Winners and Losers From Each Of The Five Trades In PWHL History

To date, five trades have occurred involving player for player swaps, with a six seeing draft order change at the 2024 Draft. In total, the rights to 14 players moved in the league's five trades, and some of the deals have turned out better than others. 

Here's a look at each of the first trades, and who the winners and losers.

Susanna Tapani and Abby Cook to Boston 
Sophie Jaques to Minnesota

In many ways, this trade worked out well for everyone. Boston is still looking for more offense up front, but Susanna Tapani has been one of their most consistent threats since the trade, and was crucial to Boston's run to the Walter Cup finals. GM Danielle Marmer has also built a blueline that really doesn't miss Jaques...at least the Jaques that left in the deal. Sophie Jaques has found her stride in Minnesota thanks to the tutelage of Lee Stecklein last season. She's outscoring Tapani right now, and she's also outscoring Boston's top offensive blueliner Megan Keller. This deal might still be too early to call, but each team got what they needed.

Winner? Tie

Amanda Boulier to Montreal
Tereza Vanisova to Ottawa

This one also looked like a deal giving both teams what they needed, but it didn't turn out that way for either team. Ottawa moved Amanda Boulier and then immediately saw Zoe Boyd go down with injury leaving their blueline bereft of players. It cost Ottawa a playoff spot. Boulier played well in Montreal, but Montreal under-utilized her and just about every other player on their roster in the postseason resulting in a quick upset. Moving into year two however, Vanisova is Ottawa's leading scorer while Boulier has dealt with injuries and seen herself slide down Montreal's depth chart. When you combine everything we know in this deal, a clear winner has emerged.

Winner? Ottawa

Lexie Adzija and Caitrin Lonergan to Boston
Shiann Darkangelo to Ottawa

Fans were calling for the head of Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld when this deal occurred as Lexie Adzija had not only been one of Ottawa's top goal scorers, but she was also a fan favorite off the ice. That said, she wasn't happy as her role decreased as the season progressed and when Vanisova was acquired, Adzija was destined for the fourth line. Unfortunately for Adzija, it's exactly where she's found herself in Boston, and she hasn't scored a goal through 17 games. Shiann Darkangelo on the other hand has shown the type of player people knew she was coming into this season recording four goals and seven points in 17 games. She's also played key minutes in defensive situations for the Ottawa Charge moving throughout their roster, and is providing a valued veteran presence in Ottawa's locker room.

Winner? Ottawa

Victoria Bach and Jocelyn Larocque to Ottawa
Savannah Harmon and Hayley Scamurra to Toronto

This trade remains fresh, and it's a hard one to read. On the scoresheet, Ottawa's side of the trade has produced two goals and seven points in 22 combined games. On Toronto's side, they've reached zero goals and one assist in 19 combined games. Scamurra has been injured for a stretch in Toronto which hasn't helped. Larocque's game has settled in well in Ottawa, and she's playing better than she was in Toronto. Harmon is playing big minutes in Toronto and has been good. Where the real difference comes in however, is in the win column. Toronto opened 2-4 prior to the trade. Since then they've gone 6-6. It took them time to find that groove, but they've climbed back into a playoff position. Ottawa conversely have gone 4-7 since the trade, and were 2-4 prior. There hasn't been much of a change for the Charge, and on that along, this trade goes to Toronto.

Winner? Toronto

Jill Saulnier to Boston
Taylor Girard to New York

Sometimes trades involving players outside of a team's top six get written off, but it can also positively alter our locker room. Neither of these players would ever be considered issues in the locker room, but neither was happy playing as little as they were. Saulnier requested the trade, and once New York found a partner, the deal was done. She's got a few more chances in Boston, and has had her moments. Girard provides a different look in New York, but there hasn't been enough on either side to call this deal a win. Boston might get the slight edge, but only time will tell on this trade.

Winner? Tie