PWHL Trade Deadline Primer

Don’t look now but suddenly the 2025 PWHL Trade Deadline is upon us.

On March 13 at 2 p.m. EST teams will no longer be able to trade with each other and 22 hours later March 14 at 12 p.m. EST is the roster freeze. For those curious about the difference between the trade deadline and roster freeze designations, after the trade deadline teams will still be permitted to sign and release players to their 23-player roster as well as the three-player reserve squad.

As an example, let’s say because of a trade Toronto needs to drop a player from it’s 23-player regular roster to the three-player reserve list. This now allows a team to sign that player to their 23-player roster within the 22-hour window to ensure that cut players still have an opportunity to be on a regular roster in the PWHL and teams can’t horde them on the reserve list.

PWHL Trade History

This being the second year of the PWHL, and therefore the second trade deadline, it’s nearly impossible to guess what will happen. Trades have happened in the PWHL, they happened at last years deadline, but the general feeling around trades in the PWHL has always been a feeling of surprise as if we’re all still getting used to the fact that trades are happening. I’d hazard a guess and say even the General Manager’s are still feeling their way around trades. This isn’t entirely surprising as before joining the PWHL the only GM who has had experience in making trades has been Pascal Daoust of the New York Sirens. Before joining New York, Daoust was the GM of the QMJHL’s Val-d'Or Foreurs for seven years making multiple trades in that time period.

Despite being one of the more seasoned GM’s when it comes to making trades in their hockey career, Daoust has been one of the quieter GM’s in the PWHL having made only two trades so far in his career. The first coming at the 2024 PWHL Draft where New York traded picks #7 and #37 to Boston for picks #10, #16, and #28. The second trade came this season when New York traded Jill Saulnier to Boston for Taylor Girard. The two GM’s who love to wheel and deal are Ottawa’s Michael Hirshfeld and Boston’s Danielle Marmer. Both have made three player trades for the most among PWHL GM’s and Marmer currently has made the most trades in the PWHL when including the picks trade with New York at the 2024 PWHL draft.

While the PWHL is still a way’s away from needing a trade deadline show on TSN, should fans be paying attention at all on trade deadline day for any potential trades? While we only have one trade deadline to go on, we did see two trades at that trade deadline. Charge GM Hirshfeld made two trades that day, one with Montréal and one with Boston. I also believe that Minnesota proved last season was all you need to do is get into the post season and anything can happen. This gives GM’s all the more reason to make a trade if they think it will provide them with one goal that wins a game either to get them into the playoffs or win a playoff game.

Trade Expectations

Now to the fans starting to get excited about the idea of trades on trade deadline day don’t expect any big name trades. We more than likely already got our one big name trade of the season when Ottawa and Toronto made a trade (Hayley Scamurra+Savannah Harmon for Jocelyne Larocque+Victoria Bach) the day before New Years Eve just like how last season the big name trade came at the start of the season. For the fans that watch leagues that feature trades, such as the NHL or any of the three CHL teams as an example, you’re used to seeing sellers and buyers. I know there were trades in the CWHL and PHF but they were trades purely in name for the most part. In the PWHL there’s no such thing as sellers. You’re not going to see a team sell off a great player for picks and prospects for a variety of reasons, chief among them being you can’t trade picks in-season yet.

What we’re going to see is teams identifying players on other teams, most likely seeing bottom six minutes because their current team can’t find a good spot for them in the line-up and looking to make a swap with another team hoping that in a new environment that struggling player can find more success. That sums up every trade apart from the Sophie Jaques/Susanna Tapani and to a smaller degree the Amanda Boulier/Tereza Vanišová trades which was trading a higher ceiling but struggling player for a bit of a lower ceiling player that was seeing consistent success.

Needs And Potential Trades

Boston Fleet

Needs: The biggest weakness in Boston’s game is their inability to keep the puck out of their own zone. Aerin Frankel is an MVP candidate because Boston can’t clear the zone or keep the puck in the opposing teams zone and Frankel is forced to make save after save. Ideally for Boston this problem is mostly solved by Daniela Pejšová finding her spot in the line-up and becoming the force we all know her to be. Should that not happen Boston is going to be looking for a blueliner who is good at getting the puck out of the zone one way or another. If that’s not an option or Pejšová gets even close to her potential, then Boston will be in the market for a forward who can keep the offence going in the offensive zone.

