The New York Excelsior have made another roster change with the release of main tank Joon-hwa “Janus” Song.
Today we have parted ways with Joon-hwa "Janus" Song. It was an incredible year, and we couldn't have done it without you, @januspy_. You've always been a wonderful player and teammate. We wish you the absolute best in your career! pic.twitter.com/HlF8hG7XFN
— NYXL (@NYXL) August 31, 2018
After the first Overwatch League season came to a close, it wasn’t clear whether the New York Excelsior should make any changes. However, it is now clear that the Excelsior management think that big changes must be made. The team would first release Kim “WizardHyeong” Hyeong-seok earlier today, marking the start of their big roster shuffle. WizardHyeong and Janus were a part of the LW Blue roster that New York Excelsior would acquire at the beginning of the season.
He was also a big part of their success throughout the inaugural season of the OWL. His tank play was a huge influence on their playstyle, even going into the playoffs. Unfortunately, the roster would typically rely on main tank Kim “Mano” Dong-gyu for his Winston and Orisa play. Nonetheless, he was still a big part of the team, and would come in as a solid substitute and backup.
The Future for Janus
The Korean tank player still has a bright future in the Overwatch League. As a player with his skill set and talent, many teams would pick him up as a starter for their team. In fact, this may be his main goal: to be a starter in the second season of the Overwatch League. Many current teams could pick up Janus as their starting tank, such as the Los Angeles Gladiators. The Gladiators are coming off of losing their superstar tank main in Baek “Fissure” Chan-Hyung. They are in desperate need of a main tank who can step up in the shoes of one of the best players in the league. Therefore, Janus could be the next big thing, if he is given a chance on a top tier squad.
Another possible team that could pick up Janus is the Philadelphia Fusion. As we saw last season, the Philadelphia Fusion have the firepower to compete with the top teams in the league. With several expansion teams entering the fray, they will need to keep up with the influx of talent. Janus is a better tank than Sado, and could help push the Fusion to the next level with his experience with the New York Excelsior.
Finally, a very likely option for Janus is joining a new expansion team. A fresh new team with no expectations would be good for Janus, as he can help build a different culture and playstyle with a new organization. He would also likely start for this team, which would be the cherry on top for his career path as a pro. It would have to be a team with a Korean base, as it would be beneficial for team morale and teamwork.
The Next Steps for the New York Excelsior
With the Excelsior moving away from Janus, it shows that they are willing to take some risks with their lineup. Although Janus was a good player, his playstyle just did not fit well enough in the New York Excelsior’s plan. Mano was the type of player to help peel and protect the main carries and supports, whereas Janus would be aggressive and attack more. New York will attract many prime free agents, the problem is finding someone who is willing to conform to their style of play.
What do you think of the New York Excelsior dropping Janus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! If you want more Overwatch content, check us out here!
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