June 3, 2025 • 32 mins
The PWHL season may be over, but the Packers still have plenty to say about women’s hockey. In this solo episode, they recap playoff highlights and look ahead to the expansion draft for Vancouver and Seattle. Plus, in a fun game, they play GM for each of the existing teams and pick which players they’d protect from being drafted. Listen to see who the Packers pick and if you agree.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to these packs puck. I'm Madison Packer
and I'm Anya Packer. Madison and I are both former
pro hockey players. We met through hockey and fell in love,
and now we're married with two awesome toddlers, ages two
and four. These days, we're opening up about the chaos
of our daily lives, between the juggle of being athletes,
raising kids and.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
All the messiness in between. So buckle the puck up,
because there is a lot to talk about, high pack. Hello,
what's up, girl brains? Good to see you without a
power washer in your hand. Good to be without a
power washer in my hand. We've been home for a week,
which means we've been opening the backyard because the weather's
starting to get nice in southern Connecticut. It's time to
(00:45):
talk all things. The playoffs have occurred. Okay, last week,
Minnesota frost in overtime one. It was a goal off
the stick of Liz Shopper's and it starts my hockey
hot take. You ready for it, Let's do it.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Hot take.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
The hockey hot take is that teams that utilize depth players,
notably death players that were massive influencers in old leagues,
are seeing better results. They're playing better, their depth lines
are doing more, they have more people that they can
put over the boards, and their TOI is more varied
(01:22):
than other teams in this league. Air go the Minnesota
Frost run it back win again at home in a
packed building. I didn't want to see that. I'm not
gonna lie. I wanted Ottawa to win. But the facts
are the facts.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Second game winning goal in the playoffs from Liz Shepherds,
dude just saying two.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
He's a clutch player, She's insane. They have Mikayla Cava
and Mikayla Cova is a former PHF Isabelle Cup Playoffs MVP.
She scored a ton of goals there, one with the
Cunland Red Star, one with Toronto, one with Minnesota last year,
ran it back one again. Are we shot? Mikaela CoV
Is an absolute monster. Chian dark Angelo, Chyann dark Angelo,
(02:05):
Vanishova on Ottawa. Those are big time players.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I think it's interesting to your point those players what
their role was last year versus this year. I think
that Cava has always had opportunities stepped up, played well.
She's a phenomenal player. But I just think it's interesting Marazova.
There are a lot of players who are big difference makers,
especially this season. They've gotten more opportunity, they've gotten more
(02:29):
ice time, and they're stepping up.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Looking at it objectively, when you see a team like Minnesota,
you look at the playoff stats. You have off the top,
you have least Deckline Sophie Jake, so your deer contributing,
you have Taylor Heisi, Claire Thompson, Cava nol Panic, Channel Watkins.
You just kind of go down the list and the
top eleven. Right, the only person that cracks that list
(02:54):
is Emily Clark comes sixth. But when every single member
of your team is contributing to the depth chart, yeah,
you're gonna win a championship. Unfortunately, Gwyneth Phillips tried her
hardest and she's gonna take the net for USA. She's
a dog, but she has to.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
If she doesn't, it's offensive she so she deserves a
real look. She's yar played out of her mind. Agreed, agreed,
Agreed that game could have ended in the third period.
She had she had nothing but opportunities afforded to her team.
They couldn't put the buck in the net. They did
a great job, taking it to the mere minutes every
single time. But Ottawa just couldn't get the firepower that
(03:31):
Minnesota had on every single line.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
You can't compete when a team's doing that.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
To you agree, I think I think Minnesota and Toronto
have the most to lose in this expansion draft situation.
But I mean Minnesota, they came out of nowhere too.
But I mean, if you look at that roster to
your point, the depth, the experience, the talent, they just
were firing on all cylinders when it mattered most.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I think it's funny to watch the league do the
same thing two years in a row. Basically, the only
major difference is the upset was auto right, like Ottawa
made the upset into the finals, but like last year,
the same thing. The two teams that make it all
the way is Boston and Minnesota, which was two upsets.
They were fighting at the bitter end. This year, Boston
lost the fight at the bitter end, and then the
two underdogs took over the top seeds and then they
(04:15):
played it out and then you know, nobody at that
point knew what was going to happen. But history is
going to tell you that when you have a club
like Minnesota that just did it last year as well
as right my hockey hot take, they have more winners
in depth positions than any other team on the floor, right, Like,
they're gonna win and that's no surprise. They're not without conflict,
(04:37):
they're not without controversy, but they're a team you want
to roof for if you're from the state of Hockey,
which is freaking everybody and they're playing because how many
of those players are from Minnesota, Like, they get it,
they love it. I mean it's hard to it's hard
to beat when you are able to put out that
parody on the ice. That is the end, open close
(04:57):
of the story. It's not six players on that team contributing,
it's twenty. Right, They're all capable, they're all next up,
and they're all getting.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
You saw that in the end Liz shepherds with the
I mean, who would have had that on their bingo card?
Actually maybe me because she I mean, like every level
that she's played at, she's been a clutch player. She
does that, she rises to the occasion. But I mean, seriously,
look at her contribution in her ice time throughout the season,
and then she steps up with her team needs her most.
I mean, that's a big time player making a big
time play. It just goes to speak to your point
(05:26):
the depth and the talent that exists on some of
these rosters and exposes the holes and the lack of
strategy maybe in other teams.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
So that was the season. It was amazing. It was
really fun to watch and kind of watch it all unfold,
but I was proud to see the Depth team kind
of take it. This year, It's time to get into
one of my favorite things, a little bit of a
check in between you and I. I'm gonna let you
roll first.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Hit me with it.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Where are you at one to one hundred?
Speaker 3 (05:55):
I'm like an eighty five girl? Really good. The house
looks good. We came home.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
I'm two grass that was taller than Harlan and like
the house was just a rack. We've been gone for
a really long time. But all of that said, things
have really turned a corner. We spent a lot of
time working Memorial Day weekend and the backyard's coming together.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
The front of the house looks presentable, feeling good. We
got a nanny shout out to the nanny Childcare Saves Lives.
I'm an eighty five.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
That's amazing. I'm so happy to hear that we have
been working it off right. Like I said to you
last night, I need to get a manicure because my
nails are looking like worker nails and I don't like that.
But I do know that my project list is really long,
so I have like probably two more weeks until I
get a solid manny. I am with you. I'm going
to match your energy at eighty five. I think I
(06:45):
have the rest in recovery to take care of the
kids when things go haywire. I took them solo on
Memorial Day Monday, and we were gonna go get donuts.
We're gonna come back to you. Actually, we're gonna go
drive and drop them off at Aunt Kayley's house to
give her belly a kiss and wish her good luck
because she's making humans right now. Like actually, they're coming out.
(07:05):
And we ran into a parade and then I was
able to kind of like chill with the kids, have donuts,
sit at a parade. That was really fun. There's no
downside to what's going on right now. I'm with you.
I'm up there. I'm an eighty five. I'm gonna just
totally match I feel great.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
All right, good day.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
We can do anything today at a combined one seventy.
So basically the kids are having something other than something
from the freezer for dinner. That's all I've heard. Facts facts, Well,
exciting today because we're at one seventy. We're kicking it
pretty high. But we have a solo episode I think
you know. Upcoming we have the draft, which means we
(07:43):
can have a little fun. We're going to go to
a quick ad break and then after that we'll play
a game. We'll be the GM of each club and
we'll create a little who we would save list for
the expansion Draft upcoming, the risks, the factors who were
hailed Mary saving all the things. Put your GM hat
(08:10):
on and let's dive in.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
All right, So a few ground rules. First, the protection
lists are due June third, YEP June fourth to eighth.
