The PWHL’s expansion process is underway following the addition of four teams in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose. A six-phase process began on June 2, when the existing eight teams announced which players on their rosters they would protect. Each team was allotted three protection slots, which limited teams’ ability to keep all their star players.
The selections produced some surprises, with some of the biggest names in the league and team captains going unprotected.
These are the three best protection lists ahead of the PWHL expansion draft:
3. New York Sirens
With the Sirens ending the season seventh overall, sitting at the bottom of the standings the two previous seasons, they needed to be strategic with their protection list in hopes of building a stronger team for the future. Their selection of first-line forwards Sarah Fillier, Kristýna Kaltounková and Casey O’Brien is an investment in the organization’s future.
The Sirens can develop these three young players as a unit, and considering they are all points leaders on the team (despite Kaltounková’s injury) it would have been a shame for Sirens fans to say goodbye before the trio had reached their full potential.
2. Boston Fleet
The Fleet had an incredible regular season, finishing second overall, but fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Ottawa Charge. As one of the strongest teams in the league with several well-known stars, narrowing their roster down to just three is difficult. While the Sirens prioritized their top forwards, the Fleet held on to their defense, with Aerin Frankel, Megan Keller, and Haley Winn all securing their place in Boston next season.
While it is unfortunate that forward Alina Müller was excluded from the list, the Olympic gold medalists are some of the best in the league and can help shape Boston into a Walter Cup contender for seasons to come.
1. Montreal Victoire
Coming straight off winning a Walter Cup, the Victoire knew exactly which major players they needed moving forward. They took a different approach than the previous two teams by keeping their veteran players. Marie-Philip Poulin is one of the most successful and skilled players in women’s hockey, and she captained her team through their difficult playoff run against the back-to-back Walter Cup-winning Minnesota Frost and the goaltending of the Ottawa Charge.
Speaking of goaltending, Ann-Renée Desbiens is the best in the league, with Frankel trailing just behind her. Having an experienced, skilled goaltender in a league with many young players will propel the Victoire forward across the next few seasons. The third protected player, Laura Stacey, is also an established forward and was tied for the most points on the Victoire this season with Abby Roque, who has now entered free agency. Poulin, Desbiens, and Stacey are players Montreal can rely on to produce at the highest level.
The Future of PWHL Expansion
With the PWHL expanding once again, the size of the league will now be double what it was three years ago during its inaugural season. Due to this rapid growth, it is unlikely that the league will expand again within the next few years, meaning that teams will have more stability without the constant threat of an expansion draft, and the players will have more time to develop their on-ice chemistry and team identities.
There are still four more phases to get through for this expansion, as fans anxiously await the daily announcements from the league regarding signings.
The PWHL will take place on June 17 in Detroit.
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