More Guaranteed Contracts Being Signed In The PWHL
Many of the contracts signed this offseason have been guaranteed deals meaning more players will have their jobs secured this season and beyond.
Photo @ Kelly Hagenson/PWHL - More Guaranteed Contracts Being Signed In The PWHLOne item that faced critique from the PWHL and PWHLPA's collective bargaining agreement was the lack of contract protection for athletes. Contracts were 'at-will' meaning players could be released for any reason at any time.
That's been changing as more contracts are signed this offseason.
Specifically, all contracts signed during the PWHL's exclusive signing window leading up to June 21 were guaranteed.
Similarly, all multi-year contracts signed prior to season two are also guaranteed.
Who signed a guaranteed deal this offseason?
Montreal signed Lina Ljungblom and Cayla Barnes to three year contracts and also added Mariah Keopple (one-year), Elaine Chuli (one-year) and Amanda Boulier (two-years) to guaranteed deals.
In Boston, Hannah Brandt, Sophie Shirley, and Emily Brown all signed two-year guaranteed deals, while Sidney Morin was added on a one-year guaranteed deal.
New York brought back only Corinne Schroeder on a two-year guaranteed contract, while Ottawa added Natalie Snodgrass and Zoe Boyd to one-year deals. Although it was not announced, Katerina Mrazova signed on June 20 making her deal guaranteed as well.
Finally, Toronto signed Daryl Watts and Emma Woods to two-year guaranteed deals, and Minnesota inked draft picks Britta Curl and Klara Hymlarova to guaranteed contracts.
What are the rules?
They aren't laid out explicitly in the collective bargaining agreement, and the CBA has been a living document this season with everything from minimum draft salaries and other additions being made. According to the PWHL, the rules for guaranteed contracts are:
- All multi-year agreements signed in advance of Season 2 are guaranteed.
- One-year deals signed during the exclusive window are also guaranteed.
- One-year agreements signed after June 20 are not guaranteed and can be terminated for performance.
League Wide More Players Are Now Locked In
The result is more players are now locked in league wide to guaranteed deals. Right now two teams - New York and Ottawa - have 12 players signed to guaranteed contracts. Minnesota is next with 13, Toronto and Montreal have 14, and Boston has the most deals locked in with 15. More guaranteed contracts are certainly on the way as teams lock in their top draft picks.