Trades: The obvious trade is going back to New York and this time trade for Chloe Aurard. Reunite her with Alina Müller or at the very least you’re adding a forward who has a +7 SOG/60 and can help keep the puck going towards the opposing team’s net. There’s no guarantee that she’ll produce but she’s done well at producing in the small minutes she’s had. Aurard won’t be a game changer, but she’ll help with pushing the possession needle more into Boston’s favour. Another option is going to another old trade partner of Boston’s in the Ottawa Charge to acquire Rebecca Leslie.

She’s another player familiar with the Boston area having played for Boston University for four seasons. Leslie is very familiar with playing a possession heavy game and has shown offensive potential in her past. Not a bad gamble to take. The most apparent trade chip on Boston’s roster is Loren Gabel. She’s been healthy scratched and doesn’t see a whole lot of ice time, but the offensive potential is obvious and her shot is still elite. Another trade chip option is the Austrian Theresa Schafzahl. She’s been struggling this season and has seen herself put in a smaller role. For a team looking for help in the top six or a new face in the top six, Schafzahl is an option.

Minnesota Frost

Needs: The Minnesota Frost have hit a rough patch recently but it’s been an interesting season for them. They’ve been one of the highest scoring teams in the league but also have allowed a lot of goals against. Going into the trade deadline the task is quite simple for Minnesota should they try to make an upgrade, keep the pucks out of the net. This can be accomplished one of two ways: either improve the defence up front or find a goalie to take the pressure off of Maddie Rooney as the Frost has moved away from the tandem model into a more traditional 1G/2G split.

Trades: About to get crazy here and suggest something that won’t happen but feels like it makes sense, Klára Peslarová for Nicole Hensley. From Boston’s point of view, you’re not really helping the logjam and you’re just adding in another goalie who is struggling like their current 2G Emma Söderberg. The upside to the trade for Boston is that you’re adding a veteran goalie who just won a Walter Cup. She’s used to playing behind Frankel and with notable USA national team members on the Boston Fleet, Hensley will feel right at home. The upside for Minnesota is they get a goalie who is used to seeing defensive breakdowns and plays a style closer to Rooney than Hensley does. Peslarová coming in relief of Söderberg to make 20/20 saves for the win should serve as a sign she’s ready to play.

The tough part about finding a trade to make to improve the defence among the skater part of the roster is where do you go? There’s no obvious weak link in the lines that’s being taken advantage of so much it needs a lot of attention to change. If there is one it’s probably that Lee Stecklein is having one of the worst defensive years in her career and it’s not as though she’s terrible, just not as good as she’s previously been. You hope Natalie Buchbinder can help stabilize the defensive position but if she can’t and Stecklein doesn’t bounce back it doesn’t hurt to look at other options. An option such as Amanda Boulier for Mellissa Channell-Watkins. For Minnesota they get back someone who was apart of three Isobel Cup Championships and won two of them. She’s a veteran winner whose spent a lot of time in Minnesota and has played big minutes on those Minnesota Whitecaps winning teams. For Montréal they get back a veteran who won an Walter Cup last season and someone who can handle the more even minutes they’d be getting in Montréal.

Montréal Victoire

Needs: What does the best team in the PWHL need? Or does it make sense for them to add? Credit where credit is due for Montréal, they built a team that Kori Cheverie trusts. There’s not a line or player that Cheverie doesn’t feel comfortable putting out there. It’s a well-oiled machine that’s a step above everyone else in the PWHL right now. Montréal could go into the postseason with this roster and everyone would have them, rightfully, as the favourite. Still, the front office I’m sure has identified a few areas of improvement that if the right deal comes across their desk they won’t say no. Right now, they’re the best defensive team in the league but two areas that wouldn’t hurt to see improvement is in the 2C position and on the PP.

