It was another jam packed PWHL mailbag. With a long offseason ahead, there were plenty of questions that I'm still looking into to give a more accurate response.
But for now, here's a look at some of the answers to your questions about the PWHL, players, draft picks, and how your team is shaping up.
Was there ever a serious chance of one of the expansion teams picking up Klara Peslarova?
Peslarova was one of the most sought after PWHL free agents there was. She had interest from several teams including both expansion teams, New York, and Boston. Her decision to go back to Europe had nothing to do with lack of interest or the fact that she wouldn't have played meaningful games this season and gotten a raise. She wants to play more than would have been possible prior to the Olympics given the PWHL's late start. The league's current calendar is a concern the PWHL needs to evaluate moving forward as it impacts the interest level of players coming from Europe who don't want to miss half a season in hopes of making a PWHL roster when they could be playing games and developing.
How long do the players rights belong with a team after being drafted? Also what does that even mean? Let’s say if a team does not want to sign the player or even if a player does not want to play for a certain team?
Two years. Any drafted player "belongs" to the team who selected them for two years. If a team doesn't want to sign them, they go on waivers and if unclaimed and unsigned, their rights remain with the team who selected them. This was the case with the Boston Fleet and Ilona Markova last season. When placed on waivers however, or made a reserve, any team can swoop in and sign a player and the two year protected period shifts to the new team. This is what happened with Lauren Bernard who was made a reserve by Toronto and signed by New York midseason last year, which is why Bernard was on New York's list when it came time for expansion and why her rights remained theirs. This week we learned the PWHL quietly instituted another wrinkle to this, where after the first season a drafted player is signed, their team must present them with a "qualifying offer." This means that team must offer them at least another year at the salary they earned last year plus the mandatory 3% increase. If they don't offer that, then the player immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent. If a player doesn't want to play for a specific team...there really isn't much they can do. They can retire, they can sit out, they can ask for a difficult to make trade, or they can stay where they are and play.
What are the steps necessary to get the two newly drafted Russian players to Canada and give them the ability to play in the US and Canada? Is there any concern that European players won’t report, or does them registering for the draft mean they’re committed to coming. Thinking specifically about Ottawa’s Russians.
We saw this in action last year with Ilona Markova. This process has become the norm in league's like the NHL as Russian players continue to make their way to the United States and Canada to play. The bigger issue last season was that for Markova, there was no American embassy in Russia so she had to go through Uzbekistan to get to Boston. There is however, a Canadian embassy that remains in Moscow, which should make the process of getting Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova to Ottawa much easier. I personally chatted with both of these players prior to the draft and Kadirova since, and they are excited to come to North America to play. They will be here, and they will be members of the Ottawa Charge.
What's the deal with Dominika Laskova? Loren Gabel? Alexandra Labelle? Brooke Bryant? Alexa Vasko?
This group is a little confusing to be honest. Some have had very little interest, some have had almost none, some are just getting nibbles. A few of these don't make any sense to me. Laskova being one as a player who can play either defence or forward, particularly given the lack of defensive depth in the league. Gabel was widely considered one of the top offensive players coming into the league, but didn't click in Boston. Even as a power play specialist, there are few in this league with her release, and she could add value. As for Labelle, Bryant, and Vasko, we've got three players who have a 200-foot game that are hard to play against. Vasko was crucial for Ottawa in the playoffs, and Montreal was always better with Labelle in the lineup. Bryant has two Walter Cups. It makes very little sense at this point, and I'd still expect most of these players to be in the league.
What's the story with a team's reserve players? How do they possibly maintain close to game-shape in case they get called?
