Grading The 2024 PWHL Draft After The Season's Opening Month

The 2024 PWHL Draft ushered in a new wave of talent for the burgeoning league. It also ushered in a new wave of hidden gems. Eventually, the class will have its bust picks. Some of those are already known or becoming clear, while injuries have hampered other players and teams.

It's a small sample size, but here's an early recap of each PWHL team's draft class, and an assessment of how their picks are paying off, or costing each club.

Boston Fleet: C+

Hannah Bilka, Daniela Pejsova, Sydney Bard, Shay Maloney, Ilona Markova, Hadley Hartmetz.

It's hard to assess this group, partially based on circumstance. Daniela Pejsova who could be the crown jewel of this group hasn't played much as she recovers from injury. Hadley Hartmetz hasn't stepped foot in a game due to her own injury and Ilona Markova was cut in camp. The team also gave up a pick to move up in the draft. Sydney Bard has been nothing short of a pleasant surprise for Boston playing on their top pair with Megan Keller most nights, and despite the fact Hannah Bilka has yet to score, she's making an impact through her pace and tenacity. Shay Maloney has been a spectacular depth player, but this is a group getting limited or no time from four of their six picks.

Best Value Pick So Far? Sydney Bard

Minnesota Frost: B

Claire Thompson, Britta Curl, Klara Hymlarova, Brooke McQuigge, Dominique Petrie, Mae Batherson, Katy Knoll

It didn't take long for Claire Thompson to get back up to speed and begin making significant contributions. Some of her defensive timing is still coming back, but the smooth, puck moving defender who was world class, is world class, and is showing Minnesota made no mistake grabbing her third overall. Dominique Petrie impressed everyone scoring in her first three games of the season until an injury derailed her, and the team continues to utilize Curl in all situations. Mae Batherson has played well, and with an early season injury to Sophie Jaques, the importance of Batherson is about to grow. Minnesota overpaid for Hymlarova in round three, particularly since it cost them Abby Boreen, but she's playing the solid two-way game everyone knew she would. Brooke McQuigge and Katy Knoll have played minimal roles.

Best Value Pick So Far? Dominique Petrie

Montreal Victoire: B

Cayla Barnes, Jennifer Gardiner, Abby Boreen, Dara Greig, Anna Wilgren, Anna Kjellbin, Amanda Kessel 

The pick may have come with more hurdles than expected, but grabbing Abby Boreen in round three looks like a home run, or perhaps more of a stolen base. Boreen has been one of Montreal's best, and is starting to place herself among the league's best. Barnes has been solid, Gardiner is playing her typical strong two way game, and Montreal is getting good depth value from Anna Kjellbin on the blueline. Greig and Wilgren are playing well, but are being outplayed by others in their rounds. Daniele Sauvageau still gets incredible kudos for swinging at Amanda Kessel. In fact, it is the kind of bold, but low risk move by their GM that will eventually pay off ten fold for Montreal. 

Best Value Pick So Far? Abby Boreen

New York Sirens: A

Sarah Fillier, Maja Nylen Persson, Noora Tulus, Abby Simpson, Gabby Rosenthal, Elle Hartje, Kayle Osborne, Emmy Fecteau.

There can be no arguement with the impact this group has had. Sarah Fillier is leading the league in scoring, Nylen Persson is fifth in the league in time on ice, Noora Tulus has been a 200-foot and special teams impact player, Ally Simpson has provided solid minutes, and the rest? They've all found ways to contribute. Elle Hartje has shown signs she might get more offensive looks soon. Adding the extra pick by trading down in round two was a slam dunk for New York. So far so good for this draft class. 

Best Value Pick So Far? Noora Tulus

Ottawa Charge: B

Danielle Serdachny, Ronja Savolainen, Gwyneth Philips, Stephanie Markowski, Mannon McMahon, Anna Meixner, Madeline Wethington

It's only a matter of time before Danielle Serdachny explodes offensively. She looks dangerous every time she's on the ice. It's surprising to see Ronja Savolainen outside Ottawa's top four, specifically as they continue to struggle, yet also continue to run back the same players, but there's no denying she's a gamer. Statistically, she's outperforming much of Ottawa's blueline. Stephanie Markowski is learning the pro game, but looks like she'll be a solid contributor long term on the blueline as well. Gwyneth Philips hasn't got a real shot yet, and Ottawa is playing with fire with another young goaltender in their ranks who if not given the opportunity, they could crush her confidence. Mannon McMahon has played limited minutes, but has been good in her time. The real winning pick in this class for Ottawa was Anna Meixner. Completely undervalued by almost every team in the draft, Meixner looks like she is poised for more as she figures out the league, providing excellent value in a depth. It was tough to see Madeline Wethington cut in camp. There are certainly teams in the league who could use defenders.

Best Value Pick So Far? Anna Meixner

Toronto Sceptres: C-

Julie Gosling, Megan Carter, Izzy Daniel, Lauren Bernard, Noemi Neubauerova, Anneke Rankila, Raygan Kirk.

Perhaps part of the reason for Toronto's early season struggles is their draft class. Part of that, specifically the ongoing injury to Megan Carter that has kept her from Toronto's lineup. But Toronto GM Gina Kingsbury openly admitted that the team...does not have scouts. It's perhaps the most bizarre admission in professional sports. The team's first round pick Julia Gosling has yet to record a point, and she, at times, looked to be struggling with the pace. There's still no doubt she'll thrive in the league, but it looks like it won't be immediate. Lauren Bernard has trailed the rest of Toronto's blueline in time on ice, including undrafted blueliner Rylind MacKinnon, while Noemi Neubauerova is averaging 5:30 in ice, and Anneke Rankila has only appeared in one game, for less than a minute. Raygan Kirk performed admirably in her appearances thus far, so it's far to early for judgement here. The best pick to date from this group is Izzy Daniel. It was a shock to see Daniel slide to where she did in the draft, and she's been Toronto's top rookie, and one of their top forwards night in and night out. Toronto's depth coming into the season accounts for some of the lack of use of this draft class, but they won't develop with the limited ice, and those who are playing are generally underperforming. 

Best Value Pick So Far? Izzy Daniel