2022 LEC Offseason Tracker

This style denotes contracts that will expire on Nov. 15, 2021, or roles with unknown statuses.

Fnatic’s situation is as unclear as it gets as the team’s attempt at signing Perkz and Alphari backfired, after a botched World Championship campaign sunk their team chemistry down to the Marianas Trench.

To their credit, they have signed one of the best mid laners available on the market, Humanoid. In addition, Bwipo’s departure opened room for Razork to join the team.

However, the top lane situation remains uncertain as Fnatic are linked to several possible options at the position. Although Adam could return as he is under contract until 2023, his future on the team is uncertain.

Timeline:

• Oct. 21: Esportmaniacos' Yuste reports on stream that Bwipo is leaving Fnatic. Eros is among those to take note. Wooloo doubles down a week later.
• Oct. 29: Travis Gafford's sources note that Bwipo is heading to Team Liquid as a top laner. Anonimotum doubles down on Nov. 2, reporting that a verbal agreement has been reached.
• Nov. 1: Fnatic fail to reach an agreement with Perkz and Alphari. A contentious clause in Perkz's contract may have prevented that from happening.
• Nov. 9: Nisqy is on the buyout market, and Cloud9 are contenders for his services, Anonimotum reports. His situation is unknown, although Travis Gafford does confirm that report.
• Nov. 10: The gavel drops in the mid lane as Humanoid is rumored to join Fnatic according to Wooloo's sources.
• Nov. 15: Team BDS have agreed to terms with Fnatic on a buyout for Adam, according to Upcomer. The top laner will not return for 2022.
• Nov. 15: Fnatic's attempt at signing Cabochard fell flat, as Wooloo notes that the top laner has decided to stay in the LFL's Karmine Corp for 2022.
• Nov. 16 @ 1:39 a.m. CET: Dot Esports' Bloop notes that Razork's deal with Fnatic extends for three years.
• Nov. 16 @ 2:59 a.m. CET: Dot Esports' Jacob Wolf notes that Humanoid isn't in Fnatic yet—the situation is ongoing.
• Nov. 16 @ 3:10 a.m. CET: Dot Esports' Bloop elaborates on why Nisqy hasn't found a home within Cloud9. Fnatic bought out Nisqy for $300k, but wanted to resell him to Cloud9 for $350k.
• Nov. 16 @ 3:39 a.m. CET: Gary "Tolki" Mialaret has announced that he will not return to Fnatic for 2022, and that he will not be working with a team.
• Nov. 16 @ 8:49 p.m. CET: Assistant coach Shaves has announced that, although he is in advanced talks with Fnatic, he has entered free agency.
• Nov. 16 @ 10:56 p.m. CET: Fnatic have won the Wunder sweepstakes according to Dot Esports' Bloop. It seems that G2 Esports and Fnatic did succeed at exchanging one player after all.

This style denotes contracts that will expire on Nov. 15, 2021, or roles with unknown statuses.

Rogue’s tenure near the top of the LEC is in danger as they lost key players Inspired and Hans sama to free agency buyouts. In exchange, they controlled the extent of the damage with a straightforward signing (Comp) and a particularly odd one (Malrang).

If the team maximizes Malrang’s impact on the team somehow, the LEC is in for a treat. However, it would take more than the resources currently at Rogue’s disposal for the team to reliably succeed.

Important note: The coaching staff’s contracts expire in 2021, and there is no telling what could happen.

Timeline:

• Nov. 4: Trouble in Rogue as Travis Gafford reports that two players are headed to North America: Inspired and Hans sama.
• Nov. 9: Dot Esports' Jacob Wolf doubles down on the "Inspired to NA" report, with Rogue nearing a deal with Evil Geniuses.
• Nov. 10: Rogue seem to bounce back quickly according to Wooloo as they reportedly acquire Malrang from DWG KIA. This transfer would be the first LCK-to-EU move of the offseason—and possibly the last.
• Nov. 11: Anonimotum and Jaxon discover that Comp is on his way to Rogue.
• Nov. 15: Sources close to Anonimotum have disclosed that SeeEl will be Rogue's new head coach, coming from Vitality.Bee.

G2 Esports’ failure to reach the 2021 World Championship caused an upheaval within the League of Legends team as Wunder, Rekkles, mikyx and GrabbZ became available on the buyout market.

