Looking At PWHL Ottawa's Offseason Priorities

Heading into the inaugural PWHL season, there was a ton of buzz across the league, especially in Ottawa. Few expected Ottawa to receive one of the original six teams, but when they did, fans were ecstatic.

There were many ups and downs throughout the season, but the one, which will stick in the minds of Ottawa fans, was certainly the fact that they had almost a guaranteed spot in the playoffs late in the season but couldn’t find their game upon returning from the international break. Following that break, the team finished 8-1-6-9 and 32 points, resulting in a fifth place finish, just missing a playoff berth.

Before looking at how they reshape this lineup in the offseason, the elephant in the room needs to be addressed. This team’s clear first priority is undoubtedly to re-sign their top free agents. The team only has nine returning players, so focusing on the likes of Daryl Watts, Aneta Tejralová and Katerina Mrázová, who were key to their success this season, needs to be the main focus, as it would be a blow to the team moving forward. Those three alone accounted for 43 points on the season and were impactful on every shift.

With that in mind, here are the top three priorities Ottawa should consider this offseason as we head into the second season of the PWHL with even higher expectations in the nation’s capital.

Improve the Defense

The defense suffered this season with an injury to Zoe Boyd, along with the trade deadline acquisition of forward Tereza Vanišová for defender Amanda Boulier. Elevated minutes for Roese, along with moving Isbell from forward to defense, impacted their ability to exit the zone effectively and create strong offensive attacks.

Drafting a player like Cayla Barnes would fit this bill and then some . The way she carries the puck, plays physical (despite her size) and can quarterback a powerplay, which was the best in the league this season, would make an immediate impact.

Another name to look for might be Daniela Pejsova , as she has connections with head coach Carla MacLeod and would bring a little bit more size to the backend, standing 5-foot-9 and has had great success with both Luleå in Sweden and with Czechia internationally.

Adding the likes of either aforementioned would allow for better slotting, ensuring players aren’t asked to take on an elevated role on more than a limited basis which really impacted the team this season.

Secure a Strong Power Forward

Many would say that the team lacked a finisher; someone who would drive the net, was strong on the puck and looked to capitalize on rebounds. Beyond the likes of Hughes and Scamurra, this is an accurate assessment. The team all too often relied on an initial shot from the point getting through or chances from the outside, but lacked a net front presence. Targeting someone like Danielle Serdachny in the draft, potentially with their second overall draft pick, would completely change how the team closes out games.

Serdachny would change the dynamics of the forward group and would compliment MacLeod’s system really well, in which speed, good transitions through the neutral zone and aggressive plays are the focus.

Find a Backup Goaltender

We’ve seen how important backup goaltending can be in this league. Look no further than Montreal, where Elaine Chuli, in eight games, finished with an impressive 6-1-0 record, a 1.61 GAA and a .949 SV%, putting her at the top of the league.

Emerance Maschmeyer played in every game except for one this season and while she performed admirably (9-9-4, 2.30 GAA, .915 SV%), she needs to have more games off, especially as the league moves from 24 to more 30 or more next season. This one is a little more tough to project, but two names stand out: Klara Peslarova and Gwyneth Philips.

Peslarova completed this season playing for Brynäs IF of the SDHL, where she played in 20 games and finished with a 1.76 GAA and a .935 SV%. She too has connections to MacLeod and put on a show in this years Women’s Worlds.

Philips, a graduate of Northeastern University , is a finalist for the Goalie of the Year award this year after taking home the award last season and who finished top ten in Patty Kazmaier Award voting, completed the season with a 1.17 GAA and and a 0.955 SV%.

A lot of decisions will need to be made this off season, but it could provide management with an opportunity to tweak this team’s roster and help to make up for the late season struggles and create a winner that the city of Ottawa is already so desperately prepared to embrace.