The PWHL faces its 2026 trade deadline today with general managers across the league working phones and exploring options before the 5:00 PM EST window slams shut.

After today’s deadline passes, teams will enter a roster freeze on March 31, locking in their lineups for the upcoming Walter Cup Playoffs. That means teams cannot sign new free agents after that.

What has gone down so far on the free agent market

While blockbuster trades have remained elusive, PWHL teams have been active on the free agent front throughout the week. Seven players have inked deals to join or return to the league, with most coming from European clubs after wrapping up their overseas seasons.

Montreal made two additions to their roster with Nadia Mattivi and Samantha Isbell. Minnesota brought in Sam Cogan, while Ottawa secured Alexie Guay’s services. Boston added Noemi Neubauerova to their system, Seattle picked up Gabrielle David, and Toronto signed Anneke Rankila.

Among these signings, only Mattivi and David earned immediate roster spots. The remaining five players were added as reserves for depth as teams prepare for playoff runs or attempt to secure postseason berths.

The PWHL operates under different constraints than established leagues like the NHL, which makes trade negotiations particularly challenging. A key restriction is that Draft picks cannot be included in deadline deals.

Teams can only swap draft selections on draft day itself. This limitation stems from ongoing league uncertainty. Without knowing the exact structure of upcoming drafts, such as how many rounds, what the selection order will be or how potential expansion teams might affect pick values, the league has kept draft capital off the table for mid-season transactions.

What to expect on the 2026 PWHL deadline day

The PWHL’s track record suggests today won’t produce a flurry of deals. During the league’s inaugural trade deadline, only two transactions occurred. Montreal sent Tereza Vanisova to Ottawa for Amanda Boulier, and Boston dealt Shiann Darkangelo to Ottawa for Lexie Adzija and Caitrin Lonergan.

Last season saw just a single trade when Kaitlin Willoughby moved to Montreal in exchange for Anna Kjellbin heading to Toronto.

This year has been more active with three deals already completed before today’s deadline, most recently the swap that sent Jessie Eldridge to Boston while Theresa Schafzahl joined Seattle earlier in March.

So far, seven teams remain realistically in playoff contention, which further complicates the trade market. Most clubs view themselves as buyers rather than sellers.

Seattle appears to be the one team potentially out of the playoff picture, and they could emerge as sellers if the right offer materializes. Their defensive corps could attract interest from contending teams looking to shore up their blueline.

Vancouver, having already completed two trades this season, likely won’t make additional moves. They face challenges simply maintaining their current roster, regardless of the deadline activity.

No sellers on deadline

Don’t anticipate any major shakeups before the 2026 trade deadline passes in the PWHL. Teams have addressed their depth needs through free agent signings this week, and with so many clubs still chasing playoff positions, the appetite for seller-friendly deals simply isn’t there.

When every general manager approaches negotiations trying to “win” the trade rather than simply complete one, the market tends to stagnate. Expect at most one or two minor moves, likely position-swapping deals that address specific roster needs rather than star-player blockbusters.

As the clock ticks toward 5:00 PM, teams must decide whether to pull the trigger on available moves or stand pat with their current rosters heading into the playoff push.

For now, the free agent market has been the primary avenue for roster improvement, and that trend will likely continue as the preferred method for teams seeking that final piece before the postseason begins.