The PWHL's pool of players is deep, but if there's one position where there will be question marks when completing rosters, it's the blueline.

While there is extreme depth at the goaltending position, and forwards can be found from a variety of locations, the defensive pool is relatively shallow in comparison.

With Caroline Harvey, Nelli Laitinen, and Cayla Barnes in the NCAA, and Jenni Hiirikoski, Deniela Pejsova, Ronja Savolainen, and Maja Nylen Persson in Europe, the pool isn't as deep as it could be. That said, there are still a plethora of options for teams to sign and draft. Here's a look at the different tiers of defenders available.

#1 Pairing Defenders

The pool of number one defenders is shallow. From Team USA Megan Keller and Lee Stecklein are two of the best in the world followed by Renata Fast, Erin Ambrose, Claire Thompson, and Jocelyne Larocque from Team Canada. That's six defenders, and even amongst that group, each has pros and cons. Larocque for example is an elite defender, but at 35, she's likely entering her final Olympic cycle, if she plays in 2026 at all. Thompson is returning from a period away from hockey while she finished her degree, and it showed at Worlds. There will be a fight for all six.

Top Pairing Blueliners

This group involves the remainder of the available national team players, and a second grouping of star PHF and PWHPA players. Savannah Harmon could shift to the grouping above, and PHF Defender of the Year Kali Flanagan can play top pairing minutes as well. Canada's Jamie Bourbonnais, Micah Zandee-Hart, and Ella Shelton will play top pairing minutes as well. Sophie Jacques, the reigning Patty Kazmaier winner, is a wild card as she has the potential to jump immediately into this grouping, and is a top four defender at worst.

Top Four Blueliners

This is where the most depth exists. From the PHF and non-North American national teams, Kaleigh Fratkin, Aneta Tejralova, Dominika Laskova, Allie Munroe, Sidney Morin, Dominique Kremer, and Kati Tabin from the PHF will will get looks here, as will PWHPA veterans Laura Fortino and Jincy Dunne. Brigette Lacquette and Megan Mikkelson can also play here, although both have been in and out of hockey recently. Nicole LaMantia or Ashton Bell could hover between this spot and a bottom pairing spot.

Bottom Pairing Blueliners

This list will be almost interchangeable. Good bets to take these spots including Lauriane Rougeau, Brooke Hobson, Maggie Flaherty, Madison Bizal, Emily Brown, Minttu Tuominen, Patti Marshall, Olivia Zufato, Jessica DiGirolamo, Maude Poulin-Labelle, Zoe Boyd, and Olivia Knowles. There's ample depth in this range, both graduating from the NCAA and USports, and coming from the PWHPA and PHF.

Who else is in the running?

Just about any PHF or PWHPA defender could get the nod here, and they could easily jump higher based on individual general manager's preferences, what hand they shoot, age, and even cap restrictions. Some players who could easily crack a lineup include Tori Howran, Saroya Tinker, Emily Harley, Izzy Heminger, Madeline Wethington, Aoi Shiga, Whitney Dove, Emma Keenan, Catherine Daoust, Regan Rust, or Christine Deaudelin. The list definitely does not end here.