On April 3, the WNBA's newest teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo who mark the league's 14th and 15th franchises, begin their roster building through the WNBA expansion draft.

Last spring, the PWHL held their first expansion draft welcoming the Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes. Each of the league's original six franchises were permitted to protect three players initially, and were allowed to add a fourth after two players were chosen from their roster. In total, each team relinquished four players to the expansion franchises. 

This coming offseason, the PWHL is expected to expand again adding either two or four new teams. It means fans can again expect existing teams to sacrifice between 4-6 players, at minimum, to build new teams for PWHL expansion.

If the 2026 PWHL Expansion Draft took place today, instead of the WNBA Expansion Draft, here's who each team could protect, and potentially lose.

This expansion is a worst case scenario for the first place Boston Fleet. The Fleet have been driven all season by Alina Muller, Megan Keller, Haley Winn, and Aerin Frankel. If the PWHL maintains their protection rules, the Fleet will lose one of those players. They should be able to keep Susanna Tapani, who is again a free agent.

Players Who Need Protection: Alina Muller, Megan Keller, Aerin Frankel, Haley Winn, Abby Newhook, Ella Huber, Riley Brengman, Shay Maloney, Liz Schepers, Amanda Thiele, Olivia Mobley.

Predicted Protections: Alina Muller, Aerin Frankel, Megan Keller

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Haley Winn, Abby Newhook

Minnesota is actually well positioned for expansion. Yes, they're going to lose three contributors, but beyond that, they'll be able to protect the heart of their roster through expansion rules, and most, like Taylor Heise, Lee Stecklein, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Grace Zumwinkle, and Kelly Pannek can stay as free agents.

Players Who Need Protection: Britta Curl-Salemme, Abby Hustler, Kendall Cooper, Mae Batherson, Sidney Morin, Maddie Rooney, Dominique Petrie, Natalie Buchbinder, Vanessa Upson, Brooke Becker.

Predicted Protections: Britta Curl-Salemme, Kendall Cooper, Maddie Rooney

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Abby Hustler, Mae Batherson

Montreal faces a similar predicament to last year. They'll almost certainly protect their foundational three players, but it means they risk dismantling their blueline again. Last year they escaped with Erin Ambrose going unselected, but this year with Nicole Gosling and Kati Tabin sitting available, it seems less likely. Gosling is as good as gone, and the only hope Montreal has to keep more of their blueline together would be if someone picked Natalie Mlynkova next. Montreal has built enough depth that they'll remain strong through this round again.

Players Who Need Protection: Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Nicole Gosling, Kati Tabin, Natalie Mlynkova, Lina Ljungblom, Shiann Darkangelo, Hayley Scamurra, Skyar Irving, Jessica DiGirolamo, Maya Labad, Tamara Giaquinto.

Predicted Protections: Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Ann-Renee Desbiens.

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Nicole Gosling, Kati Tabin

This will be painful for New York who needs depth, but won't be able to keep it. New York should be able to stay about as strong as they are now if they can ink a few free agents. This team has so much potential, but not being able to keep it together is the risk. Goaltending could be a major concern if a team picks Osborne, who quite frankly the Sirens can't afford to protect.

Players Who Need Protection: Sarah Fillier, Casey O'Brien, Kristyna Kaltounkova, Kayle Osborne, Anne Cherkowski, Micah Zandee-Hart, Maja Nylen Persson, Maddi Wheeler, Elle Hartje, Paetyn Levis, Jaime Bourbonnais, Allyson Simpson, Dayle Ross, Emmy Fecteau, Anna Bargman.

Predicted Protections: Sarah Fillier, Kristyna Kaltounkova, Casey O'Brien

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Anne Cherkowski, Micah Zandee-Hart

There's no easy answer in Ottawa, where they'll lose some beloved players. Philips will be protected, and it one of Guilday or Savolainen. It means Ottawa needs to leave a forward like Emily Clark or Rebecca Leslie open. Even the loss of Sarah Wozniewicz or Fanuza Kadirova at this point would be hard for Ottawa.

Players Who Need Protection: Emily Clark, Rebecca Leslie, Ronja Savolainen, Gwyneth Philips, Rory Guilday, Michela Cava, Gabbie Hughes, Fanuza Kadirova, Sarah Wozniewicz, Peyton Hemp, Emma Greco.

Predicted Protections: Gwyneth Philips, Ronja Savolainen, Rory Guilday

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Emily Clark, Sarah Wozniewicz.

Because the Torrent didn't sign Hilary Knight, Julia Gosling, or Alex Carpenter to extensions, they can keep these players, as long as they can re-sign them, and Knight has openly stated she plans to stay. It means they can bolster their depth by protecting a group of skaters. Worst case scenario would see expansion teams pluck both goaltenders.

Players Who Need Protection: Danielle Serdachny, Hannah Bilka, Hannah Murphy, Cayla Barnes, Corinne Schroeder, Anna Wilgren, Lexie Adzija, Jenna Buglioni, Lily Delianedis, Jada Habisch, Lyndie Lobdell, Mikyla Grant-Mentis.

Predicted Protections: Danielle Saerdachny, Hannah Bilka, Cayla Barnes

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Hannah Murphy, Anna Wilgren

Toronto is going to lose their 2025 PWHL Draft class, but not much else. That's about as good as it gets in PWHL expansion. By keeping their first and second round picks this year, and targeting some free agents, Toronto could emerge stronger next season.

Players Who Need Protection: Ella Shelton, Natalie Spooner, Jesse Compher, Emma Gentry, Kiara Zanon, Sara Hjalmarsson, Clara Van Wieren, Jessie McPherson.

Predicted Protections: Ella Shelton, Natalie Spooner, Jesse Compher

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Kiara Zanon, Sara Hjalmarsson

If Vancouver remains near the bottom of the PWHL standings, they'll get a superstar in the draft. They'll lose some players, but in the grand scheme, shaking up this roster isn't the worst thing to happen. Expect the Goldeneyes to be an improved team in year two. Finding a way to keep a goalie is a must, but it probably shouldn't be part of their protection plans. 

Players Who Need Protection: Tereza Vanisova, Hannah Miller, Sophie Jaques, Abby Boreen, Michelle Karvinen, Nina Jobst-Smith, Emerance Maschmeyer, Ashton Bell, Anna Segedi, Anna Shokhina, Madison Samoskevich.

Predicted Protections: Sophie Jaques, Hannah Miller, Ashton Bell

Predicted First Two Lost In Expansion: Tereza Vanisova, Nina Jobst-Smith