PWHL training camps open this week. Here's a look at some of the top storylines we'll be following as teams finally hit the ice.
PWHL training camps open this week. Here's a look at some of the top storylines we'll be following as teams finally hit the ice.
PWHL training camps open this week, and there is a lot going on in each organization. Here's a look at some of the main storylines we'll be following.
Minnesota Defensive Depth
When Minttu Tuominen chose to play in China for a bigger payday, it threw a significant wrench into PWHL Minnesota's blueline. Without Tuominen, Minnesota has only two defenders in their system with professional experience, and only four total blueliners in Lee Stecklein, Sydney Morin, Maggie Flaherty, and Natalie Buchbinder. Dominique Kremer, a free agent invitee who is a former PHF Defender of the Year and captain of the Buffalo Beauts will be a key component to the solution in Boston. She's capable of jumping into the lineup and playing key minutes for Minnesota, and in fact will almost certainly end up being "Superior" to several defenders selected in the draft. If Minnesota can find a way to get Patti Marshall, who based on league stipulations will be relegated to a reserve role to open the season, into their lineup, they'll be fine. Emma Greco is the next best option in camp for Minnesota along with Abby Cook. Otherwise, expect Minnesota to be active on the waiver wire. They'll be watching what Ottawa does with free agent invites Saroya Tinker and Tori Howran, as well as the situation in Toronto with Emma Keenan and Lauriane Rougeau. Defensive depth is shallow across the league, and depending on how injuries pan out to Erin Ambrose and Micah Zandee-Hart in Montreal and New York, Minnesota may not be the only team on the hunt for pro level defenders.
Who Shows Up, And Who Doesn't
We already know there have been changes to the list of free agent invitees the PWHL announced. Caitrin Lonergan is out of Ottawa as is Tatum Skaggs in Boston and Minttu Tuominen in Minnesota.. Hayley Lunny is out in New York. Due to a knee injury, Kyra Willoughby won't be in attendance at Ottawa's camp, and Audrey-Anne Veillette will be absent due to injury in Ottawa as well. There were also other questions surrounding a number of players who may or may not attend camps as announced. The other item is, fans and media do not know who is actually eligible to sign a contract. Players like Melodie Daoust, Claire Thompson, and Patti Marshall were all denied compassionate circumstance claims, and after pulling their names from the draft, can only sign as reserve players, according to the league's stance following the draft. The one name most fans will be watching is Lina Ljungblom in Montreal. While her name appeared on Montreal's list, Sweden remains steadfast she would be breaking contract laws by leaving MoDo, and will be finishing her season in the SDHL before being eligible to join the PWHL. How that situation plays out could impact IIHF rules moving forward, as the league has yet to announce any formal transfer agreements with other leagues and international federations.
Ottawa's Free Agent Frenzy
Ottawa has already signed multiple free agent camp invites, although the lone player announced to date is forward Becca Gilmore. The team is also bringing in Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Akane Shiga, Rosalie Demers, Natalie Snodgrass, Fanni Gasparics, Liliane Perreault, Malia Schneider, Tori Howran, and Saroya Tinker as invitees. That's a wealth of players that will be the envy of other teams, and the focus of those looking to add through the waiver wire. Ottawa still has at least three opening night forward spots to fill, and it's conceivable one or both of their top free agent defenders could win a roster spot over Amanda Boulier or Zoe Boyd in the long run. It will be a competitive camp where Carla MacLeod and Mike Hirshfeld will have some very difficult decisions to make, albeit with many right answers given the depth they have at camp.
Schedule, Names, Preseason, and More
While the focus will remain on the players in the opening days of training camp, the questions facing the league are abundant. The deadline for fans to place a deposit on tickets ends prior to training camp, but fans still don't know where teams will play, or what the schedule will look like. The league has stated teams will play in and out of market neutral site games, and for multiple locations like Boston and New York, fans assume, but still do not know formally, if their teams will be playing in the city (or state) for which they're named. On the topic of schedules, there has been no indication of preseason games being involved in PWHL training camps or schedules. With puck drop slated for January 1, or shortly after, the space for preseason games would presumably come during training camps prior to the December 11 roster deadline, rather than after that date, a span that includes two more Rivalry Series games and the holidays. Finally, team names and logos have been a hot button point in recent weeks, and with training camps opening in mere hours, it would appear the league is set to proceed with the Torch, Echo, Wicked, Sound, Superior, and Alert as their original six.
What will teams do with goalies and reserves?
Some teams like Montreal, Minnesota, and Ottawa may have a distinct advantage in how they handle their final contract decisions. Those markets have in house goaltenders capable of serving as reserves, who may not need to eat a full contract spot to serve their team. Other markets like New York, may need to use a league minimum contract on their third goalie to ensure they have support when needed. Eventually, a development system or league would help solve this issue, but given the turbulence in getting the PWHL itself off the ground, hopes for a development league should be tempered. Each team will have the ability to sign two reserve players. The aforementioned Daoust, Thompson, and Marshall seem like locks, considering they'd be in this league based on talent alone. Beyond that trio, there are nine spots remaining league wide. While teams will certainly attempt to provide support and depth to shore up certain positions, these reserve spots will need to go to players who have other jobs, and can balance those aspects of their lives. The CBA requires a minimum $15,000 stipend to those players, although they will not receive other benefits such as a housing stipend. The CBA does not specify if reserve players will count against the salary cap.