Vancouver and Seattle can sign up to five free agents each.
I don't think they have to sign five, but they
have the opportunity to sign five, and I do like that.
I think I maybe misunderstood that the first time, but
that allows any player that's not protected the opportunity to
(08:36):
negotiate and have a conversation for themselves, because if they
feel like they might be at risk of getting picked
in the expansion Draft, it gives them a little bit
of agency over where they end up.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
So I like that.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
I like that the player has a little bit of
power to have a conversation and if they're going to
end up someplace where they're not currently at, they at
least have a little bit of say in that. And
then the expansion Draft happens on the ninth, where two
per team are selected between Vancouver and Seattle.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Correct, that's correct until the teams get to twelve. Yes,
by way of drafts, I think it's cap that four
per team. Am I mistaken in that concept?
Speaker 1 (09:09):
No, you're correct, And teams have the ability to protect
a fourth player once two.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Players of it.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Ye, once two players have them maken like hail Mary
a fourth protection.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Yes, so it's gonna be chaos.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
It's gonna be chaos, But I think let's start with
the champs and then we'll work our way down. So
put yourself in frost mode and tell me of the
protectable players, which I want to shout out. Pwahl Report
on Instagram does a great job of covering this and
made it very very clear on what players were protectable
(09:44):
if they were signed or if they were restricted free agents.
So shout out. If you want some information about who
is protectable, please go over there. I think that information
is always great. I love that account, all right, So.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
We're gonna pingpong it. I'll go first. Here, you go first.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Next, love it.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
We'll go through all the teams.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Who would we protect and what's the biggest risk for
the team in this process. So me, I'm GM of Minnesota.
I'm protecting Taylor Heisey, Lee's deckline and Britta Curl Salami.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Ooh, that's a spicy take. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I don't know at all.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
That's not gonna land well probably, but that's who I'm protecting.
That's who I'm keeping as my core.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
I don't disagree. Taylor Heise's one of the best in
the game. Like she's doing different things out on the ice,
and I think as a person she makes a whole
line better. So I'm with you. I'm Taylor HEISEI I'm
Claire Thompson, which is hard because she's also going to
medical school soon, but she's so good. I'm Claire Thompson
or Sophie Jakes. Here's where I go. If Claire's going
to medical school. I actually I'm gonna swee.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
No no, no, no, no, no no sorry, I'm no no no,
no no.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
You can only pick three, okay, okay, okay, I'm.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Going scenarios no if this that no.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Okay, free, I'm going Taylor Heisei, Sophie Jake's, and I
think Kendall Quin's go is getting protected. So I'm going there.
I'm staying with it.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Well, are we trying to be right or are we
trying to say what we would do?
Speaker 2 (11:06):
What I would do? Oh?
Speaker 1 (11:08):
I guess that's right. Hold on, yeah, we're not trying
to predict. We're trying to say what we would do.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
I would protect Brooke mcquig. Am I crazy. I would
protect brookplecag like. That's why I would protect. But then
you leave yourself without a goalie. Someone could take both
your goalies and you've split started them all season long.
But it's hard because you don't have to protect Rooney.
But that's why I would keep So I'm actually I'm
sticking with it. You can't protect Rooney. No, I know
that's what I mean. So I'm sticking with my Taylor Hisey,
(11:33):
Sophie Jakes and Brooke mcquick.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
If you protect my three, the biggest risk is you
lose Kendall Coinschowfield, however, in my opinion, didn't have the
best playoffs, probably coming to the end of her career
after this next Olympics. It's a big risk because it's
a big part of your locker room. Obviously it's your captain,
it's your culture set or your culture starter.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
But is she or fourth?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
She would be my fourth, Yes, Okay, I was gonna
say I think she'd be my fourth, and for that
exact same reason, I'm scared to lose the captain. But
I do think for all those things like what you're
getting out of a young Taylor, Heisie, a young Sophie Jakes,
and a young Brook mcgwig might be more foundational.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Okay, moving right along Montreal Victoire.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
See, this one's hard because I think Abby Buren should
be protected. However, I am protecting Marie Felippe, Poulen, Amerine
Debienne and Aaron Ambrose and then my hail Mary protection.
I still don't know, Like I think the relationship element
of Laura Stacey is really hard but I'm not. I'm
(12:33):
the GM. I have to think about it. So she's
my fourth which is crazy because I because then my
biggest risk is that Abbie Boeren goes where Jennifer Gardner goes,
and I think those are both amazing players.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah see, I'm going a different route. I'm protecting Poulen,
Jennifer Gardner and Caleb Barnes. What.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Yeah, that's crazy. What's your biggest fear then? And who's
your hair may hail Mary.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
Is Laura Stacy?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Duh?
Speaker 1 (13:02):
But I mean, listen, I look at it from a
different perspective. I want to protect my young talent, agree, right, Like,
because there's gonna when when's the next expansion going to happen?
And so I just think that you've got the Olympics
coming up, and so what is the shelf life of
some of these careers, what is their plan after the
Olympics going to look like? And do you really want
(13:22):
to risk protecting a player and losing young talent only
to have to rebuild after the Olympics?
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Me, you know what, I think?
Speaker 1 (13:28):
I agree Gardner and Kayla Barnes are more their potential
and their future is more valuable than one more season
of The Pool ND Stacy Combo.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
It's funny because I agree with you on the Pool
and Stacy Combos, why she's not my top three? I
have an issue with Aaron Ambrose and listen, she's our age,
so like she's no spring chicken in comparison to like
a young fresh out of college player. But I think
she's very good, so it's hard for me to let
her go. So I think I'm making I'm making emotional
(13:59):
picks for Victwia. So I could be a bad GM here,
but this is what I would do, So I'm alright
with that. All right, Pack, you're on the clock and
you are the GM of the Attawa Charge, So this
one's tough. This one's super tough.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Yeah, they've got a ton of talent and they came
out of nowhere this year. I think I would protect
Gabby Hughes, Emily Clark, those two for sure, and then
it's tough for me. But actually, no, let me take
that back. It's not that tough because I would definitely
protect those two. And I just had just threw so
(14:32):
much shade and disrespect in the face of Gwenne Phillips.
Gwine Phillips will be my number one protector, then Emily Clark,
then Gabby Hughes, And that's tough because you risk losing mash.
But I think that Phillips proved that she's the number
one goalie. She deserves a look from USA Hockey. She
is the reason that that team made the run that
they did down to the end. Gabby Hughes has a
great future ahead of her. Emily Clark showed what she
(14:53):
can do in the playoffs about damn time she turned
it on. She's a heck of a hockey player, and
I think that she's got a heck of a career
ahead of her. So those three would be my three
to save. My fourth would be probably Marazova. My only
hesitancy there is that she, you know, battled injuries a
lot this season. She seems to have that problem a lot,
so and that's just unfortunate. But uh, those are my three,
(15:16):
so I'm similar. Obviously, Gwyneth Phillips is getting protected. I
think Emily Clark is getting protected. I don't love leaving
all the D off the card, so I'm keeping maybe Ted,
maybe Ted Dralova. I think she's a solid D right
like when she played for the Pride when she played here, Like,
(15:36):
I just find her to be a very solid D.
You can utilize her in power play positions, you can
use her in a shutdown position, you can utilize her
all across the ice.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
So I think I'm keeping a D. I was a
D by trade him. I'm keeping a D.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Gabby Hughes is my fourth is my person that I'll
reach to you. Well, if you leave Hughes on the board,
she's getting taken.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I agree, But but the challenge is, and here's where
I'm not as scared. Daniel shirt Ackney did not have
a good rookie season. Yeah, let's call it what it is.
She's an incredible hockey player.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Though I don't know about that she didn't. I don't
think she had a bad season. I think that she
didn't produce the way that people thought that she would produce.
