The PWHL free agency market has thinned, but it isn’t finished. There are still players available who could help just about any team. Here's a look at five PWHL free agents, and where each would still be a good fit in the league.
Dominika Laskova - Fits: NY, Minnesota, or Ottawa
Laskova’s versatility is something that could benefit a number of teams. For New York who needs a defender the first half of the season until Dayle Ross has recovered, Laskova would be an excellent fit. Who knows what other injuries may have come by then, and with Laskova’s ability to play up front or the blueline, and New York’s struggle to get reserves, she’d be a purposeful fit. This is also a team who needs a few veterans up front. Ottawa’s blueline still needs support and Laskova is better than some of what they have. Similarly, her versatility would be an asset to Ottawa.
Anna Kjellbin - Fits: Ottawa, Boston, or Minnesota
Anna Kjellbin wasn’t qualified by Toronto making her an unrestricted free agent. It’s a strange move for Toronto given the lack of depth they have in their third pairing. But it will be to the benefit of another team in the PWHL like Ottawa who is desperate for defensive help. If not Ottawa, Boston and Minnesota still have ramshackle bluelines that would benefit from a veteran presence.
Alexa Vasko - Fits: Minnesota or Seattle
It was a bit surprising Ottawa didn’t bring back Vasko. She was a key piece to their playoff run playing physical, blocking shots, and making them a more experienced team down their lineup. Minnesota lost some of their bottom six grit, and Seattle’s depth could use a checking line forward like Vasko. She’s a gamer.
Loren Gabel - Fits: Ottawa or Minnesota
For Ottawa Loren Gabel would be a nice insurance policy. With their incoming Russians, and forwards like Katerina Mrázová who have struggled to stay healthy, there are some scoring question marks that won’t be answered until puck drop. Gabel was seen as a top six forward in this league when she was drafted, but she just didn’t click in Boston. Boston struggled to score outside of their top players as a unit, and Gabel ended up being buried in an unfamiliar role. Minnesota might be the best fit for Gabel to put her in the wing with Taylor Heise and Kendall Coyne Scofield. Allowing her to be the trigger woman on a line like that would be a significant boost, and Minnesota is still short a top six veteran winger. Even lining up Gabel alongside the highly skilled youth in New York could be a good fit. She can be a scorer in this league.
Alexandra Labelle - Fits: Seattle or Vancouver
Truly, there are few teams in the PWHL who Labelle wouldn’t make better in their bottom six. Vancouver is already overrun with forwards, but Labelle would make their already impressive group stronger as the centre ice position is the only spot this team could add to. Seattle’s top six is set, but there are some questions in their bottom six, and Labelle would be a stabilizing presence. Ottawa is yet another team who could benefit from the veteran.