Looking At Boston's Depth Chart Following The PWHL Draft

PWHL Boston addressed several needs at the PWHL Draft including getting dynamic talent into their forward group and blueline.

PWHL Boston made it to the PWHL finals after clawing their way into the playoffs. One point in Boston this season is they struggled to score, and needed speed, points they already started addressing at the 2024 PWHL Draft.

Boston was also the only team to broker a trade, trading up to grab Daniela Pejsova at 7th overall, while giving New York better positioning later and an extra pick.

Here's a look at their depth chart following the draft:

On paper, there still a lot of question marks up front in Boston, as they don't have a deep group of signed players. It will be interesting to see if Danielle Marmer waits until free agency to secure her final players. Hannah Bilka is a massive upgrade, and Boston's forward group is also fluid in terms of players who can handle a variety of positions. No one knows yet what Boston's plans are for free agents like Hannah Brandt, Lexie Adzija, and Sophie Shirley. Getting a healthy Loren Gabel and Taylor Girard back should help Boston's scoring. Ilona Markova is the wildcard in the organization this year. If she isn't in Boston but wants to make the step to the PWHL, Markova needs to leave Russia for the SDHL.

Boston's in a good spot here after trading up for Daniela Pejsova. It means one of their picks or returning blueliners won't have a roster spot this season. The competition will come down the right side of the blueline where Emily Brown seems like a lock to come back, as does Kaleigh Fratkin, and Boston took Sydney Bard high, and she's a young, mobile defender would should help immediately. This means they'll need to look hard at both Sidney Morin and Hadley Hartmetz for their final spot. Morin proved a valuable addition and is a smooth skating veteran. There's likely to be a quality defender available in Boston's organization.

Aerin Frankel is Boston's starter, there's no questioning that dynamic. Emma Soderberg struggled this season, but with a few more starts next year, Boston will look for more consistency. She's on a two-year deal so this will be a make or break season with more talented netminders incoming via the NCAA. There's no telling who they target as a third netminder this year. There will be options if they'd like to move on from Cami Kronish.