Longer Contracts, Free Agents Aren't Safe, More Protections: Highlights Of The PWHL's Proposed Expansion Process

The PWHL expansion process will begin May 28. It’s a five phase process that will involve various waves of player signings and protections, culminating with an open free agency period. This year’s PWHL expansion teams will be permitted to take fewer contracted players from existing teams, while existing teams will also be permitted to protect a greater number of players.

But the process is complex, and will change in many ways with each phase for general managers, agents, and players.

The 2026 PWHL expansion process will consist of five phases. It features longer contracts, free agents being available to expansion teams, more protections for contracted players, and much more. Here are the highlights.

thehockeynews.comLonger Contracts, Free Agents Aren't Safe, More Protections: Highlights Of The PWHL's Proposed Expansion ProcessThe 2026 PWHL expansion process will consist of five phases. It features longer contracts, free agents being available to expansion teams, more protections for contracted players, and much more. Here are the highlights.

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