While the NCAA's top stars are certain to play out their eligibility this year, there is a group of current NCAA players who could immediately make an impact in the PWHL.

While it is not expected that many, if any NCAA players with eligibility remaining will declare for the PWHL Draft, there is a group who are PWHL ready and could immediately step and make an impact. Here's a look at what NCAA players could immediately crack a PWHL lineup:

Sarah Fillier, Princeton - This might seem obvious, but Fillier is already a top ten player in the world with Olympic and World Championship gold, and international all-star awards to her name. She's a dynamic offensive talent playing her final season of NCAA hockey who will be the early favourite to go first overall next year.

Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin - It wouldn't matter if the PWHL defensive pool was deeper than it currently is, when you're arguably the best blueliner on the planet, teams would be lining up around the rink for Harvey. She led the World Championships in scoring this year as a 20-year-old defender. It's an unheard of accomplishment. Whether Harvey plays out her three remaining seasons of eligibility, or turns pro early, she'll step into a top pairing role immedately.

Hannah Bilka, Ohio State - Had the PWHL announced earlier, Bilka, 22, who used the transfer portal to jump to Ohio State for an extra season of eligibility, would have been a high draft pick this year. She's emerged as one of Team USA's most potent scorers and will be a future top line player in the PWHL.

Nelli Laitinen, Minnesota - Similar to Harvey, Laitinen isn't just a good defender, she keeps elite company as one of the best at any level. Laitinen is only entering her second season at Minnesota, so fans may have to wait for her draft declaration, but when she chooses, Laitinen will step into a top four in the new league and be a reliable stalwart on the blueline for more than a decade.

Abbey Murphy, Minnesota - It's hard not to love Murphy's style of play on the ice. She plays with speed, and gets under the skin of her opposition, not just with physical play but by putting the puck in the net. She followed her 50 points in 30 games in the NCAA with eight points in seven games in a gold medal effort for USA at Worlds.

Tessa Janecke, Penn State - The youngest player on this list, Janecke is an elite talent, who could fill out a top line on any team in this league. She plays with an edge, and drives play pushing defenders back. At Penn State, Janecke had 50 points in 38 games and scored six points at Worlds.

Cayla Barnes, Ohio State - Alongside Bilka, Barnes made the jump to Ohio State this season, but could handle the challenge of pro hockey now. She'd step into.an immediate top four role in the PWHL. Barnes has plenty of offensive upside.

Danielle Serdachny, Colgate - When you lead the NCAA in scoring, and make Canada's senior national team, it's a good year. Serdachny did both, and would be an excellent addition to the top six of a PWHL team. She can score, but Serdachny thrives in a playmaker role.

Natalie Mlynkova, Vermont - When you watch Mlynkova play, there's a lot to love. She's not only going to provide strong secondary scoring in the PWHL, but she'll do the other items that teams love. Mlynkova blocks shots, she plays on the penalty kill, and she can defensively stick with anyone. Even if it was on a third line, Mlynkova could step in now.

Rory Guilday, Cornell - Guilday was fourth on Team USA in ice time at the World Championships this year playing 17-minutes per game. Using her 5-foot-10 frame, Guilday has become a reliable presence on both sides of the puck for USA. She'll be a name to watch if and when players do begin declaring early.

Other Players To Watch: While the above list are the ten most obvious, there are others who could likely play part, if not full seasons in the league immediately. Megan Carter, Britta Curl, Gwyneth Philips, Klara Hymlarova, Haley Winn, Lacey Eden, Maggie Connors, Jennifer Gardiner, Anne Cherkowski, Kiara Zanon, Gillis Frechette, Elle Hartje, Pia Dukaric, Tia Chan, and Stephanie Markowski are all close, if not already capable of playing in the PWHL. If the league expands, there will be an abundance of players able to immediately make an impact.