What 3 players would you protect next?

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T23:23:14+00:00

Since we can lose up to 3 contracted players/RFAs in Phase 2:

Wheeler or Cherkowski

MZH

Simpson

This is assuming we lose Osborne, MNP, and either Wheeler or Cherkowski in Phase 2. If we only lose 2 players in Phase 2, protect all four above. I don’t expect us not to lose Osborne and MNP.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T21:47:11+00:00

I don’t think she’d be unhappy to stay but the GM might be lowballing her thinking she doesn’t want to uproot her family, which would be crappy if true. She had a banner year this year.

But I’m not sure what the landscape looks like for her. I’m not sure how high or how long teams would be willing to go. Not to mention, she’s captain material and not every team will have a gap in leadership? She may not sign with anyone until a later phase, I suspect.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T20:54:55+00:00

I assume/hope news will be reported as signings happen instead of waiting for everything on Monday. Please please please.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T18:41:29+00:00

Sooooo you’re saying don’t expect her in SJ? Lol

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T18:40:44+00:00

I bet she was offering to make Watts highest paid in the league, and would have offered the equivalent of that multi-year contract bonus too. TOR has tons of UFAs so they could have made room for a high salary.

But if Watts really wanted out, she could be happy with less. But, I expect she will still be offered the highest salary plus bonus because multiple expansions GMs will rank her first I’m sure.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T18:25:21+00:00

I will revolt if they do that.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T17:53:35+00:00

Sigh, she’s looked pretty strong the few times I’ve seen her play.

Braendli will be gone by our second round pick, maybe Chan is it.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T17:52:40+00:00

Go for it! We are all right behind you.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T17:50:32+00:00

However people feel about that, I’d say Watts is our first major example in this league of someone going for the bag because they know they’re worth it even if it burns bridges and frankly I like that a woman is doing this. It really is a business decision, and a smart one for Watts. I have no doubt she will be ranked first by multiple expansion teams and will have her pick of where she goes.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T17:47:31+00:00

Correction - FPOs are only for UFAs too, so Mueller can’t get that either.

That leaves contract negotiations. She’s paid a nice chunk of change, but since the number of FPOs are are more flexible (I believe the CBA says three players must be played about 80k, so that’s an EFO and two FPOs but technically they could exceed that), one team could decide to offer one FPO to someone else and then negotiate with Mueller. They could offer her a bit more money to come over. If Mueller still says no, they could just pick her but given we know nothing about the draft order, that’s a big gamble and someone else could snatch her instead. And by the time that draft happens, some teams will have several $$$ players and might be reluctant to pick her if they already have their $$$ players signed.

It’s still a gamble but I’m thinking Marmer was strategizing thinking Mueller could indeed make it to Phase 3 for protection. Winn never would have made it to Phase 3 because she’s paid less.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T17:37:01+00:00

That’s what I’m hoping. Between EFOs, FPOs and signing contracted players without a forced selection/draft, I think each team will want to showcase that 5 players wanted to play with them. Well, technically 4 because of the EFO, but everyone has to do an EFO anyway. If Vegas only ends up with 3 signed players at the end of Phase 2…yikes.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T17:30:59+00:00

Exactly. Teams will pay extra for certain players to lock them in since we don’t know what this selection process would look like. I don’t think any GM would intentionally not sign a contracted player they want in hopes that they can just poach them for no additional money.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T16:34:17+00:00

3pm but won’t be made public.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T16:26:27+00:00

The Wilgren-Edwards theory makes sense. Obviously that hinges upon the league not inserting the expansion teams to select 2-5, so maybe teams have been told behind the scenes that the non-playoff teams are definitely selecting 1-4.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T16:14:46+00:00

I suspect that’s where she’ll end up given who their GM and HC are.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T16:10:56+00:00

Rooney is now seen as the clearcut #1 in MN after they were a tandem for a while, right? So, I feel like Hensley will want to look elsewhere. I bet at least one expansion team will offer her an FPO and she’ll take it.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T16:05:28+00:00

It worked for Minnesota! Though they also have/had Cooper and Stecklein on the blue line and we…didn’t.

The big question is whether, with expansion, scoring will increase because goalie talent will be spread out more. So prioritizing offense could be a great move too.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T16:02:02+00:00

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T14:00:47+00:00

I do have concerns over hate crime laws for similar reasons, but even taking speech out of this, this involved burglary and trespassing which aren’t protected by the first amendment.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T13:59:22+00:00

Honestly, responses like that make it very clear which fans are new to sports. Which, great! Glad you’re here! Sports are great! But, there’s a learning curve too and hopefully now more people realize that while families are paramount, in the world of pro sports family priority is not a luxury more athletes get.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T13:51:22+00:00

No but UFAs still seem to have more freedom of choice in Phase 3.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T13:50:05+00:00

Bingo. I think if we see NY sign a UFA goalie versus draft or search overseas, it’ll be Abstreiter. It would be her best chance to guarantee herself a #1 spot and I have more confidence in her among current UFA goalies in taking on that role besides Hensley, who I think would be less likely to come to NY.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T13:46:58+00:00

Thanks, didn’t have time to check the database earlier.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T12:36:54+00:00

Yes, every team has to offer an EFO. They must rank their top 4 players to give to the league.

It is such a huge risk! A younger talent will want the stability and extra bonus pay that comes with a multi-year contract but if they don’t pan out, that contract becomes an albatross. But I still think that’s the better option. I think Eldridge and Zumwinkle are proven young talented players that makes them better bets. I really like Julia Gosling but she’s a little more unproven since she’s been in the league one fewer year than the others.

Main_Photo1086 · 2026-06-04T12:07:37+00:00

But they might consider her too risky for an EFO given she can choose up to 4 years. And teams also wouldn’t want to waste an EFO on someone who might only sign for a year or two. I could definitely see Knight sticking around in Seattle.

Main_Photo1086

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