Being a reserve in the PWHL is more about convenience than capability and that's a problem. To survive on the $15,450 with no housing stipend and no health insurance or benefits, reserve players likely have full time jobs and flexibility. It's a mix in the PWHL where some reserves will practice with teams, but most can be found skating with local college programs, coaching, or training on the side. The best case scenario for the PWHL would be to come to a deal with any other league in the world, send their reserves there with their $15,450 on top of the housing and other minor benefits most European leagues already offer, and pay a small development fee to the European club to aid in this. It would increase the level of competition overseas, keep players on the PWHL's fringe in game shape, and help these players survive financially. The PWHL's current reserve system can only survive for so long, particularly in markets without a large pool of players already living in the city, and fans can't expect a development league to launch during the careers of any player in the league, or likely any in college. This league needs to build partners overseas for reserves, prospects, and picks. The SDHL is reducing the number of international players right now, not increasing, so the PWHL has serious bridge building to do overseas that needs to be about giving and growing those leagues, not just taking top talent.
Are all 2025 drafted players expected to make their team's roster for this season? If not, what happens with the players who don't?
The vast majority will. The roster openings created through expansion will largely be filled by the draft picks coming to the league. In 2024, nearly all of the selected players made opening night rosters, but it wasn't complete. In 2024 however, there was significant attrition in the league due to retirements and players heading to Europe. This season, that number currently sits at only 3-4 players league-wide, with only a single retirement announcement, that of Victoria Bach, coming to date. Looking at who was selected in the draft, there are only a select few I can think of who will struggle, but in fourth line or seventh defender roles, and making league minimum salaries, there will be opportunities. I do believe some draft picks will lose jobs to free agents, but it won't be a significant number. Even a half dozen feels too high. Those who don't will have a decision to make: try to find one of the very few spots available in Europe, sign as a reserve and hope for an opportunity when injuries arise, or retire. Those are the only options that remain.
I’m deeply concerned about the Fleet this year. No coach, limited upside in the forward depth.
Justified. It's hard to imagine the Boston Fleet making the playoffs next season at no fault of their own. General manager Danielle Marmer, I believe, did a good job this offseason filling her roster with experienced players. Chloe Aurard could be one of the league's biggest breakout players, and they brought in upside at other positions. Boston has good depth down the middle, and one of the best goalies in the world. Beyond that, this team is going to struggle. Their wings are inexperienced, and their defensive depth is questionable. Boston's lone hope is that multiple draft picks step in and exceed all expectations offensively, and that this team finds chemistry from day one. Whoever they bring in as a new head coach will need to squeeze a lot out of this roster and get their team playing tight team defence night in and night out. There's realistic reason to be concerned that Boston will be the league's worst team by a large margin this season, but that honor could belong to a handful of original six teams like Ottawa or New York. They might not, but on paper, there's no way to look at the Boston Fleet and not see the reckless fault in the league's misguided expansion process on full display.
Victoire players talked a lot about the chemistry between them in the locker room during the last season. What happened to Keopple, Dalton, Grant-Mentis and DeGeorge? Some could have been warned that they would not be re-signed? Keopple was important for the team and seemed happy…
The fact is, contract offers were coming fast and furious, and a player like Mariah Keopple was able to get a solid raise and had interest from several teams. She loved Montreal, and the Victoire did a lot for her career, but sometimes a new adventure is equally intriguing. Dalton and Chuli got offers that will likely see them each playing bigger roles as well. The chemistry in Montreal comes from the top. This team is professionally run by staff, but more importantly, the veterans in that locker room including Marie-Philip Poulin, Erin Ambrose, Laura Stacey, Ann-Renee Desbiens, and Kati Tabin pull others up, they don't push them down. Players in Montreal are accountable to one another, and held to a standard, but within a positive culture. That only got stronger with the additions of veterans like Hayley Scamurra and Shiann Darkangelo. It's also why Montreal didn't hesitate to bring in Abby Roque, who won't be able to get away with things like she did in New York. She'll almost certainly thrive in Montreal, because if she steps out of line in Montreal, the players won't have it. To me it wasn't surprising to see Grant-Mentis explore another opportunity, and I think DeGeorge at this point is on her final opportunity to show she can contribute in this league, and Toronto must have been the location she felt gave her that chance.