From a point standpoint, but I don't think she had
a bad rookie season. I think that there's a lot
of pressure there and a lot of expectation for sure,
one thousand percent.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
But I'm saying if I'm losing Gabby Hughes, which is
a massive blow to the team, right, I'm thinking I'm
creating more inspiration for Sir Dacney, because I know the
skills are there. I know it's just going to take
a little bit of maturing to the speed. So I
might be okay to lose one because of the other.
But you're right, that's my risk. If I protect who
I say, I'm losing Gabby Hughes. I mean we might
(16:44):
be losing the Captain Brion Jenner. Like again, you know,
age and timelines might be doing that for me anyway, right,
So I'm not thinking about that. I'm thinking about how
I keep my most solid core. And Ashton Bell or
ted Drolova that's another one. Ashton Bell is going to
be a big risk if that's why I protect. If
I protect Tedge, I'm gonna lose Ashton Bell. If I
protect Ashton Bell, I'm gonna lose Tetralova. Like it's kind
(17:06):
of a fair trade off there. I just personally have
seen more of Tedg's game to want to keep her. Yep,
So that's what I would do. I'm not losing Grendeth Phillips.
That's all I care about, alright.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Moving on, Toronto, You're on the clock.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Hit me.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Toronto's the hardest one. I think you have the most
to lose here, because you have the most like good
little pieces. If we're going the way we've been trending, right,
you're keeping Eazy Daniel, that's happening. I'm keeping Easy Daniel.
I love the way she plays hockey. I don't protect
a goalie here. I think goaltending needs a shake up.
I don't protect a goalie here. Personally, I think they
(17:58):
would have done better in the playoffs had they put
Siege in earlier, Carl Jackson in earlier. But I don't
protect a goalie. I'm protecting Izzy Daniel. I might protect
all forwards here, which feels wrong to my core. But
Blair Turnbull has a lot to give. I love the
way she plays. I think she leads really appropriately. So
I'm keeping Blair Turnbull. I'm keeping Izzy Daniel, and I
(18:19):
might be keeping Daryl Watts. I think that's who I
choose here. And then my hail Mary is to reach
over the top and grab Heranauta fast if I don't,
if she doesn't get taken from me, I don't know that.
I'm a little I'm a little torn here. What are
you gonna do?
Speaker 1 (18:30):
I'm keeping Daryl Watts, Blair Turnbull. No brainer, and then
I like Ranata Fast. My only hesitancy is the penalties,
but I think it comes with the territory and it's
the way she plays.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
You get what you get and you can't get upset.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
So I would protect Blair Turnbull, Daryl Watts and not
a Fast. I think that those are three core players.
I think that Watts had a heck of a year.
She struggled a little bit in the PHF, but in
all fairness, she was out of shape, hadn't played in
a while, Like it's just tough to jump right back in.
I think that she's really showed the player that she's
(19:05):
capable of being in this league. Especially this season. She has,
you know, made some big plays, scored some big goals.
Blair Turnbull, you spoke to it, a great leader the
backboard of that team. You don't want to lose your captains.
I think it's it's going to be inevitable for some
of the teams, but I would keep Blair in Toronto.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
And then Renata is arguably one of the best d
in the league. Very physical.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Three hits on the season, I mean, and I knows
the hit counting is not accurate, so if it says
sixty three, it's probably more like ninety. But yeah, you
can't lose that.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Yeah, so I think maybe I think Toronto I switch.
I think Toronto has a lot to lose, but they
also have a lot to gain. They need a big
shake up in the goaltending position. But that's the other thing, is, like,
there's no guarantee, right that anyone takes your player.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Yeah, I mean no offense. They might not and then
you could release them. You could choose to do that.
But like, I think the other thing is they promoted
Ali Monroe mid season to be an assistant captain. She's
obviously doing something right for the culture of that team.
That is a risk, right, you're gonna lose her or
Savannah Harmon. Savannah Harmon was on charge traded to Toronto
in the in the Joscelyn the Rock trade. Right, Like,
(20:12):
so she's already seen a few clubs. She might be
a good person to come start another club. So I
think maybe she would be somebody that that might get grabbed.
Good solid player, good solid d there. But I'm with you,
I'm gonna switch. I'm gonna take Blair Darryl Watts, and
We're not a fast and then hail Mary. I'm keeping easy, Daniel.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
I like, oh no, maltey off the board by you.
I'm a little shocked. She's a little pip squeak, but
she she lays a lot of bodies too. I thought
that might be your thought, that might be your flavor.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Yeah, it was between her and Watts. For me, she's
probably my fourth.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
She's your reserve safe. She's like your Hilary safe. Yeah. Probably,
I get it. I think you're gonna think you're gonna
lose her. I mean, it's hard to think about four
players off that roster. But nonetheless, Okay, we're going to
my favorite place. We're shipping it up to Boston. Whoa, yeah,
do you like that? Go ahead, You're you're the t
I'm of the fleet.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Who This one's tough for me.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
I'm saving Bilka, Hannah Bilka upfront, a young player, good player,
had an injury this year, but she had a great
college career, good with USA Hockey. Definitely protecting her. Megan Keller,
I'm going to protect just because she's I think also
one of the best.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
D in the league. And then it's tough. I don't know,
I think it's between Mueller and sid Bard. I think
that Elena Mueller still has more left in the tank.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
I'd like to maybe see, you know, that Boston team
bring in some help, someone that can compliment her a
little bit better. But I'd probably protect her and give her,
you know, a little more opportunity or another opportunity. Again,
a young player with a lot of potential, had a
great college career, has played well enough, but I don't
think has really founder stride or found her way in
the pros yet.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
And then my fourth would be Aaron Frankel.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
The reason I'm not I wouldn't use a SAB on
the goaltenders is is I'm an all or nothing person
and I feel like I haven't been overly impressed by
some of these goalies in the same way that I
have been by some.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Of the players this season.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
I would have to agree. I think eight goalies, right
eight starters across the league. There's only starters, true starters.
There's probably ten eleven in the pro game right now.
So I think, at the end of the day, even
if your goalie gets snapped, do you have the likelihood
to pick up another starter?
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Right, Like unless they're the backbone of your team, like
the culture creator, which we wouldn't know because we haven't
been on these rosters. But I think you can always
get a starter. So I'm with you. I'm not saving
a goalie on this team either. I'm saving Alena Mueller
without question, and Megan Keller one hundred percent. I get
stuck here. I think Bilk is the right choice, right
(22:49):
like I like Hannah brant I think those games are similar.
Hannah Brant is, you know, wasn't injured, had more time
on ice, had more time to show what she can do.
Age again is maybe a factor here. If you don't
protect Bilk, she's gone. So you got to think about
all the things. I'm not protecting Hillary Knight. She just
pulled herself out of the next you know, this is
the last Olympics for her. She's you know, looking towards
(23:10):
the end and good for her prolific career. She deserves
every minute of the flowers. But I'm not protecting her.
I don't think she's going to get drafted. I just don't.
I can't see that. So I'm going Alena Mueller, Hannahbilka,
and I.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
Don't I hear with that though, I don't think. I
don't think she won't get drafted. I think that there's
a risk.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
To lose her.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
I just think she's my fourth for sure.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
I think that Boston is willing to take the risk
because to your point, she's indicated.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
That she's probably on her way out, and you.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Do you want to save a player that's not going
to be around for that much longer. But I mean,
I think she was one of the top three forwards
easily in the league.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Last season one percent. I'm just saying. I'm saying, now,
put yourself in the GM shoes of the new teams.