A core cracking process was the correct choice, but G2 will need patience before recapturing its former glory in full, particularly as Team Vitality surged to the top throughout the offseason (using Perkz at that).

Important (?) note: We had to include Romain here as he joins Alban Dechelotte aboard the G2 ship. Bon courage !

Timeline:

• Sept. 3: Esportmaniacos' Yuste reports that GrabbZ may be on his way out.
• Sept. 15: Esportmaniacos report that G2 Esports are in discussions with former Schalke 04 Esports head coach Dylan Falco and top laner Broken Blade. Yuste later adds that the team is rebuilding around Caps and Jankos, and that Rekkles is not part of G2's plans.
• Sept. 21: Wooloo reports that mikyx will not be playing for G2 Esports in 2022.
• Sept. 28: Dot Esports' Bloop reports that Rekkles and G2 Esports will part ways, and that they are trying out AD carries to replace him.
• Oct. 11: G2's owner, ocelote, announces that Wunder, mikyx, GrabbZ, Rekkles and many others are available on the buyout market.
• Oct. 14: Dot Esports' Jacob Wolf reports that Romain Bigeard is headed to G2 Esports as their League of Legends general manager.
• Oct. 29: Jaxon reports that Broken Blade and G2 Esports have reached a verbal agreement for 2022.
• Oct. 30: Dot Esports' Bloop reports that Targamas and G2 Esports have agreed to collaborate in 2022.
• Nov. 2: Dot Esports' Bloop reports that Flakked has joined G2 as their AD carry.
• Nov. 15: In the biggest transfer in history from the LEC to the European Regional League circuit, Rekkles has joined Karmine Corp according to L'Equipe. Esportmaniacos' Yuste was first to report the rumor.
• Nov. 16 @ 10:56 p.m. CET: Wunder will play in the LEC in 2022 after all. According to Dot Esports' Bloop, G2 Esports and Fnatic may have agreed to terms on the player's transfer.
• Nov. 17 @ 11:57 p.m. CET: According to Anonimotum (Upcomer), G2’s previously reported verbal agreement with Broken Blade is set to materialize in a three-year contract.

The Razork era has ended on a near-Worlds qualification and two bo5 losses, and Misfits are left picking up the pieces. Fortunately, they have a solid core with VandeR, Vetheo and HiRit—the latter verbally agreeing to a return—and the additions of Shlatan and Neon are laudable.

Misfits’ fortunes will depend on Shlatan’s integration within the lineup and on his progress. There should be little concern on Neon’s aptitude as he has shown to be a potent AD carry, equivalent to Kobbe at worst.

Timeline:

• Sept. 16: According to Eros, jungler Razork has declined a contract extension from Misfits Gaming.
• Nov. 2: Wooloo discloses that Shlatan is set to join Misfits Gaming's LEC squad.
• Nov. 10: According to Anonimotum, HiRit is back on board with Misfits Gaming.
• Nov. 15: Following strong results in the LFL and EU Masters, Academy coach Hiiva is reportedly on his way to the LEC coaching staff.
• Nov. 16 @ 1:10 a.m. CET: Dot Esports' Jacob Wolf doubles down on the Misfits deals, specifies deal lengths. HiRit and Neon are on board for two years, VandeR's contract is extended by one year, and Shlatan is on the LEC lineup.

This style denotes contracts that will expire on Nov. 15, 2021, or roles with unknown statuses.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same” is what would have been written here, had Excel Esports not performed their changes mid-season. The arrivals of Markoon and Advienne revitalized Excel Esports from top to bottom, and it unearthed a working blueprint for a potential contender.

However, the top lane remained vacant for a long time Kryze failed to negotiate a deal after the season, and as more options became available. In the end, Finn has apparently earned the spot as he returns from his North American trip.

Timeline:

• Sept. 8: Anonimotum notes that head coach YoungBuck is set to return to Excel Esports. Jaxon subsequently confirms the news on its Kryze report.
• Sept. 9: Jaxon reports that Kryze was negotiating a potential return with Excel Esports. However, as advanced as those discussions were, the parties did not reach a verbal agreement.
• Nov. 7: Wooloo reveals that Patrik is returning to the organization ahead of 2022.
• Nov. 10: Jaxon reports that Nukeduck is set to return to the lineup.
• Nov. 14: Finn is back in Europe, according to Wooloo (now on Upcomer). The player is heading to Excel Esports' top lane, taking over Kryze's position.
• Nov. 17: Excel Esports have extended Nukeduck's contact for 2022.
• Nov. 18: Excel Esports have announced their top laner: Finn—as previously reported.