Do you think team Canada will take advantage of the chemistry being built in the D pairs during the season going into the Olympics? Fast/Shelton, Gosling/Ambrose, Thompson/Bell/Jacques?
They should. The PWHL provides unique opportunities to see these combinations in action. Look at the success Canada found last year with Jennifer Gardiner alongside Poulin and Stacey. It's not to say Gardiner couldn't make Canada without them, but the chemistry they had in the PWHL made the selection and combination obvious. Canada has tried to place role players in specific positions on their roster, but the PWHL gives more context to their selections. The omission of Bell and Gosling from Canada's blueline at the 2025 Worlds, I think, hurt Canada. Seeing some of these pairings play out in the PWHL should factor into Canada's decisions, and if they don't, it's to their own detriment.
Are we going to see players that have previously played in the league like Kristin Della Rovere and Emma Keenan?
Kristin Della Rovere is one who certainly wants to return to the PWHL. We also saw Savannah Norcross sign in New York after a season in Sweden. Others like Madison Bizal have also been looking at returns, and there are some like Sarah Bujold and defender Dominique Kremer who I'm surprised haven't seen more interest. In depth roles these players can all compete. Experience is an asset this season with each team losing their share of veterans.
I'm worried about Tamara Giaquinto. Heard she was injured and never fully recovered ? Will she be able to play at this level?
Tamara Giaquinto played in every game last season for Boston University. The Montreal Victoire draft pick has battled knee issues for years including a patellar tendon tear and an osteochondral defect. She also developed arthritis at a young age, and has tried just about everything. Since then, she found an innovative brace that has allowed her to play and maximize her potential without significant pain. She won the Hockey East Defender of the Year award this year, and there's no doubt she can play at this level and would have been a higher pick without her history. At the moment, there's nothing to worry about, but the added physicality of this league could be a long term concern. Giaquinto is a strong player who should transition to the league well and will be well insulated in Montreal. There are others in this league facing offseason surgery as well including New York pick Dayle Ross who will reportedly miss the opening months of the season after offseason surgery herself.
Did the Frost lose free agents because of what happened between the team and Darwitz?
Minnesota has lost a lot because of this, from fans to players. When you look at the character people who left, and the lack of players coming in, it speaks volumes. That said, Minnesota has managed to work through it and find on ice success, but long term, I'd be concerned with the player movement we saw this offseason. There are however, many quality people and players in Minnesota. Few question players like Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle, who were far from the antics that led to Minnesota's offseason spiral following the inaugural season. The other item to consider is that this was the first true offseason for rookie general manager Melissa Caruso. She's not just a rookie GM, but she's a rookie to all things on this side of the hockey world with no experience in evaluating players, scouting, drafting, signing players, negotiating contracts, or playing the game. It's an uphill battle, but as a manager overall, she also has a number of skills that other GMs in the league don't possess. Still, it's a factor you can't overlook when considering Minnesota's ability, or lack thereof, to attract free agents this offseason after winning back-to-back titles. Players in the NHL will be lining up to play for teams like the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights who are perennially fielding contenders. Minnesota will always be able to draw players geographically, which is a massive benefit that will keep them competitive in perpetuity. One offseason won't define this club, but seeing the exodus of free agents is a concern, albeit not one unique to Minnesota. The other PWHL finalist in Ottawa also saw a mass exit, and both teams need to examine why that is happening, and work to alter the way players perceive their experience.
Why in the world would Vancouver trade for Campbell with Maschmeyer already on the team? Does this mean Masch is going to miss significant time due to her injury next season?
I don't think Masch is going to miss a game, but I do think it's wise to insulate her, and Cara Gardner Morey recognized this. Gadner Morey used every millimetre of runway the league gave expansion clubs in a roster building masterclass. In year one, Maschmeyer struggled in the PWHL. Last offseason made adjustments to her stance, and how she pushes her hands forward. In year two she was playing significantly better, but her injury added another wrinkle showing that for a variety of reasons, having a strong tandem in place is logical. It's hard to say any goalie playing 30 games is overused. In fact, with the gaps in the PWHL's schedule, a starter could conceivably play all 30 games without much concern. Maschmeyer however, should be given a softer start this year given her recovery. For both Maschmeyer and Campbell, there's familiarity and rapport built where they can support each other. No matter how you look at it, Vancouver will be one of the only teams in the PWHL fielding two experienced goalies capable of stealing games. They could afford it, it made their team better, what's not to love? It doesn't matter what position it is, Vancouver found ways to make themselves a better team at each turn of their roster building process.