You wouldn't want to draft a player that's on their
way out either. You want to create a foundation. So
I think inadvertently she's made herself even though she's a champion,
right like, even though she intrinsically is.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
A Yeah, she also brings a heavy cap hit.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
She's super expensive. She's made it clear that she's not
playing for the long run, right like, and she's she's
done her long run like, She's put in her hours.
But she's my fourth safe. That's that's what I'm saying,
all right. I like it.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
The risk here is that someone takes Aaron Frankel, that's
the risk. But you've got to look at we just
had this conversation. The only goal that we've protected this
whole conversation is going to Phillips. So if they take
Aaron Frankel, you take Rooney, you take Kensley, you find
something else. The last and final club and I get
(24:38):
to start here is our New York Sirens.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
And they've got a lot of players they can protect.
I think they've got the most.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Eh, yeah, because they signed all those three year deals
last year, so they have the most to protect. In
my opinion, the choice is clear, and no one's gonna
like when I pick. I'm going Ellis Shelton, Sarah Phillier,
Jamie Bourbene. That is who I'm saving on this team.
The risk is and I'm aware of it, and I
(25:05):
know what's happening. That's your choice, and I'll look at
down the barrel of the gun. Someone's taking Alex Carpenter,
they're taking Abby Rock. Actually I might go Philly Shelton Schroeder,
but it's hard because Schroder is my friend. So I'm
having a hard time here. But my hail Mary is
to keep Jesse Eldridge.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Those are my four interesting I can't say anything. I
think it's a no brainer too, but not the same,
not the same choices. I'm no brainer keeping carp Alex Carpenter,
Sarah Phillier.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
And Ellis Shelton. Who's your fourth, My hail Mary is
probably Schroeder in net I.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
If I can keep it. Think that the problem that
New York has, and we've talked about it all season long,
they're just not playing their people right. And that's not
to say that of these people, the ones that I
think should move on are going to get drafted, and
that is the challenge with the contracts and how they
stand in New York. But from a strictly TOI perspective,
(26:06):
there are players with seven hundred minutes of ice on
the season, six hundred, seven hundred, six seventy five and
then thirty eight seventy six thirty six thirty three. No
other team has this disparity between TOIS and time on isis,
You're gonna lose your captain, Mike Sandy Hart's from Vancouver.
(26:28):
She is a very draftable player. This is the risk
that I'm willing to take. You're gonna lose your captain.
You're gonna lose Alex Carpenter, You're gonna lose your big pieces.
But I said this year when we looked at the
I don't think that team.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Can afford to lose out Alex Carpenter.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Listen to me. I said this this year when when
when the Bruins did it, you either dump the ship
and start ANEW or you keep them and you figure
it out. The Bruins did almost all of it, right,
Like they lose Marsha and they lose Coil, they lose,
they give, they give, and they keep McAvoy.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
I'm like, I thought they'd get rid of McAvoy too, right.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Because you get rid of them all and you find
a bunch of rookies and you build them into what
you want. That is what New York needs to do.
They need to start ANEW.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Yeah, but I think I think, you know, you talk
to the players and you look at the leadership of Micah.
She held that team together this year, she held that
team together last year, and so you're you're probably definitely
gonna lose Micah. Right, she's from Vancouver. I think that
she probably wants to go home. Maybe I'm wrong.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
I have no she is less. I bet a thousand
bucks she's gone.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
And so I think that if you lose her, you
can't lose all of your I mean, I mean, look
at that roster.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
There's so many rookies. There's so many, uh role players.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
I guess like you need to have more experience, more backbone,
and I just don't think that you can afford to lose.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (27:57):
It's tough, but.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
That's but this is why I'm keeping. I think Ella
Shelton as a human being is a fabulous human being.
So I'm keeping her because I think she continues the
essence of good. I think mikeau is Andy Hart's a
fabulous human being. Like I think the essence of good
in New York exists. I'm keeping that and retaining that
in Ella Shelton and Jamie Bourbiene that for that matter,
if she's my fourth, that is who I'm keeping because
(28:18):
I think they bring that essence of good, camaraderie, build
be in the gym, and be quiet about it. That's
what I think. But I think the team needs to change.
You're gonna lose your stars. Keep Philly, and then you
have the first round draft pick. They won the golden
rule starting.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
Yeah, yeah, that's true, And this is what I would
do when you're bringing in younger talent.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Anyways, but yes, I understand is they're a younger team
to begin with, right, Like I think the oldest player
on the team is Carp. Yes, for Tullis, I'm sticking
with my picks though, I'm protecting Carp and Philly and Shelton.
Question now, excluding Seattle and Vancouver, which team do you
think has the most to gain from this process? And
(28:59):
which team do you think think has the most to lose?
And I think my answer we talked a little bit
about this last week. I think my answer has changed.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
A little bit. Yeah, what do you think?
Speaker 1 (29:05):
You go?
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Because I like the question, but I've got to think
on it.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
I think New York has the most to gain. Agree
if they do it, if they do it properly, okay, easy, But.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
We need to start.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
We need to start running women's sports like professional sports,
right like, like fuck the t ball mindset, this is
professional sports.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
They have the most to gain in this situation.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Well, that's why I'm not protecting the stay like it's sports.
Speaker 1 (29:31):
Now, then critically about your roster, look and see what
happens in this expansion draft.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
You got to get rid of people.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
If you got to get rid of people, it sucks,
but rebuild, you have a real opportunity here.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
I think they have the most to gain, and I
think that I think Ottawa has the most to lose.
I really yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
I think when you look at what Ottawa did down
the stretch, right, and the players that they've got sitting
in their back pockets, Like, there's also players that are
going to be free agents, right, that are going to
have the ability now to look elsewhere. You know, maybe
they want to play with a certain person that's going
to be elsewhere. Like, I just think that AUTO approve
that while they didn't win in the end, I think
that they prove that they have a lot of depth
(30:13):
players and a lot of talent on that roster, and
I think that those players are going to be up
for grabs all right.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
Well, I think for me, obviously, the most to gain
is going to be the team that I think needs
the most help. So I'm still sticking with it with
my choices in New York, I think that they have
to reinvent themselves. They need a different essence. So I'm
saying that they have the most to gain. I think
that's that's obvious. And when I said what I said,
I meant it objectively. They came in last twice, like
they are definitely the worst. I'm not making a hot
take on that. That's a fact of life. Now, who
(30:42):
I think is the most to lose? I still have
to think it's Montreal. I understand that they fell short
and like they are doing that at a rapid pace
now two years in a row. That's nuts. But I
think of the pieces that you're going to lose in
that specific lock room, it's a problem. It's a problem.
(31:02):
So I think Montreal should be scared. I think they
should be sending like edible arrangement baskets over to Vancouver
and Seattle. Make some friends really quickly because they're about
to get rocked. But like I said, this is very fun.
It is incredibly exciting to pick apart women's hockey. We're
finally at the place where we can start to play
(31:22):
chess and look really critically at the things that we're
doing and play these games and really id eight about
what women's hockey rosters and the efficacy of players and
questions that take a lot of data and take a
lot of care and take a lot of consideration, and
the PHL is providing that to us. I'm hugely appreciative
it excited. This was a fun episode. I enjoyed talking
about this. When this airs, we'll have a little, you know,
(31:47):
voting situation on who won. This was fun. Thanks for
playing GM with me, Packy always.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
That's it for this week. Thanks for listening, and if you.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
Like what you heard, spread the word seriously right now,
take your phone out, Text a friend and tell them
to subscribe, and.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts
and Spotify if you haven't already.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
It really really helps. Until next week.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
I'm Madison Packer and I'm Aya Packer and this was
the's pas Puck. These packs Puck is a production of
iHeart Women's Sports and Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. It's
hosted by us Madison and Onya Packer. Emily Meronoff is
our senior producer and story editor. We were mixed and
mastered by Mary Doo. Our executive producers are Jennifer Bassett,
(32:32):
Jesse Katz, and Ali Perry.
