Looking At PWHL Montreal's Depth Chart Following The Draft

PWHL Montreal added several important pieces at the PWHL Draft strengthening their depth, which became an issue in the playoffs. Here's a look at PWHL Montreal's depth chart following the draft.

PWHL Montreal grabbed one of the top defenders available, sprinkled in a few forwards who play a strong two-way game, signed 2023 pick Lina Ljungblom, and filled their pool of players at the 2024 PWHL Draft. They still have some work to do in filling out their bottom lines, and finding out if they can sign each of their draft picks, but they are entering the offseason with more punch across their roster.

Prior to the draft, it looked like Montreal would need to sign a player like Mikya Grant-Mentis for an offensive role, but the need is less pressing following their selections, particularly with the ability to shift Kristin O'Neill to left wing or Maureen Murphy to right wing if they want to load up their top two groups. But keeping more depth down the middle should help Montreal moving forward, and it will also let them pick and choose who they bring in to fill their fourth line. There should be plenty of healthy competitions at camp, and there are still free agents out there who could make a difference to Montreal's depth. It's more likely they opt to bring back players like Gabrielle David, Leah Lum, Grant-Mentis, and Sarah Bujold to fill out their final line of forwards. The real wildcards Amanda Kessel and Abby Boreen. If Kessel plays, she immediately makes their top six better. If she doesn't, it's a hit to Montreal's scoring depth already.

There were concerns about Montreal's depth at defense all season, but it was exasperated in the playoffs. Erin Ambrose will have Cayla Barnes anchoring the other pairing in the top four to take off significant pressure, and Kati Tabin continued to emerge as a quiet on ice leader last year. Couple in the return of Dominika Laskova, who Montreal could shift to forward if they need help on the right side, and Montreal has depth. The acquisition of veteran Anna Kjellbin should also help, but there's set to be some significant competition for roster spots on the blueline at camp. With the number of D Montreal brought it, it almost certainly marks the end of Madison Bizal and perhaps Catherine Daoust's tenure in Montreal, although Daoust would be a prime candidate to remain as a reserve. 

Montreal must feel confident Elaine Chuli will be back in tandem with Ann-Renee Desbiens since they passed on goalies in the draft. And with every other team grabbing a goalie in the draft aside from Minnesota, there really aren't many options where playing time would be involved. Montreal's third spot is the bigger question mark. Sooner than later, teams will need to dip into their third goalie spot as injuries emerge, but luckily for PWHL clubs last season, no significant injuries kept starting goalies out of games for any extended period of time.