This is the fourth in our series looking at the draft needs of each team. Read about New York here. Read about Ottawa here. Read about Minnesota here.
Instead of a mock draft, I'm looking at what needs I think each team has based on last season's record and outcomes as well as who they lost in the expansion process. Using the draft eligibility list, I've identified players that might be able to fit each teams' specific needs. It’s less mock draft and more sharing insight on players who I think have the skills to be successful in this league.
The Fleet have just seven players signed for the 2025-26 season - four fowards, two defenders and Aerin Frankel in net. They were going to need to be active in the free agent market already and after the expansion process, will need to replace the 22 goals - a third of all they scored last season. It's frankly no understatement to say this will be, by necessity, the new look Fleet.
Forwards
I don't know how you think about trying to replace the league's leading scorer as well as the leadership of Hilary Knight, but here the Boston are looking at that prospect. With just Alina Muller, Jamie Lee Rattray, Hannah Brandt and Sophie Shirley under contract for next season, there is massive opportunity here.
On the plus side, the Fleet have the number two overall pick. Since I think New York should take Casey O'Brien, that leaves Boston to take Kalty Kaltounková. Honestly, either would be a good addition to this team. Kaltounková brings the size and net-front presence that Knight had. I'd never suppose anyone could come close to all that Knight offers, but I do think that Kaltounková showed massive growth over her time at Colgate and I think her aptitude shows an ability for continued learning and growth. She's not most known for her puck-handling, but if she can learn a bit from that list of fowards above, all who move the puck well, she'll add another dynamic to her game.
Another strong, solid player that I haven't heard much chatter about but who I think would thrive in this league is St. Lawrence's Abby Hustler. She basically put herself on everyone's radar by having such an outstanding second half of the 2023-24 NCAA season that she played herself into that year's Patty Kaz top 10.
I'm not sure if she'll go in the first round, but I could see the Fleet taking Michelle Karvinen with their early second-round pick. Beyond being a talented scorer who will absolutely boost the team's offense, she's also a veteran presence that I think the locker room could use. There are plenty of players on this team that aren't new to things, but I think there's something to be said about the life and competition experience a player like Karvinen can bring.
Maya Labad is a player that stood out to me at U18s and who really stepped up at Quinnipiac after the team lost siginificant players to the portal. There was a bigger opportunity and Labad stepped up and took it. She more-than doubled her output form freshman to sophomore year and was second on her team in scoring as a senior.
Defenders
I think because Frankel does what she does, defense is maybe a little overlooked here. But wouldn't it be nice if Frankel didn't have to stand on her head to keep the puck out of the net? The Fleet gave up one more goal than they scored last season with turnover on offense, they could use some stability in back.
Lyndie Lobdell became the career leader in points at Penn State this season. Her team has been so good atop the AHA that she's not been super tested as a defender week after week, so that may give teams pause, but I love her skating and how she balances being involved on offense while still anchoring the defense. She's not afraid to block a shot and has been important in the transition game for Nittany Lions.
Two players who I think are worth later round picks are Brown's Cameron Sikich and St. Cloud State's Dayle Ross. Ross was a stalwart for the Huskies. She's solid and reliable, but on a team that sometimes lacked offense, was not afraid to put the puck to net. She led the NCAA in blocks her sophomore season with 104. I love her consistency and how involved she was in fast breaks for SCSU.
Sikich was named second-team all Ivy League last season and was a big part of the steps forward that program has taken over the past few seasons. She's got good vision and got involved on the offense with some very good passing, but she was also the leader of the defense.
Goalies
Both Klára Peslarová and Emma Söderberg are free agents and both are too good to never see the ice. I’d be shocked if they didn’t get picked up somewhere else. That means that while the Fleet are set with their starter in Aerin Frankel, they’ll likely be looking to pick up at least one goalie in the draft.
Connecticut’s Megan Warrener was part of one of the most successful goalie tandems I’ve ever seen in college hockey and again, I think that experience and comfort in not necessarily being the number one really serves goalies well in the PWHL. She was eighth in the country with a 1.60 goals against average over 12 starts last season.
A late round option that I think could do well in the league is Jessie McPherson. She was solidly outstanding at Vermont before taking her fifth year at Minnesota State. She had a 1.90 goals against average in her time at UVM and helped them to two Hockey East second place finishes.
(Photo: PWHL)