Hi, everyone, Welcome to these packs puck. I'm Madison Packer
and I'm Anya Packer. Madison and I are both former
pro hockey players. We met through hockey and fell in love,
and now we're married with two awesome toddlers, ages two
and four. These days, we're opening up about the chaos
of our daily lives, between the juggle of being athletes,
raising kids and.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
All the messiness in between. So buckle the puck up,
because there is a lot to talk about, high pack. Hello,
what's up, girl brains? Good to see you without a
power washer in your hand. Good to be without a
power washer in my hand. We've been home for a week,
which means we've been opening the backyard because the weather's
starting to get nice in southern Connecticut. It's time to
(00:45):
talk all things. The playoffs have occurred. Okay, last week,
Minnesota frost in overtime one. It was a goal off
the stick of Liz Shopper's and it starts my hockey
hot take. You ready for it, Let's do it.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Hot take.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
The hockey hot take is that teams that utilize depth players,
notably death players that were massive influencers in old leagues,
are seeing better results. They're playing better, their depth lines
are doing more, they have more people that they can
put over the boards, and their TOI is more varied
(01:22):
than other teams in this league. Air go the Minnesota
Frost run it back win again at home in a
packed building. I didn't want to see that. I'm not
gonna lie. I wanted Ottawa to win. But the facts
are the facts.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Second game winning goal in the playoffs from Liz Shepherds,
dude just saying two.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
He's a clutch player, She's insane. They have Mikayla Cava
and Mikayla Cova is a former PHF Isabelle Cup Playoffs MVP.
She scored a ton of goals there, one with the
Cunland Red Star, one with Toronto, one with Minnesota last year,
ran it back one again. Are we shot? Mikaela CoV
Is an absolute monster. Chian dark Angelo, Chyann dark Angelo,
(02:05):
Vanishova on Ottawa. Those are big time players.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I think it's interesting to your point those players what
their role was last year versus this year. I think
that Cava has always had opportunities stepped up, played well.
She's a phenomenal player. But I just think it's interesting Marazova.
There are a lot of players who are big difference makers,
especially this season. They've gotten more opportunity, they've gotten more
(02:29):
ice time, and they're stepping up.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Looking at it objectively, when you see a team like Minnesota,
you look at the playoff stats. You have off the top,
you have least Deckline Sophie Jake, so your deer contributing,
you have Taylor Heisi, Claire Thompson, Cava nol Panic, Channel Watkins.
You just kind of go down the list and the
top eleven. Right, the only person that cracks that list
(02:54):
is Emily Clark comes sixth. But when every single member
of your team is contributing to the depth chart, yeah,
you're gonna win a championship. Unfortunately, Gwyneth Phillips tried her
hardest and she's gonna take the net for USA. She's
a dog, but she has to.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
If she doesn't, it's offensive she so she deserves a
real look. She's yar played out of her mind. Agreed, agreed,
Agreed that game could have ended in the third period.
She had she had nothing but opportunities afforded to her team.
They couldn't put the buck in the net. They did
a great job, taking it to the mere minutes every
single time. But Ottawa just couldn't get the firepower that
(03:31):
Minnesota had on every single line.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
You can't compete when a team's doing that.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
To you agree, I think I think Minnesota and Toronto
have the most to lose in this expansion draft situation.
But I mean Minnesota, they came out of nowhere too.
But I mean, if you look at that roster to
your point, the depth, the experience, the talent, they just
were firing on all cylinders when it mattered most.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I think it's funny to watch the league do the
same thing two years in a row. Basically, the only
major difference is the upset was auto right, like Ottawa
made the upset into the finals, but like last year,
the same thing. The two teams that make it all
the way is Boston and Minnesota, which was two upsets.
They were fighting at the bitter end. This year, Boston
lost the fight at the bitter end, and then the
two underdogs took over the top seeds and then they
(04:15):
played it out and then you know, nobody at that
point knew what was going to happen. But history is
going to tell you that when you have a club
like Minnesota that just did it last year as well
as right my hockey hot take, they have more winners
in depth positions than any other team on the floor, right, Like,
they're gonna win and that's no surprise. They're not without conflict,
(04:37):
they're not without controversy, but they're a team you want
to roof for if you're from the state of Hockey,
which is freaking everybody and they're playing because how many
of those players are from Minnesota, Like, they get it,
they love it. I mean it's hard to it's hard
to beat when you are able to put out that
parody on the ice. That is the end, open close
(04:57):
of the story. It's not six players on that team contributing,
it's twenty. Right, They're all capable, they're all next up,
and they're all getting.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
You saw that in the end Liz shepherds with the
I mean, who would have had that on their bingo card?
Actually maybe me because she I mean, like every level
that she's played at, she's been a clutch player. She
does that, she rises to the occasion. But I mean, seriously,
look at her contribution in her ice time throughout the season,
and then she steps up with her team needs her most.
I mean, that's a big time player making a big
time play. It just goes to speak to your point
(05:26):
the depth and the talent that exists on some of
these rosters and exposes the holes and the lack of
strategy maybe in other teams.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
So that was the season. It was amazing. It was
really fun to watch and kind of watch it all unfold,
but I was proud to see the Depth team kind
of take it. This year, It's time to get into
one of my favorite things, a little bit of a
check in between you and I. I'm gonna let you
roll first.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Hit me with it.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Where are you at one to one hundred?
Speaker 3 (05:55):
I'm like an eighty five girl? Really good. The house
looks good. We came home.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
I'm two grass that was taller than Harlan and like
the house was just a rack. We've been gone for
a really long time. But all of that said, things
have really turned a corner. We spent a lot of
time working Memorial Day weekend and the backyard's coming together.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
The front of the house looks presentable, feeling good. We
got a nanny shout out to the nanny Childcare Saves Lives.
I'm an eighty five.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
That's amazing. I'm so happy to hear that we have
been working it off right. Like I said to you
last night, I need to get a manicure because my
nails are looking like worker nails and I don't like that.
But I do know that my project list is really long,
so I have like probably two more weeks until I
get a solid manny. I am with you. I'm going
to match your energy at eighty five. I think I
(06:45):
have the rest in recovery to take care of the
kids when things go haywire. I took them solo on
Memorial Day Monday, and we were gonna go get donuts.
We're gonna come back to you. Actually, we're gonna go
drive and drop them off at Aunt Kayley's house to
give her belly a kiss and wish her good luck
because she's making humans right now. Like actually, they're coming out.
(07:05):
And we ran into a parade and then I was
able to kind of like chill with the kids, have donuts,
sit at a parade. That was really fun. There's no
downside to what's going on right now. I'm with you.
I'm up there. I'm an eighty five. I'm gonna just
totally match I feel great.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
All right, good day.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
We can do anything today at a combined one seventy.
So basically the kids are having something other than something
from the freezer for dinner. That's all I've heard. Facts facts, Well,
exciting today because we're at one seventy. We're kicking it
pretty high. But we have a solo episode I think
you know. Upcoming we have the draft, which means we
(07:43):
can have a little fun. We're going to go to
a quick ad break and then after that we'll play
a game. We'll be the GM of each club and
we'll create a little who we would save list for
the expansion Draft upcoming, the risks, the factors who were
hailed Mary saving all the things. Put your GM hat
(08:10):
on and let's dive in.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
All right, So a few ground rules. First, the protection
lists are due June third, YEP June fourth to eighth.
Vancouver and Seattle can sign up to five free agents each.
I don't think they have to sign five, but they
have the opportunity to sign five, and I do like that.
