The PWHL trade deadline is only two weeks away. Here's a look at what each team needs and who some of the top trade targets in the PWHL could be.
Two trades are in the books this season for the PWHL. The first was a blockbuster seeing Savannah Harmon and Haley Scamurra heading to Toronto in exchange for Jocelyne Larocque and Victoria Bach with Ottawa. The second was a one-for-one deal with the Boston Fleet acquiring Jill Saulnier, sending Taylor Girard to the New York Sirens.
Here's a look at each of the PWHL team's biggest needs, as well The Hockey News' trade target list.
Biggest Needs
- Boston Fleet - Secondary scoring. Boston has seen big boosts this season from Hilary Knight, but the team has struggled to score for the second straight season. The injury to Hannah Bilka was a dagger in their attack. Boston needs to make a move, and it might need to be more than a minor shift.
- Minnesota Frost - A goaltender. There's really no way to guarantee Maddie Rooney or Nicole Hensley will be good enough to get Minnesota back to the Walter Cup finals. Rooney has been the better of the two, but Minneota has looked good up and down their lineup, but their goaltending has not been good.
- Montreal Victoire - Depth forward support. The return of Dominika Laskova, if it occurs in time for her to play at the World Championships and prepare for a playoff run might be the only boost Montreal needs. If Montreal wants to deploy Laskova on the blueline, they'll have too much depth at the position, and could look to flip a D for more defensive depth to upgrade their wings. The injury to Catherine Dubois leaves Montreal with only 12 rostered forwards.
- New York Sirens - Secondary scoring. The injury to Alex Carpenter, and lack of scoring beyond New York's top group shows the need for more production up and down their lineup. New York has leaned heavily on their big names, and rightfully so, but adding a piece who can provide a different look on their third line would be big. As much as their blueline looked complete, Brooke Hobson has fallen out of favour and New York would also benefit from a defender who can slide into their third pairing.
- Ottawa Charge - If they can stay healthy, Ottawa's lineup looks good, but it's a big "if." Right now Ottawa could use help on their right side, and may look for an upgrade to their seventh D position.
- Toronto Sceptres - Defensive depth. Toronto moved on from Lauren Bernard and added forward depth in Laura Kluge. Their biggest boost will be the return of Sarah Nurse. But if there's a defender available for the right price, adding a seventh D as insurance would be wise.
Trade Targets
- Denisa Krizova, Minnesota Frost - It's clear Krizova isn't a favorite of Ken Klee, and after signing a season extension, it might not be worth if for Krizova to stay in Minnesota. She'd be an excellent fit for Boston, New York, Ottawa, or even Montreal. Return would be the biggest issue.
- Chloe Aurard, New York Sirens - Whether it's a trade or at the end of the season, Aurard's time in New York is over. Her confidence looks shot, which is unfortunate for a player who the league had high hopes for heading into the inaugural season. Boston would be a good chance for her to re-unite with Alina Muller, or even a depth move to Montreal to try a similar reconnection with Maureen Murphy.
- Amanda Boulier, Montreal Victoire - Boulier was dealt last year, and despite her value, Montreal's top four looks locked in, and if Laskova comes back, Boulier, or defender Anna Kjellbin might be the off players out. New York or Toronto would be the logical trade partners.
- Elizabeth Giguere, New York Sirens - Giguere has needed a new opportunity for a long time. Montreal or Boston would be a good fit. She's big and still has a ton of upside. It just won't be realized in New York.
- Klara Hymlarova, Minnesota Frost - Still providing quality depth minutes, Minnesota may be ready to move on from their 2024 third round pick as Hymlarova has only one assist in 17 games. She has more to give, but isn't a match for the Frost's system.
- Klara Peslarova, Boston Fleet - There's a capable goalie waiting in the wings in Klara Peslarova. For a team like the Toronto Sceptres or Minnesota Frost who are both playoff contenders with crease concerns, adding a veteran like Peslarova might be impactful even if it's only to put meaningful pressure on their existing tandems.
- Jamie Lee Rattray, Boston Fleet - For the Boston Fleet to get scoring, they're going to need to give up something significant, and Rattray may be the logical pick. Rattray could draw interest from New York, Minnesota, Ottawa, or Montreal, bet moving a player on a three year deal, unless those teams know expansion is coming, will be difficult.
- Anna Meixner, Ottawa Charge - For a team looking for a potential scorer, Meixner has the upside. New York and Boston would be logical trade partners here.
- Noemi Neubauerova, Toronto Sceptres - It's more likely Toronto will keep their forward depth and just cut players loose into reserve spots and free agency as Sarah Nurse returns. But Neubauerova is a player who teams will look at. Boston, New York, and Ottawa could all be trade partners who would be a good fit for "Nemo."
- Maggie Connors, Toronto Sceptres - She has fallen out of a meaningful role in Toronto. New York has always been a spot Connors could fit with her college chemistry alongside Fillier. Toronto might be wise to get something for Connors before she walks in free agency.
- Loren Gabel, Boston Fleet - One of the best shooters in the league who rarely gets a shot, Boston planned for Gabel to be a top scorer heading into year one, and the inability to get her activated in a scoring role has been a major issue in Boston's scoring struggles. It's time to send Gabel somewhere new, as she'll be gone in the offseason.
- Anna Kjellbin, Montreal Victoire - It's not a Boulier and Kjellbin situation, but if Montreal is going to move a defender, it could be the Swedish captain. Her leadership and poise has been welcomed in Montreal and Kjellbin has quietly provided solid minutes. Montreal may not want to move on from her, but if they move a D, if could be anyone.
- Jade Downie-Landry, New York Sirens - New York still needs more up front, and although Dowie-Landry has shown she can score in this league, you have to give something to get something. New York just doesn't have enough punch on their third and fourth lines. If they aren't going to score, perhaps they could make a move to get tougher to play against.
- Zoe Boyd, Ottawa Charge - She's an off-ice fan favorite in Ottawa, but Boyd hasn't factored into Ottawa's lineup in an impactful way this season. If there's a chance to upgrade their lineup in a swap with a team looking for defensive depth, Boyd is the only option. Ottawa may be hesitant to move a defender unless they're trading for an upgrade at the position after how last season ended. But they could certainly still upgrade their depth here.
- Brooke Hobson, New York - There's a lot to like about Hobson's game. She's a good skater and physical, but there are issues. She hasn't recovered from the defensive debauchery that was New York's entire roster last season. Hobson still looks out of position and ahead of the puck at times. She needs somewhere new to simplify and resettle.