After coming close to a playoff appearance, Astralis rebuilt their roster around Whiteknight and Zanzarah—to much fanfare—and promisq—to much bewilderment. The resulting team is rather promising on paper, at least if Astralis aims for a playoff appearance.

However, with every other team around them stepping up, their playoff prospects are slim on paper, bar auspicious patch changes.

Timeline:

• Sept. 22: Astralis part ways with MagiFelix. The player's arrival late in the spring split helped the team contend for a playoff spot during the summer, but they ultimately failed to capture it.
• Oct. 18: Astralis part ways with Jeskla.
• Oct. 30: Jaxon reports that Kobbe is on his way to Astralis.
• Nov. 3: Declan McLaughlin (Upcomer) reports that Zanzarah and promisq will remain in Astralis for 2022. The two players are signed throughout 2023.
• Nov. 12: Esportmaniacos' Gliscor reports that Fnatic Rising mid laner dajor is headed to Astralis's LEC squad for 2022.
• Nov. 18 @ 4:00 p.m. CET: Astralis have confirmed dajor’s signing. Fnatic Rising’s mid laner has stepped into LEC territory.

This style denotes contracts that will expire on Nov. 15, 2021, or roles with unknown statuses.

SK Gaming have gone back to the future as they have reportedly signed former 2015 Worlds substitute turned S04 Miracle architect Gilius, Misfits Premier's mid laner Sertuss, and their offseason would have ended if Jesiz remained as the team’s head coach.

If SK Gaming preserves Gilius’s trust in them, they are in for a treat as the lineup would finally contend for a playoff spot at least, as raw talent, creativity and experience combine solidly. For that, they need a coach who encourages cooperation and creativity above all else.

Timeline:

• Oct. 12: Wooloo reports that Mitch "Krepo" Voorspoels is set to join SK Gaming as its general manager.
• Oct. 12: Anonimotum reports that Australian former mid laner turned coach Simon "Swiffer" Papamarkos will join SK Gaming as their head coach.
• Oct. 30: Gilius' former teammate, Sertuss, is on his way to SK Gaming according to Wooloo.
• Nov. 3: Wooloo reports that Treatz is returning to SK Gaming for 2022.
• Nov. 6: Wooloo also adds that Gilius will be joining the organization.
• Nov. 11: Blue might be out of SK Gaming as Dignitas are reportedly interested in his services, Travis Gafford reports.

Team BDS have entered the LEC as they bought Schalke 04 Esports’ LEC spot, and they seem to have retained Nuclearint, LIMIT, and some staff members on the management side. Beyond that, they have also nudged two three Karmine Corp players out (including Adam as of Nov. 15), and they have agreed verbally with GrabbZ.

BDS may have the money, but they have chosen to invest on emerging talent for their first year. The approach may not land them at the top right away, but GrabbZ has worked with emerging talent before – on Team ROCCAT before franchising.

Timeline:

• June 29: Team BDS acquire Schalke 04 Esports' LEC slot.
• Oct. 13: Anonimotum reports that GrabbZ is reportedly joining Team BDS as their head coach.
• Oct. 31: Wooloo doubles down on Anonimotum's GrabbZ report, further adding that NUCLEARINT and LIMIT's contracts carried over. Although not the first to report those two moves, the timing revealed that the LIMIT domino had fallen in BDS' hands.
• Nov. 5: Anonimotum reports that Cinkrof and BDS have verbally agreed to a contract ahead of the 2022 offseason.
• Nov. 9: Jaxon reports that xMatty has verbally agreed to joining BDS as well. He is the second KCorp player to do so. Anonimotum and Dot Esports also report on the move.
• Nov. 15: The rumor that has circulated for a while is apparently becoming reality: Adam is joining former KCorp teammates Cinkrof and xMatty on the BDS ship. Suddenly, Team BDS's prospects are significantly rosier.
• Nov. 16 @ 2:12 a.m. CET: Dot Esports' Bloop adds fuel to BDS' top lane situation: Adam is in. Our commiserations to Counter Logic Gaming...