The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is on the brink of a transformative off-season as its four expansion teams prepare to sign players. This process, which began earlier this week, promises to reshape the league’s landscape for the 2026-27 season. The expansion teams in Hamilton, Detroit, Las Vegas, and San Jose are set to build their rosters through a complex, six-phase process.
The first phase concluded on Wednesday, during which the eight existing teams protected three players each. This phase was crucial as it set the stage for the upcoming expansion signing phases. The protected players had to be under contract or have their rights held by the team by Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Notable unprotected players include Hilary Knight, Daryl Watts, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Blayre Turnbull, and Brianne Jenner, all of whom are now free agents.
The Expansion Signing Process
The general managers of the new expansion teams will begin signing players on Friday at 12 p.m. ET. This marks the second phase of the expansion process, where each team can sign five players. The goal is to build competitive teams while ensuring the players’ association is satisfied with the process. PWHL Hamilton GM Meghan Duggan emphasized the importance of this balance, stating, “That’s the end goal [of the six-phase process], is to allow the expansion teams to build a competitive team, but also allow the players to have a bit of a say and to have the [players’ association] happy with the process.”
Expansion Foundational Offers
Each expansion team has a powerful tool at their disposal: the expansion foundational offer. These offers are binding but allow the player to choose the contract duration, ranging from one to four years. The offers are worth at least $100,000 US per season, providing a significant incentive for top talent to join the new teams.
Key Signings and Team Strategies
The protection lists have already sparked several high-profile signings. In Toronto, defender Renata Fast and goaltender Raygan Kirk re-signed with the Sceptres. Fast, one of the best defenders in women’s hockey, is now signed through the 2028-29 season. Kirk, who emerged as the team’s starter last season, has a two-year deal, securing her as the team’s goaltender of the future.
Minnesota Frost and Vancouver Goldeneyes
The Minnesota Frost re-signed forwards Taylor Heise and Kelly Pannek to three-year deals. Heise, the playoff MVP during the Frost’s first Walter Cup championship in 2026, is a premier playmaker in the game. Pannek, an elite two-way centre, led all players in both goals and points this past season. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Goldeneyes secured forward Sarah Nurse for two more seasons. Nurse, despite an injury that kept her out for half the season, had 15 points in 19 games.
Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge
The Montreal Victoire protected captain Marie-Philip Poulin, forward Laura Stacey, and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens. Poulin mentioned the need for decisions in the coming weeks, highlighting the uncertainty around her and Stacey’s future. In Ottawa, the Charge protected starting goaltender Gwyneth Philips, defender Ronja Savolainen, and hometown star Rebecca Leslie. This leaves captain Brianne Jenner, a nominee for forward of the year, as a potential target for expansion teams.
Expansion Team Targets
Each expansion team has specific targets in mind. PWHL Detroit could be interested in Kelly Pannek, an Olympic gold medalist and the league’s leading scorer. PWHL Hamilton might target local products like Brianne Jenner or Sarah Nurse. PWHL Las Vegas, with ties to several top players through GM Dominique DiDia’s former role as an agent, could pursue players like Alex Carpenter or Blayre Turnbull. PWHL San Jose, with connections to former Toronto players, might aim for players like Claire Thompson or Daryl Watts.
The PWHL’s expansion process is not just about signing players; it’s about building teams that can compete at the highest level. As the new teams take shape, the league’s future looks brighter than ever.
