Top 25 PWHL Free Agents Remaining

The PWHL Draft is over, but the depth of the free agent pool remaining is strong. Here's a look at the top 25 free agents remaining on the market.

The PWHL Draft is over, but the work is just beginning for PWHL general managers. The first order of business will be opening contract negotiations with some of the key players selected, while perhaps waiting until training camp for others. Similarly, coaches and general managers will look to invite a group of players to training camp.

According to the PWHLPA - PWHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, each of the league's six teams must have at least 28 players in training camp when they open in mid-November. 

That means each team must bring at least 10 additional players from the 18 they currently have in the organization. Of those ten or more, each team will need to sign five players to meet the CBA's 23 player roster requirement. Here's a look at some of the players who will be hotly sought after in this second free agency period.

1. Mikyla Grant-Mentis - A former PHF MVP and all-star with the Toronto Six and Buffalo Beauts, Grant-Mentis is not far removed from becoming the highest paid player in professional women's hockey history. Grant-Mentis can score, and she can also play an energy game in a bottom six if asked. 

2. Jonna Albers - Blazing speed, quick hands, and an ability to finish, Albers was the NWHL's leading scorer in a time where many of the world's top national team players were in the league. She's too good not to be in this league, but may only be looking at Minnesota, which kept her out of the draft. Natalie Darwitz could add a player with top six upside in Albers, or a player who can use her speed to devastate in a checking line role. 

3. Kaleigh Fratkin - There's few tougher to play against than Fratkin.m She's a three-time PHF all-star, was back-to-back PHF defender of the year in 2020 and 2021, and led the league in defensive scoring in 2016 and 2021. Fratkin can play in a top four in the PWHL, making her absence from the draft one of the most confusing out there.

4. Madison Packer - Any team looking for a bullish player who can score to patrol their third line and mentor younger players would be wise to call on Madison Packer. Not only does she bring talent on the ice, but she's one of the best teammates and people off the ice the league could find to grow the game. Packer has plenty of fuel left in the tank. She was granted compassionate circumstances which likely resulted in not being drafted. New York's Pascal Daoust could use her to balance out his forward corps, and would be wise to get on the phone before other teams scoop the veteran. Packer was the 11th leading scorer in the PHF last season, the top scoring player undrafted.

5. Allie Thunstrom - Similar to Albers, Thunstrom brings more speed than 90% of the drafted players. She's one of the older veterans remaining, but hasn't lost a step, and would thrive in a bottom six role using that speed, and burning mismatched defenders.

6. Noora Raty - Historically, Raty's legacy will go down as the best of any active netminder. It's possible her departure from the PWHPA to the PHF's Metropolitan Riveters caused hurt feelings among some, but her ability is undeniable. If Toronto wants to give Kristen Campbell a push, and provide safety, Raty is the best available. 

7. Maddie Rooney - Another veteran option is Maddie Rooney, who seems to have fallen out of favor with Team USA in the last two years. She'd be an excellent veteran backup in the league.

8. Alex Cavallini - If there's a wildcard among the three remaining goalies, it's Cavallini, who when she stepped away from the game last year to give birth to her daughter, was Team USA's starter. Similar to the two above, Cavallini is a strong contender to sign in Toronto and push Campbell.

9. Becca Gilmore - It seems inconceivable that Gilmore, an active national team member for the gold medal winning Team USA wasn't selected. Gilmore will fit into a bottom six in the league with ease, and could remain in Boston if Danielle Marmer feels she's a good fit. If not, New York still has work to do up front.

10. Amanda Pelkey - Pelkey finished 18th in PHF scoring last season with 19 points in 24 games, and is an Olympic and two time World Championship gold medalist as a member of Team USA. The 30-year-old can certainly still contribute in this league, and will be a sought after free agent to fill out a bottom six role. 

11. Haley Skarupa - Another former Team USA national team member, Skarupa was perhaps the best PWHPA member not selected in the draft. The 29-year-old has been an elite scorer at every level, including professionally, and owns three World Championship gold and an Olympic gold medal, and was a two-time Patty Kazmaier finalist.

12. Dominique Kremer - Another former PHF Defender of the Year, Kremer was among the players left standing when the draft ended. She was the top scoring blueliner on the Buffalo Beauts last season, and plays a steady two-way game. She'd be an excellent third pairing addition anywhere in the league with the ability to play more minutes when needed.

13. Saroya Tinker - Forget the fact Saroya Tinker is an excellent shutdown defender, she's also a person any team would be lucky to have in their market. Tinker sees the ice well, and would be a steal to sign as a sixth defender. Toronto is a likely market for the PHF All-Star.

14. Sarah Bujold - Finishing 16th in PHF scoring with 20 points in 23 games, Bujold has scored everywhere she's been including in Europe and the PHF. It seems unlikely Bujold doesn't end up in this league, and New York should be a team looking at her.

15. Kaitlyn Tougas - When Toronto selected Hannah Miller who played for KRS Shenzhen last season, it perhaps paved the road for Tougas to follow her former teammate to Toronto. Tougas has scored her way across Europe including 53 points in 32 games for KRS last year.

16. Natalie Snodgrass - Scoring 20 points in 22 games for Minnesota last year, Snodgrass seems like another logical target for Natalie Darwitz to fill out her lineup. A power forward who loves to drive the net, Snodgrass can certainly contribute in a depth role.

17. Kelly Babstock - If you want a fourth line forward who will get under your opponents skin, physically punish, and energize your team, Kelly Babstock is it. Add in the fact Babstock was 12th in PHF scoring with 21 points in 24 games last season, and you've got a player who can contribute in a number of ways.

18. Akane Shiga - It's uncertain if Shiga is a package deal with her defender sister Aoi Shiga. Many have listed Akane Shiga as one of the world's up and coming players. The issue with the sisters is that their skills have not been tested regularly at the pro level. Japan's domestic league is too weak for adequate evaluation. Perhaps Shiga can grab a reserve spot and work her way into games, sign a league minimum deal as a fourth liner to earn her spot, or head to Sweden for a year.

19. Rosalie Demers - The depth of forwards in the draft hurt players like Demers, and she'll have a long road ahead to claim an opening night spot, but she had skill, brings familiarity with the PWHPA side of the league, and with her Montreal ties, could have a leg up on that roster.

20. Emma Keenan - The pool of remaining defenders is small, but there's enough PHF top six blueliners remaining to fill 6th and 7th defender positions in the PWHL, and Emma Keenan will be a value pick up for whomever signs her. She was slated to play for the Montreal Force this year, and it would not be surprising to see her land in Montreal when all is said and done.

21. Catie Skaja

22. Abigail Boreen

23. Leah Lum

24. Nicole LaMantia

25. Fanni Gasparics

Other free agents to watch: Catherine Daoust, Liliane Perreault, Alena Mills, Sarah Lefort, , Nicole Kosta, Alex Poznikoff, Lilane Perreault, Savine Wielenga.

Players who will be reserves: Melodie Daoust and Patti Marshall could both easily play in the PWHL, but both were denied their compassionate circumstances waivers, and instead chose to pull their names from the draft. The move makes both ineligble for a standard player agreement, but both are eligible to join reserve rosters.