
PWHL Offseason Moves: Expansion Teams Shine as Veteran Franchises Face Turbulence
The latest player movements reveal which clubs are positioning themselves for championship contention and which are rebuilding after significant losses.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Grace Zumwinkle across Hockey.

The latest player movements reveal which clubs are positioning themselves for championship contention and which are rebuilding after significant losses.

The Minnesota Frost finished third in the PWHL with a 13‑3‑5‑9 record, led by Kelly Pannek’s record‑breaking 33 points, and navigated a late‑season skid before falling to the eventual champions in a five‑game series.

The NHL and PWHL are tapping into the surge of hockey‑themed romance series to win over new, especially female, fans, while expanding their reach through record‑breaking viewership and inclusive initiatives.

The Professional Women's Hockey League's Minnesota Frost announced the re‑signing of defender Lee Stecklein and forward Grace Zumwinkle, securing multi‑year contracts that keep key U.S. Olympians at the heart of the franchise during its expansion phase.

Defenseman Lee Stecklein, a four‑time U.S. Olympian from Roseville, Minnesota, agreed to a two‑year contract, while forward Grace Zumwinkle, a two‑time Olympian and 2024 rookie of the year, signed a three‑year deal. Both players were also placed on the Frost’s protected list during the league’s expansion process.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced the re‑signing of defenseman Lee Stecklein and forward Grace Zumwinkle, highlighting their Olympic histories and contract lengths.

Veteran forward Hilary Knight has agreed to a one‑year deal with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s newest franchise in Las Vegas, a move that ties into a sign‑and‑trade arrangement with Detroit and sets the stage for the league’s Phase 3 expansion.

Veteran forward Hilary Knight has agreed to a one‑year deal with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s newest franchise in Las Vegas, a move that ties into a broader expansion strategy and a potential transfer to the Detroit team later this year.

The Professional Women's Hockey League is experiencing a wave of player movements that are reshaping team compositions across the league.

With unrestricted free agents on the market and elite talent poised to reshape lineups, the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s opening phase sets the stage for a competitive season.

As the Professional Women’s Hockey League prepares for a major expansion, the Minnesota Frost must navigate a tight roster crunch that could reshape its championship‑contending lineup.

The 2025‑26 salary guide from the PWHL Players Association reveals a broad pay spectrum among Minnesota’s professional women’s hockey players, comparing earnings to state and national medians and highlighting both top earners and those on the league minimum.

Montréal leads the Walter Cup Finals 2-0, with Game 3 set for May 18 at Canadian Tire Centre. Marie-Philip Poulin's seven playoff points put her within reach of a record, while a goaltending duel and a potential Canadian championship loom.

The Montreal Victoire overcame the Minnesota Frost in a five‑game semifinal that featured hat tricks, ejections, triple‑overtime drama and a sudden illness postponement, securing their first ever finals appearance against the Ottawa Charge.

The Minnesota Frost saw their Walter Cup title defense close with a 2‑1 loss to the Montréal Victoire in Game 5, a match delayed by illness concerns but still delivering dramatic moments.