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PWHL Trade Talk: Following Blockbuster, Who Is Next To Move

As the calendar flips to 2025, the first blockbuster deal of the PWHL season, and perhaps the biggest trade in the PWHL's short history is in the books. This week the Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres swapped players dealing Jocelyne Larocque and Victoria Bach for Savannah Harmon and Hayley Scamurra.

But it's not the only move that will happen this season, and whether they're successful or not, teams will be looking to make more trades soon, including Toronto.

When the team brings back Natalie Spooner and Megan Carter, they will need to move or release two players. Toronto won't want to let them go for nothing if there's another way they can continue to improve their roster. Almost every team in the PWHL has players nearing return from injury, which will begin a roster shuffle.

There are teams, like the Boston Fleet, who could be looking to bolster and shake up their roster as well, and others who are developing positional needs. Here's a look at the top players who could be at the center of PWHL trade talk early in 2025.

Noemi Neubauerova, Toronto

When Toronto needs to make a move, Neubauerova will draw interest. Perhaps there was a conversation of "future considerations" involving Neubauerova during the blockbuster deal between Toronto and Ottawa. She's being under-utilized in Toronto, and there will be teams ready to snap up her gritty style and off-ice character. The Czechia national team player has a lot of traits that can benefit a team down the stretch. Best Fits: Boston, Ottawa, Minnesota

Chloe Aurard, New York

Sadly, New York and Aurard just haven't clicked. There's only one player in the PWHL who has appeared in each of their team's games (Toronto's Kaitlin Willoughby) who has played less time than Aurard. It's a drastic fall for a player who was so highly regarded following a spectacular NCAA career. Boston would be wise to take a stab at Aurard and reunite the Northeastern alumni with former linemate Alina Muller. The duo worked magic together in college. Best Fits: Boston, Montreal.

Jamie Lee Rattray, Boston

If there's a chance for another blockbuster, it will likely involve Boston who seems like the team who is most in need of a trade. Rattray, or Loren Gabel would be the top candidate. Neither has produced as expected in Beantown. Rattray would certainly have value on the trade market, but it would also likely take another three-year contract in exchange to make the finances work. There just aren't a lot of players out there, or two years players with a bigger cap hit, who could make the money work. One fit could involve Ottawa yet again. Rattray is an Ottawa native, and they have another player, Gabbie Hughes, who is currently struggling. Both could bring aspects to the other team that would be appreciated. Best Fits: Ottawa, Montreal

Maggie Flaherty, Minnesota

If it weren't for Claire Thompson, Minnesota's blueline would be in a dreadful state offensively. Maggie Flaherty doesn't need to put up big points, because she brings size and physicality, but also appears to have fallen out of favor in Minnesota since last season. It would be interesting to see if a team like the New York Sirens might look to attract the shutdown style of Flaherty in exchange for a player like Brooke Hobson who has offensive upside that hasn't been realized. Until Sophie Jaques returns, it's less likely Minnesota makes a move unless they can bring back another defender. Best Fits: New York, Toronto

Taylor Girard, Boston

The big forward hasn't found her place in Boston's lineup. It's surprising considering Boston's struggles that she hasn't been given a realistic chance to play higher up the lineup. But there are teams who would likely put their cards in for a chance Girard clicks. She's part of a Boston cohort that also includes Sophie Shirley and Loren Gabel who could be trade pieces. Gabel in particular is playing out of her comfort zone in a bottom six role. She's one of the best natural goal scorers in the game but hasn't found her fit. Best Fits: Montreal, Ottawa, Minnesota, New York

Maggie Connors, Toronto

When the Sceptres need to make a move to accommodate the return of Spooner and Carter, Maggie Connors could be another player in the mix, who some teams will see value in Connors as a player who can move up and down a roster. It would be intriguing to see if New York would take a risk on Connors to bring more comfort and cohesion to her former Princeton teammate Sarah Fillier. Best Fits: New York, Boston