The depth of goaltenders entering the inaugural PWHL season makes them unlikely candidates to be drafted or signed in large numbers.
The six PWHL general managers will be scrambling to construct their rosters for the inaugural PWHL season. While that will involve signing three players in free agency and drafting an additional 18, fans should not expect to see many goaltenders among those numbers.
In total, through free agency and the draft, 108 players will find their way into the PWHL. Of those 108, it would not be surprising to see as few as six goaltenders secure roster spots.
Beyond each team acquiring who they believe will be a number one goalie in the league this season, the depth of goaltenders available is too deep to sacrifice additional draft picks or signings.
While there's no consensus regarding a best goalie in the world, national team starters Ann-Renee Desbiens, Aerin Frankel, and Emma Soderberg, along with future Hockey Hall of Famer Noora Raty stand out. National team members Nicole Hensley, Emmerance Maschmeyer, and Sandra Abstreiter, as well as reigning PHF goalie of the year Corrine Schroeder would seemingly have the leg up on the next wave.
That list of eight already places two of the world's best goaltenders into backup positions, or possibly sharing the duties.
From the remaining pool, you have North American netminders with national team experience like Kristen Campbell, Abbey Levy, Maddie Rooney, Alex Cavallini, and Geneviève Lacasse remaining. You also have PHF starters Amanda Leveille, Elaine Chuli, Abbie Ives, Tricia Deguire, and Katie Burt, along with dozens of exceptional PHF, PWHPA, and European pros.
With that much depth, most teams will likely choose their second and third netminders in the second round of free agency and tryouts.