The PWHL is set to shutdown for more than three weeks as the IIHF World Championships get underway. The PWHL will not play another game after Ottawa and Boston face-off April 2 until all six teams return to action April 26.
While the league is off the ice, it does not mean it will be out of mind. Here's a look at five question marks to follow during the PWHL's international break.
1. Whose playoff hopes will be derailed by an injury?
The World Championships will serve as rehab for several injured players expected to return in time to represent their country including Katerina Mrazova, Dominika Laskova, and Ann-Renee Desbiens. It may also give others, like Ottawa Charge netminder Emerance Maschmeyer, time to heal. What's more likely however, is that one of the PWHL's key players could miss time returning from the World Championships due to an injury suffered in international play. It's already happened this year during the Rivalry Series, and it would be a miracle to escape the tournament without issue. The PWHL's scheduling was awful this season with huge gaps in home games, constant breaks, and most of all, the fact that teams will return from the World Championships with only one week until playoffs. After a month apart, some teams will have to play win-to-get-in games for playoff spots. One key injury at Worlds could end those hopes without another chance to get back. It could also impact a team's hopes of getting out of round one of the Walter Cup playoffs. All eyes on the injury bug, and fingers crossed for none.
2. Expansion here, expansion there, expansion where?
The PWHL stated they'd provide an expansion update in 4-6 weeks on February 20. The six week mark is April 3, the first day of the PWHL's shutdown. It's very likely the league makes their announcement, if there's one to be made, between the final puck being dropped on April 2, and the start of Worlds on April 9. It's a way to carry excitement over the month, and to spark international interest at Worlds. An expansion announcement, whether it's in the West, two American teams, or to the joy of packed rinks in Quebec City, Edmonton, Vancouver, or any neighbourhood rink in Canada, any expansion announcement will be met with weeks of excitement. An expansion announcement will also spark dozens of new questions from team names to venues, expansion draft and more. It will also help answer question mark #3....
3. Can we catch the PWHL draft dodgers?
Worlds was a major moment last year in deciphering who would be declaring for the 2024 PWHL Draft, and who would not. Expect a few more players who have been dodging draft questions to answer to those at the World Championships. We already know the top European player who was eligible, Viivi Vainikka, will not be declaring. We've also heard it's likely Finnish legend and future Hall of Famer Michelle Karvinen declares. Sweden's Sara Hjalmarsson is expected to declare as well, but there are several European players where the question just hasn't been answered, and remains completely unknown. Andrea Brandli is one. She wants to play in the PWHL, but doesn't want to be a third goalie. So until expansion is known, her question mark will hang like a Question Block in Mario. From Team USA, Abbey Murphy and Lacey Eden are also waiting on an expansion ...
