This is the final installment 0f our series looking at the draft needs of each team. Read about New York here, Ottawa here, Minneota here, Boston here, Toronto here and Montréal 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.
We obviously have nothing to go off for the expansion teams in terms of stats, so let's just look at the players they do have and try to find some complementary draftees to fill the rest of the spots.
If you go by social media, fans think Vancouver already has the season won based of the expansion process and free agent signings. If I've learned anything through two seasons of the PWHL, it's not to trust what looks good on paper.
Forwards
It seems likely the focus will be on forwards over defenders in this draft for Vancouver. It feels like this is a likely landing spot for Michelle Karvinen. As I mentioned when I suggested her for Boston, I think her combination of skills and experience make her very attractive option for anyone. Another international in that vein is Sweden's Sara Hjalmarsson.
The roster they have so far is physical, so I could see them looking at players who are agile skaters and puck handlers. That could mean a smaller player like Makenna Webster, but could also be someone like Ella Huber, who has a quick release and is good at finding lanes. Maya Labad would also fit well here. I've liked how adaptable she's been through college and she'd have a lot of great players to learn from in her development here.
One player I haven't said elsehwere is Maddi Wheeler, who played at Wisconsin and Ohio State. She made the jump to college pretty quickly as a freshman leading me to believe she'd do so again here. She's a really good 200-foot player who is smart with the puck and holds it well. She's not going to make stupid turnovers or get caught watching. She's mostly been in a supporting role at both programs, but there's a higher ceiling than she's reached and I believe more scoring will come.
I'd imagine British Columbia native Anne Cherkowski is on their wish list, as well.
Defenders
Obviously they won't select no defenders, but on paper at least, this is a team absolutely set up on defense and I can't imagine we'll see them going big on a blueliner.
Later round picks with big upside include Emily Rickwood, Olivia Muhn, Nicole Vallario and Josephine Asperup.
Goalies
With a pretty solid rest of the roster already, Vancouver may take the opportunity to poach a goalie or two early in this draft. Thus far Emerance Maschmeyer is their only signed netminder. She's coming off a season-ending injury and they have to be looking for at least one goalie that they feel they can trust in net right away.
If they take a swing early, it will be to take Sanni Ahola. And then it might be interesting to then give a camp invite to Meeri Räisänen with the goal of mentoring and pushing Ahola. At 35, Räisänen isn't a long-term bet, but she'd be reliable and immediately comfortable
Another goalie I think could move right into net is Sweden's Tindra Holm,
