The 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season begins Nov. 27 with a defending champion facing an early setback, former contenders seeking playoff redemption and a 12-team league transformed by offseason moves.

The Toronto Rock are chasing another championship, the Buffalo Bandits have a new goaltending question, and Jeff Teat's arrival in Oshawa has created one of the season's most intriguing stories. Meanwhile, prized draft picks and established stars are preparing to make their marks.

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Fans can watch the entire NLL regular season and playoffs on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app. Here are 10 storylines to watch.

1. Can The Toronto Rock Repeat Without CJ Kirst To Start The Season?

The Toronto Rock entered the 2026 playoffs as the No. 6 seed and left with their seventh NLL championship, sweeping Halifax in the Finals.

But coach Matt Sawyer opens the title defense without CJ Kirst, the reigning NLL Rookie of the Year. Kirst suffered a lower-body injury during the outdoor season and is expected to miss the beginning of the campaign.

Toronto expects Kirst back in the new year but has not announced a specific return date. Can the champions maintain their momentum without him?

2. When Will Jeff Teat Make His Oshawa FireWolves Debut?

For a team that went 6-12 and finished 13th, acquiring Jeff Teat first overall in the dispersal draft changes the conversation considerably.

But there is a complication: Teat is recovering from an injury, and Oshawa has not confirmed a return date.

Coach Glenn Clark also acquired defender Holden Garlent from Saskatchewan, while 17 newcomers were invited to training camp. The FireWolves could look significantly different from last season, especially once Teat becomes available.

3. What Happens To The Buffalo Bandits Without Matt Vinc?

Buffalo's pursuit of a fourth consecutive championship ended with a 17-10 quarterfinal loss to Georgia. Now the Bandits must move forward without veteran goaltender Matt Vinc, who retired in August.

Zach Higgins, who previously played for Buffalo before spending the past two seasons with Ottawa, returns on a two-year contract.

Coach John Tavares has an experienced option in goal, but the opening-night starter has not been confirmed. For a franchise accustomed to deep playoff runs, that uncertainty makes this a fascinating transition.

4. Can Vancouver And Colorado Get Their Playoff Revenge?

The NLL's top two regular-season teams both went home after one playoff game last season.

First-place Vancouver finished 13-5 before losing 10-7 to eighth-seeded Halifax. Second-place Colorado went 12-6 before falling 12-11 in overtime to San Diego.

Both teams return considerable firepower. Vancouver retained goaltender Christian Del Bianco and 42-goal scorer Curtis Dickson. Colorado brings back Will Malcom, who scored 89 points, and Andrew Kew, who recorded 84 points in just 12 regular-season games.

Another strong regular season would be impressive, but playoff victories are what these teams are chasing.

5. Was Halifax's Cinderella Playoff Run Just The Beginning?

The Halifax Thunderbirds finished 8-10, secured the final playoff spot and reached the NLL Finals.

Halifax upset Vancouver, defeated Georgia in three semifinal games and eventually fell to Toronto in a two-game championship sweep.

Captain Cody Jamieson returns after recording 25 points in six playoff games, while defensive standout Graeme Hossack also signed an extension.

The Thunderbirds have already demonstrated their ability to win postseason games. Now they must show that last spring's remarkable run was more than a one-time achievement.

6. Can Rochester's New Coach And No. 1 Pick Turn Things Around?

Few NLL teams underwent a more interesting offseason than Rochester.

Following a 6-12 season, the Knighthawks hired Troy Cordingley, a two-time championship-winning head coach, and added reigning Defensive Player of the Year Callum Jones through the dispersal draft.

Rochester also selected Syracuse forward Finn Thomson first overall in the 2026 NLL entry draft. Thomson finished his college career with 159 points.

The combination of established coaching experience, an award-winning defender and a top offensive prospect makes Rochester one of the league's most intriguing teams to follow.

7. Can Brett Dobson Carry The Georgia Swarm To The NLL Finals?

Brett Dobson accomplished something remarkable for a goaltender in 2025-26: He won both the NLL MVP and Goaltender of the Year awards.

Dobson recorded a 7.86 goals-against average while helping Georgia finish 12-6 and reach the semifinals.

The Swarm secured Dobson through the 2029-30 season and retained offensive veterans Lyle Thompson, Shayne Jackson and Bryan Cole.

After eliminating Buffalo before falling to Halifax last spring, Georgia returns an established core with an opportunity to take another step toward a championship.

8. Can Joey Spallina Help Change Calgary's Fortunes?

Tanner Cook led the NLL with 49 goals and scored 101 points for Calgary last season. Tyler Pace also surpassed 100 points.

Despite those impressive performances, the Roughnecks finished just 6-12 and missed the playoffs.

Calgary responded by selecting Joey Spallina fifth overall and Chad Palumbo seventh in the 2026 NLL entry draft. The club also added three defenders through the dispersal draft.

Coach Josh Sanderson has exciting young prospects to evaluate, but the central question remains: How can Calgary turn its offensive production into more victories?

9. Will Brennan O'Neill And A New Arena Lift The San Diego Seals?

The San Diego Seals are moving their home games to Frontwave Arena in Oceanside after reaching the 2026 NLL semifinals.

San Diego went 8-10 but upset Colorado in overtime before pushing eventual champion Toronto to three games.

Now Brennan O'Neill joins the attack after recording 125 points, including 56 goals, across two NLL seasons with Philadelphia.

First-round defender Aidan Maguire also signed, while reigning Transition Player of the Year Zach Currier remains with the organization.

Between a new home and significant roster additions, San Diego enters the season with plenty to watch.

10. Can Saskatchewan Rebound While Las Vegas Finally Breaks Through?

Saskatchewan finished 12-6 before losing 16-13 to Toronto in the quarterfinals. The Rush have responded by adding Reilly O'Connor, who scored 70 points for Ottawa last season, and Connor Kearnan, who recorded 49 points with Ottawa.

Las Vegas, meanwhile, missed the playoffs at 8-10 despite matching the records of two postseason qualifiers.

The Desert Dogs signed former Saskatchewan scorer Austin Shanks, who produced 65 points last season, and added goaltender Nick Damude.

These teams enter 2026-27 from different starting points, but both face important questions about whether their offseason moves can produce the results they want.

How To Watch The NLL In The 2026-27 NLL Season

Fans can watch the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

FloLacrosse is the streaming home of the NLL, providing coverage throughout the regular season and playoffs.

FloLacrosse Archived Footage

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloLacrosse subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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