PWHL Expansion Draft Predictions: Toronto Sceptres

With the expansion draft looming, PWHL general managers have some incredibly difficult decisions to make. In case you missed all the details of how the expansion draft will work, check out this post from Michelle from earlier this week. What it boils down to is this: teams are inevitably bound to lose some really talented players, which will help ensure some parity across the league and its new teams.

The Toronto Sceptres, like the other PWHL teams, have a lot to take into consideration: their current roster, who's signed for next year, what needs can be fulfilled through the draft, and who they can - and can't - afford to risk losing.

Here's what I would do if I were Sceptres GM:

Initial Protection Period

Protect: Sarah Nurse (forward)

Let's be real here. Sarah Nurse is one of the biggest names in women's hockey, and if she's not protected, she's going to get taken. Period. Nurse is third all-time in scoring for the Sceptres franchise, with 37 points in 45 games over two seasons. Offensively, she did drop off a little bit this season, with just 14 points in 21 games, but with her national team pedigree and pure skill, you can't risk losing her.

Protect: Renata Fast (defense)

If I'm the GM, I'm really trying to position my team in the best way possible for next season, which means I want to use my three protection slots to cover as much of the ice as possible. After protecting Nurse up front, I've got to protect Renata Fast on the backend. Just like Nurse, Fast was another of Toronto's first three signings, and if left unprotected, there's a high chance she gets taken.

It's clear that head coach Troy Ryan thinks very highly of her:

Protect: Kristen Campbell (goaltender)

Kristen Campbell has played the lion's share in net for Toronto over the last two seasons, with 43 games played and 25 wins. Over those games, she's put up a 2.12 GAA and .919 save percentage and has been a largely reliable piece in goal for the team. Last season, she was named PWHL Goaltender of the Year.

Raygan Kirk ended the season on LTIR, and her injury status right known is unknown. Without more details, it's really hard to say whether an expansion teazm would take a risk on her. And unfortunately, as much as Carly Jackson is beloved by fans - and played incredibly well in their appearances this season - the team can't afford to use one of their limited protection slots on her.

Following this, two players will be "relinquished." The team will then be able to protect a fourth player, which takes us to...

Secondary Protection Period

Protect: Blayre Turnbull (forward)

This was admittedly a very challenging exercise. While I'd hate to see the Sceptres not protect their captain - and one of their initial three signings - from the beginning, I have a hard time filling two of three slots with forwards. Offensively, Nurse slightly edges out Turnbull, which leaves her exposed for potential selection.

That said, if she isn't selected in the first group of players, you've got to protect her. She's an incredible asset to the Sceptres both on and off the ice, and she brings so much to the culture of the team. That said, as the captain of the team, I think she would also understand the professional level of the expansion experience and respect her GM/team staff's decisions, as any player would. It's got to be about what's best for the team.

Full List of Eligible Players

Here's the full list of players eligible for protection from the Sceptres:

• Allie Munroe (D)
• Anna Kjellbin (D) (rights held)
• Anneke Rankila (F) (rights held)
• Blayre Turnbull (F)
• Daryl Watts (F)
• Emma Maltais (F)
• Emma Woods (F)
• Izzy Daniel (F)
• Julia Gosling (F)
• Kristen Campbell (G)
• Megan Carter (D)
• Noemi Neubauerová (F) (rights held)
• Raygan Kirk (G)
• Renata Fast (D)
• Sarah Nurse (F)
• Savannah Harmon (D)

Pending Free Agents (Not Eligible for Protection)

• Hannah Miller (F)
• Hayley Scamurra (F)
• Jesse Compher (F)
• Laura Kluge (F)
• Maggie Connors (F)
• Natalie Spooner (F)
• Kali Flanagan (D)
• Rylind Mackinnon (D)
• Jessica Kondas (D)
• Carly Jackson (G)
• Kassidy Sauvé (G)