PWHL Ottawa narrowly missed the playoffs, and it was clear their blueline was a cause. They'll look to re-sign their top forwards who are on one year deals, before looking to free agency. Here are their signing priorities prior to June 21.
PWHL Ottawa has the league's biggest collection of desirable players on one year deals. It means they'll have work to do in the exclusive signing period, but it's a good problem to have. Ottawa narrowly missed the playoffs this season, primarily due to a lack of defensive depth that hurt them down the stretch. They could look to fill a bit of this void in free agency, but are more likely to strike quickly with their second pick in the draft taking a blueliner, and they will almost certainly use a pick in round three or four on another.
Who are PWHL Ottawa's free agents?
Daryl Watts, Katerina Mrazova, Shiann Darkangelo, Sammy Davis, Rosalie Demers, Becca Gilmore, Malia Schneider, Akane Shiga, Natalie Snodgrass, Aneta Tejralova, Emma Buckles, Samantha Isbell, Rachel McQuigge, Zoe Boyd, Kristin Della Rovere, Fanni Gasparics, and Sandra Abstreiter all played this season on one year deals.
Who should Ottawa prioritize to sign?
Daryl Watts and Katerina Mrazova were one of the most electric and dynamic pairs in the PWHL this season. On the powerplay they were lethal. Mrazova is almost certain to return, but Watts stated at the end of year press conferences she was going to look at her options. There won't be much money available anywhere, and Watts is almost certainly better served staying in Ottawa where she's already viewed as a key piece to their attack, instead of testing the waters elsewhere for pennies on the dollar where a coach may not utilize her like she was in Ottawa. Sometimes it's best not to mess with a good thing, and the line of Watts, Mrazova, and Jenner was a good thing. That said, Watts and Mrazova are two of the players suffering for the PWHLPA board negotiating themselves big dollar deals. Of the 36 players signed to three year deals in the league, Mrazova outscored 27 of them, while Watts outscored 26. On their blueline, which was already painfully thin, it will be a priority to re-sign Team Czechia captain Aneta Tejralova, as well as to give another year to Zoe Boyd, who although she struggled through injury, was reliable as a bottom pair blueliner this year. Ottawa might wait for Boyd until after the draft to see what calibre of blueliners come available, but even if Boyd starts in the #7 slot, it would be a massive upgrade to where they were to end last season. Ottawa might hold a depth spot for Natalie Snodgrass or Akane Shiga, and Sandra Abstreiter could conceivably re-sign as well, although the team will be examining goalie options through the draft and free agency as well.