Trades: Trading for a 2C is hard. You either have to give to get in terms of equal value or try to find a center who is playing in the bottom six on another team and would do better in more minutes. If you’re going the equal value route you need to either hope a team values Kristen O’Neill or Lina Ljungblom a lot or think about moving Abby Boreen. It’s not going to be the latter and for good reason, Boreen scores goals. That leaves Montréal with the option of something in the realm of Kristen O’Neill for Emma Woods. O’Neill would be a better fit as a 3C and Troy Ryan knows her well. Woods has a lot of offensive potential and would add another big body to go with Boreen, a potential better fit than O’Neill.

Kind of sticking on the Toronto train of thought because the Sceptres have the best power play in the league bar none. Something they do that’s interesting is despite playing Julia Gosling in the bottom six, sometimes even as the 13^th forward, she’s on PP1. You don’t always need a top six player on the PP and Montréal could look for someone who could play a few minutes at even strength but be a PP specialist. Someone who might fit that bill is New York Sirens Élizabeth Giguère. Anyone who’s watched her knows the skills are there, just not the mobility aka the perfect PP specialist. The question is though, who do you trade for her? The name that sticks out on Montréal’s roster is Maureen Murphy who seen her usage and production fall sharply. With opportunities in the New York top six she might view the change of scenery as a good thing.

New York Sirens

Needs: With a nine-game losing streak and following up a poor 2024 season, the New York Sirens are in a position where any forward not named Sarah Fillier, Alex Carpenter, and Jessie Eldridge are on the table to be moved. Now there is a tier of player such as Elle Hartje, Gabby Rosenthal, and Abby Roque that are unlikely to be moved but they certainly aren’t untouchables. The forward core needs a lot of work and it’s not going to see major surgery done on it at the deadline. Some improvements can be made though now or at least attempted improvements to start nailing down the needs for the draft. With over 20 games played by New York this season plus the 24 last season, there’s two clear areas in the forward line-up: goal scoring and willingness to go to the net.

Trade: As mentioned in the Boston section there’s a trade where New York trades Chloe Aurard for Loren Gabel. New York needs someone, anyone, who score who isn’t someone on the top line. Gabel isn’t the most well-rounded player but with the Sirens second line being caved in most games anyways, Gabel at least adds a potential scoring element to help tilt the play not so much in the favour of other teams. Now if New York really wants to get crazy and try to switch things up with more of a view for next season I do wonder about a move such as Jaime Bourbonnais for Daniela Pejšová. Boston gets a blueliner who can play top four minutes consistently and is a great puck mover. Something they could use to help get the puck out of the DZ.

For New York they get a promising young blueliner whose struggled out of the gate due to injury and hasn’t found a permanent spot on the Fleet blueline. I know it’s not a forward trade however it’s not like the blueline should be completely untouchable either if the right deal is there. Going to go for one last crazy trade idea. Toronto has a glut of forwards and Julia Gosling isn’t able to get off the fourth line permanently. If they’re trying to gear up for the playoffs that third pair is limiting in terms of options. So, what about a Jaime Bourbonnais (sorry I keep trading you) for Emma Maltais? Toronto sees a vast improvement to their blueline, Gosling gets more minutes, and their forward depth remains relatively untouched. New York will suffer this season on their blueline but they add a desperately needed top six forward who Greg Fargo would love.

Ottawa

Needs: Just like New York, the roster construction is not nearly complete. They struggle with offence, they struggle with defence, and if not for Maschmeyer being unreal to start the season they’d be close to the same position New York is in right now. As just mentioned, the Ottawa roster needs work and that work isn’t going to happen in just one trade deadline. Their goal as front office should be to reach the level of Boston who are in the same realm defensively, offensively, and in net. There are some minor differences that have powered Boston into a playoff spot while Ottawa is still looking to get there. Both Boston and Ottawa have goal scorers but Boston has playmakers. No one on Ottawa has become a premier playmaker. Boston, despite their inability to suppress shots, they do suppress scoring chances that would be dangerous to Frankel. Ottawa’s defensive play can best be described at times as a poorly planned fire drill.

