Denver Outlaws revamp roster heading into 2025 season
After an underwhelming 2024 season, Denver's Premier League Lacrosse team made key offseason signings, draft picks and trades to fuel playoff hopes
By: Remi Krupinski
The Denver Outlaws’ first season in the Premier Lacrosse League ended with a 5-5 record last year. The team finished second in the Western Conference, ultimately clinching them a playoff spot. But Denver lost in the first round 11-10, against the Maryland Whipsnakes.
The Outlaws’ demise came from their defense collapsing in the late third quarter. Maryland tied the game in the third with a two point goal and gained momentum in the fourth quarter to end Denver's season.
Going into the offseason, the Outlaws needed to add some key pieces on defense and offense. On offense, the team’s biggest problem last season was the lack of a facilitator to help star attacker Brennan O’Neil and other players. The Outlaws finished with the third-fewest assists in the PLL, with only 54 assist in the season. The Outlaws also needed to acquire younger players and find long-term solutions to improve their defense. This meant prioritizing defensemen when going into the 2025 College Draft.
Signings
The Outlaws re-signed some key players this offseason On defense, they brought back defenseman Mike Manley and long stick midfielder Nick Grill to a one-year deal. Manley was key to the Outlaws’ defense, and caused 11 turnovers with 21 ground balls in 2024. Meanwhile, Grill forced seven turnovers and 14 ground balls. Denver also re-signed starting goalie Owen McElroy to a one-year contract. McElroy had 104 saves at a 51.7% save rate last year.
On the offensive side, Denver brought back attacker Eric Law with a season-long deal. Law had 13 points, 11 one-goal scores and two assists last season . Lastly, they inked midfielder Justin Anderson through 2027. Anderson had 19 points, 11 one-goal, 2 two-goal and six assists in 2024.
The Outlaws signed free-agent Carolina Chaos short-stick defensive midfielder Zach Geddes, and Utah Archers midfielder Jack Vanoverbeke through 2026. Geddes had six caused turnovers, 17 ground balls and six points. Vanoverbeke will be a depth player in the midfield, who tallied six points, four one goals and two assists.
Trades
In November, Denver made a blockbuster trade with the Boston Cannons, acquiring attacker Pat Kavanagh for a 2025 third round pick and 2026 second round pick. Kavanagh’s brother, Matt, is an all-time attacker that had a brief stint with the Outlaws from 2016 to 2018.
During his rookie season in 2024, Pat had nine points, four one-goals, three two-goal goals and three assists. After his impressive first season, he will be a great addition in strengthening the position of attacker and establishing a key role player for the Outlaws’ offense.
The Outlaws made some more key trades in hopes of getting more stock in the league’s 2025
College Draft. They added two fourth round picks by sending rookie midfielder Josh Zawada to the Carolina Chaos and attacker Brendan Nichtern to the California Redwoods.
The Draft
Denver made some key picks in the 2025 College Draft in order to address loss of defensive players in the offseason. In the second round, they selected goalie Logan McNaney out of the University of Maryland at 11th overall. During McNaney’s senior season, he had 168 saves, while only allowing 116 goals. His .592% save percentage made him the fourth-best goalie in division I college lacrosse, as he’ll replace backup goalie Sean Sconone who retired this March.
With the Outlaws seeking additional strength on defense, in the fourth round they picked junior defenseman Kevin Parnham from Penn State. During the 2025 season, Parnham had 42 ground balls with three assists and points. Parnham should supply depth to the Denver defense that was a central flaw in the team's early playoff exit last year.
With their last pick, the Outlaws took senior short-stick defensive midfielder Jack Gray from Duke University. During his last collegiate season, Gray had only one assist and point, but put up 20 ground balls, and 12 caused turnovers.
Returning Players
The Outlaws have many fundamental players returning for the 2025 season. On offense, star attackers Brennan O’Neil and Eric Law will stay in rotation. O’Neill had 29 points, 17 one-goals, two two-goals, and eight assists during his rookie year. His counterpart Law had 13 points, 11 goals and two assists.
The Denver Outlaws look to make noise in 2025 with their renewed roster and expectations of winning their first-ever playoff game in the PLL. The season begins on Friday, May 30, with a matchup against the California Redwoods.