Forecasting the 2024-25 PWHL season: Most exciting and disappointing teams, predictions and more
Just days away from the second PWHL season, the hype is nearing its peak. After arguably the best season for a startup league in the sport’s history, the league is set for what should be an exciting campaign.
With team names, new jerseys and new expectations for all six franchises, DFO’s women’s hockey experts, Hunter Crowther and Tyler Kuehl, project what could happen in 2024-25.
Which team are you most excited to see?
Hunter: I saw every team play in person multiple times last season, and beyond their struggles through the first handful of games, there wasn’t a more entertaining group than Toronto, and most of that high-powered offense is returning this season. That being said, not having Natalie Spooner to start the season will be a blow, and it’s not clear if she’ll only miss the first few games, the first month, or more.
But as mentioned earlier, the lack of Spooner presents opportunity for the rest of the lineup. Sarah Nurse and new signing Daryl Watts, both of whom finished near the top in league scoring last season, should bring in plenty of goals. Add Emma Maltais and her all-world playing abilities and Hannah Miller providing secondary offense. This team will be fun to watch all season.
Tyler: Last year, I died on my hill saying Montreal was going to be the team to watch. For the most part, I was right. This year, I’m doubling down on the Montreal Victoire. While just about every team improved from last season, the Victoire return all of their big guns–Marie-Philp Poulin, Laura Stacey, Erin Ambrose–but drafted very well, snagging Cayla Barnes and Jennifer Gardiner, along with taking Abby Boreen away from Minnesota.
Last year’s stunning sweep at the hands of Boston certainly left a sour taste in many veterans, especially the core of national team stars. They are going to play some determined hockey this year, and if everyone can stay healthy, they are going to be tough to stop.
Which team is most likely to disappoint?
Tyler: I really don’t want to pick them this year, especially after Hunter called them out before year one. However, the Ottawa Charge looks like a team that might fall to the bottom of the standings. Losing Darly Watts is a huge hit. Yes, they bring in Serdachny, who is a great player, and they have captain Brianne Jenner, who was a force in the Charge’s late push last year. However, like last season, I don’t think they have the scoring depth like Montreal, Toronto and Minnesota.
I do like Ottawa’s goaltending, but Emerance Maschmeyer and Gwyneth Philips will only be able to bail their team out so much in this star-studded league.
Hunter: With Minnesota going into the 2024-25 campaign as the defending champs, the expectations for the Frost should be nothing short of a second Walter Cup. The addition of Claire Thompson will provide an already talented blue line with an elite defender, and Britta Curl will provide an extra boost of offense to the forward corps.
However, the amount of off-season drama and dissension among the ranks could lead to self-implosion in Minnesota. While hockey fans should expect 2023 No. 1 overall pick Taylor Heise to take a step forward, the lack of goal-scoring last season nearly left Minnesota on the outside looking in, with only three players scoring five or more goals over a 24-game season. You could chalk up last season’s playoff run to good timing and puck luck, but lightning doesn’t strike twice.
Who is your early MVP candidate?
Tyler: I went off the board last year by picking the Fleet’s Loren Gabel, which didn’t quite work out. Yet, I’m going to point at a player that some might not be the odds-on favorite, Daryl Watts. There’s a reason why she was the biggest free agent last season. On an Ottawa team that struggled to find consistent offense, the new Sceptre was able to create opportunities by herself.
Returning to her hometown, I expect her to have a huge role, especially with Natalie Spooner out for the foreseeable future. Flanked by the likes of Sarah Nurse, Hannah Miller, Emma Maltais and more, Watts has all the tools to be near the top of the leaderboard.
Hunter: I learned early in life not to overthink things, and my 2024-25 MVP prediction is no different. As long as Poulin is in the league, the women’s hockey GOAT will be in the conversation for the league’s top player. Forget about last season’s production, tied for the second-most points in the league with 23 – despite missing three games – Poulin has shown for more than a decade that she is the game’s best player and should never be taken lightly.
What solidifies my reasoning for her winning the award is last season’s lackluster result for Montreal, a first-round sweep at the hands of Boston. Her club will be motivated to avenge their early elimination, and Poulin will lead the charge. I’ll plant my flag in the ground and say she’ll have a season that could rival the production she comfortably produced during her time with the Montreal Canadiennes of the CWHL.
Which goaltender is going to be the most impressive?
Hunter: For so much discussion around Kristen Campbell and Ann-Renee Desbiens, I thought that the best netminder last season was Corinne Schroeder, and I don’t expect it to change in 2024-25. A quick glance at her Elite Prospects page is fascinating: Since her sophomore season with Boston University, Schroeder has posted a save percentage (SV%) of .930 or above in all but one season (she only played eight games in 2020-21) and her .930 SV% last season led the PWHL among starters.
New York may have added a few skilled pieces ahead of this season, but if the Sirens expect to make the playoffs, Schroeder will be the main reason why. Ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Frost, take some time and watch highlights from last season: you forget just how talented a goaltender New York has.
Tyler: For the sake of being different, because Schroeder has all the tools of being a difference-maker, give me Nicole Hensley. While Maddie Rooney was clutch during the semifinals against Toronto, Hensley carried the load against Boston, giving up just two goals in her four starts in the final. She has the ability to be a clutch netminder, and though the awards committee didn’t regard her as one of the best puck-stoppers in year one, Hensley is and outstanding goaltender, something she is going to show again this year.
Which college rookie are you excited to see?
Tyler: I threw her name out there last year, and while it is a basic pick, I’m taking Sarah Fillier, but not for the reasons everyone else is thinking. I am excited to see how much of an impact she has on the Sirens. Even before stepping out of college, the Georgetown, Ontario native has become one of the top players for Team Canada in the biggest games. No question, she will provide New York with a much-needed boost.
However, with how long it took for Pascal Daoust to get Fillier to sign a one-year contract, you have to wonder how much her performance will dictate the terms of her next contract.
Hunter: Fillier received all the hype and attention going into the 2024 PWHL Draft, and all of that was well deserved. But Serdachny is a coach’s dream, and her transition to the professional game should be seamless. I wrote in my PWHL Draft rankings that some of the things that make her great – size, forchecking, elite cycle skills – those will benefit her in the professional game. I’m not sure if Ottawa has what it takes to make the playoffs, but any of their success will require big contributions from the No. 2 overall pick.
Final standings predictions
Hunter:
1. Minnesota Frost
2. Toronto Sceptres
3. Montreal Victoire
4. Boston Fleet
5. Ottawa Charge
6. New York Sirens
Tyler:
1. Montreal Victoire
2. Minnesota Frost
3. Toronto Sceptres
4. New York Sirens
5. Boston Fleet
6. Ottawa Charge