Multi-phase PWHL off-season kicks into high gear amid league's expansion boom

The busiest PWHL off-season yet will begin next week, as the league prepares to welcome four new teams ahead of next season.

The existing eight teams can begin negotiating with players on Monday, and with a significant portion of the league on expiring contracts, your favourite team's roster is about to be thrown in a blender.

High-profile players across the league who are about to hit free agency include Taylor Heise (Minnesota Frost), Sarah Nurse (Vancouver Goldeneyes), Kendall Coyne Schofield (Minnesota Frost), Renata Fast (Toronto Sceptres), Daryl Watts (Toronto Sceptres), Brianne Jenner (Ottawa Charge), Hilary Knight (Seattle Torrent), Lee Stecklein (Minnesota Frost) and Kelly Pannek (Minnesota Frost), just to name a few.

It will all shake out through a complex, six-phase process, which was outlined by the league on Wednesday, after weeks of negotiation with the PWHL Players Association.

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“When we set out to build the expansion roster distribution process, our priorities were clear: to give players a meaningful voice throughout the process while maintaining competitive balance across the league for all 12 teams,” Jayna Hefford, the PWHL's executive vice president of hockey operations, said in a statement.

“We believe this framework accomplishes both goals and reflects the collaborative and forward-thinking approach that has helped shape the PWHL since day one. Expansion is a major milestone for our league, our players, and our fans, and we’re excited to welcome Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose as we continue building for the future.”

Here's how it will go down:

Each existing team will be able to protect three players from signing with