PWHL Boston fell in the PWHL finals, and now must look toward how to take the next step as a team. That process might begin with extending the contracts of key players on one year deals.
PWHL Boston fell in the PWHL finals, and now must look toward how to take the next step as a team. That process might begin with extending the contracts of key players on one year deals.
It's hard to turn from a game 5 loss in the PWHL finals, to considering what players you're going to sign, and what players you'll let test the open market in a matter of days, but that's the situation PWHL Boston finds themselves in, and they might have some of the more difficult decisions in the league.
Who are PWHL Boston's Free Agents?
Hannah Brandt, Sophie Shirley, Lexie Adzija, Gigi Marvin, Amanda Pelkey, Taylor Wenczkowski, Nicole Kosta, Kelly Babstock, Emily Brown, Sidney Morin, Jess Healey, Abby Cook, and Kaleigh Fratkin all played on one year contracts this season for Boston.
Who Should Boston Prioritize To Extend?
This is where it gets difficult. Players like Amanda Pelkey and Taylor Wenczkowski were two of the final players Boston signed prior to the season. They were "on the bubble" for a roster spot. In the playoffs, it would have been difficult to imagine Boston advancing without them. Despite that, they likely won't be the first players Boston tries to get deals done with this offseason, although a team like New York will certainly take a look at both players to add veteran leadership if they do hit the market. Boston's first three to sign however are almost certainly Emily Brown, Sidney Morin, and Kaleigh Fratkin. Brown averaged more than 28 minutes per game in the playoffs. She was a shutdown defender for Boston playing key defensive minutes. Not the flashiest, she shouldered top pairing minutes and held her own. Ideally she gets pushed to a second pair, but she's invaluable to this team. Next on this list are defenders Kaleigh Fratkin and Sidney Morin. Fratkin was a player all season who Boston loved to have, and everyone else hated to play. Her smooth skating, physical style was perfect for this season, and the veteran must be a priority to re-up for next season. Sidney Morin also played top four minutes for Boston. Another strong skater, she averaged more than 22 minutes per game in the playoffs taking key match ups.
When looking at the forwards, Hannah Brandt was one of only seven players on Boston to hit double digits in points this season, but she also struggled on the defensive side of the puck this season. Despite their run to the finals, Boston's forward group struggled to keep up to the skating of other teams, a point that was obvious in the finals against Minnesota. With that in mind, Sophie Shirley may actually be the most logical re-signing up front. She looked dangerous at times and as a sophomore in the league next season, should take a positive step forward in her production. Beyond this group, Boston might look to bring back Lexie Adzija, but it's more likely she tests the market.