The summer heat has set in and things are quieting down on the PWHL front. The remainder of the work among PWHL teams is in signing top 2025 PWHL Draft picks. The majority of training camp invites have been solidified, although a few spots still remain.
Here's a look at your questions from this week's PWHL mailbag:
Do you think we will ever see a champions league where the PWHL champion faces off against the top team from several women's euro leagues?
It's a fun idea, but it's not going to happen. Even Lulea or Frolunda in the SDHL last season would get trounced by any PWHL team. It would be like asking an AHL team to compete against an NHL team. There might be a blue moon where a goalie stands on their head, but there isn't a league anywhere in the world that could compete. Last year there were likely 15-20 players in the SDHL who could play in the PWHL. Of those, less than 10 could step into middle six or top four roles. Perhaps only Andrea Brandli could have challenged for playing time in net from the SDHL. But every single player in the PWHL could be a top line player in the SDHL. The PostFinance, DFEL, EWHL, and ZhHL remain another step behind. What would be fun to see would be a PWHL team or two head to Europe for exhibition games against a few national teams, or All-Star teams from each league. It would be a great way to scout players, and build excitement. At the moment however, the gap is so large that PWHL teams would come to Europe and beat the best teams by several goals every game. That gap is about to get larger as the SDHL has moved to reduce the number of international players in their league. It's a questionable move that will likely negatively impact the competitiveness of all European nations.
I’ve been wondering if there’s any news re: trans policies etc. I have avoided emotional commitment to the PWHL because, unlike the old PHF, they refuse to take a stand on trans women in women’s hockey.
Actions speak, and looking at the PWHL's actions, they have no interest in even having this conversation, listening to fans or equity seeking groups. I know this is a hot button topic in North America right now, but inaction is itself an action. On International Day for Transgender Visibility, the NWSL and WNBA made statements, while the PWHL remained silent, despite the fact the day was placed between two "Pride" games. The league won't even respond to questions of the absent gender inclusion policy they promised more than a year and a half ago. The league in fact, won't respond to any questions on matters of gender inclusion of transgender people. The PWHL had such an incredible opportunity to help move issues of inclusion, equity, and justice forward, but I personally don't see it. They are going to make tremendous impacts for girls and women in sport simply by the league existing and providing representation, but in terms of doing the work to serve their fans and communities, from my vantagem, I don't see it happening unless the league can profit, and the fact the league communications department completely ignores communication on these items, it's not promising. If the league isn't even willing to have a conversation or engage as leaders, making meaningful change to include excluded groups seems like it's a long, long way off.
Will the reserve list be eliminated and full rosters be 26 players?
Speaking with general managers, they continue to plan for a 23-player roster with three reserves. The league player pool expanding this year likely made it a non-issue for the league in terms of expanding the reserve pool. This remains an issue the league will need to address as the reserves the league is able to sign aren't always the best available, and fewer players are willing to risk not playing a single game for a year or two in hopes of playing. Sadly we've seen how players who get stuck on a reserve list, like Montreal's Gabrielle David, are negatively impacted by that experience. David is a better player than many who have signed, but she's not getting a look after a full year of inactivity. The PWHL really needs to work on an agreement with a European league allowing a minimum number of players to move between leagues each year. This remains a topic to discuss, but only 19 players step on the ice in most games. Signing more and sitting them doesn't do much for the league or players. That said, neither does a reserve system that underpays players and stifles development.
Any specific free agent or trade talks occurring right now?
The only two players getting any nibbles right now are Anna Kjellbin and Dominka Laskova. That said, it's just as likely both end up signing in Sweden before a PWHL team gets around to it. It's a bizarre situation because both would make Boston, Ottawa, Toronto and Minnesota better. Both could add depth to other bluelines as well. And neither are looking for big money. The other name who remains out there is Loren Gabel. Gabel is another player who might see sign in Sweden despite her immense offensive upside that in the right situation, would be an upgrade to almost any roster. She's receiving tons of interest from overseas right now.
As for trades, nobody is actively trying to make a deal at the moment. It's likely going to wait until preseason now before teams can see what they have. The fact is, almost every team is bringing more than they can sign to camp, and there will be some very good players on the outside looking in. Once that picture becomes clear, a deal in late November or early December is likely.
Is Ilona Markova going to the Fleet training camp or are they just letting their rights to her lapse this season?
