Toronto's initial PWHL signings of Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull, and Renata Fast are a talented trio that has put the rest of the PWHL on notice.
Toronto came out of the gate signing three big name Canadian national team players in Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull, and Renata Fast. The trio gives Toronto immediate talent and credibility in the PWHL.
Toronto Finds The Right Mix
There were a variety of players available to Toronto, but general manager Gina Kingsbury landed on a trio of high paced players in Nurse, Turnbull, and Fast.
Turnbull has been Canada's Swiss Army Knife, playing a crucial role in all areas of the ice, which is something Kingsbury would know. Turnbull plays with energy and speed, checks hard, and drives pucks to the middle of the ice generating offense. Canada's success has often been attributed to others, but Turnbull is one of the best all-around players in the world.
Turnbull will be the motor that drives this roster.
Nurse is one of the elite playmakers in the game playing with speed. She can produce at a high level and will be a top line player in this league for years.
Fast brings a puck moving, mobile game where she can jump into the play and distribute with pace to Nurse, Turnbull, and the remainder of the Toronto lineup.
Who will guide these stars?
It sounds like Kingsbury is bringing in the familiar Troy Ryan, head coach of Canada's senior national team, to be the new head coach for Toronto. Ryan has rapport with the initial three signings, and Toronto has the chance to bring in more national team members too.
How will Toronto approach the draft?
A goaltender will be a target for Toronto in the opening half of the draft as the team picks, #2, #11, and #14.
With Kingsbury and Ryan in charge, goaltender Kristen Campbell is a likely target, or it could be conceivable to see the team take Emma Soderberg, whose magnificent performance nearly knocked Canada out of the quarterfinals at the World Championships.
The number two pick could be another Canadian star whether it's Natalie Spooner, Erin Ambrose, or Claire Thompson. Toronto could also look to secure one of the top young prospects. Assuming Taylor Heise goes to Minnesota with the first pick, Toronto could select Alina Muller, Sophie Jaques, or even Emma Maltais second.
Later in the draft, it will be interesting to see if Kingsbury and Ryan select younger players they have familiarity with at national camps including Gabrielle David, Sophie Shirley, and Ashton Bell.