The first PWHL trade is in the books, but it certainly won't be the last. Here's four players who could be next to move, and it just so happens, they'd make for two perfect one-for-one trades.
The first PWHL trade is in the books, but it certainly won't be the last. Here's four players who could be next to move, and it just so happens, they'd make for two perfect one-for-one trades.
Looking at the PWHL's first trade, it was a big one. 10th overall pick Sophie Jaques, the reigning Patty Kazmaier winner who signed a guaranteed three-year contract with PWHL Boston before the season was dealt to PWHL Minnesota in exchange for Finnish legend Susanna Tapani, and blueliner Abby Cook.
For Sophie Jaques, it's a fresh start to what has been a disastrous six months in her career. Minnesota has been looking for defensive help since the preseason, and they'll give Jaques every opportunity to play. With the seal broken for trades in the league, we still shouldn't expect a wave of transactions, but we might start to see other players who are stuck in unfamiliar roles and territory begin to shuffle.
There are plenty of candidates across the league to be on the move, but these four standout as players who could benefit from a shift, and it just so happens, these four could make for a pair of tidy player-for-player deals.
Elizabeth Giguere - Giguere's puck possession tracking hints of good things. Through the first quarter of the PWHL season, Giguere was responsible for 8.3% of PWHL New York's controlled zone entries. Of the six forwards who currently account for 62.5% of New York's controlled entries, Giguere is the only player without multiple points on the season. In fact, that group is responsible for 68.1% of New York's goals this season, despite the fact Giguere does not have a goal or point through nine games. She is fifth on New York in shots on goal as well. The four-time Patty Kazmaier nominee, and 2020 winner, scored 22 points in 18 games as a professional rookie last year with the PHF's Boston Pride. It would not be surprising to see New York and Giguere looking for a new opportunity.
Kennedy Marchment - Let's go one for one on this - Elizabeth Giguere to Montreal for Kennedy Marchment. Giguere had signed in the offseason with the PHF's Montreal Force, and Marchment has thrived in Connecticut with the Whale, where she'd re-upped for two seasons. Both need a jump start, and the duo were selected in the PWHL Draft only three spots apart at 28th and 31st overall. Arguably, both would fit into the opposite systems more effectively, as Giguere sometimes looks a step behind New York's run and gun offense, and Montreal could use Giguere's size and poise with the puck. Marchment would help New York fill the gap left by Jill Saulnier, and could be an excellent wing-woman for any of New York's current top six. It's a win-win.
Shiann Darkangelo - With the addition of Susanna Tapani in Boston, the forward depth expands. The move will certainly push someone out of the middle as Tapani will look to land as either the 2C or be shifted to the wing herself. Shiann Darkangelo has taken some reps down the middle and on the left side, and either way you look at it, she'll likely see less ice with Tapani's arrival. A valuable two-way player, Darkanegelo hasn't found the consistent production she's displayed over the past several seasons of pro hockey from the CWHL to PWHPA, NWHL, and the Toronto Six's captain in the PHF. Through seven games, Darkangelo has only a single assist. Boston could also look to move Hannah Brandt should they need a different look up front, as Darkangelo's play off the puck will be beneficial come playoffs. If a trade discussion does come up, seeing Darkangelo move to Montreal or Toronto makes a lot of sense.
Jillian Dempsey - Need a trade partner for Darkangelo? A one-for-one trade sending Dempsey to Boston in exchange for Darkangelo would make the hockey gods happy for a number of reasons. Dempsey has been buried on Montreal's fourth line, and her style doesn't translate well to that role. That said, Dempsey can do anything as a prototypical veteran who puts her team first at all times. Darkangelo's game could fit better into Montreal's middle or bottom six however, and might actually jump start their offense. The addition of Catherine Dubois was a positive for Montreal, and Darkangelo could do something similar on a permanent basis. In Boston, Dempsey would return to the city she became a women's hockey legend in, and truthfully, any infusion of speed into Boston's forward group will help kickstart their attack. Dempsey is a natural fit.