Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Denver Outlaws, the 2016 MLL Champions have a wealth of talented players, so much so that they were able to overcome a 2-6 record to go undefeated and win the Steinfeld Cup for the second time in franchise history.
Earlier this year, Major League Lacrosse announced its new policy allowing greater flexibility for player movement within the league which began after the end of the 2016 regular season. This was the first time in league history that players were actually given the ability to put their name in the hat to allow them to relocate to a different market and team. The only requirements were being in the league for a minimum of five consecutive seasons and an expiring contract.
The week after the MLL Championship, the league released the list of eligible players to their teams’ front office. Anyone eligible had from August 29 to September 23 to make a decision to renew their current contract or sign the paperwork expressing their intent for relocation. Before a team can sign these players, they have to compensate by way of a 2017 Collegiate Draft Pick provided to the team losing the player. In addition, each player was assigned a compensation value ranging from a first round draft pick to no compensation.
The players then have one week until the next draft, whether it be Supplemental or Expansion to sign a new contract with a new team. If they chose not to sign with the new team, their original team has the option of placing them on their protected roster. If that doesn’t occur, the player goes into the player pool.
It sounds complicated, but this allows players an option they didn’t have before therefore giving the players some flexibility to move from their current team.
As we know there are the obvious players who the Outlaws will predict and then there are some that although very talented, could be left unprotected or traded for future draft picks.
So far in the post-season the Outlaws have signed Matt Bocklet
to a new two-year contract; in addition to signing midfielder Drew Snider to a two-year deal as well. Adam Fullerton net-minder who was picked up in the John Grant, Jr. trade put his name in the hat for the MLL Player Movement list. He was given the compensation value for a fifth round Collegiate Draft Pick in 2017.
I see the Outlaws protecting the following players:
Jeremy Sieverts (M)
Greg Downing (M)
Noah Molnar (M)
Nick Ossello (M)
Tim Barber (M)
Drew Snider (M)
Brian Kormondy (M)
Tommy Kelly (M/FO)
Brent Hiken (M/FO)
Eric Law (A)
Matt Kavanagh (A)
Chris Bocklet (A)
Mike Bocklet (A)
Bailey Tills (A)
Callum Crawford (A)
Wes Berg (A)
Matt Bocklet (D)
Michael Simon (D)
Max Schmidt (D)
BJ Grill (D)
Chris O’Dougherty (D)
Jack Kelly (G)
Ryan LaPlante (G)
The Outlaws saw Jack Kelly 
named Rookie of the Week numerous times; as well as Rookie of the Year so there is absolutely no way they will not protect him. Ryan LaPlante had a rough start to the season, but he is a quality net-minder and I believe he has a future with Denver.
Today we shall see who the Outlaws protect prior to the Supplemental Draft and soon we will see the trades begin for each team to build a strong squad in the hopes of making it to the MLL Championship in 2017.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome
Photo Credit on Matt Bocklet; Drew Snider; and Pat Kelly pictures: Di Miller