holman decides to bring in all three of his former assistants, including free agent goaltender Adam Ghitelman? The Cannons already have a decision to make with current starting goalie Nick Marrocco set to become a free agent as well. Marrocco had a close relationship with former Cannons head coach Sean Quirk, but with Quirk gone, Marrocco could decide to sign elsewhere. This opens the door for Coach Holman to add Ghitelman and head into the 2023 season with both Ghitelman and former Rutgers netminder Colin Kirst on his roster.
Why It Won’t Happen: At the time of publication, Dan Arestia has reported that Holman is expected to sign with the Cannons so part of this blockbuster move might actually be in the works. And knowing Manny and Ghitelman’s relationship with Marcus and Coach Holman, I’d say both Manny and Ghitelman could likely join him on the Cannons. However, both Manny and Ghitelman have options and a return to the Archers or joining another team isn’t out of the question.
If for some reason this reported move doesn’t happen, then I’d say the reason would have more to do with Holman, Manny and Ghitelman wanting to join a team that is much closer to winning a title than the Cannons are at the moment. That being said, adding a couple or all three of these players certainly makes any team more of a contender and is the type of move that will shake up the PLL for years to come.
