PWHL free agency preview: What each team needs this off-season
to go in a different direction. Both forwards will return to Minnesota next season.
The team also still has goaltender Maddie Rooney, who was a huge part of the team’s back-to-back Walter Cup victories.
Up front, the Frost will need to add some scoring depth, as they lost veteran forwards like Amy Potomak and Olivia Knowles to expansion. They could look to free agency to add a top-six forward to complement Pannek and Zumwinkle.
Chicago Stampede
Chicago lost a significant piece of their defensive core in Megan Bozek to Seattle in the expansion draft. GM Hayley Wickenheiser will now be looking to add a top-four defender in free agency to fill that gap.
The team still has a solid goaltending duo in Nicole Hensley and Aerin Frankel, but could use some depth scoring up front after losing forward Amanda Kessel to Seattle.
Wickenheiser also mentioned that the team is open to exploring trades to address their needs, so it will be interesting to see how the Stampede approach the free agency period.
Boston Blades
The Blades were one of the most heavily impacted teams by the expansion draft, losing a number of key players including Rebecca Leslie, Lauren Kelly, and Lauren Williams.
GM Cassie Campbell-Pascall will need to focus on rebuilding her forward group in free agency, as the team lost a significant amount of scoring with the departure of Leslie and Kelly.
The team still has a solid defensive core led by Blayre Turnbull and Kaleigh Fratkin, but could use some additional depth on the blue line.
Campbell-Pascall has hinted that the team may look to make a big splash in free agency to address their needs, so it will be interesting to see who the Blades target.
Overall, the free agency period promises to be an exciting time for PWHL teams as they look to rebuild and reload for the upcoming season. With a number of top-tier players available, there will be plenty of movement as teams jockey for position in the league hierarchy. It will be interesting to see which teams are able to make the most of their opportunities and come out stronger on the other side.
