You asked, we answered. Here's a look at some of the top questions out there related to the 2024 PWHL Draft which is rapidly approaching.
You asked, we answered. Here's a look at some of the top questions out there related to the 2024 PWHL Draft which is rapidly approaching.
Over the last week we've been watching social media replies for questions about the PWHL Draft. You asked, we're answering. Here's a look at some of the biggest questions circulating about the 2024 PWHL Draft.
Who does Ottawa take at second overall?
If you believe what other teams in the league believe, they think Ottawa is taking Claire Thompson. Multiple general managers and team staff in the league told me this is their belief. Ottawa is in a situation where they'll likely draft "best available" in their eyes in the opening round, and then begin to worry about positional needs after. They certainly will look to bolster their forward group, but if the team can re-sign Daryl Watts and Katerina Mrazova before the draft, that need will be reduced. Defensive depth sunk this ship down the stretch, so it's possible to see Ottawa jump for whoever they believe is the best defender in the draft, whether that is Thompson or Cayla Barnes. If you want to know my belief here, it's that Ottawa will select a highly regarded forward in round one whether it's Sarah Fillier, Danielle Serdachny, or Hannah Bilka and swing at a defender like Daniela Pejsova, Ronja Savolainen or Maja Nylen Persson in round two.
How high will Britta Curl go?
There are certainly teams that are high on Britta Curl, and on the ice, for good reason. Toronto and New York seem like the likely candidates to fight over the Wisconsin forward, but where? She could go at 6-7, or at 12-13, but I wouldn't expect her to go beyond that point, despite her open support for transphobia, conspiracy theories, and a slew of other views that will isolate fans from other marginalized communities. Some teams in the league have stated they will not select her, others say if they choose her it would be with the understanding she'll complete media training and that her views won't spill over into her role as a member of the PWHL. Others are following the NHL model where they just want the best player, no matter what. Curl isn't making it out of the first three rounds from the chatter throughout the league.
What do you expect in the later rounds?
This is a very good question. Teams are going to take two very different pathways in rounds six and seven. The first path we'll call 'shoot for the moon' on upside. This is where we might see a player like Ilona Markova, Emma Bergesen, or a player who took a year off like Gabby Rosenthal selected. The problem most teams foresee, is that players in rounds 1-4 are the only candidates to enter top six and top four roles. Taking a highly skilled player who might only get 8-10 minutes per game won't cut it for every team. The second pathway teams could take is to select a veteran player with SDHL experience who can handle the hitting, play a checking line role and checking line minutes. I think there will be skill left on the board for teams to invite to camp.
Is Sarah Fillier a lock for first overall?
No. Could she turn out to be the best player in this draft? Sure. Could someone else? Absolutely. It's not a consensus pick, and a lot of that comes from an issue that's plagued women's hockey for years...people just don't know enough about the many, many talented players out there. The "gap" between players in the top 10 is very small, and teams are trying to bring different attributes to their team. Fillier seems like the obvious pick, but if Hannah Bilka, Danielle Serdachny, or any of the other highly ranked players go first overall, it should not be a surprise, and it would not be New York going off board as some assume.
What will happen to the players who aren't drafted?
There aren't many options. Almost every roster in Sweden and Switzerland has already committed their import spots. Of course there are a few holding on knowing that there will be a massive influx of talent looking for a place to play. But we're talking about a handful of roster spots for 50 players. The truth of the matter is, some of the younger NCAA players that go to Europe will have a chance to come back next year and crack a bottom six role in the league, but the rest will be out of luck. If you aren't drafted now, it's only going to get harder next year to make a roster spot. Only expansion will save jobs, and the league isn't ready for that just yet. That said, fans should prepare themselves for more turnover than some might think. Most teams will wipe the slate clean on their entire fourth line, if not more.
How will the draft impact free agency?
We'll likely only see re-signings of a few key players before the draft, if any, and the remainder will come in the weeks following the draft once teams know what they have. Almost every one-year free agent out there will be signing for equal or less than they got last year. The draft related pay scale of $50,000 for first round picks, $42,500 for second rounders, and $40,000 for this round picks guaranteed that. It's an additional $27,500 in salary teams are being asked to carry beyond last season, when the 3% mandated increase across the board only equals $37,950. With a mandated bump from $35,000 to $36,050 for players earning league minimum, and most of the league's three-year guaranteed players having guaranteed 3% increases to their salaries, some teams in the league will need to find ways to shed salary among their returning players to be cap compliant. In other words, free agents coming off one year deals will need to accept whatever they're offered or be out of the league, and any player drafted beyond the third round will be taking a league minimum salary.
Who are the top prospects for 2025?
This is a fun question, and we'll have our early offseason rankings for 2025 coming before the end of the month. To throw 10 names at fans they can get excited about, Natalie Mylnkova, Haley Winn, Krystina Kaltounkova, Nicole Gosling, Rory Guilday, Viivi Vainikka, Hanna Olsson, Casey O'Brien, Abby Hustler and Anne Cherkowski should all be projected into the first two rounds. But that's only eight, because it's very likely we see Abbey Murphy and Lacey Eden declare despite having another year they could stay in the NCAA. If Murphy declares, she'll be the early front runner to go first overall.
Have more questions? DM us on social media or reply to a draft related post and we'll do our best to answer in another mailbag before the draft.