PWHL New York has a long to-do list this offseason, none being more important than strengthening their roster through free agency. Here's a look at 6 players they could target.
PWHL New York has a long to-do list this offseason, none being more important than strengthening their roster through free agency. Here's a look at 6 players they could target.
PWHL New York has a lot of work to do this offseason from hiring a new coach, to the draft, figuring out a more stable home venue for next season, and yes, luring players in free agency to compete their roster.
With that in mind, here's a look at six players PWHL New York could target as free agents this summer.
Amanda Pelkey, Boston - It might seem like a minor move, but Amanda Pelkey proved what she can bring to a roster in the postseason for Boston. The Vermont product could play third or fourth line minutes in New York, and provide a boost to their depth and veteran leadership. She has two World Championship and an Olympic gold representing USA, and spent the 2023 season with the PHF's Metropolitan Riveters, so she's familiar with the area. It's a depth move, but the type that will make New York harder to play against.
Daryl Watts, Ottawa - Perhaps the only team that could legitimately lure Watts away from Ottawa, New York could place Watts on a line with Alex Carpenter and watch the duo fly. Watts has a good thing going in Ottawa and staying is probably a good career move, but if Watts is looking for a new place to play, New York would be an opportunity as they are desperate for skill to bolster their top six.
Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Montreal - Speaking of players looking for an opportunity, Grant-Mentis found it in Montreal in the postseason playing top six minutes. It was probably enough to earn her another contract with Montreal, but it was also enough to entice other teams to take a look at Grant-Mentis, and New York would be a place she could go and stay in the top 9.
Lexie Adzija, Boston - There wasn't much of a market for Adzija when Ottawa went to move her this season, but she continued to play a strong role in Boston. As a third line player who can provide physicality, and join a powerplay as a net front presence, Adzija has it. And for a market desperately looking to build a fan base, Adzija can also bring a little off-ice star power to the market.
Mariah Keopple, Montreal - One of Montreal's first orders of business prior to free agency will certainly be re-signing Mariah Keopple. If New York drafts Sarah Fillier first overall, it might be a chip that could entice Keopple to rejoin her former Princeton teammate, and if New York does in fact play most of their games next season at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, it's only a stones throw from her former Princeton stomping grounds. For New York, she'd be the type of defender they lack, someone who plays a positionally strong game and spends her time defending.
Hannah Miller, Toronto - Forget drafting a top six power forward when you can sign one. Hannah Miller has serious upside, and at times in Toronto, she was forced to play second fiddle to Natalie Spooner and Sarah Nurse. There's a lot of forward depth in Toronto that will probably get even deeper through the draft. Miller may choose to stay, but she may also look at markets like New York or Montreal and see bigger opportunities. We've only scratched the surface of what Miller can contribute, especially if she's given a bigger role.