The Montreal Victoire battled through injuries and depth problems last year, but look better situated heading into the 2024-2025 PWHL season. Here's a look at three burning questions facing the team.
The Montreal Victoire are heading into next season with all of their top players back, and some added depth at a variety of positions. They're also moving into Place Bell after drawing sold out crowds of more than 10,000 fans per game multiple times last season. While Montreal looked like an early favorite, they fell flat in the playoffs being ousted by Boston.
Have they done enough to get over the hump for this season? Here are three burning questions facing the Montreal Victoire.
What will they do with Boreen and Kessel?
The Amanda Kessel situation appears resolved, although Montreal general manager Daniele Sauvageau said the door remains open, Kessel has accepted the promotion to assistant general manager with the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate. So it's likely time to move on from that question. It remains a savvy pick by Sauvageau, particularly as she knew she had Lina Ljungblom as a holdover ace up her sleeve. Abby Boreen remains a more complex situation. Aside from Boreen, there are only three players from the first three rounds of the 2024 Draft left unsigned. Boreen is a player who Montreal could benefit from as their depth was an issue, and she brings another hard driving power presence. But it's Boreen's schooling that is the x-factor. She needed to be in Minnesota to finish her pharmacy degree. Early this summer it was reported that the team was struggling to find an equivalent program at McGill and other Montreal schools. Perhaps some of this has been resolved behind the scenes, but with Boreen unsigned, it seems there are still moving parts. Is a trade back to Minnesota still on the table? With salary restrictions, all trades are difficult to make, particularly in the offseason as teams must start the year cap compliant.
Can Montreal stay healthy?
Injuries are always an unpredictable variable, and Montreal had plenty last season. In the preseason it was Erin Ambrose's lower body injury, throughout the year there were concerns over Marie-Philip Poulin's back. There was near season long injuries to Dominika Laskova and Kennedy Marchment, as well as Ann-Sophie Bettez. That's a long list of players who missed time or weren't at 100% last season, particularly as the playoffs rolled around and Montreal found themselves in a situation where bench management became a question of concern as coach Kori Cheverie played five players for the majority of the game, including four who saw more than 50 minutes of ice time in an important triple overtime game. Montreal has an abundance of defensive depth heading into this season, and more flexibility up front. But they are still susceptible to depth concerns if injuries strike again.
What will Montreal do with their new found depth?
If there's one position Montreal has a question mark at due to too much depth, it's the blueline. Signed heading into this season Montreal has reigning PWHL Defender of the Year Erin Ambrose, USA national teamer Cayla Barnes, Czechia national team member Dominika Laskova, along with Kati Tabin, Mariah Keopple, and Amanda Boulier who they acquired at the deadline last season. Tabin was one of the league's most unheralded players last season, and Keopple was a pleasant surprise. Heading to camp, Montreal also has returning blueliner Catherine Daoust looking for a spot, and 2024 draft picks Anna Kjellbin, who is the captain of Sweden's national team, and American blueliner Anna Wilgren. Montreal is also bringing others including U Sports All-Canadian Kelly-Ann Nadeau to camp, who could surprise many. What it means however, is that someone returning from last year, or one of their picks will find themselves without a roster spot come December. Other teams could be watching these moves if they feel they need more defensive depth.