Someone go wake up Mike Hirschfeld from his nap
Phase 3 of the PWHL's expansion process ends today.
All 12 teams can sign players until 3 pm ET when the signing period closes. Existing teams submit a 3-player protection list by 5 pm ET.
• Hamilton can sign up to 2 free agents. Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose can sign up to 1.
• If an expansion team doesn't sign 3 players in Phase 3, they can sign additional player(s) in Phase 4. Today is the last day expansion teams can sign a free agent who was on their 20-player negotiation list.
• Vancouver can sign up to 1 free agent. Boston, Montreal, Seattle, Toronto can sign up to 2. Minnesota, New York, Ottawa can sign up to 3.
• Existing teams' signings automatically count towards their 3-player protection list, just like in Phase 1. Expect existing teams not to sign the max 3 players so they can protect player(s) under contract.
• Grace Zumwinkle must sign today per FPO rules. Note there is no mechanism that forces any other free agent to sign or go anywhere for the rest of expansion. That's a key strategy element to watch for players like Blayre Turnbull, Lee Stecklein, Kendall Coyne Schofield, who may only want to re-sign.