1. TSM

After following up a loss to CLG in the summer split final with a poor performance at worlds, TSM dumped their League roster (RIP Dyrus I still love you) almost as hard as they did with their CS:GO squad. The lone survivor of the team, Bjergsen, had a lot of help brought in.

Obviously, the biggest addition to the team was Doublelift, who made a Yankees-Red Sox type move joining CLG’s longtime rival.  He is a clear upgrade over WildTurtle, but how will he co-exist with another alpha dog like Bjergsen.

Hauntzer and Svenskeren are both solid pickups.  Hauntzer was arguably a top 3 top laner last year, and when Svenskeren isn’t serving a ban, he’s an absolute monster carry jungler.

The most intriguing pick up is YellOwStaR. It was shocking that Fnatic’s longtime support would leave the team he helped create, but the best support in the west teaming with best ADC in the west is going to give the rest of the leagues bot lanes nightmares.

TSM obviously looks like the favorite to win the split. They just need to coexist, and not have Doublelift tilt them off the face of the earth.

2. Immortals

Immortals might not have existed last year, but the members of the team were making an impact in both NA and EU.

Huni and Reignover were the backbone of that dominant Fnatic team. The two Korean imports were relatively unknown to Western LoL fans, but now they’re two of the most respected players at their positions.

Pobelter might not have shown up during worlds, but he had some games last split where he absolutely carried the summer champs. He also gets bonus points for doing the most basketball-ish roster move, in which he didn’t want to share playing time with HuHi on CLG.

WildTurtle might have gotten the boot from TSM, but if he performs like he did in his prime, he might make TSM regret dropping him. Paired up with Adrian, this could be one of the most aggressive bot lanes in NA.

This is definitely a case of a team signing the five best free agents available.  We’ve seen super teams under perform and blow up before, but I don’t think this will be the case. Immortals is a real threat to make a deep run this split.

3. Cloud 9

If you asked me who my top five is at each role, I would have to throw Hai in each and every single one of those by default. His shot calling is just too good. He’s on his third role now, and looks to get C9 back on track after a disappointing summer split.

With Hai at support, the reigning MVP, Rush, looks to carry things from the jungle.  Rush doesn’t have the burden of shot calling that Meteos did last split, and is going to have a better time settling in his role.

Sneaky and Jensen are both really good at League of Legends, and barring a massive setback, should both continue to perform at the top level.

I really like the 6 man roster Cloud 9 has.  I think Hai teaching new pickup, BunnyFuFu, how to shot call, while Bunny teaches Hai how to support, is going to lead to great things. It might be shaky at first, but this will ultimately lead to a new long-term shot caller for C9.

Top this all off with LemonNation taking his genius into the head coaching role, and this has potential to be more like the Season 3 C9, than the 2015 C9.

4.* Team Liquid

Alright, you all know that Liquid is just going to finish 4th like they always do.

4.(Actually) Counter Logic Gaming

At first glance this may seem way too high for CLG, but stick with me here for a second.

I think Doublelift is still a top 2 ADC in NA. That being said, I think Aphromoo could carry me in lane. (at least up until I panic and do something stupid and run off stage) Stixxay might be unproven, but I think he’s going to settle in quickly and become a decent ADC in NA.  He didn’t do terrible at IEM, and with time he’ll show why he was chosen over someone like FORG1VEN.

Losing ZionSpartan was an absolute tragedy.  Zion was undoubtedly the player most likely to carry out of the top lane last season, and therefore will be greatly missed.  However, some people claim that this new guy, “Darshan”, will be just as good, if not better. We’ll see.

Xmithie has looked extremely shaky at times, but the fact that Sejuani is out of the meta is an absolute godsend.  If he can expand his champion pool he’ll be solid. He’s never going to be Season 3 Xmithie, but hey he’s the last remaining player from that Vulcun team. (RIP Bloodwater, you didn’t deserve what happened)

HERE’S WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING.

Pobelter was great last split. Yeah CLG crashed and burned at worlds, but Pob finally proved he wasn’t just a good player on a bad team. (inb4 LOL XDDDD CLG AND NA = BAD) That being said, he didn’t just get put in a situation where he was going to split time with HuHi because that was the plan last year and they needed to make things fair. No. Fair doesn’t happen in sports/esports.

CLG is hiding something from everyone.

HuHi is actually a God.  Formed from the genes of Faker, Bigfatlp, and Annie Bot, HuHi has been put on this earth for one purpose. That purpose is to finally win a World Championship for NA. He will destroy the opposition with no remorse.

Yes that is definitely a bold prediction. But hey, maybe there’s more bold predictions in part 2! (Hint: Impulse being above relegation is not, I repeat, NOT, one of those potential bold predictions)