PWHL Minnesota added pieces during the PWHL Draft, but still has work to do at the bottom of their roster. Here's a look at where Minnesota's lineup stands following the draft.
PWHL Minnesota added pieces during the PWHL Draft, but still has work to do at the bottom of their roster. Here's a look at where Minnesota's lineup stands following the draft.
PWHL Minnesota is a tale of two teams this offseason. For one, they are a team celebrating on ice victory as the first ever Walter Cup champions. They are also a team going through massive internal upheaval and controversy, and it's likely this will impact Minnesota's ability to lure free agents. Here's a look at where PWHL Minnesota's depth chart sits following the PWHL Draft.
Forwards
It's hard to argue with their top two lines if Michaela Cava re-signs and can transfer some of her playoff magic into regular season consistency. Minnesota's third line also looks stronger heading into season two, which bodes well for the team. Klara Hymlarova was a versatile pick up in the draft that can play any position she's asked. Depth up front will be one point of concern, and we still don't know who's calling the shots. The team was much farther along the path toward re-signing players, but all of those contract talks went out the window when Minnesota mutinied against Natalie Darwitz.
Defenders
This will be a pick that plays out in the great hindsight debates for years. Minnesota had planned to take Cayla Barnes at third overall to bolster the right ride of their blueline, which remains short. Instead, they took Claire Thompson, who Minnesota's new leadership was obviously high on. Thompson is an elite puck moving defender who likes to jump into the rush. She'll need to temper the risk vs. reward portion of her game which we've seen backfire terribly with other offensively minded blueliners like how New York's blueline floundered. Thompson is a game changer, and will be a top blueliner in this league. Minnesota's depth looks good, and players like Mellissa Channell and even Emma Greco who currently are not signed could bolster this yet again.
Goaltenders
No other team played both of their netminders as evenly as Minnesota who tried to ride the hot hand during the season. Nicole Hensley is the clear starter, but the team operated as a 1A/1B. It will be interesting to see how they distribute cease time with more games on the schedule this season.