With free agency only days away, each PWHL team has needs. Every team in the league has at least 10 players to sign to get to their 23 player roster, plus up to three reserves, ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
With 24 key players recently on the move through expansion, four from each team, every team in the league is not just looking to replace through the draft, they're looking to repair through free agency.
Here's a look at each PWHL team's biggest need heading into free agency, and potential targets.
Boston Fleet
No team felt the pain of expansion like the Boston Fleet who lost Hilary Knight, Hannah Bilka, Emily Brown, and Sydney Bard. Boston has a tremendous need for offensive players and will be swinging hard at the top scorers available in free agency to flank Alina Muller. Boston will also try to lure a puck moving defender, perhaps someone like Kali Flanagan, to help jumpstart that offense, but their biggest need is up front.
Potential Fleet Targets: Jesse Compher, Tereza Vanisova, Hayley Scamurra, Chloe Aurard
Minnesota Frost
Minnesota managed to keep two solid lines up front, but losing Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques their blueline was decimated. They still have Lee Stecklein on the back end, but the bulk of their potential returners are also free agents who might be willing to listen to offers from around the league. A puck moving defender has to be the focus.
Potential Frost Targets: Jincy Roese, Sidney Morin, Brooke Hobson, Dominika Laskova
Montreal Victoire
Montreal took hits in all areas of their roster. Their blueline was heavily impacted despite being able to salvage Erin Ambrose in expansion. And Montreal's already questionable secondary scoring got shallower without Jennifer Gardiner and Abby Boreen in the mix. Montreal should be able to piece together a blueline, especially with Ann-Renee Desbiens behind them, but unless they can alter their scoring depth, they're going to struggle.
Potential Victoire Targets: Shiann Darkangelo, Jade Downie-Landry, Elizabeth Giguere, Jill Saulnier, Michaela Cava
New York Sirens
The New York Sirens have the deepest blueline in the PWHL at the moment. Jincy Roese is rumoured to want to come to New York, but it would probably mean the Sirens shedding another defender via trade. They might draft a depth addition or grab one through a camp invite, but their focus will be on filling prime time positions up front. The Sirens have Sarah Fillier on their top line, but there's no clear idea of who will run shotgun alongside her.
Potential Sirens Targets: Loren Gabel, Hayley Scamurra, Claire Dalton, Maggie Connors
Ottawa Charge
Ottawa kept a decent cohort together up front, but they have serious work to do to replace Ashton Bell, Aneta Tejralova, and Jincy Roese along the back end. If they lose Tereza Vanisova and Shiann Darkangelo up front, Ottawa will have work to do filling a few holes there, but without showing up their blueline, Ottawa will struggle. Right now it's Jocelyne Larocque and Ronja Savolainen preparing to carry the load, which is a great start, but they desperately need to add at least one cog.
Potential Charge Targets: Dominika Laskova, Maggie Flaherty, Jessica DiGirolamo, Mellissa Channell-Watkins
PWHL Seattle
Seattle has the luxury of entering free agency looking for bit pieces with six dynamic forwards, five solid defenders, and a starting goalie rostered. They'll be looking for a few depth forwards who can play a checking role to wear down opponents and play a defensive role. It's not that Seattle won't target top free agents, it's that they don't really need to as they can now fill their roster from the seams. Checking line forwards with the potential for secondary offense is the focus.
Potential Seattle Targets: Hayley Scamurra, Laura Kluge, Liz Schepers, Lexie Adzija
PWHL Vancouver
Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey said it openly, she is still looking for top six forwards. While everyone thinks they know that this means Hannah Miller, Vancouver might look at multiple forwards. They also need to add at least one veteran defender in free agency unless they can snag a blueliner in the opening round of the draft. Former Princeton defender Mariah Keopple makes a lot of sense here to reunite with her former coach. Still, Vancouver is on the hunt for a big scorer.
Potential Vancouver Target: Hannah Miller, Michela Cava, Tereza Vanisova, Loren Gabel
Toronto Sceptres
If Toronto can keep Kali Flanagan, their blueline will be solid. They'll still try to target a physical blueliner like Jessica DiGirolamo or Emma Greco. Up front however, Toronto lost Sarah Nurse, Izzy Daniel, Julia Gosling, and is likely destined to lose Hannah Miller. Toronto still has a batch of solid forwards led by Daryl Watts, but many including Blayre Turnbull and Emma Maltais have been shaped into primarily two-way defensive forwards. Toronto needs to target offense in their signings. Finding a way to re-sign Natalie Spooner is a must, and Toronto might look long and hard at bringing back Jesse Compher and Hayley Scamurra.
Potential Sceptres Targets: Michela Cava, Loren Gabel, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Claire Dalton