League of Legends Offseason Update: Potential “Super Team” and Roster Changes
The League of Legends offseason is in full swing as teams make important transactions for the upcoming League Championship Series Summer Split. In just one day, the scene was abuzz with rumors of a new “super team” forming and the disbandment of a fan-favorite squad.
Ninjas in Pyjamas, Europe’s top Challenger team, recently released their League squad. This has led to an influx of talented free agents entering the player pool. NiP was expected to qualify for the League Championship Series but suffered an upset loss to Millenium in a close 3-2 series.
The rumor mill is also spinning with talk of another “super” team forming. NiP’s mid laner, Erlend “nukeduck” Våtevik Holm, and support, Alfonso “Mithy” Aguirre Rodriguez, are rumored to be spearheading this new team. They may be joined by Konstantinos “FORG1VEN” Tzortziou from Copenhagen Wolves and Alexey “Alex Ich” Ichetovkin from Gambit Gaming. The team could potentially compete under the NiP banner, although details are unclear at this time.
One of the most significant potential transfers is Alex Ich moving to the top lane. This would offer him a fresh perspective on the game as Gambit Gaming struggled in the past season, finishing fifth in the LCS.
However, there are obstacles for this new team to overcome. They would have to spend the split in the Challenger series since NiP failed to qualify for the LCS. Acquiring an LCS spot from an existing team is not an option due to new rules put in place by Riot earlier this year.
The team’s jungler is expected to be either Trịnh “k0u” Lâm from Cloud 9 Eclipse or Johan “Hulberto” Johansson from NiP. However, there are complications with either selection, as k0u is too young to play in the LCS and Johansson’s previous affiliation with NiP puts the new team at risk of playing in the Challenger series under the NiP banner.
Tzortziou’s contract status with Copenhagen Wolves is also uncertain, but negotiations for his release are reportedly underway. Meanwhile, NiP’s other talent, such as marksman Aleš “Freeze” Kněžínek and top laner Morten “Zorozero” Rosenquist, is left in limbo.
Zorozero turned down an offer to join Counter Logic Gaming to focus on finishing his last year of school, while Freeze is now a free agent after feeling betrayed by his former teammates.
Counter Logic Gaming is now looking towards Korea to potentially recruit Shin “Seraph” Woo Yeong as their new top laner. Supah Hot Crew also made a roster change by benching their support player, Maxime “Migxa” Poinssot, who subsequently left the team due to a lack of motivation.
The League of Legends offseason is anything but quiet, with teams making moves left and right to strengthen their rosters for the Summer Split. Stay tuned for more updates on player transfers and team changes!
League of Legends offseason, League Championship Series, “super team”, roster changes, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Erlend “nukeduck” Våtevik Holm, Alfonso “Mithy” Aguirre Rodriguez, Konstantinos “FORG1VEN” Tzortziou, Alexey “Alex Ich” Ichetovkin, Challenger series, LCS spot, Trịnh “k0u” Lâm, Johan “Hulberto” Johansson, Aleš “Freeze” Kněžínek, Morten “Zorozero” Rosenquist, Shin “Seraph” Woo Yeong, Supah Hot Crew