hullo!

@IanKennedyCK @GenXCarlyT Yes, there's a similar clause in Phase 4. But that one also clearly says "Phase 4"

@IanKennedyCK @GenXCarlyT No. I'm looking at Phase 2. Scroll up to the middle of page 9. That excerpt quite clearly says "Phase 2"

So many people ignoring one fact in the "xyz doesn't want to leave qrs" in PWHL expansion. Signed players still have no choice in the process if an expansion team doesn't sign five players in Phase 2, and instead opts to select players.

@IanKennedyCK @GenXCarlyT I interpret this differently than you:

@baxtefer @GenXCarlyT They can't "sign" them like they did last year. They just select them for a matching salary. They could renegotiate a pay raise after, but it's more just a selection of a player at current pay/terms.

@IanKennedyCK @GenXCarlyT Expansion teams can also sign players under contract, right? Underpaid players like Kayle Osborne could get a significant pay bump that the Sirens couldn't match. I think there are 20 players in the league that fit into these categories such that the draft might not be needed

@GenXCarlyT EFO's are the only free agents without a choice, but if an expansion team doesn't sign five free agents, they complete their five players by selecting...or drafting...from signed players.

@Kyle_Cush That's what this negotiation window is for, right? Just tell her: "we'll match any FPO offer you get"

@baxtefer That’s a good point. I would be a little nervous but that’s a move that is probably worth the gamble tbh

OK, after too much deliberation, this is who I think I would protect if I were the GM for each PWHL team. I view centers and defenders as the hardest commodities to find and would largely prioritize those positions. For VAN: I'd try to sign Nurse, then protect Miller otherwise.

@aftncanada What did I miss?

Gonna need more sage

@ScottBilleck Add OneSoccer

How many streaming services are Canadian sports fans going to have to pay for if they don't have cable and want to watch everything without going the illegal stream route? DAZN, TSN, Sportsnet, Amazon Prime, Apple TV.

@meanorus @ninjamaster1033 Agree that it's not impossible since she holds all the cards. Every team probably has her on their list. She just has to tell them all that she plans on retiring *except the team she would actually play for*. She'd then slip through to Phase 6.

@baxtefer @ninjamaster1033 not impossible - van is unlikely to re-sign her and idk if any expansion teams would be risking an EFO on someone who was on the brink of retiring, she'd get an FPO for sure but it'd be up to her whether or not she wants to go

ufa lists were due today, phase 1 is fast approaching and not a peep from claire thompson about retiring so far... she's bound to be in some of those lists, right?

@ninjamaster1033 @meanorus She would also need to slip through Phase 2 for that to happen.

@meanorus dude if tor could get her somehow if she slips through phase 1 🙏🙏🙏🙏

@RJHenderson7 Sports is the only reason why I still have cable.

If this DAZN deal took effect today and you wanted to watch every Canucks, Whitecaps, Lions and Jays game without cable it would cost you $108 per month just for the streaming services. Most of the base packages have ads, limits etc. too.

@gamedayhky Ha! Yes. These silly loopholes are the best. That said, this would be a bad idea, because it just increases the number of ways you can lose this player in Phase 2 as they'd now be eligible to be *yoinked*.

The PWHL expansion roster freeze doesn't begin until tomorrow at 3 pm, so technically a player could sign now and not automatically count as a protection as they would if signed in Phase 1.

@gamedayhky Actually thinking about this more, my protection list is Jacques, Miller, Vanisova. That is if Nurse wants to leave.

@baxtefer But it's also expansion teams' only crack at grabbing some big-name signed players. Three per team can be protected at the end of Phase 3.

Signed players who will probably (99%) be moving to expansion teams: Nicole Gosling Hayley Scamurra Shay Maloney Daniela Pejšová Abby Hustler Mae Batherson Anne Cherkowski Maja Nylén Persson Gabbie Hughes Michela Cava Danielle Serdachny Hannah Murphy Jesse Compher Ella Shelton Abby Boreen Teresa Vanišová

@gamedayhky I would assume that existing teams will be putting their Phase 3 targets on their 10-player Master Negotiation List even if they don't plan on signing them in Phase 1. Same for the expansion teams and their ENTLs. Basically, Phase 3 signings will be largely negotiated in Phase1+2

In reading the language of Phase 3 of PWHL expansion, it looks like a scramble for teams like Minnesota and Toronto to sign their own free agents in order to protect them (with the three extra spots). The protections don't come into effect until the end of Phase 3.

@gamedayhky My priority for Phase 2 would be "overachieving" players on low contracts and star FAs

@baxtefer I think if they're smart they won't sign 5 free agents, only the bigger names, then use the remaining spots for signed players that are there for the taking in that draft-ish process.

@Kpopggstan1 Yeah you can lose her, just not by EFO

@baxtefer RFA's are considered "under contract"?? Then she's still eligible to be stolen via selection process if the expansion teams don't make their numbers. Regardless we are still at risk of losing her not via FA market

If Kadirova gets an EFO I'm killing everyone and then myself

@gamedayhky No, I mean that I don't think that the "draft" will be needed because each team will be able to sign 5 players.

@baxtefer This

@gamedayhky I don't think that the "draft" ends up happening

@baxtefer They don't have to give her a raise. In the 'Foundational Roster Completion' (draft) on June 8, teams can select signed players if they want them. I don't see four teams passing on Vanišová. But last year, I didn't foresee two teams passing on Zumwinkle and Pannek. 👀

@Kpopggstan1 No. Only free agents are eligible for EFO. "Rights Held" players are treated the same as those under contract.

@baxtefer She is at the moment