A Six‑Phase Road to the 2026‑27 Season
The league announced a comprehensive roster‑building framework that will guide the four expansion clubs through six distinct phases and multiple signing windows. Unlike previous years, there will be no traditional expansion draft, and teams must navigate a carefully sequenced process that balances player autonomy with league stability.
Starting on June 1, all twelve PWHL franchises can begin conversations with players they wish to retain or acquire, drawing from a list of ten names submitted by each club. Contracts, however, cannot be signed until Phase 1 officially opens on June 2, when a roster freeze takes effect, preventing existing teams from making trades or agreeing to deals outside the designated windows.
Phase 1 allows current clubs to protect three players, removing the previous exemption for free agents. In Phase 2, expansion teams will secure five foundational players through a combination of direct signings and a selection process, and they may offer a binding Expansion Foundational Offer (EFO) to one player on an expiring contract. Players who accept an EFO can choose a contract length of up to four years and receive a $20,000 upfront bonus, with the guarantee of a fully guaranteed deal.
If multiple expansion clubs present an EFO to the same athlete, the player ultimately decides which team to join, adding a layer of personal agency to the process. Unprotected and unsigned players with expiring contracts become eligible for negotiations in Phase 3, during which expansion teams may sign up to three additional athletes on such deals.
Phase 4 culminates in the requirement that each expansion franchise must have ten players under contract, after which a roster freeze lifts and existing teams may re‑engage with their remaining restricted players. The PWHL Entry Draft will take place on June 17, featuring a six‑round draft in which all twelve clubs participate, followed by Phase 5, where current clubs can sign their remaining expiring‑contract players, and finally Phase 6, which opens the door to unrestricted free agency for all eligible athletes.
Jayna Hefford, the PWHL’s executive vice president of hockey operations, emphasized that the new structure is designed to give players a meaningful voice while preserving competitive balance across the league. Her statement underscores the league’s commitment to shaping a sustainable future for women’s professional hockey.