Ilona Markova, according to my sources, will be coming to North America this season. Will she be coming to the PWHL? I don't think so. Confusing? Yes. But wait and see. It will become clear shortly. Expect her to be in North America this season, but not in the PWHL.
What are players doing this offseason to train for the Pdub and upcoming Olympics?
Renata Fast spoke about this on the Steve Dangle podcast a week ago. She said that Hockey Canada would be bringing roughly 30 players together beginning in August to train two weeks on, two weeks off. That process will continue until the PWHL opens training camps in November. After that European teams will meet for their annual Euro Hockey Tour events, and Canada and USA will of course play a condensed four-game Rivalry Series. Other than that, don't expect more than a week or two off prior to the Olympics for teams to truly hunker down for centralized training.
Do you see Ottawa or any other teams make changes either GM or coaching if they fail, talking original six teams only?
No. The situation in Ottawa has nothing to do with their management. Had Ottawa continued on their regular season path and missed the playoffs, I think a coaching change would have been warranted, and there are players who are fans of Carla MacLeod's style, and players who definitely are not. But the same could be said for many coaches. It's a reason some left Ken Klee and the Minnesota Frost. As much as Ottawa struggled to make significant changes to their roster this offseason, Minnesota was nearly absent altogether from the conversation. Ottawa's offseason was the first sign of "small-market" struggles in the PWHL. They offered more money to almost every free agent they lost out on. Some have been critical of the job New York did this offseason as well. But it's another example of how the odds are stacked against a handful of PWHL teams, not the lack of effort, the professional supports, or financials from any of these teams. Single entity ownership should level the playing field, but it hasn't.
What are your thoughts when it comes to North American national players and the 2026-27 season? Who are we gonna see retire from the game altogether?
If fans thought this offseason was wild, wait until next year when the original foundational three-year singings expire. Of the 36 players who signed those deals, 35 are eligible to become free agents with only Emerance Maschmeyer extending. The free agent pool will be huge, and as you mentioned, some of those players could look at retirement. Jocelyne Larocque, Hilary Knight, and Marie-Philip Poulin will all be 35 or older when next season rolls around. Others like Jill Saulnier, Jamie-Lee Rattray, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Brianne Jenner are all heading that way as well. There could be a few retirements. But for the most part, players are intending to keep playing. Right now, most of those players are making six figures. The biggest risk will be a player like Rattray who will need to take a significant pay cut to stay in the league, but even she has a lot more to give to the league on-ice.
What should I expect with the Sirens this year? Anymore signings?
You should expect a fun, young, and exciting team that is highly competitive. Will they be able to beat the top dogs in the league? Probably at times. This roster was gutted to the studs to shift the organization in a healthier direction. Sadly there was collateral damage like Jessie Eldridge, and of course Ella Shelton who was traded so the team could acquire back offensive talent. It's hard not to be excited about a young forward core that includes Sarah Fillier, Casey O'Brien, and Kristyna Kaltounkova. I still think New York could benefit from a player like Dominika Laskova who could provide dual purpose depth on the blueline and up front. Goaltending is their biggest question mark. Excitement and skill are guaranteed. Consistency and winning are the question. This will be a fun team to watch win or lose.
Why has Kali Flanagan been overlooked for the Team USA rosters?
It's a fantastic question, because as a player, she'd be an upgrade to USA's blueline. She's a top defender on both sides of the puck who has been ignored aside from a few gold medal performances. Sometimes, politics exist even at this level. Flanagan could be a boost to USA, particularly in the PWHL era where the gap between college and pro will get larger every season.
Which position and line will Jade Downey-Landry play on Montreal?
With Montreal bringing in Abby Roque, Hayley Scamurra, and Shiann Darkangelo, drafting Skylar Irving, Natalie Mlynkova, and Maya Labad, and re-signing Alexandra Labelle, Catherine Dubois, and Kaitlin Willoughby, the team is deep up front. Jade Downie-Landry, their other key addition via free agency is likely doing to slot into a spot down the wing unless Montreal decides to use Roque on the right side. Personally, I think Roque fits better down the right side in this league to take some of the defensive responsibility off her. I'd expect Montreal to test drive Downie-Landry at a few spots, but given the depth they've built, unless there's an injury, I wouldn't expect to see them deploying Downie-Landry higher than their third line. Montreal won't be a fun team to play up front this season, and that's an element that if Downie-Landry can glean from her teammates, she could take a midseason step forward, but expect her to start in Montreal's bottom six on a wing.