Breaking Down PWHL Montreal's Draft Selections Pick-By-Pick

PWHL Montreal has picked seven players in the second annual PWHL draft Monday night. Here’s a look at who the team picked and the place each of them could have next season.

Montreal would probably have picked Claire Thompson with their first-round pick is it wasn’t for Natalie Darwitz being let go from PWHL Minnesota. Therefore, with Ken Klee in charge of the draft, plans changed and Minnesota picked Thompson.

That being said, having Cayla Barnes is also a very good thing for Montreal. With Barnes, the team finally has the number-two defender they were looking to have. And with the signing of Lina Ljungblom, they could afford to pick a defender in the first round. If the Swedish player had been available this year, she probably would have been picked in the first or second round.

Barnes will bring stability on the rear end. Her +71 differential is impressive. She played a lot at the international level, winning seven medals, and is arguably one of the best D-woman in the world.

Next season: top pair defender

Being the very last player to get cut from Team Canada at the last World Championship isn’t a bad sign. It means Montreal drafted a skilled forward. Gardiner won two national titles with Ohio State and finished second in scoring in a stacked team that saw eight players being drafted. Gardiner and Barnes are already very excited to be roommates in Montreal.

Next season: top six forward

Since Abby Boreen didn’t declare for the draft last year and only signed as a reserve player with Minnesota, like Melodie Daoust in Montreal, she had to declare herself this year if she wanted to sign a regular contract. Therefore, in the third-round mind you, Montreal was able to draft someone who has played a total of 14 games last season in the PWHL and a Walter Cup winner. Boreen said it took her a bit by surprise since her agent only mentioned Montreal for the first time earlier on Draft Day. She will help Montreal with size and physicality.

Next season: top six forward

Greig is another one who has won at the college level, being a national champion with Wisconsin in 2021. Transferred to Colgate University, she played on the same line as Danielle Serdachny last season. She was born in a hockey family, with her dad Mark, a former first-round pick in 1990, playing 125 games in the NHL, and her brother Ridly, a first-rounder as well, currently playing with the Ottawa Senators. She will bring grit to the team, but as we have seen last season, there’s a good jump between college and pro. Don’t expect her to have an immediate impact next season.

Next season: bottom six/reserve player

Captain of the Minnesota State Mavericks for three years prior to transferring with the Badgers, Wilgren is on the verge of making the US national team at the Olympics or at the worlds. She will bring leadership and stability on the blue line. Her physical play will help the team during the playoffs.

Next season: Second/third pair defender

If Montreal wants to win while Marie-Philip Poulin is still at the top of her game, they need to do so within the next two or three years. Drafting a 30-year-old such as Kjellbin is a good decision, because a team needs veterans that they can rely on in order to win championships. With 88 games at the international level and 450 in the SDHL, Montreal will exactly get that from the current captain of Team Sweden.

Next season: Second pair defender

Kessel is a wild card at this point. There is a reason why everyone passed six or seven times on her. The rumour sends her to Minnesota as the new GM. At the press conference after the draft, Daniele Sauvageau said that players had until Saturday to remove themselves from the draft list and although she hadn’t spoken to Kessel yet, she was under the impression that every player on that list could play anywhere next season.

Now, if the league hires Kessel as GM, it’s another story. If Kessel can’t play, it will be interesting to see if Montreal gets a compensation pick.

Next season: top 6 forward (if she plays)

All in all, Montreal had a good draft. They now have more depth, especially on the blue line. They also added physical, experienced and tougher players, who know how to win.

“We drafted a great mix of players tonight, notably players that won national championships, as well as professional and international championships, players that were captains of their teams, along with a good split of offensive and defensive players,” said Montreal GM Danièle Sauvageau. “We addressed our needs in this draft and are looking forward to having them join our solid core already in place.”