I think I maybe misunderstood that the first time, but
that allows any player that's not protected the opportunity to
(08:36):
negotiate and have a conversation for themselves, because if they
feel like they might be at risk of getting picked
in the expansion Draft, it gives them a little bit
of agency over where they end up.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
So I like that.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
I like that the player has a little bit of
power to have a conversation and if they're going to
end up someplace where they're not currently at, they at
least have a little bit of say in that. And
then the expansion Draft happens on the ninth, where two
per team are selected between Vancouver and Seattle.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Correct, that's correct until the teams get to twelve. Yes,
by way of drafts, I think it's cap that four
per team. Am I mistaken in that concept?
Speaker 1 (09:09):
No, you're correct, And teams have the ability to protect
a fourth player once two.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Players of it.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Ye, once two players have them maken like hail Mary
a fourth protection.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Yes, so it's gonna be chaos.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
It's gonna be chaos, But I think let's start with
the champs and then we'll work our way down. So
put yourself in frost mode and tell me of the
protectable players, which I want to shout out. Pwahl Report
on Instagram does a great job of covering this and
made it very very clear on what players were protectable
(09:44):
if they were signed or if they were restricted free agents.
So shout out. If you want some information about who
is protectable, please go over there. I think that information
is always great. I love that account, all right, So.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
We're gonna pingpong it. I'll go first. Here, you go first.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Next, love it.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
We'll go through all the teams.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Who would we protect and what's the biggest risk for
the team in this process. So me, I'm GM of Minnesota.
I'm protecting Taylor Heisey, Lee's deckline and Britta Curl Salami.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Ooh, that's a spicy take. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I don't know at all.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
That's not gonna land well probably, but that's who I'm protecting.
That's who I'm keeping as my core.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
I don't disagree. Taylor Heise's one of the best in
the game. Like she's doing different things out on the ice,
and I think as a person she makes a whole
line better. So I'm with you. I'm Taylor HEISEI I'm
Claire Thompson, which is hard because she's also going to
medical school soon, but she's so good. I'm Claire Thompson
or Sophie Jakes. Here's where I go. If Claire's going
to medical school. I actually I'm gonna swee.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
No no, no, no, no, no no sorry, I'm no no no,
no no.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
You can only pick three, okay, okay, okay, I'm.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Going scenarios no if this that no.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Okay, free, I'm going Taylor Heisei, Sophie Jake's, and I
think Kendall Quin's go is getting protected. So I'm going there.
I'm staying with it.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Well, are we trying to be right or are we
trying to say what we would do?
Speaker 2 (11:06):
What I would do? Oh?
Speaker 1 (11:08):
I guess that's right. Hold on, yeah, we're not trying
to predict. We're trying to say what we would do.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
I would protect Brooke mcquig. Am I crazy. I would
protect brookplecag like. That's why I would protect. But then
you leave yourself without a goalie. Someone could take both
your goalies and you've split started them all season long.
But it's hard because you don't have to protect Rooney.
But that's why I would keep So I'm actually I'm
sticking with it. You can't protect Rooney. No, I know
that's what I mean. So I'm sticking with my Taylor Hisey,
(11:33):
Sophie Jakes and Brooke mcquick.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
If you protect my three, the biggest risk is you
lose Kendall Coinschowfield, however, in my opinion, didn't have the
best playoffs, probably coming to the end of her career
after this next Olympics. It's a big risk because it's
a big part of your locker room. Obviously it's your captain,
it's your culture set or your culture starter.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
But is she or fourth?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
She would be my fourth, Yes, Okay, I was gonna
say I think she'd be my fourth, and for that
exact same reason, I'm scared to lose the captain. But
I do think for all those things like what you're
getting out of a young Taylor, Heisie, a young Sophie Jakes,
and a young Brook mcgwig might be more foundational.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Okay, moving right along Montreal Victoire.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
See, this one's hard because I think Abby Buren should
be protected. However, I am protecting Marie Felippe, Poulen, Amerine
Debienne and Aaron Ambrose and then my hail Mary protection.
I still don't know, Like I think the relationship element
of Laura Stacey is really hard but I'm not. I'm
(12:33):
the GM. I have to think about it. So she's
my fourth which is crazy because I because then my
biggest risk is that Abbie Boeren goes where Jennifer Gardner goes,
and I think those are both amazing players.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah see, I'm going a different route. I'm protecting Poulen,
Jennifer Gardner and Caleb Barnes. What.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Yeah, that's crazy. What's your biggest fear then? And who's
your hair may hail Mary.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
Is Laura Stacy?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Duh?
Speaker 1 (13:02):
But I mean, listen, I look at it from a
different perspective. I want to protect my young talent, agree, right, Like,
because there's gonna when when's the next expansion going to happen?
And so I just think that you've got the Olympics
coming up, and so what is the shelf life of
some of these careers, what is their plan after the
Olympics going to look like? And do you really want
(13:22):
to risk protecting a player and losing young talent only
to have to rebuild after the Olympics?
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Me, you know what, I think?
Speaker 1 (13:28):
I agree Gardner and Kayla Barnes are more their potential
and their future is more valuable than one more season
of The Pool ND Stacy Combo.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
It's funny because I agree with you on the Pool
and Stacy Combos, why she's not my top three? I
have an issue with Aaron Ambrose and listen, she's our age,
so like she's no spring chicken in comparison to like
a young fresh out of college player. But I think
she's very good, so it's hard for me to let
her go. So I think I'm making I'm making emotional
(13:59):
picks for Victwia. So I could be a bad GM here,
but this is what I would do, So I'm alright
with that. All right, Pack, you're on the clock and
you are the GM of the Attawa Charge, So this
one's tough. This one's super tough.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Yeah, they've got a ton of talent and they came
out of nowhere this year. I think I would protect
Gabby Hughes, Emily Clark, those two for sure, and then
it's tough for me. But actually, no, let me take
that back. It's not that tough because I would definitely
protect those two. And I just had just threw so
(14:32):
much shade and disrespect in the face of Gwenne Phillips.
Gwine Phillips will be my number one protector, then Emily Clark,
then Gabby Hughes, And that's tough because you risk losing mash.
But I think that Phillips proved that she's the number
one goalie. She deserves a look from USA Hockey. She
is the reason that that team made the run that
they did down to the end. Gabby Hughes has a
great future ahead of her. Emily Clark showed what she
(14:53):
can do in the playoffs about damn time she turned
it on. She's a heck of a hockey player, and
I think that she's got a heck of a career
ahead of her. So those three would be my three
to save. My fourth would be probably Marazova. My only
hesitancy there is that she, you know, battled injuries a
lot this season. She seems to have that problem a lot,
so and that's just unfortunate. But uh, those are my three,
(15:16):
so I'm similar. Obviously, Gwyneth Phillips is getting protected. I
think Emily Clark is getting protected. I don't love leaving
all the D off the card, so I'm keeping maybe Ted,
maybe Ted Dralova. I think she's a solid D right
like when she played for the Pride when she played here, Like,
(15:36):
I just find her to be a very solid D.
You can utilize her in power play positions, you can
use her in a shutdown position, you can utilize her
all across the ice.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
So I think I'm keeping a D. I was a
D by trade him. I'm keeping a D.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Gabby Hughes is my fourth is my person that I'll
reach to you. Well, if you leave Hughes on the board,
she's getting taken.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I agree, But but the challenge is, and here's where
I'm not as scared. Daniel shirt Ackney did not have
a good rookie season. Yeah, let's call it what it is.
She's an incredible hockey player.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Though I don't know about that she didn't. I don't
think she had a bad season. I think that she
didn't produce the way that people thought that she would produce.
