As PWHL Free Agency Opens, Here's A Look At The Top Players Remaining

PWHL Free agency is now open. Here's a look at the top remaining free agents.

PWHL Free Agency is open. Here's a look at the list of players teams will be looking to fill out their rosters with.

1. Daryl Watts - Few in the sport are as electric as Daryl Watts. She finished 12th in league scoring, but with a little puck luck, she could have landed much higher. Dynamic skill and vision. Could she be grabbed by New York or Montreal to fill their second line left wing role, perhaps, but she won't find better chemistry and will need to re-earn trust.

2. Katerina Mrazova - She's unlikely to leave Ottawa, but Mrazova certainly emerged as one of the most creative players in the league. She sees the ice and manipulates the puck like it's on a string. She's still likely to stay in Ottawa. If there's a team that could pull her away, keep your eyes on Boston who still don't have enough depth down the middle, and Mrazova would sold that centering Hannah Bilka and Hilary Knight.

3. Hannah Miller - If there's a player who could step into a bigger role on another club and thrive in this league, it's Miller. She has a heavy shot, can play physically, and sees the ice well. She spent a large chunk of the season in Toronto's top six, but Toronto added a lot of depth in the draft. If she's not in Toronto, there will be plenty of offers. If things go sour in Ottawa with Mrazova or Watts, they could be a prime destination.

4. Michela Cava - A quality pro hockey player who can threaten offensively, but is reliable without the puck as well. Her playoff prowess is the real selling point. Minnesota went silent after, well, a lot of things happened. They were the only team not to re-sign a player before free agency. Cava will likely factor into their lineup again, but her playoff will have other teams kicking the tires.

5. Kaleigh Fratkin - Fratkin showed her skating and typical physical presence on the point this season. Probably the top candidate to fill Boston's final defensive hole, but may be willing to listen to offers. 

6. Claire Dalton - The Yale grad looked good all season in Montreal, and there's reason to believe she can take a significant step forward next year in the league. Watch for interest from PWHL New York to reunite Dalton with Elle Hartje, but she's as likely to return to Montreal.

7. Mellissa Channell - She was completely overlooked in Minnesota, but played a crucial game. A good distributor, capable of taking away time and space with her feet. Offensively she's not going to provide a lot, but on a third pairing, Channell will be a reliable contributor, and brings championship experience.

8. Emma Woods - Woods spent almost the entire season in New York's top six and she produced in spurts. New York made a lot of improvements however, and their forward group looks pretty full. New York will likely look at the forwards above Woods on this list before re-signing her.

9. Lexie Adzija - Adzija wanted more time this season, which led to her trade from Ottawa after the team brought in Tereza Vanisova, but the big forward may need to embrace what she can do as a bottom six forward who can draw up when needed. Her ability to play physical, give energy, and score around the net will give a team a good boost on their third or fourth line, but there just isn't room for Adzija anywhere in this league in the top six.

10. Mikyla Grant-Mentis - She stepped into a top six role in Montreal in the playoffs and competed admirably. But like Adzija, there aren't top six jobs available. It's a bottom six checking role with ability to move up when needed. Grant-Mentis feels like a veteran, because she is, but she's young enough to still progress as a pro.

11. Liz Schepers - A great checking line forward, Schepers could be back in Minnesota, or could be a player a team like Ottawa targets to fill out their fourth line. Schepers provides a lot and knows how to play her role. 

12. Laura Kluge, C, Memmingen, DFEL 
Kluge is big, competitive, a great team player off the ice, and can play a defensive checking role like few in this class. On a third or fourth line, Kluge is going to make a team harder to play against, and help win those one goal games.

13. Gabrielle David - Could end up back in Montreal, or move into a depth role with another team like Ottawa. David has offensive upside, and should show nice growth as a sophomore. 

13. Rylind MacKinnon, D, British Columbia 
Standing 5-foot-10, MacKinnon is a rangey blueliner who uses her reach and size to take away lanes and space. As a sixth or seventh defender, MacKinnon could develop into a steal in this league. There lots of room for her to develop and become a long term pro in the PWHL. 

14. Klara Peslarova, G, Brynas, SDHL 
Adding a World Championship All-Star, and one of the best goaltenders on the planet without using a pick is a steal. Looking at teams like Toronto and New York who will rest some of their hopes this season on a rookie backup, bringing in Peslarova as insurance could be wise, particularly if an injury occurs. If Peslarova gets into a crease, she might not come out.

15. Jillian Dempsey - There's still gas left in this tank, and PWHL Montreal criminally underutilized Dempsey. Adding the veteran leadership of Jillian Dempsey to a third or fourth line, knowing she could step into a bigger role if needed seems like a no brainer. Look for Boston to bring her home.

16. Emma Bergesen, D, Mount Royal, USports 
A good skater who can jump into the play, Bergesen is the top player for Team Norway and was a back-to-back First Team All-Canadian, and also named the Top Defender at the 2022 World Championship D1A tournament. Right now she's destined for the SDHL, unless a PWHL team makes her a viable offer.

17. Rebecca Leslie - Could Ottawa bring her home. Leslie was a strong contributor on Toronto's bottom line. She knows how to play a checking line role, and brings a veteran presence.

18. Catherine Daoust - Played steady minutes in Montreal this year. As a sixth or seventh defender, Daoust can still contribute reliable minutes in this league.

19. Madison Packer - Don't count out Madison Packer. With the frustration of New York in the past, Packer will look to come back with new motivation. One of the top pro scorers of the decade, Packer just didn't get a chance under Howie Draper. Her value also spills over from the ice into the locker room where her presence as a positive leader is invaluable. 

20. Amanda Pelkey - It's hard to ignore the impact she had in the playoffs for Boston scoring big goals and flashing a skill set that was hidden most of the season. As fourth line depth, few are as effective. 

Other free agents to watch: Sarah Bujold, Sarah Lefort, Catherine Dubois, Catherine Daoust, Maggie MacEachern, Amanda Pelkey, Taylor Wenczkowski, Chayla Edwards, Mathea Fischer, Shae Demale, Michelle Lowenhielm, Abby Moloughney, Alexandra Huszak, Emma Greco, Madison Bizal, Paeytn Levis, Shiann Darkangelo, Gigi Marvin, Kayla Vespa, Sandra Abstreiter, Abbey Levy, Taylo Baker, Akane Shiga, Leah Lum, Ann-Sophie Bettez, Sadie Peart, Alexie Guay, Kaitlyn O'Donohoe, Charlotte Akervik, Lotti Odnoga