PWHL Minnesota Only Team To Not Re-Sign A Player Prior To Free Agency, Is Turmoil To Blame?

PWHL Minnesota was the only team in the league not to re-sign a player in the three week exclusive negotiating period. Is the team turmoil to blame?

PWHL Minnesota was the only team in the PWHL to not re-sign a player prior to free agency opening. 

The includes Michela Cava who was arguably the playoff MVP alongside Taylor Heise, and Liz Schepers who scored the PWHL clinching goal, along with defenders Mellissa Channell and Emma Greco, and veteran forward Sidney Brodt. 

PWHL Minnesota was also the lone team heading into free agency without clarity of who is actually in charge. After the bizarre firing of Natalie Darwitz that was clouded with influence from head coach Ken Klee and captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, Minnesota has been adrift. 

Without the general manager who built the PWHL's first Walter Cup champion, Minnesota entered the draft and abandoned their draft plan. According to reports, Ken Klee acted as general manager at the draft, and when he originally interviewed for Minnesota's general manager position along with the team's head coaching role, both unsuccessfully, Klee wanted to be both head coach and general manager of Minnesota.

Prior to Darwitz's dismissal, the team had been discussing contract extensions with multiple players, but all of those discussions were abandoned when Darwitz was removed from her position.

It's believed PWHL Minnesota is entering the free agency period with limited money available after acquiring an additional three-year guaranteed contract carrying a minimum $80,000 price tag with Sophie Jaques. This could be another facto g

Minnesota has 12 players entering unrestricted free agency today. The number was reduced by two as Brittyn Fleming and Sophia Kunin both retired between the draft and free agency.

Minnesota's free agent activity will be interesting to follow with the room divided over the Natalie Darwitz dismissal, and the now public knowledge that veteran players have significant decision making power in Minnesota from personnel to which line steps on the ice.