Offseason moves continue in the PHF and Europe, with players joining their new teams. Rosters are rapidly moving toward completion across the league.
Looking across the PHF, multiple teams have moved closer to filling out their rosters for the 2023-2024 season. Montreal has announced 20 players after their most recent move, the signing of goaltender Lauren Bench, while other rosters continue to move toward completion as well. Here's a look at what's happening across the PHF:
Veterans Left On The Market
There is still a group of veteran players unsigned or unannounced publicly. Leading the list are players like Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Kelly Babstock. Babstock is not returning to the Metropolitan Riveters this season, and earlier this offseason, it was reported that Grant-Mentis was shopping herself to other teams. Toronto was a team rumored to be interested in both, although nothing is set in stone.
Speaking of Toronto, a pair of veterans from last year's Isobel Cup roster, Michela Cava and Emma Greco are reportedly on the move. It is believed the pair are headed to the Connecticut Whale for this coming season.
Are their more NCAA players set to sign?
Absolutely. This movement is not done. Paeytn Levis, a star from Ohio State will join the PHF this season according to sources. She's been linked to her home state team, the Minnesota Whitecaps, which would be another notable signing for the Isobel Cup finalists.
Another name, which has remained outside of the rumor mill, but unsigned, is Team Czechia netminder Blanka Skodova. It's believed Skodova is one of the final candidates to fill the final crease job available in the league in Buffalo.
Other NCAA names who remain on the market include Patty Kazmaier winner Sophie Jaques, as well as Courtney Correia, Emily Oden, and Isabel Heminger. There are others available, but it appears the bulk of that group is waiting for a PWHPA announcement. Emily Pinto and USports all-Canadian Carley Olivier attended Toronto's free agent camp and are both players capable of competing in the PHF.
Who will be without a roster spot?
With close to 40 newcomers entering the PHF this season, that means almost two teams worth of players from last season will be looking elsewhere. We saw Shannon Turner from Connecticut retire, and Taylor House from Boston sign in Sweden with MoDo. Others confirmed to be leaving include Réka Dabasi, Ebba Berglund, and Eveliina Mäkinen, who are all headed to Europe, but the rest are undecided. Should a PWHPA league launch, many of the players unable to earn a contract in the PHF could fill out the new PWHPA rosters.
There are however, several notable players who skill-wise could and should be playing professional women's hockey. With new netminders Noora Raty, Emma Soderberg, Lauren Bench, and Sandra Abstreiter coming into the league, along with the potential for Skodova to join this group, goaltending will see a large turnover.
From last season, two starting goalies - Connecticut's Abbie Ives and Montreal's Tricia Deguire remain unsigned, as do players including Marie-Soleil Deschênes (Montreal), Samantha Ridgewell (Buffalo), and Jenna Brenneman (Minnesota).
The National Team Influence
European nations have embraced the PHF, particularly the bronze medal winning Team Czechia, who has used the league to help boost their international competitiveness with great success.
Multiple members of Canada's national team have told The Hockey News they'd be willing to join the PHF, but will wait to see what the PWHPA's next moves are before making that decision.
Team USA however, has a much stronger hold on players. As one NCAA conference commissioner told The Hockey News, American players in their conference were reporting feeling significant pressure from senior national team members to not sign in the PHF, and instead await PWHPA plans.
This pressure could explain the absence of Becca Gilmore from a PHF roster at the moment. Hockey Canada released a statement dispelling any false claims that the governing body favours players from one league or another. USA Hockey was asked multiple times for similar comment, however they did not return those requests.
What's going on in Buffalo?
The Buffalo Beauts were last to the party in terms of announcing signings. Since then, they've brought in a handful of signings - bringing back Summer-Rae Dobson and Dominique Kremer, and adding ALl-Canadian Tatum Amy and Japanese sisters Akane Shiga and Aoi Shiga - that drew positive attention.
Buffalo, however, has also inked players that following the talent increase across the league this offseason, would not crack the roster of any other PHF team.
As Buffalo general manager Nate Oliver told The Hockey News, he's focused on the end product of his roster, not the initial critiques. With their roster nearing the midway point of completion however, the Beauts look like the leading contender to finish at the bottom of the PHF standings again this season.
The real confusion for insiders is the players who have expressed interest in signing with Buffalo, who the team has not signed despite the obvious upgrades they would provide to the Beauts.
Could Oliver have a big move up his sleeve? We'll give him the benefit of the doubt as the Beauts look to prove critics wrong.