Five Free-Agency Signings Shaking Up the PWHL This Offseason
Toronto forward Emma Maltais plays against the Minnesota Frost at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by John McClellan.
Written By Lindsay Burke
As the Professional Women's Hockey League prepares to enter its third season, the league looks significantly different than it did just a few months ago. With four expansion franchises joining the league and a busy signing period reshaping rosters, teams have made major moves in hopes of competing for the Walter Cup. These five signings stand out as some of the biggest free-agent additions of the 2026 offseason.
Emma Maltais Signs with Montréal Victoire
Just four days into the league's Open Signing Period, 26-year-old forward Emma Maltais signed a two-year contract that will keep her with the Montréal Victoire through the 2027-28 season.
A two-time Olympian and three-time IIHF Women's World Champion with Team Canada, Maltais was selected in the second round of the inaugural PWHL Draft by the Toronto Sceptres. She appeared in every regular-season game during the franchise's first three seasons, recording 38 points in 84 career games while adding six more points in the playoffs.
A 2024 Rookie of the Year finalist, Maltais has established herself as one of the league's most reliable two-way forwards.
Fresh off a Walter Cup championship, Montréal adds offensive consistency, defensive responsibility, and valuable playoff experience to an already talented roster.
Daryl Watts Becomes PWHL Detroit's First Player
Expansion franchise PWHL Detroit made an immediate statement by signing forward Daryl Watts to a historic four-year contract, making her the first player in franchise history.
Watts is expected to play a pivotal role in Detroit's inaugural season. One of the league's premier goal scorers, she ranks second in PWHL history with 32 career goals. She also led Team Canada in scoring at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, where the team earned a silver medal.
As the only player to reach double-digit goals in each of the PWHL's first three seasons, Watts gives Detroit an elite offensive centerpiece to build around.
Detroit Adds Former First-Round Pick Britta Curl-Salemme
Detroit continued building its roster by signing Britta Curl-Salemme to a three-year contract through the 2028-29 season.
The former Minnesota Frost forward was selected ninth overall in the 2024 PWHL Draft. She earned All-Rookie Team honors during her first season and helped the Frost capture their second Walter Cup championship.
Curl-Salemme finished third in league scoring during the 2025-26 season and showcased her playmaking ability by setting a new single-season league record with 18 assists.
Her vision and passing ability should help Detroit generate offense and create opportunities for its top scorers as the expansion franchise establishes its identity.
Boston Fleet Bolster Blue Line with Amanda Boulier
The Boston Fleet strengthened their defense by signing veteran defender Amanda Boulier to a two-year contract through the 2027-28 season.
Boulier played an important role in Montréal's Walter Cup championship run, appearing in all nine playoff games while providing a steady defensive presence.
Throughout her professional career, Boulier has earned three NWHL All-Star selections and won two Isobel Cup championships with the Minnesota Whitecaps and Boston Pride.
Boston adds a dependable veteran with championship experience who can provide stability on the blue line while mentoring the team's younger defenders.
Montréal Victoire Add More Firepower with Jessie Eldridge
The defending Walter Cup champions continued to strengthen their offense by signing forward Jessie Eldridge to a two-year contract through the 2027-28 season.
Coming off one of the best offensive seasons of her PWHL career, Eldridge finished tied for fifth in league scoring with 23 points in 30 games while ranking second with 14 goals.
After beginning her professional career with New York before stops in Seattle and Boston, Eldridge has totaled 61 points in 84 regular-season games. She also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF Women's World Championship.
Already one of the league's most dangerous offensive teams, Montréal adds another proven scorer, making the defending champions even more difficult to contain as they pursue another Walter Cup.
