PWHL Rumblings: Free Agency Edition

PWHL Free Agency is open. Teams can now sign any unsigned or undrafted free agent.

Here's a look at what we're seeing and hearing across the PWHL:

Many were surprised by Hadley Hartmetz's slide down the draft list this year, but the 2024 PWHL Boston pick was injured, a fact well known to each PWHL team. Boston saw value late in the draft and nabbed the Ohio State blueliner, but it's unlikely she'll join Boston for the first month of the season. Her timeline for return places her somewhere around the New Year, although Hartmetz will be on skates long before that. Still, the absence leaves a spot on Boston's blueline. They currently have seven defenders in their organization including Hartmetz, which means they'll be looking for one player, likely a veteran in free agency. After signing Sidney Morin and Emily Brown, Kaleigh Fratkin could be the option. She played in Boston's top four last season, and is a tough nosed, smooth skating defender.

When you look at how PWHL Boston lined up last season, they used Alina Muller on the left wing. Muller however, is a natural center, and it would not be surprising with Boston's new forward depth to see her shifted back to the middle on Boston's top line pushing Susanna Tapani to the 2C position. With Hannah Bilka joining Boston on the left wing it makes the move possible, but could Boston bring in another highly skilled winger to fill Muller's spot? It's believe Boston will be the main player bidding on PWHL Ottawa forward Daryl Watts. They're the only team with cap room remaining after trading Sophie Jaques to Minnesota earlier in the year, and building a budget friendly blueline. New York might also take a swing at Watts in hopes of upgrading their second line position. 

The only team not to re-sign a player in the exclusive three week period prior to free agency was Minnesota. Players across the league have no idea who is in charge in Minnesota. The league has yet to announce if Ken Klee will be taking over general manager duties, if the league itself will be overseeing free agent signing in the market, or if a new general manager will be hired. It was rumoured at the PWHL Draft that Amanda Kessel might be in the running for the job before Montreal took her late in the draft. It wouldn't stop Kessel from retiring and taking the job, but it would create a unique and problematic situation considering the entire league is one entity. Prior to Natalie Darwitz' perplexing dismissal, Minnesota was already in discussions to re-sign players. Those players are now in a state of flux. The final aspect is, if the players in Minnesota have as much power as is now believed, will other players want to move there and risk being on the wrong side of the locker room power dynamic.

There was considerable discussion between the PWHL and PWHLPA regarding minimum salaries for top draft picks. Eventually it was agreed upon as $50,000 for first round picks, $42,500 for second round picks, and $40,000 for third round picks. It's believed however, that these are minimums and players will still be able to ask for more. It's likely any player picked outside the top three rounds will need to settle for a league minimum $36,050. This could slow down signings to open PWHL Free Agency as teams will need to get their top picks signed before they know how much money is left in the coffers.

Talk originally sounded like a November start date was in store for the PWHL, but it looks like we could be waiting until the first of December for a return to the regular season. Last year the PWHL hosted a preseason event in Utica, New York featuring exhibition games between the six teams in early December. There is no word if the league will choose another centralized location for year two's preseason, or if they'll conduct a more traditional preseason schedule with teams traveling for games.

Watching third goalies shuffle between teams could become an annual event in the PWHL if those netminders want to remain in the league and not test Europe. Sandra Abstreiter and Abbey Levy are the two remaining backup goaltenders from last season who are now looking at futures as third goalies in the league. Erica Howe, the other remaining backup retired this week, while Elaine Chuli was re-signed during the exclusive negotiating period. There were plenty of netminders available through free agency as well including Klara Peslarova, Logan Angers, and Kendra Woodland. Angers' name has already been tied to Montreal.

There are two factors in this discussion. Speaking with several players and agents across the league, many of the league's veterans will opt for retirement over heading to Europe if they cannot secure a roster spot in the league. Adding to this issue is the fact most roster spots in Europe that could provide compensation in a competitive league are already filled. There are teams in the SDHL and SWHL holding a few positions knowing they can still add, but it's very limited.