Cuts are coming, and each PWHL team has difficult decisions ahead. Here's one burning question from each of the PWHL's six camps.
Cuts are coming, and each PWHL team has difficult decisions ahead. Here's one burning question from each of the PWHL's six camps.
In 48 hours, each of the PWHL's six teams will have decisions to make, and dozens of players across the league will have their professional pathways take yet another course alteration.
On November 29, each of the PWHL's six teams must reduce their roster size to 27 players. For some, that will mean only one to two players being released, while others will need to cut a half dozen or more.
With the deadline rapidly approaching, followed by the PWHL's preseason camp in Utica, New York, here's one question from each training camp:
Who will Ottawa keep up front?
PWHL Ottawa inked Becca Gilmore, but there's still plenty of roster space up front, and no team has the depth of free agents that Ottawa brought to camp. Right now, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Akane Shiga, Rosalie Demers, Fanni Garát-Gasparics, Natalie Snodgrass, Liliane Perreault, and Malia Schneider. Few would argue with any of those players in a bottom six, but Ottawa has tough decisions ahead. Speaking to PWHL Ottawa camp, it doesn't look like an easy decision as they've been pleased with the performance of each free agent invite. Could it come down to a specific role, wing or center position, or youth? Grant-Mentis is a likely signee, and Akane Shiga perhaps deserves a longer look, while Snodgrass is a proven pro scorer, Schneider, Demers, and Perreault are all young players with upside, and Garát-Gasparics brings a wealth of international experience and upside.
How will Minnesota fill out their blueline?
Speaking of bluelines, Minnesota will be watching Toronto's cuts closely, and likely those of a number of teams. They have Dominique Kremer, who is certainly a player they'll attempt to sign, and their camp also includes Abby Cook and Emma Greco. But with only two defenders signed (Lee Stecklein and Maggie Flaherty), and Sidney Morin and Natalie Buchbinder as the only other defenders in the organization, Minnesota will certainly be looking to bring in any defender they think has a chance of grabbing one of the four available positions. Patti Marshall will almost certainly be kept as a reserve given the potential depth issues on the blueline, but Minnesota will likely be active following the November 29 cuts.
Is there a goaltending controversy in New York?
Abbey Levy is the only contracted goaltender in New York that we know of right now. The 6-foot-1 netminder who was USA's third goalie at the World Championships, and who is coming off a stellar NCAA career would be no slouch as a starter. That said, the team selected Corinne Schroeder, the PHF Goaltender of the Year and member of Canada's national team pool higher, and many anticipate she'll be New York's final three-year contract. But to date, there are no clear answers, and New York's staff have made it clear that it will be a difficult decision. The other netminders in camp Kassidy Sauve and Lindsey Post both have spectacular resumes. Post is a former SDHL Goalie of the Year, and Sauve comes from the PHF and PWHPA following a spectacular NCAA career of her own, and a gold medal with Canada's U-18 national team. The competition is tight, and the good news for New York is, their net looks as deep as any in the league.
Which former Boston player becomes a current Boston player?
Boston's crease and blueline are done. There's no concern at those positions in the eyes of team management or coaches. Where Boston still has work to finalize is selecting a final line of forwards, plus a 13th forward. They signed free agent Nicole Kosta, who could potentially be outplayed by the remaining free agents in camp, but they have tough decisions ahead. Most notably, who of their group of former Boston Pride forwards will join PWHL Boston? McKenna Brand, Amanda Pelkey, Sammy Davis, and Taylor Wenczkowski are all fighting for spots, as is former Montreal Force forward Samantha Isbell. It's anyone's guess who grabs those positions, but other teams, particularly PWHL New York, will certainly be watching for released players in the coming weeks.
What to make of Toronto's blueline?
We know the core four of Toronto's blueline - Jocelyne Larocque, Renata Fast, Kali Flanagan, and Allie Munroe. What we don't know is how the rest of their group in camp fits in. Their final two defensive draft picks, Olivia Knowles and Mellissa Channell, remain unsigned. And the impressions of Emma Keenan and Lauriane Rougeau have been positive. No one is counting out Taylor Wabick or Jess Kondas yet either. With Toronto having the most questioned crease in the league, these final decisions on the blueline are crucial when it comes to shoring up their blueline. Had it not been for her retirement, the market for defensive defender Saroya Tinker could have heated up following this round of cuts, as there are few who take care of their zone first like she does. It would not be surprising to see a free agent usurp a drafted player in Toronto, but who would that be?
Who gets Montreal's final three-year contract?
Marie-Philip Poulin, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Erin Ambrose, Laura Stacey, and Kristen O'Neill. That group makes perfect sense. Looking at who is left in Montreal's camp unsigned, it's not clear who the team is targeting for a three-year guaranteed contract. The CBA says Montreal needs to sign another player to a three-year deal, but there is no obvious choice. The team will almost certainly need to give the contract to one of their young players who remain unsigned. That list includes Maureen Murphy, Gabrielle David, Maude Poulin-Labelle, and Madison Bizal. Each of those players will make spectacular pros, but looking at the future, Montreal is taking a gamble choosing any one of those players over another. The final contract will define what Montreal can do moving forward, particularly with the wave of talent that will be available in the 2024 PWHL Draft.