Trades are on the table among the PWHL's eight existing teams, including for the first time ever, the ability for teams to move draft picks ahead of the 2025 PWHL Draft.
Trades in the PWHL to date have primarily relied on being player for player as each team is required to maintain a 23 player roster, as well as a salary average. It means in season deals involving odd numbers of players are extremely difficult.
During the 2024-25 season, two trades occurred. The first was considered a blockbuster sending Jocelyne Larocque and Victoria Bach to the Ottawa Charge in exchange for Savannah Harmon and Hayley Scamurra who were shipped to Toronto. The second deal was more minor swapping Kaitlin Willoughby to Montreal for Anna Kjellbin, who came to Toronto.
With the trade market open, and every team having several roster spots open and money to make moves, there could be a renewed interest in making deals. In particular, many teams have positional imbalances meaning teams could make deals to help balance their rosters heading into the draft and offseason.
Here's a look at some of the top potential trade candidates on the market.
Jaime Bourbonnais - New York Sirens
In the PWHL expansion process, the New York Sirens protected defenders Micah Zandee-Hart, Ella Shelton, and Maja Nylen Persson. It established a pecking order on their blueline, and general manager Pascal Daoust has discussed the potential for a trade involving one of his blueliners if he could find a match. Bourbonnais makes sense as she's an established defender who is well respected in the league. She can play a top four role, which is invaluable with the shortage of elite defenders in the league. Ottawa feels like the prime candidate to be a trade partner. Ally Simpson is another potential trade piece for New York from their blueline, and she might be easier to move based on salary and desired return.
Kristen Campbell - Toronto Sceptres
As previously reported, it's believe the Toronto Sceptres want to end Kristen Campbell's tenure in Toronto and find another route forward. Finding a trade partner for a goaltender with a contract in excess of $80,000 a season when every team in the league, aside from New York, has one highly paid goalie on their roster already is the challenge. New York could be a partner if Toronto was willing to take back a bigger contract, or perhaps if they were willing to sweeten the deal for the Sirens. This won't be an easy deal for Toronto to make, but it seems clear they don't want to roll back the same goaltending situation.
Abby Roque - New York Sirens
Speaking of bigger contracts New York might be looking to move out, Abby Roque is a name of interest. New York made Roque one of their foundational signings, but the team has made it clear this offseason that they're interested in a change. Finding a trade partner for Roque is not going to be easy. Toronto could be that fit as they also need help up front, and it would throw Roque into an established culture with existing veteran leaders. Minnesota makes a lot of sense as well as Ken Klee would likely value Roque's physicality. The problem in Minnesota would be choosing players to send in return. Could a combination of either Dominique Petrie or Klara Hymlarova and a draft pick get it done? Probably. Or perhaps they could trade her for...
Jamie Lee Rattray - Boston Fleet
The trend of veterans continues. Rattray hasn't produced as anticipated in Boston, but on a team with fleeting offensive upside, they might need to keep Rattray and elevate her to a top six role whether she's proven capable of it or not. The alternative is to look for a trade partner. Ottawa might have interest in Rattray as a hometown player who knows what it takes to win at the highest level. New York could be another fit for a team looking to shift culture. There's not a person in the hockey world who doubts Rattray's value as a leader or quality person who contributes positively to a locker room. If Boston can re-sign Susanna Tapani, it would be interesting to consider if the Fleet would take a shot on Noora Tulus from New York to play alongside her Finnish national teammate.