If that is true, many of them will not be playing football for anyone else this year either. Players at this level can't afford to sit out a season of their own accord - they would find it very hard to get a gig the following year I'd think.
Well if you think about it the majority of the squad came from outside the region so they would probably look to sign for any franchise as travel doesn't seem to be an issue for them. And the HBU squad did so well last year I can imagine other franchises being keen to snap their players up not only for the player, but to weaken HBU.