The PWHL season may still be a ways away, but it’s never too early to start talking women’s hockey and what we can expect in the upcoming season. A little over a week ago, I asked for mailbag questions over on X. Now, it’s time to answer some of your questions!
Do you think the Charge will be okay after losing most of their leadership?
Yes, but I do think it will be an uphill battle for them. Their offseason additions are good pieces, but I’m not sure if it’s quite enough. Have they done enough to replace the leadership of Brianne Jenner? What about her offense? How about Emily Clark?
There are also a lot of new players on this year’s roster, and there’s no telling how their transition to the PWHL will go. That said, it’s easy to look at what the Ottawa Charge have lost and ignore what they’ve retained. Gwyneth Philips is still in net. Jocelyne Larocque and Ronja Savolainen will still be leading the backend. Gabbie Hughes and Rebecca Leslie stay strong up front.
To top it all off, the competition this season will be so different from last season. With four new teams in the mix, there’s a lot more room in the standings. I think the Charge will be okay, and I could see them in the mid-point of the league standings when all is said and done.
What is the timeline for the PWHL schedule?
This honestly feels like it’s been the longest offseason ever, and we still have over two months until PWHL hockey returns. No information has been officially released by the league, but it’s expected that training camps will start around November 18. (Remember: Women’s Worlds are November 6-16 in Denmark.)
Per the CBA, the regular season will start between two and three weeks after that. That would be sometime between December 2-9.
Last year, the PWHL released its schedule on October 1. I’d expect a similar timeline — maybe that weekend — for this year’s release. If there are any Takeover Tour games, those would likely be announced at a later date (but still before the first puck drop).
Do you think Maschmeyer can backstop the Goldeneyes to a winning season?
I do — but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the ice time more evenly split between Maschmeyer and Kristen Campbell. Last season, Maschmeyer played over 1,072 minutes to Campbell’s 719. They’re each excellent goalies on their own, but I don’t think it would hurt to even things out a bit and I think it’s their dynamic with one another, and internal competition against one another, that makes it better.
The Goldeneyes obviously have a lot of work to do after last season, but I think they’re in good hands with Cara Gardner Morey at the helm.
I also asked Maya, The IX Sports’ Vancouver Goldeneyes beat writer, to chime in. Here’s what she said:
Yes, but also no. Let me explain.
I do think that Emerance Maschmeyer is capable of being a starting goaltender and playing nearly a full season. However, I don’t think that’s what is best for her and for the Goldeneyes.
Goaltending was probably the biggest strength of the Goldeneyes last season, and a lot of that came from having both Campbell and Maschmeyer in net. I don’t think it’s wise of the team to switch that going into this season, and I don’t think they will. Retaining both goaltenders through expansion really sets them apart from the other teams, and I hope they will use that to their advantage.
I also think a lot of the answer to this will hinge on Maschmeyer’s ability to stay healthy, since she’s missed parts of the last two season due to injury.
Huge thanks to X users @Da_nnik, @VokerOnAir and @grantsales for their questions! Stay tuned for the next call for mailbag questions, or ask away whenever you want.
