PWHL Minnesota are now known as the reigning Walter Cup champions, but they have work to do in the offseason if they want a chance to repeat. Here's a look at who they should target to extend first.
PWHL Minnesota are now known as the reigning Walter Cup champions, but they have work to do in the offseason if they want a chance to repeat. Here's a look at who they should target to extend first.
PWHL Minnesota won the inaugural Walter Cup title. In many circumstances it would seem like the best thing to do would be to bring back as many players from the roster as possible. That's not necessarily the case in Minnesota. With the level of talent coming in, if teams don't work to actively patch any hole in their lineup, the gap between the haves and the have nots will become painfully evident next season.
For Minnesota, they certainly had goaltending, top tier talent up front, and a group of serviceable role players, but there will be noticeable upgrades available.
Who Are PWHL Minnesota's Free Agents?
Clair DeGeorge, Sophia Kunin, Michela Cava, Liz Schepers, Sydney Brodt, Brooke Bryant, Claire Butorac, Brittyn Fleming, Mellissa Channell, Emma Greco, and Dominique Kremer were PWHL Minnesota's players who completed the league's inaugural season on one year contracts.
Who should PWHL Minnesota Prioritize To Extend?
This may come as no surprise following her playoff performance, but Michela Cava is a priority. She played top six minutes all season, and found another gear in the postseason where she notched eight points in 10 games, equalling her output from the 24 game season. She's creative, calm with the puck, and makes the hard things look easy. Similarly, Liz Schepers was a crucial piece for PWHL Minnesota on both sides of the puck. Forget the Walter Cup clinching goal, she was a factor in every game, and is the perfect player to anchor a third line. The final focus up front is likely Sophia Kunin. She's got plenty of speed and showed herself as a creative player who looked ready to beak out offensively this season. She can play up and down the lineup, and that versatility is valued. The final key piece to PWHL Minnesota's early offseason focus should be defender Mellissa Channell. This is a story, because Channell was a late round draft pick, who was then cut from PWHL Toronto in the preseason. The interesting piece is, PWHL Toronto could have greatly benefitted from Channell's play this year. She got better and better as the year progressed, and turned out to be one of Minnesota's more reliable blueliners. She made good first passes, helped Minnesota's zone exits, thrived in transition, and kept pucks out of danger. From a player who didn't register a single point in the PWHPA last season to a player who picked up five assists in 10 playoff games, Channell only got better, and there's reason to believe in a third pairing next season, with the ability to move up when needed, Channell can be even better for Minnesota. Depending on who Minnesota drafts, they could also look to bring back Emma Greco to fill out their defensive depth.