Okay maybe that was a bit of bait. There is an update. One (1) update.

For the third year in a row, the National Lacrosse League will not start its free agency window on its desired August 1st date, as multiple parties reported late last week before the league confirmed on their socials this afternoon. The new window-opening date is September 1.

Two years ago it was because of the eventual folding of the Panther City Lacrosse Club. Last year, it was the combination of franchise instability in multiple markets that led to the Seneca Nation purchasing the Rochester Knighthawks and the relocation of the Albany FireWolves to Oshawa, all while a new CBA was not signed off on until October. This year, the National Lacrosse League once again has franchise uncertainty, as we have written about in Philadelphia, whose status was also up in the air last summer, and Ottawa.

The reported information on the two situations hasn’t been very consistent to be able to provide any more details than that. At times, Ottawa’s been speculated to have found potential owners to replace GF Sports but not a different arena to play in than the Canadian Tire Center, Philadelphia has been speculated to have found a different arena to play in other than Xfinity Mobile Arena but not an ownership group, and other times its been reversed. Edmonton was speculated to have multiple ownership groups interested in relocating one of the two teams and bringing them to the city, but even that was refuted this week by Toronto Rock owner Jamie Dawick this week on Lacrosse Classified. Regardless, the league finds themselves trying to save two markets that they don’t want to lose, given the growth of lacrosse in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and of course the legacy of the Philadelphia Wings as an original NLL Market in the league’s 40th season and having been a member of the previous rendition of the NLL in the 1970s.

If 30 days more of buffer room are being provided, that probably suggests that saving one or both franchises is still possible, as even Panther City had momentum towards a relocation to Charlotte into late-August of 2024 before that fell-through (no markets outside of Edmonton have come up in rumors at all so far this time around). But if the worst plays out, a double dispersal draft could be in the fold next month.

As for the biggest story of the NLL offseason on the field, uh, nobody on last year’s Bandits team has retired yet? And that’s really why the offseason update is that there is no update. They have had a couple of contract extensions, as Ian MacKay and Dylan Robinson have been extended for two more years while Taylor Dooley was extended for two, but still nothing in the camp of roster subtractions in Banditland yet.

So yeah.

We also got a Hall of Fame announcement for the first time since 2021. with 8 inductees being announced earlier in July:

• Mike Accursi: Ontario Raiders (1998), Syracuse Smash (1999), Buffalo Bandits (2000-2004, 2008-2010), Rochester Knighthawks (2005-2007, 2011-2014), Edmonton Rush (2008). Championships in 2007, 2008, 2012, and 2013. 391 goals and 436 assists in 237 career games. Current head coach of the Halifax Thunderbirds.
• Jake Bergey: Philadelphia Wings 1998-2008 (did not play in 2003). Championships in 1998 and 2001. 256 goals, 301 assists, and 531 loose balls in 557 games. #66 retired by the Wings.
• Sandy Chapman: Toronto Rock (2002-2005, 2010-2018), Rochester Knighthawks (2006-2009). Championships in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2011. 1014 loose balls, 34 goals, and 117 assists in 252 career games with 44 caused turnovers in seasons where the stat was tracked (2011 onwards). Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.
• Dan Dawson: Columbus Landsharks (2002-2003), Arizona Sting (2004-2007), Portland Lumberjax (2008), Boston Blazers (2009-2011), Philadelphia Wings (2012), Rochester Knighhtawks (2013-2018), Saskatchewan Rush (2018), San Diego Seals (2019), Toronto Rock (2020-2023). Championships in 2013, 2014, and 2018. 551 goals, 954 assists, and 1048 loose balls in 322 games played. NLL MVP in 2009, Finals MVP in 2014. Current assistant coach of the Toronto Rock.
• Shawn Evans: Rochester Knighthawks (2006-2011), Calgary Roughnecks (2012-2015), New England Black Wolves (2016-2018), Buffalo Bandits (2018-2019), Rochester Knighthawks (2020-2022), Halifax Thunderbirds (2022), Vancouver Warriors (2023). Championship in 2007. 497 goals, 879 assists, and 1502 loose balls in 270 career games. NLL MVP in 2013 and 2015.
• Gavin Prout: New York Saints (2002-2003), Colorado Mammoth (2004-2009, 2011-2013), Edmonton Rush (2010-2011). Championship in 2006 (MVP of game). 301 goals, 621 assists, and 926 loose balls in 184 career games.
• Mark Steenhuis: Columbus Landsharks 2002, Buffalo Bandits (2003-2018), Championship in 2008 (MVP of game), 459 goals, 554 assists, and 1500 loose balls in 266 career games. Transition Player of the Year in 2008.

Bandits longtime play-by-play announcer John Gurtler was also inducted in the Builder Category. The league’s official announcement alluded to the ceremony, which will take place in September at Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, being open to the public.

Anyways, we’ll leave on a high note that has been in the works for nearly a full calendar year: