Every team in the PWHL is going to lose players to PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle through a formal expansion draft, or a more private player dispersal process. It's likely each team will be looking at a minimum of four players leaving their roster via the dispersal process, but they could lose more as expansion teams use their financial freedom to outbid teams for free agents.
One area where the impact of expansion could be most felt, is in the crease. For the two (or more) teams who lose netminders, it could leave a larger whole, particularly with a smaller cohort of elite goaltenders declaring for the 2025 Draft, and a limited free agent pool.
Three teams - the Toronto Sceptres, Minnesota Frost, and Ottawa Charge - will perhaps have the most difficult decisions of any team when it comes to who they will protect, and who they will expose in net. The remaining teams seem more set with Ann-Renee Desbiens in Montreal, Aerin Frankel in Boston, and Corinne Schroeder in New York as the unquestioned starters with the results to back it up.
With Toronto, Ottawa, and Minnesota however, there are significant question marks. In Ottawa, it's two stellar goalies, neither of whom the team would want to lose. In Minnesota it's a pair of evenly matched goalies who have had ups and downs, but both have elite resumes that would entice an expansion team to grab a veteran, and in Toronto, it's the reigning Goaltender of the Year who has struggled mightily, versus a rookie with promise.
How will it all play out? Here's a look at some of the factors each team will be considering, and our pick for protection.
Toronto Sceptres Kristen Campbell vs. Raygan Kirk
This might be the most difficult situation in the league. Last year, Kristen Campbell had a rocky start but rebounded with solid goaltending. This year, her up and downs continued early on, and re-manifested in time for a playoff collapse. It feels like an opportunity for Toronto to take a new direction. If they protect Kirk, Toronto would be looking for another goaltender, perhaps Hannah Murphy or Sanni Ahola, through the draft, or to bring in an experienced support like Elaine Chuli or Klara Peslarova through free agency. Kirk has yet to prove she can be a full time starter in the PWHL. The end result could see Toronto protect Campbell and hope Kirk remains unselected to bring back the duo, but with the intent on giving Kirk a fair shot at starting. Alternatively, Toronto could look to jettison Campbell's salary to use to address specific needs. The fact Toronto went with CJ Jackson, who had sat with only one game in two years, for a deciding game four shows you how far their confidence in Campbell had fallen. At this point, Toronto may need to shift their player selection process from resume to performance. It's clear that names alone can't win this team a title.
Decision: Raygan Kirk
Minnesota FrostNicole Hensley vs. Maddie Rooney
Rooney was Minnesota's more consistent goaltender, and put up better statistics during the regular season. But Minnesota chose Hensley to start in key moments in the playoffs. Rooney is a free agent after this season, so depending how the PWHL decides to approach protected lists as they relate to contracted versus non-contracted players, Minnesota might have their hand forced. In reality, it's more likely Minnesota chooses to protect Hensley as it is, but at the same time, they are the only team in the league with seven players signed to initial three-year deals worth $80,000 or more, and Hensley is one of those players. Sanni Ahola, who plays in Minnesota with St. Cloud State, could be a draft target if expansion takes either goalie.
Decision: Nicole Hensley
Ottawa ChargeGywneth Philips vs. Emerance Maschmeyer
Had it not been for an injury to Emerance Maschmeyer midway through the PWHL season, it's unlikely there's a discussion here. Maschmeyer was Ottawa's starter taking the lion's share of starts, and this season, playing extremely well. On the other side was Gwyneth Philips, the highest selected goaltender in the 2024 PWHL Draft. When Philips entered the crease, she was a star, helping Ottawa earn their first playoff berth. Her performance was strong enough to earn her a nod as a finalist for the 2024-25 PWHL Goaltender of the Year alongside Frankel and Desbiens. In the playoffs, Philips was nearly impossible to beat in Ottawa's opening round series against Montreal. Couple that with her mid-third period appearance for USA in the gold medal game, and the folklore that performance has become, and the conversation had turned to the fact that if Maschmeyer had returned in time for playoffs, it still would have been Philips' crease. The result could be Maschmeyer heading West with Seattle or Vancouver next season. She's from Western Canada initially, but as one of Ottawa's inaugural three signings, she chose her home and may not want to leave. At this point however, it's hard to see Ottawa passing on Philips as their goaltender of the future. Allowing Maschmeyer to walk would also free some much needed cap space in Ottawa.
Decision: Gwyneth Philips