Trades: Now comes the tough part, do you find someone to ignite Danielle Serdachny’s playmaking ability who can finish her passes or find someone who can play at her pace and be a playmaker to Serdachny? The key to Ottawa’s offence coming alive is Serdachny. She’s the most talented player on the team, it just hasn’t come to the surface yet.  If you’re looking for a goal scorer to work with Serdachny there’s of course Loren Gabel. If you’re looking for a struggling player for struggling player move Anna Meixner or Natalie Snodgrass on Ottawa look like the ideal candidates. With Meixner you’d be looking to see if you can have better luck in unlocking her offence. When it comes to Snodgrass she’s a ready made bottom six forward who knows her role.

The other option is go to a team such as New York and do a struggling player for struggling player type of trade. If you’re looking to jump start Serdachny a potential option is Noora Tulus. The tough part is figuring out the price. She’s been great in the SDHL and good in international play. For whatever reason though that hasn’t translated to a lot of points in the PWHL. If you’re Ottawa do you sell high on Mannon McMahon knowing she’s not going to continue shooing at +17% or do you try to convince New York of Victoria Bach’s offensive potential to make the 1 for 1 trade. Now for the other need, improving the blueline’s defensive ability. If you want a needle moving trade you need to move a quality player and Ottawa has two options, try to sell high on Jincy Roese or Ashton Bell. If they want to go out and get a true defensive, shut down blueliner it wouldn’t hurt to try to figure out how open the Minnesota Frost are to a Bell/Buchbinder swap. Minnesota adds a two-way blueliner who can move the puck and has offensive ability. Ottawa adds a purely defensive blueliner with shutdown experience in the PWHL.

Toronto Sceptres

Needs: This is interesting as the Toronto Sceptres have a stacked roster. Julia Gosling is in their bottom six and is essentially a PP specialist at this point. Emma Maltais is also in their bottom six and she was a finalist for PWHL Rookie of the Year. Natalie Spooner is back in the line-up and slowly has been getting back up to speed. Sarah Nurse is coming back and she’s been starting to get back into the goal column as well before her injury. The goaltending, which wasn’t producing great results to start the season, is also on fire. That leaves us with the defence. You have Renata Fast having a great season and after that the blueline has struggled to produce. If Toronto wants to take the next step in being a Cup contender and fix their even-strength scoring, it’s going to have to start with the back end as Fast is the only blueliner with over two even-strength points.

Trades: Now ideally Savannah Harmon steps up and is that even-strength producing blueliner for Toronto like she was for Ottawa last season. Hasn’t happened yet. So, this leaves Toronto with two options. Go for a top four blueliner in a biggish trade like they pulled off earlier this season or add around the edges by going for someone who can bring an offensive punch to the Sceptres third pairing to play alongside Megan Carter. I think there’s two potential trades where Toronto can use their forward depth to improve their defensive core. I know Troy Ryan might not be a big fan of her defensive game but moving Emma Maltais for Ottawa’s Jincy Roese is something you can work around. Toronto adds a blueliner with dynamic offensive ability and who is absolutely cooking this season. It’s a bit of a sell high situation. For Ottawa of course, they add a forward with offensive skill that they really do need and who fits the Ottawa playstyle.

If Toronto wants to make a smaller trade and trim more from the bottom of their roster rather than the middle with the idea that they just want to shore up their third pair to help out Carter, the options are a lot thinner. There aren’t zero options though. Due to Toronto’s forward depth they are holding onto one of the more valuable bottom six forwards in the league in Czech national team forward Noemi Neubauerová. She’s a coaches dream in that she’s a forechecking and physical player who you don’t need to worry about, she’ll do her job. She doesn’t play very much so you maybe need to add Rylind MacKinnon but the aim would be going for a blueliner such as Brooke Hobson on New York. Not having her best offensive season but Hobson can move the puck and she did show offence last season. Like I said options are limited for 3^rd pairing puck movers but you can certainly do worse than Hobson.