Each PWHL team will need to sign 2-3 players to complete their opening night rosters. Here's who has the edge heading into training camp.

Each team enters PWHL training camps with the rights to 18 players, meaning each team will need 2-3 players to complete their opening night roster, and at 5-6 players to complete their 23 player roster.

While the battles will be fierce, there are certainly leading contenders based on team need. Here's a look at two free agent invites who might find themselves quickly signed at camp.

Montreal

With two goaltenders already in the organization, Montreal's main concern will be filling their final forward and defender positions. They may also need a second forward if Lina Ljungblom is unable to jump to North America.

In an ideal world, Melodie Daoust would be signed with Montreal, but until an injury presents, she will have to start on the reserve list. The competition for Montreal's 1-2 forward spots will be fiercely contested with the leading contenders being Sarah Bujold, Alex Poznikoff, and Leah Lum. Bujold is the leading contender, although Poznikoff may provide a more distinct role in a depth position. 

To fill Montreal's defensive roster spot, Catherine Daoust and Mariah Koepple will certainly battle it out, although both will likely earn roster spots.

Ottawa

This is a Royal Rumble. Heading into camp, Ottawa certainly needed two forwards, but the injury to Audrey-Anne Veillette more than likely means Ottawa will need three forwards come opening day. The team has an abundance of options, but the leading candidates to grab roster spots will be Becca Gilmore and Mikyla Grant-Mentis. Both were surprise omissions from the draft. Natalie Snodgrass is the logical third to fill out the roster, although Rosalie Demers, Akane Shiga, Fanni Gasparics, and others will all be in the mix. While Ottawa has six defenders under rights, Saroya Tinker is a probable candidate to take the final spot on the blueline, specifically as Ottawa currently has only two right shot blueliners.

Boston

Kaleigh Fratkin. Period. Fratkin will fill out the seventh spot on Boston's blueline, and more than likely steal a job from one of the team's other defenders as a regular. Boston signed or drafted 10 forwards, but with Tatum Skaggs not at camp, they'll need three forward to open the season. They have great depth coming to camp at the position, but the on-paper edge goes to Amanda Pelkey and McKenna Brand. Seeing how Gigi Marvin performs will be an interesting storyline, while Boston also has pro veterans in Sammy Davis, Samantha Isbell, Nicole Kosta, and Taylor Wenczkowski competing for spots up front.

Toronto

The biggest void for Toronto is in net. While Toronto has three goaltenders alongside Kristen Campbell coming to camp, the edge would seemingly go to Erica Howe and Carly 'CJ' Jackson for the back up role. Erica Howe may be the frontrunner at the moment given her history with Hockey Canada, but Jackson is capable and will be ready to compete at camp. Up front, Samantha Cogan and Jess Jones are likely veteran additions. 

The interesting point for Toronto will be evaluating the defenders they drafted versus the defenders they invited. Lauriane Rougeau and Emma Keenan both have the potential to steal a roster spot. In particular, watch for one or both to push Mellissa Channell for the final opening night spot on the roster. Rougeau brings national team experience and familiarity with the staff.

New York

Looking at New York's roster up front, Madison Packer looks like a lock. Not only should she be expected to make the team, but it would be surprising if Packer didn't end up in New York's top nine. Beyond that, it's a crap shoot for who will secure depth forward positions. New York also needs a defender, which will be hard to stomach as Team Canada defender Claire Thompson skates in camp but cannot sign until an injury opens a roster spot. She'll start as a reserve unless the league decides to bend their decisions from the draft. If it's not Thompson, this is a wide open competition, and there's even a possibility New York could look to cuts from Ottawa or Toronto to fill this spot if players don't stay on in those markets as reserves. Taylor Baker and Christine Deaudelin may have the edge on the back end, but don't count out USports All-Canadian Carley Olivier. For now, New York only has one sure thing.

Minnesota

Considering Minnesota has the rights to two goalies, this will sound strange, but Maddie Rooney will likely sign as a tandem with Nicole Hensley. The other major point that Minnesota will need to address at camp is on the blueline. Dominique Kremer seems like a certainty, particularly now that the absence of Minttu Tuominen from camp is known. Minnesota is the only team with only four defenders they have the rights to attending camp. It will be interesting to see if the league flexes on Patti Marshall in Minnesota, as she would be another valuable addition to their blueline, but according to the league following the draft, will need to start as a reserve. If not, Emma Greco and Abby Cook will both look to sign, unless Minnesota can scoop a player from another camp.