Jincy Roese - Photo @ Ellen BondThe PWHL Trade Deadline is only 48 hours away, and while the silence is currently deafening, it may not last.
Buyers And Sellers Forming
New York and Ottawa have certainly moved into selling positions sinking farther from the playoff race. The problem is, there aren't many buyers at the moment. In part it's because the goods being offered aren't desired by other teams. There are however, players who could still find their way onto the trade block if the price is right. In Ottawa, one name to watch is Jincy Roese. There were reports that Roese was interested in a move earlier this year, and she could draw attention from teams looking to add to their blueline. If you're looking at New York's roster, there aren't too many untouchable pieces. But...
The Pack Isn't Messing With Their Chemistry
With the playoff race as tight as it is between Toronto, Boston, and Minnesota, teams aren't likely to significantly mess with their core. If trades do happen, at this point it looks like teams are only looking at depth shuffles for specific needs or positional shortages. Boston has found their stride, Toronto knows they have Sarah Nurse coming back, and Minnesota looks to be trending upward. It's not the time for any of them to make a significant move. Montreal certainly won't want to mess with what they have. But...
Montreal's Blueline Depth Could Be An Asset
Montreal has eight quality PWHL blueliners. While it's not a certainty, if there is a playoff team who could look to make a move, it's Montreal to add more punch to their bottom six up front. They could parlay Amanda Boulier, Anna Kjellbin, or Dominika Laskova into return. The defenders currently sitting 7-8 on Montreal's roster could step into a top six role almost anywhere in the league.
Toronto Made Room, Will They Make Another Shift?
With Lauren Bernard signing with the New York Sirens, Toronto has room to bring back Sarah Nurse without losing a rostered player. The real decision for the Toronto Sceptres will be who they shift to their reserve roster. Kaitlin Willoughby is the likely candidate. While Noemi Neubauerova hasn't played a lot, there would be teams waiting to grab her because she has far more upside than Toronto has explored.