Who Could (And Should) PWHL Teams Target In Free Agency

Many players will hope to land in familiar cities, while others will be free to move as they please. Here's the players each market could and should be targeting in PWHL Free Agency.

The obvious answer to this question is "national team players." 

Although it seems obvious, some general managers may approach this process differently. They could decide to lock in a young core of NCAA graduates, or a win now group of household names. 

The only certainty, is that each PWHL team will have the opportunity from September 1-10 to sign three players prior to the September 18 draft.

The depth of talent at any given position could also come into play. It seems less likely teams would use one of their three spots to sign a goaltender given the multitude of starters available without markedly different talent levels. 

Much like the NHL draft, preference could be used to target offensive talent first. That could result in a team signing three forwards, and almost certainly more forwards than any other position.

With all of these factors in mind, here are some of the players teams could (and should) be targeting in free agency: 

This may come as no surprise, but Marie-Philip Poulin will be the face of the PWHL, and in Montreal, could single handedly drive attendance and media interest. She may not sign in Montreal alone however, as Poulin and Canadian teammate Laura Stacey announced their engagement this summer. The duo would provide a formidable veteran presence up front for Montreal for the foreseeable future. Montreal will feature no shortage of local products with interest in signing, but Ann-Renee Desbiens may be the most logical target to secure an elite netminder. Goaltending however, is unlikely to be a focus of the free agency period, with a depth of talent available. With that in mind, a secondary group of players come into view including Ann-Sohpie Bettez, Elizabeth Giguere, Jade Downie Landry, Savannah Harmon, Jessie Eldridge, Jill Saulnier, and Melodie Daoust, who all either live or train in the Montreal area.

Only two hours from Montreal, Ottawa will also have the opportunity to scoop up both Quebec and Ontario born players. The primary target for the Ottawa franchise should be Jamie Lee Rattray, a long time Canadian national team member who grew up captaining the Ottawa Lady Senators. Beyond the hometown connection, Ottawa is a bit of a wildcard location who could become a primary home for European players and out of province Canadian national team members. Ottawa could target players like Blayre Turnbull, Emily Clark, Erin Ambrose, or Micah Zandee-Hart, or go international aiming to entice European stars like Susana Tapani, Denisa Krizova, or PHF standouts like Kennedy Marchment. For good measure, it would be amazing to see Ottawa product Jennifer Botterill as general manager.

If there's a single market with the most competition for the initial three positions, it's Toronto. Sarah Nurse, Brianne Jenner, Natalie Spooner, Renata Fast, Claire Thompson, Kristin O'Neill or Jaime Bourbonnais are all from the Greater Toronto Area. As are PWHPA members Victoria Bach and Laura Fortino, and PHF stars Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Kelly Babstock. With the PHF's Isobel Cup winning Toronto Six featuring a number of standout players last season, the new team could look to grab notable players from the Six's roster like Shiann Darkangelo, Emma Woods, Michaela Cava, Brittany Howard, Kati Tabin, or Leah Lum. Other wildcard players like Jennifer Wakefield, who was expected to join Toronto this season, could also be in the mix.

Any number of American stars could land in the New York area. Players like Abby Roque and Megan Keller, or New York natives Aerin Frankel and Hayley Scamurra. Amanda Kessel will undoubtedly try to stay in New York or Boston to be closer to her new job with the Pittsburgh Penguins as well. Perhaps Hilary Knight finds herself looking toward the spotlight of New York for the final years of her career. While American national team members could be a target, the overwhelming talent the Metropolitan Riveters of the PHF had lured to New Jersey this offseason could also come into play. The Riveters had signed longtime PHF star and captain Madison Packer, Finnish stars Noora Raty, Susana Tapani and Minttu Tuominen, Czechia national team member Katerina Mrazova, and stars like Amanda Pelkey, Sarah Bujold, and Kaleigh Fratkin among others. All could be targets to begin securing a base. Former Connecticut Whale signees like Taylor Girard, Allie Munroe, and Kennedy Marchment could all be targets as well.

For now we'll need to forget about players like Alina Muller, Gabrielle David, Sophie Shirley, and Chloe Aurard who had all chosen the PHF's Boston Pride. They'll only be eligible to Boston through the draft. Instead, we can turn our eyes to Massachussettes native Alex Carpenter, and PHF MVP Loren Gabel, who spent last season in Boston. Hilary Knight played in Boston, as did national team member Becca Gilmore. Toronto Six star Brittany Howard had also signed in Boston this offseason. PHF Defender of the Year and former US national team member Kali Flanagan, who is a Boston area product, could be a defensive cornerstone for any team in the league, as could Czechia's national team captain Aneta Tejralova, who were both signed to play in Boston this season. Massachusettes product Caitrin Lonegran and PHF legend Jillian Dempsey will also be in the mix.

Let the list begin. Minnesota is one of America's top women's hockey, and there is an abundance of local products who will be hoping to stay. First, USA Hockey legend and University of Minnesota alumni Natalie Darwitz, has been named as a GM candidate, and could be a fit for the club. Coming out of the NCAA, the draft will be riddled with Minnesota products like Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, and Gabrielle Hughes. Lee Stecklein is the most obvious national team player to grab during free agency followed by Kelly Pannek. Abby Roque would be another great addition here, even though she went to rival Wisconsin. The Minnesota Whitecaps have a long history of stars playing for the organization, and PHF standouts like Jonna Albers, Amanda Leveille, Natalie Snodgrass, Liz Schepers, Sidney Morin, Sydney Brodt, Denisa Krizova, Brittyn Fleming, and Patti Marshall will all be in contention for spots in Minnesota.