When the general managers of the four expanding PWHL teams initiate player signings this week, they will have numerous notable players available for selection.
The league recently launched a complex six-phase process to establish four new expansion teams, marking the beginning of a transformative off-season for all PWHL teams.
In the initial phase concluding on Wednesday, the existing eight teams were allowed to protect three players each. All protected players had to be under contract or have their rights held by their respective teams by Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET before submitting their lists to the league.
Among the unprotected players are Hilary Knight, Daryl Watts, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Blayre Turnbull, and Brianne Jenner, all of whom are currently free agents.
Expansion teams in Hamilton, Detroit, San Jose, and Las Vegas are gearing up for the upcoming season. The new teams’ general managers can sign up to five players each starting Friday at 12 p.m. ET, marking the league’s second expansion signing phase.
PWHL Hamilton GM Meghan Duggan emphasized the importance of the process in enabling expansion teams to construct competitive rosters while ensuring player satisfaction and the approval of the players’ association.
If the teams fail to secure five players by the end of the second phase, a selection process will be implemented for expansion teams to acquire players from other teams.
Each expansion team holds a crucial card in the form of an expansion foundational offer. These offers are binding but allow the player to choose a contract lasting between one to four years, with a minimum value of $100,000 US per season.
The protection lists prompted numerous free agent signings this week as teams rushed to secure star players to protect them.
In Toronto, defenseman Renata Fast and goaltender Raygan Kirk both signed extensions with the Sceptres on Wednesday. Fast, a key defender in women’s hockey, is now signed through the 2028-29 season after being part of the league since its inception in 2024.
Kirk, emerging as Toronto’s starting goaltender, signed a two-year deal, solidifying her position as the team’s goalie for the future.
The Minnesota Frost also secured forwards Taylor Heise and Kelly Pannek to three-year deals, ensuring the continuity of their championship-winning squad. Heise, the playoff MVP in 2024, and Pannek, a standout center, were essential signings for the team.
In Vancouver, forward Sarah Nurse signed a two-year contract, providing stability and leadership to the Goldeneyes for the upcoming season.
The Montreal Victoire protected captain Marie-Philip Poulin, forward Laura Stacey, and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, maintaining a strong core for the team’s future.
Meanwhile, the Ottawa Charge safeguarded their starting goaltender Gwyneth Philips, defender Ronja Savolainen, and standout Rebecca Leslie, potentially leaving captain Brianne Jenner vulnerable to expansion team selections.