Caught an article where Mike Hirshfeld said they'll work on some things on the back end to make the Ottawa Charge more inviting for players. What was that about?
When you see so many talented players leave town, it's a canary in a coal mine. The locker room culture in Ottawa was great, and the fan base is one of the best in the league. The city itself is a fantastic place to live as well. Ottawa does play in an outdated facility, and there are some players who don't love Carla MacLeod's coaching style. Others like Tereza Vanisova, I can understand why she left. Ottawa had the league's second leading goal scorer never playing more than third line minutes. That's likely going to be the case for her in Vancouver as well, where had she stayed in Ottawa she would have been a guaranteed top six player. That said, she should have been playing more minutes in Ottawa, and it's hard to promise someone something in the future when they were underutilized in the past. (At the same time, I'm not sure Vancouver will give Vanisova the same grace MacLeod did when she takes a bad penalty at crucial moment). The same goes for Shiann Darkangelo who I think left Ottawa thinking there were greener pastures and more ice time waiting in Montreal, which again almost certainly won't be the case. Ottawa offered most players who left more money than they received elsewhere, which tells you something isn't clicking between what players are seeing and what the organization believes their receiving. The fact Hirshfeld openly stated the team is going to re-evaluate their processes and how it impacts player experience is a good sign. I have no doubt Ottawa comes out of this and is a top destination for players for years to come. When it comes down to it, the actual canary in the coal mine here is signalling the first signs that smaller market teams, or those playing outside their assigned markets, will have hurdles to jump where other teams do not. There's nothing malignant in Ottawa, and while the bounces didn't go their way this offseason, I don't think there's reason for long term concern.
Exhibition games in Europe?
This league wants to get to Europe as soon as possible. I've always laughed at the idea of them fielding teams in Europe. That's been a repeated comment from members of the league's board and upper management that continues to come up that really, they should put to bed. Innovation is good. Games at 6am for most of your fan base, days of travel and jet lag, and the logistical nightmares this league already faces due to riding by the seat of their pants at all times makes Europe an illogical pipe dream that could doom the league. Where they will benefit, is through exhibition games in Europe. This would be fantastic for recruiting, growing their fan base, and a much needed addition to the preseason. A two game preseason held over three days is unfair to any player hoping to make this league, and to fans who want to see players hit the ice in full form from day one. Playing additional exhibition games in Europe, including potential exhibition games against national teams or All-Star teams from various league would be fantastic. I'd like to see this immediately, but with more expansion on the horizon, you have to wonder how many directions the league can pull itself before something gives.
Team names, schedules and more
I think we will get team names and logos well before the season. That's been hinted at multiple times surrounding the draft. Schedule? Your guess is as good as mine. We know the league has some games figured out since we've learned the Boston Fleet will play four home games at Agganis and nine at home, along with two at other sites. Teams have sent their season ticket holder information out with every team falling short of the 15 game home schedule you'd expect in a 30 game schedule, meaning the PWHL Takeover Tour will be back in full force, and potentially bigger than ever. It's one way the league can find flexibility in their schedule when their own venues can be restrictive. But the league has been glacial when it comes to releasing their schedule the last two years. The lack of primary venues makes scheduling difficult, and makes actually carrying out that schedule without having to bump their games last minute even harder. To properly promote and sell tickets, they need to get the league schedule out far sooner. Will this be the year? Flip a coin, roll a dice, pick a number between one and ten...I have no idea, and you'll probably get an equally accurate answer by shaking a magic 8-ball from Walmart.