From a point standpoint, but I don't think she had
a bad rookie season. I think that there's a lot
of pressure there and a lot of expectation for sure,
one thousand percent.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
But I'm saying if I'm losing Gabby Hughes, which is
a massive blow to the team, right, I'm thinking I'm
creating more inspiration for Sir Dacney, because I know the
skills are there. I know it's just going to take
a little bit of maturing to the speed. So I
might be okay to lose one because of the other.
But you're right, that's my risk. If I protect who
I say, I'm losing Gabby Hughes. I mean we might
(16:44):
be losing the Captain Brion Jenner. Like again, you know,
age and timelines might be doing that for me anyway, right,
So I'm not thinking about that. I'm thinking about how
I keep my most solid core. And Ashton Bell or
ted Drolova that's another one. Ashton Bell is going to
be a big risk if that's why I protect. If
I protect Tedge, I'm gonna lose Ashton Bell. If I
protect Ashton Bell, I'm gonna lose Tetralova. Like it's kind
(17:06):
of a fair trade off there. I just personally have
seen more of Tedg's game to want to keep her. Yep,
So that's what I would do. I'm not losing Grendeth Phillips.
That's all I care about, alright.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Moving on, Toronto, You're on the clock.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Hit me.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Toronto's the hardest one. I think you have the most
to lose here, because you have the most like good
little pieces. If we're going the way we've been trending, right,
you're keeping Eazy Daniel, that's happening. I'm keeping Easy Daniel.
I love the way she plays hockey. I don't protect
a goalie here. I think goaltending needs a shake up.
I don't protect a goalie here. Personally, I think they
(17:58):
would have done better in the playoffs had they put
Siege in earlier, Carl Jackson in earlier. But I don't
protect a goalie. I'm protecting Izzy Daniel. I might protect
all forwards here, which feels wrong to my core. But
Blair Turnbull has a lot to give. I love the
way she plays. I think she leads really appropriately. So
I'm keeping Blair Turnbull. I'm keeping Izzy Daniel, and I
(18:19):
might be keeping Daryl Watts. I think that's who I
choose here. And then my hail Mary is to reach
over the top and grab Heranauta fast if I don't,
if she doesn't get taken from me, I don't know that.
I'm a little I'm a little torn here. What are
you gonna do?
Speaker 1 (18:30):
I'm keeping Daryl Watts, Blair Turnbull. No brainer, and then
I like Ranata Fast. My only hesitancy is the penalties,
but I think it comes with the territory and it's
the way she plays.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
You get what you get and you can't get upset.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
So I would protect Blair Turnbull, Daryl Watts and not
a Fast. I think that those are three core players.
I think that Watts had a heck of a year.
She struggled a little bit in the PHF, but in
all fairness, she was out of shape, hadn't played in
a while, Like it's just tough to jump right back in.
I think that she's really showed the player that she's
(19:05):
capable of being in this league. Especially this season. She has,
you know, made some big plays, scored some big goals.
Blair Turnbull, you spoke to it, a great leader the
backboard of that team. You don't want to lose your captains.
I think it's it's going to be inevitable for some
of the teams, but I would keep Blair in Toronto.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
And then Renata is arguably one of the best d
in the league. Very physical.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
Three hits on the season, I mean, and I knows
the hit counting is not accurate, so if it says
sixty three, it's probably more like ninety. But yeah, you
can't lose that.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Yeah, so I think maybe I think Toronto I switch.
I think Toronto has a lot to lose, but they
also have a lot to gain. They need a big
shake up in the goaltending position. But that's the other thing, is, like,
there's no guarantee, right that anyone takes your player.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Yeah, I mean no offense. They might not and then
you could release them. You could choose to do that.
But like, I think the other thing is they promoted
Ali Monroe mid season to be an assistant captain. She's
obviously doing something right for the culture of that team.
That is a risk, right, you're gonna lose her or
Savannah Harmon. Savannah Harmon was on charge traded to Toronto
in the in the Joscelyn the Rock trade. Right, Like,
(20:12):
so she's already seen a few clubs. She might be
a good person to come start another club. So I
think maybe she would be somebody that that might get grabbed.
Good solid player, good solid d there. But I'm with you,
I'm gonna switch. I'm gonna take Blair Darryl Watts, and
We're not a fast and then hail Mary. I'm keeping easy, Daniel.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
I like, oh no, maltey off the board by you.
I'm a little shocked. She's a little pip squeak, but
she she lays a lot of bodies too. I thought
that might be your thought, that might be your flavor.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Yeah, it was between her and Watts. For me, she's
probably my fourth.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
She's your reserve safe. She's like your Hilary safe. Yeah. Probably,
I get it. I think you're gonna think you're gonna
lose her. I mean, it's hard to think about four
players off that roster. But nonetheless, Okay, we're going to
my favorite place. We're shipping it up to Boston. Whoa, yeah,
do you like that? Go ahead, You're you're the t
I'm of the fleet.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Who This one's tough for me.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
I'm saving Bilka, Hannah Bilka upfront, a young player, good player,
had an injury this year, but she had a great
college career, good with USA Hockey. Definitely protecting her. Megan Keller,
I'm going to protect just because she's I think also
one of the best.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
D in the league. And then it's tough. I don't know,
I think it's between Mueller and sid Bard. I think
that Elena Mueller still has more left in the tank.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
I'd like to maybe see, you know, that Boston team
bring in some help, someone that can compliment her a
little bit better. But I'd probably protect her and give her,
you know, a little more opportunity or another opportunity. Again,
a young player with a lot of potential, had a
great college career, has played well enough, but I don't
think has really founder stride or found her way in
the pros yet.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
And then my fourth would be Aaron Frankel.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
The reason I'm not I wouldn't use a SAB on
the goaltenders is is I'm an all or nothing person
and I feel like I haven't been overly impressed by
some of these goalies in the same way that I
have been by some.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Of the players this season.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
I would have to agree. I think eight goalies, right
eight starters across the league. There's only starters, true starters.
There's probably ten eleven in the pro game right now.
So I think, at the end of the day, even
if your goalie gets snapped, do you have the likelihood
to pick up another starter?
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Right, Like unless they're the backbone of your team, like
the culture creator, which we wouldn't know because we haven't
been on these rosters. But I think you can always
get a starter. So I'm with you. I'm not saving
a goalie on this team either. I'm saving Alena Mueller
without question, and Megan Keller one hundred percent. I get
stuck here. I think Bilk is the right choice, right
(22:49):
like I like Hannah brant I think those games are similar.
Hannah Brant is, you know, wasn't injured, had more time
on ice, had more time to show what she can do.
Age again is maybe a factor here. If you don't
protect Bilk, she's gone. So you got to think about
all the things. I'm not protecting Hillary Knight. She just
pulled herself out of the next you know, this is
the last Olympics for her. She's you know, looking towards
(23:10):
the end and good for her prolific career. She deserves
every minute of the flowers. But I'm not protecting her.
I don't think she's going to get drafted. I just don't.
I can't see that. So I'm going Alena Mueller, Hannahbilka,
and I.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
Don't I hear with that though, I don't think. I
don't think she won't get drafted. I think that there's
a risk.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
To lose her.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
I just think she's my fourth for sure.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
I think that Boston is willing to take the risk
because to your point, she's indicated.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
That she's probably on her way out, and you.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Do you want to save a player that's not going
to be around for that much longer. But I mean,
I think she was one of the top three forwards
easily in the league.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Last season one percent. I'm just saying. I'm saying, now,
put yourself in the GM shoes of the new teams.
You wouldn't want to draft a player that's on their
way out either. You want to create a foundation. So
I think inadvertently she's made herself even though she's a champion,
right like, even though she intrinsically is.
Speaker 3 (23:59):
A Yeah, she also brings a heavy cap hit.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
She's super expensive. She's made it clear that she's not
playing for the long run, right like, and she's she's
done her long run like, She's put in her hours.
