The final week of the PWHL season has arrived with players talking about contracts both in the PWHL and Europe, draft considerations growing, and of course, the first overall pick on the line.
The final week of the PWHL season is here. Playoffs begin May 8, and the PWHL Draft is also just over a month away. It's crunch time for everything from playoff standings, Gold Plan draft order, and for players trying to figure out what they'll be doing next year if the PWHL Draft doesn't go their way.
Here's a look at what we're hearing and seeing from across the PWHL:
Negotiations underway
While we don't know when players can officially sign contract extensions, or if they can even be negotiating at this point, there are players in the PWHL who have been offered contracts for next season and beyond. It's a sign that general managers are looking to get more than their core of current two- and three-year contracted players figured out before the PWHL Draft and PWHL Free Agency. Of the 147 players who have skated in at least one regular season PWHL game this season, 58% will be unrestricted free agents this offseason, free to sign anywhere.
Draft Considerations
The PWHL Draft has officially been awarded to Minnesota this year, after the inaugural draft took place in Toronto last year. While few other details exist, players have only a few more days to declare. Speaking of days and dates, the date being tossed around most commonly at this point is a mid-week draft between June 9-12. It's hard to believe the league would not have a solidified date considering they've now released a logo and location only 10 weeks out, so it's just a matter of waiting and see until they announce the official date.
European Contracts
Some clarity is coming to light regarding players currently contracted in Europe. Also, the delay in signing players overseas might be more perceived than real, as several players who have declared for the PWHL Draft have also already signed in Europe. It seems counter to our previous report of the IIHF stating no signed players would be drafted. The caveat to that is that teams in Europe are in fact handing out coveted "out-clauses" to some players entering the draft. PWHL senior vice president of hockey operations sent clarification this week stating that as long as a player is eligible to play in the PWHL in the 2024-2025 season, they can declare. That means out-clauses will hold, and players can pre-sign. Why haven't we heard more of these signings announced in Europe? Well, it appears agents and players don't want to risk scaring off PWHL teams. For some of the deeper teams in the draft however, it may actually be an enticing feature in the later rounds to know they can draft a player, place them in Europe, and monitor their development as the season progresses knowing an out-clause exists.
One Win For First Draft Position
It didn't come against Toronto on Sunday, but PWHL New York has two more chances to earn a win. And that's all they need under the Gold Plan. One win would secure New York the top draft position in each round of the 2024 PWHL Draft, including the first overall pick. This will all come down to Tuesday's game against Ottawa. Ottawa wants the win to clinch a playoff spot, while New York wants the win to clinch the first playoff spot. If Ottawa wins and does clinch their spot, it would mean Boston could earn the first overall pick with a point against Montreal in their final game of the season.
Viewing Parties Coming?
It's been a popular topic in the NHL, with teams hosting viewing parties on their jumbotron screens at their home rinks while teams are on the road in the playoffs. It could be coming to the PWHL as well as multiple teams are looking at options for viewing parties for their fans. Not every venue in the PWHL is equipped with a screen capable of hosting a viewing party, but those who have one, this topic is under consideration.