Each PWHL team secured their inaugural three players, but they also have a long way to go in terms of building their rosters. Here's a look at each team's biggest need heading into the PWHL Draft.
Each PWHL team secured their inaugural three players, but they also have a long way to go in terms of building their rosters. Here's a look at each team's biggest need heading into the PWHL Draft.
The PWHL completed their free agency period with each team securing three players. Of the 18 signed, all were current members of the Canadian and American national teams.
While each team secured three stars, the six franchises also set the stage for what positional needs they'll have to address in the opening rounds of the draft. Only three teams (Montreal, Boston, Ottawa) signed a goalie, while Ottawa and Montreal did not secure a defender. While teams will be picking skilled players in each round, here's a look at some of the top position needs each team will face when the draft gets underway.
Minnesota - A Starting Goalie
Minnesota will be oozing offensive upside when they take to the ice having Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein and whoever they pick first overall, a selection many anticipate to be Team USA's offensive leader Taylor Heise. When the team steps up to select again at picks 12 and 13, they'll likely look to address positional needs, namely a starting goaltender. With Montreal, Ottawa, and Boston all having secured their netminders, Minnesota should have a wide selection of potential picks here, whether it's Minnesota-Duluth grad Emma Soderberg, who is the reigning World Championship Best Goaltender, USA national team member Nicole Hensley, future Hockey Hall of Famer Noora Raty, or Minnesota product and former USA national team goalie Maddie Rooney. With their other pick at this block, GM Natalie Darwitz could take best available, or she could round out her top line taking a defender. One young blueliner with Minnesota ties is former Canadian national team member Ashton Bell, who graduated from Minnesota-Duluth this year. She'd complete a dynamic pairing with Stecklein.
Toronto - Goaltending Will Be Key
Toronto picks second overall and will likely add to their incoming star power, whether it's veteran Canadian national team member Natalie Spooner, or another Canadian standout like Erin Ambrose or Claire Thompson. They could also go young and grab Patty Kazmaier winning defender Sophie Jaques, or Team Canada member and Ohio State grad Emma Maltais. The real decision for general manager Gina Kingsbury is if she sticks with Canadian products, or if she'd jump on Alina Muller as potentially the best available player. The most important pick for Toronto will be securing their starting goalie with either the 11th or 14th pick in the draft. At this range, there will be a plethora of talented goalies available. Emma Soderberg is certainly stuck in Kingsbury's mind after almost knocking Canada out of Worlds in the quarterfinals. Or, Kingsbury could continue her Canadian trend taking national team third stringer Kristen Campbell, who combining her size and age, could be a longterm win for Toronto. Toronto's first signings were Renata Fast, Sarah Nurse, and Blayre Turnbull.
Boston - A young forward with speed
Hilary Knight was successful at the World Championships, but much of her goal scoring came from the dogged efforts of USA's young stars like Tessa Janecke, Taylor Heise, and Hannah Bilka. Wth the right supporting cast, Knight can continue to fill the net. Boston targeting players who can do the same legwork will be crucial to their offence. Alina Muller would be a dream selection for Boston if she slips by Toronto to Boston at third overall, and players like Emma Maltais could fit the need, but there are veteran options who could play the same role and make an impact. PHF stars like Kennedy Marchment and Elizabeth Giguere are excellent playmakers who compete with speed, win pucks, and can produce in a top six role in this league. Megan Keller will definitely help offensively as she loves to join the rush. Boston also signed goalie Aerin Frankel.
Ottawa - A top pairing defender
Securing Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and goaltender Emerance Maschmayer in free agency, Ottawa has a good start at every position but the blueline. At fifth overall, there will certainly be national team defenders available. Players including Savannah Harmon, Erin Ambrose, Claire Thompson, Ella Shelton, and Jamie Bourbonnais will be on the market, and likely, Ottawa could take two of these blueliners since they pick again at eighth overall. Doubling down would give them a leg up in their own zone between Maschmeyer and an elite pairing that other teams don't have, and would allow them to target the depth of scorers that exist later in the draft. If she's available, Ottawa could also grab Patty Kazmaier winner Sophie Jaques with one of their two picks to build both youth and skill on the blueline.
New York - Own Zone Support
If the rest of New York's roster looks anything like their first two signings of Abby Roque and Alex Carpenter, New York will not be fun to play against. Both are 'in your face,' hard driving forwards, who will keep the opposition on their toes. In the middle rounds, adding a PHF star like Madison Packer to play alongside that duo, would make for a physically imposing and skilled top line. They could achieve an impact earlier in the draft by crossing the border to take Canadian Jamie Lee Rattray, who plays with pace and is always in the action. If this is New York's identity, it will be fun to watch. Where New York has the most urgent need at the draft is in their own zone. The team signed Canadian national team member Micah Zandee-Hart in free agency. The blueliner is world class, but not to the level of Stecklein, Keller, or Fast. They'll find competition for the remaining elite defenders from Montreal and Ottawa who have yet to sign a blueliner. Players like Erin Ambrose, Savannah Harmon, Clare Thompson, Ella Shelton, Kali Flanagan, and Jamie Bourbonnais can all fit this role. New York also needs a goalie. If they can steal Nicole Hensley, it would be a huge win.
Montreal - Bring On The Youth
By no means are Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Ann-Renee Debiens at the end of their careers, but they are three of the more veteran players on the market. They're also three of the best mentors on the market, providing Montreal the unique opportunity to develop their own stars internally. Sticking with a French connection, players like Gabrielle David or Chloe Aurard would be exciting fits up front, as would Theresa Schafzahl who had signed with Montreal in the PHF. Another Montreal Force alumni Jade Downie-Landry is more similar to Stacey than almost any other player, and running them side by side could be exiting. USports player Audrey-Anne Veillette could be a late round sleeper who can develop into a top six scorer.