But she's my fourth safe. That's that's what I'm saying,
all right. I like it.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
The risk here is that someone takes Aaron Frankel, that's
the risk. But you've got to look at we just
had this conversation. The only goal that we've protected this
whole conversation is going to Phillips. So if they take
Aaron Frankel, you take Rooney, you take Kensley, you find
something else. The last and final club and I get
(24:38):
to start here is our New York Sirens.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
And they've got a lot of players they can protect.
I think they've got the most.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Eh, yeah, because they signed all those three year deals
last year, so they have the most to protect. In
my opinion, the choice is clear, and no one's gonna
like when I pick. I'm going Ellis Shelton, Sarah Phillier,
Jamie Bourbene. That is who I'm saving on this team.
The risk is and I'm aware of it, and I
(25:05):
know what's happening. That's your choice, and I'll look at
down the barrel of the gun. Someone's taking Alex Carpenter,
they're taking Abby Rock. Actually I might go Philly Shelton Schroeder,
but it's hard because Schroder is my friend. So I'm
having a hard time here. But my hail Mary is
to keep Jesse Eldridge.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Those are my four interesting I can't say anything. I
think it's a no brainer too, but not the same,
not the same choices. I'm no brainer keeping carp Alex Carpenter,
Sarah Phillier.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
And Ellis Shelton. Who's your fourth, My hail Mary is
probably Schroeder in net I.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
If I can keep it. Think that the problem that
New York has, and we've talked about it all season long,
they're just not playing their people right. And that's not
to say that of these people, the ones that I
think should move on are going to get drafted, and
that is the challenge with the contracts and how they
stand in New York. But from a strictly TOI perspective,
(26:06):
there are players with seven hundred minutes of ice on
the season, six hundred, seven hundred, six seventy five and
then thirty eight seventy six thirty six thirty three. No
other team has this disparity between TOIS and time on isis,
You're gonna lose your captain, Mike Sandy Hart's from Vancouver.
(26:28):
She is a very draftable player. This is the risk
that I'm willing to take. You're gonna lose your captain.
You're gonna lose Alex Carpenter, You're gonna lose your big pieces.
But I said this year when we looked at the
I don't think that team.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Can afford to lose out Alex Carpenter.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Listen to me. I said this this year when when
when the Bruins did it, you either dump the ship
and start ANEW or you keep them and you figure
it out. The Bruins did almost all of it, right,
Like they lose Marsha and they lose Coil, they lose,
they give, they give, and they keep McAvoy.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
I'm like, I thought they'd get rid of McAvoy too, right.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Because you get rid of them all and you find
a bunch of rookies and you build them into what
you want. That is what New York needs to do.
They need to start ANEW.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Yeah, but I think I think, you know, you talk
to the players and you look at the leadership of Micah.
She held that team together this year, she held that
team together last year, and so you're you're probably definitely
gonna lose Micah. Right, she's from Vancouver. I think that
she probably wants to go home. Maybe I'm wrong.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
I have no she is less. I bet a thousand
bucks she's gone.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
And so I think that if you lose her, you
can't lose all of your I mean, I mean, look
at that roster.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
There's so many rookies. There's so many, uh role players.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
I guess like you need to have more experience, more backbone,
and I just don't think that you can afford to lose.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (27:57):
It's tough, but.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
That's but this is why I'm keeping. I think Ella
Shelton as a human being is a fabulous human being.
So I'm keeping her because I think she continues the
essence of good. I think mikeau is Andy Hart's a
fabulous human being. Like I think the essence of good
in New York exists. I'm keeping that and retaining that
in Ella Shelton and Jamie Bourbiene that for that matter,
if she's my fourth, that is who I'm keeping because
(28:18):
I think they bring that essence of good, camaraderie, build
be in the gym, and be quiet about it. That's
what I think. But I think the team needs to change.
You're gonna lose your stars. Keep Philly, and then you
have the first round draft pick. They won the golden
rule starting.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
Yeah, yeah, that's true, And this is what I would
do when you're bringing in younger talent.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Anyways, but yes, I understand is they're a younger team
to begin with, right, Like I think the oldest player
on the team is Carp. Yes, for Tullis, I'm sticking
with my picks though, I'm protecting Carp and Philly and Shelton.
Question now, excluding Seattle and Vancouver, which team do you
think has the most to gain from this process? And
(28:59):
which team do you think think has the most to lose?
And I think my answer we talked a little bit
about this last week. I think my answer has changed.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
A little bit. Yeah, what do you think?
Speaker 1 (29:05):
You go?
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Because I like the question, but I've got to think
on it.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
I think New York has the most to gain. Agree
if they do it, if they do it properly, okay, easy, But.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
We need to start.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
We need to start running women's sports like professional sports,
right like, like fuck the t ball mindset, this is
professional sports.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
They have the most to gain in this situation.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Well, that's why I'm not protecting the stay like it's sports.
Speaker 1 (29:31):
Now, then critically about your roster, look and see what
happens in this expansion draft.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
You got to get rid of people.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
If you got to get rid of people, it sucks,
but rebuild, you have a real opportunity here.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
I think they have the most to gain, and I
think that I think Ottawa has the most to lose.
I really yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
I think when you look at what Ottawa did down
the stretch, right, and the players that they've got sitting
in their back pockets, Like, there's also players that are
going to be free agents, right, that are going to
have the ability now to look elsewhere. You know, maybe
they want to play with a certain person that's going
to be elsewhere. Like, I just think that AUTO approve
that while they didn't win in the end, I think
that they prove that they have a lot of depth
(30:13):
players and a lot of talent on that roster, and
I think that those players are going to be up
for grabs all right.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
Well, I think for me, obviously, the most to gain
is going to be the team that I think needs
the most help. So I'm still sticking with it with
my choices in New York, I think that they have
to reinvent themselves. They need a different essence. So I'm
saying that they have the most to gain. I think
that's that's obvious. And when I said what I said,
I meant it objectively. They came in last twice, like
they are definitely the worst. I'm not making a hot
take on that. That's a fact of life. Now, who
(30:42):
I think is the most to lose? I still have
to think it's Montreal. I understand that they fell short
and like they are doing that at a rapid pace
now two years in a row. That's nuts. But I
think of the pieces that you're going to lose in
that specific lock room, it's a problem. It's a problem.
(31:02):
So I think Montreal should be scared. I think they
should be sending like edible arrangement baskets over to Vancouver
and Seattle. Make some friends really quickly because they're about
to get rocked. But like I said, this is very fun.
It is incredibly exciting to pick apart women's hockey. We're
finally at the place where we can start to play
(31:22):
chess and look really critically at the things that we're
doing and play these games and really id eight about
what women's hockey rosters and the efficacy of players and
questions that take a lot of data and take a
lot of care and take a lot of consideration, and
the PHL is providing that to us. I'm hugely appreciative
it excited. This was a fun episode. I enjoyed talking
about this. When this airs, we'll have a little, you know,
(31:47):
voting situation on who won. This was fun. Thanks for
playing GM with me, Packy always.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
That's it for this week. Thanks for listening, and if you.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
Like what you heard, spread the word seriously right now,
take your phone out, Text a friend and tell them
to subscribe, and.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts
and Spotify if you haven't already.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
It really really helps. Until next week.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
I'm Madison Packer and I'm Aya Packer and this was
the's pas Puck. These packs Puck is a production of
iHeart Women's Sports and Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. It's
hosted by us Madison and Onya Packer. Emily Meronoff is
our senior producer and story editor. We were mixed and
mastered by Mary Doo. Our executive producers are Jennifer Bassett,
(32:32):
Jesse Katz, and Ali Perry.
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