Two Mock PWHL Trades That Could Help Both Teams

The PWHL is closing in on the one third point of the season. Montreal and Minnesota are fighting it out at the top of the standings, with New York and Ottawa in the middle, and Toronto and Boston trying to stay out of the basement. While the first blockbuster of the season is in the books, it might not be the last trade. Here are a pair of trades that could help the PWHL's bottom four teams.

New York and Boston Do A Four Player Deal

Boston is in desperate need for offense, and both teams have players who have underperformed all season, and into last year. We saw one four player deal this year between Ottawa and Toronto, so why not another? In this mock trade, Boston would receive Chloe Aurard and Elizabeth Giguere, while New York would get Loren Gabel and Taylor Girard. For Boston, reuniting Aurard with Alina Muller, who herself has struggled this year, could be an incredible jumpstart on a number of fronts. Aurard played at Northeastern and is comfortable with the city, which can go a long way. Speaking of market comfort, Giguere had a spectacular first pro season with the PHF's Boston Pride, but hasn't been able to find her Patty Kazmaier winning form since. She's big, and sees the ice well, but needs a new opportunity. Heading to New York is Taylor Girard, who had two spectacular seasons with the Connecticut Whale, so has played in the region, and she'd bring size back in exchange for Giguere, and an ability to play up and down the lineup. The other player going to New York in this mock deal is Loren Gabel. One of the best shooters in the league, Gabel, a Patty Kazmaier winner herself, hasn't clicked in Boston. She still has plenty of goals in her. New York's top line has been incredible, but they need more scoring punch on their wings below that grouping, and Gabel, particularly with a bullish player like Abby Roque at center, could be an opportunistic scorer.

Ottawa Adds Another Czech

Who knows the inner workings of the trade that saw Jocelyne Laroque and Victoria Bach leave Toronto in exchange for Savannah Harmon and Hayley Scamurra. One thing is sure, Toronto will need to move a forward when Natalie Spooner comes back, and another when Megan Carter returns. It would not be surprising is a player like Noemi Neubauerova was part of the bigger conversation, as Ottawa could use her at forward where they currently lack depth, and coach Carla MacLeod already has familiarity with Neubauerova. The exchange in this situation might be more difficult. Once Jincy Roese and Ronja Savolainen return to the roster, they'll have extra D. In this mock deal, Ottawa sends Zoe Boyd to Toronto. Boyd hasn't played much, and if Toronto has one hole, it's defensive depth, particularly if Megan Carter is out long term.