What's happened
The PWHL’s second phase has seen Hamilton, Detroit, San Jose and other teams signing five players each, expanding rosters ahead of the league’s next season. Notable moves include Alina Muller to Hamilton and Nicole Gosling staying in Montreal; Seattle, Vancouver and Toronto also announce signings.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The expansion phase is reshaping competitive balance, with established players moving to new markets and new teams stocking up on top talent.
- Muller’s move to Hamilton signals a push to fast-track the new franchise’s competitiveness, leveraging Swiss international experience.
- Gosling’s signing keeps a rising Canadian defense talent in a familiar pipeline that could influence team stability in Ontario.
- The pattern suggests expansion teams are prioritising proven internationals and young, high-potential players to spark fan interest and on-ice performance.
- As rosters fill, watch for further moves that test parity across the four new teams and the eight established clubs.
How we got here
The PWHL has begun its expansion process across a three-day window, with new teams adding foundational players. Existing teams are protecting key players as expansion teams build rosters for the upcoming season, following the league’s inaugural season and recent Olympic exposure.
Our analysis
AP News has reported Muller’s three-year contract with Hamilton and Gosling’s three-year deal with Montreal-adjacent signings; AP News also notes other expansion signings and the ongoing protection phase. The NY Post covers coaching moves in other franchises, including Leach’s appointment. The AP News coverage provides consecutive signings including Watts, Barnes, Bilka and Curl-Salemme as part of the expansion wave.
Go deeper
- How quickly will the new signings translate to on-ice success for Hamilton and Detroit?
- Which players are hardest to replace as teams protect core rosters?
- What are the long-term implications for parity as more expansion rosters are filled?
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