Ottawa's forward signings, draft picks, and camp invitees are a deep group, certain to have no shortage of competition for roster spots when training camp opens.
Ottawa's forward signings, draft picks, and camp invitees are a deep group, certain to have no shortage of competition for roster spots when training camp opens.
Looking at Ottawa's signings, draft picks, and training camp invites, the PWHL franchise is set to have one of the most competitive training camps in the league up front.
If you'd told fans Ottawa was set to spend their final five selections in the PWHL Draft on forwards Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Fanni Gasparics, Natalie Snodgrass, Becca Gilmore, and Akane Shiga, few would have batted an eye. Instead, Ottawa is bringing these players in as free agent invitees to fight for roster spots. Through the draft and initial free agency, Ottawa acquired the rights to 10 forwards.
Some of those 10 might find themselves in competition for a job once the new invitees arrive at camp.
Based on The Hockey News' predicted Ottawa depth chart, Ottawa's PWHL forward group has an opening at centre and an opening at left wing, although it's more likely that Ottawa will look to sign the best 2-4 forwards available regardless of position as Brianne Jenner can play centre or wing, as can others among their group.
While Jenner, Hayley Scamurra, and Emily Clark are the core up front, and Daryl Watts, Gabrielle Hughes, and Katerina Mrazova are likely the next three in, after that, the group is wide open. Ottawa will likely have several forwards under contract heading to camp, but other PWHL teams are not signing the bulk of their rosters until training camp begins in order to better evaluate players head to head.
In Ottawa, that means Audrey-Anne Veillette, Kristen Della Rovere, Caitrin Lonergan, and Lexie Adzija fighting for their spot in the lineup against Ottawa's group of incoming camp invites.
Grant-Mentis in particular is a proven professional scorer and is still only 25, but she's not alone in her scoring acumen. Natalie Snodgrass put up 20 points in 22 games as a PHF rookie last year with the Minnesota Whitecaps, and was a solid five-year NCAA scorer captaining Connecticut her final two seasons. Snodgrass also twice represented Team USA at the U-18 World Championships winning gold both times. Add in Gasparics, Gilmore, and Shiga, members of Hungary, USA, and Japan's national teams, and the fight for roster spots will be fierce in Ottawa.
Looking at the possibilities for Ottawa's roster, they may not have the best first line in the league, but they could have the best fourth, showcasing the balance and depth they've acquired. And there is perhaps no roster constructed with as much upside and potential as Ottawa's forward group either. Players like Daryl Watts, Caitrin Lonergan, and Audrey-Anne Veillette have massive offensive upside in the right circumstances.
When training camp opens this November in Ottawa, this forward group will draw interest from fans and media alike, as the competition for Ottawa's final roster spots gets underway.