PWHL Ottawa had a season of ups and downs, and they'll look to fill the holes that resulted in that inconsistency through the 2024 PWHL Draft.
PWHL Ottawa had an up and down season highlighted by bad breaks and questionable calls that impacted their outcome. But they also had control of their own fate and can't look externally to answer every issue.
The trade for Tereza Vanisova looked like a smashing win for Ottawa, until Zoe Boyd went down with a season ending injury immediately after the move leaving their blueline depth completely exposed. These are issues Ottawa can address in free agency...and of course through the 2024 PWHL Draft. Here's what Ottawa needs at the draft.
Returning Players To Ottawa
Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Gabbie Hughes, Hayley Scamurra, Tereza Vanisova, Ashton Bell, Savannah Harmon, Jincey Roese, and Emerance Maschmeyer are back. There likely isn't significant regret on any of these players, but Ottawa will also need to find a way to lock up Daryl Watts and Katerina Mrazova, because without this duo, the group above would not be as impactful.
Biggest Draft Needs in Ottawa
Finishing the season with Sam Isbell playing defence, Emma Buckles who was a reserve for much of the year, and no defensive depth, Ottawa will certainly target blueliners. Depending on where Ottawa selects, Cayla Barnes in round one, or Maja Nylen Persson in round two make a lot of sense in Ottawa as only Ashton Bell shoots right of their current defenders. If they take a forward in round one, scooping Maja Nylen Persson in round two would give them another weapon on the back end.
Up front, Ottawa has one of the deepest right sides in the league, but could use a boost at down the middle in a scoring role, and at the third line left wing slot. If they choose to target a forward first and wait for a defender, Danielle Serdachny would be the perfect addition down Ottawa's middle as she could step onto any of the top three lines and make a difference at both ends of the ice. If they choose to wait, Elle Hartje would be a fit as a player who matches Ottawa's style on the ice, and focus on character off. Noora Tulus is another option down the middle as she'd add speed and Ottawa is already filled with players from various nations adding to their mix. The declaration of Julia Gosling will push more depth to Ottawa, and apart from Serdachny, she might be the final pivot who Ottawa could target.
On the left side, it would be surprising to see Ottawa pass up an opportunity to select Klara Hymlarova. She could play LW, center, or even slot onto the point in a pinch, plus she has oodles of familiarity with coach Carla MacLeod and the Czech members of Ottawa. Conveniently enough, left winger Dara Greig and defender Mae Batherson would also be upgrades available in the middle rounds of the draft, which would reunite the sisters in Ottawa with their NHL brothers who play for the Senators. Ottawa may also look to Noemi Neubauerova, another Czech national team member, or Daniela Pejsova on the blueline as additions, as MacLeod played both heavily at Worlds in crucial moments.
Ottawa could look at a goalie in the final rounds too, and despite the fact Czechia's Klara Peslarova might seem obvious to some, Gwyneth Philips may be the more logical fit for the club. They will need a goalie who they trust to push Maschmeyer, who although she's been good, she hasn't stolen games when they needed it, and the team hasn't shown trust in Sandra Abstreiter.