PWHL Boston sent Patty Kazmaier winner Sophie Jaques to Minnesota in exchange for Finnish star Susanna Tapani and defender Abby Cook. Here's what each team got, and a look at how it will impact their roster.
PWHL Boston sent Patty Kazmaier winner Sophie Jaques to Minnesota in exchange for Finnish star Susanna Tapani and defender Abby Cook. Here's what each team got, and a look at how it will impact their roster.
It came in the middle of an unforgettable Super Bowl LVIII, but the PWHL's first ever trade was hard to miss for fans. PWHL Boston sent 10th overall pick Sophie Jaques, who they'd signed to a three-year guaranteed contract, to PWHL Minnesota in exchange for Finnish star Susanna Tapani and defender Abby Cook.
According to the general manager's from each team, there's benefit in the mutual move.
"Without the ability to trade draft picks at this time, you’re not going to see lopsided trades. So we recognize we have to trade good players to get good players in return," said PWHL Boston GM Danielle Marmer.
"Sophie Jaques has a bright future in this league and it wasn’t an easy decision to let her go. Our depth on D allowed us to make a move to bring in a highly productive center in Tapani and a puck moving, size/length defender in Cook- an identity we lack in the back end. We wish Sophie all the best in Minnesota and can’t wait to see Susanna and Abby in Boston."
For PWHL Minnesota, the potential to add a young player like Jaques was tempting.
"Minnesota is thrilled to have Sophie joining our organization. Sophie was dominant at the collegiate level, and a bright star in today’s game, we consider her a franchise player and welcome her to the state of hockey," PWHL Minnesota general manager Natalie Darwitz said of the move.
What is each team getting in the PWHL's first trade?
PWHL Minnesota had serious defensive needs going into the season. Lee Stecklein is the backbone, and the Maggie Flaherty and Natalie Buchbinder were signed and on board, but the team lost two defenders they drafted in Sidney Morin, who is playing top four minutes in Boston, and Minttu Tuominen who stayed in Europe. With the rights to only three defenders, Minnesota created a functional blueline through free agent invites, albeit one that lacked some upside. Sophie Jaques gives Minnesota the chance to insert a player who many touted as a future star of the league heading into the season.
Boston has struggled to score this season sitting last overall in goals scored, although they've played two less games than four other PWHL teams. The addition of Susanna Tapani gives Boston a veteran scorer with the ability to finish. The versatility of Tapani could also benefit Boston's powerplay by putting the Finnish star on the blueline, or in the bumper position. Joining Alina Muller, Loren Gabel, Hilary Knight, Jamie Lee Rattray, and co, Tapani adds another weapon to Boston's arsenal that should help their forward group click. Due to Jaques' struggles this year, Boston was playing her as a sixth or seventh defender most nights. Putting Abby Cook in that role does nothing to hurt Boston's depth, and gives them a different look on the back end, and frankly, a player who has performed more consistently this year.
For Jaques, the opportunity to start fresh in Minnesota is ideal. She'll be given every opportunity to thrive.