The 2026-27 PWHL season could be one of the most interesting yet for fantasy hockey managers. With the league expanding to 12 teams, there are more opportunities than ever for players to step into bigger roles and become valuable fantasy contributors.
Four new teams have joined the league: Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose. Add a talented rookie class featuring several Olympic stars and NCAA standouts, and we have plenty of potential breakout candidates to keep an eye on. But who stands to benefit the most?
For this article, we’re looking at one breakout candidate from each of the 12 teams. Some are established players who could see their production increase with a bigger role. Others are young players and rookies who could surprise fantasy managers in their first full PWHL season.
These aren’t necessarily the 12 best players in the league. They’re players we believe have the potential to outperform expectations and become valuable fantasy additions.
Let’s take a look at one player from every team who could be ready for a breakout season.
Boston Fleet — Haley Winn (D)
Haley Winn is an intriguing young defender heading into her second PWHL season. She made an immediate impact as a rookie, recording 19 points and establishing herself as one of the league’s more promising offensive defenders. Her ability to contribute offensively makes her an interesting fantasy option, particularly if she earns an expanded role on Boston’s power play.
Winn has already demonstrated that she can produce at the professional level. The next step is becoming a more consistent offensive contributor and taking advantage of additional opportunities as Boston builds its lineup for the new season.
The Add List Take: Winn is exactly the type of young defender fantasy managers should be watching. She has already shown offensive ability, and another step forward could make her a valuable option in leagues that reward defensive scoring. If she receives more power-play opportunities, her fantasy value could climb considerably.
Detroit — Daryl Watts (F)
Daryl Watts gives Detroit an established offensive player to build around. She was among the first players to join the expansion franchise and brings considerable scoring experience to a team that will be looking to establish its identity in its inaugural season.
Detroit has assembled an interesting group of forwards, including Britta Curl-Salemme, Hannah Bilka and Jesse Compher. That collection of talent could create opportunities for Watts to play alongside productive linemates and become a central part of the team’s offense.
The Add List Take: Watts is an interesting fantasy target because her opportunity could be different in Detroit. If she secures a prominent offensive role and finds chemistry with her new teammates, she has the potential to become one of the expansion team’s most productive players. She’s worth watching closely during training camp.
Hamilton — Nicole Gosling (D)
Nicole Gosling had an impressive rookie season, finishing with 19 points and demonstrating that she can contribute offensively from the blue line. She now joins Hamilton, where she’ll have an opportunity to establish herself as an important part of the team’s defense.
Offensive defenders can be especially valuable in fantasy hockey, and Gosling has already shown that she possesses the skills to contribute. With Hamilton building a new roster, her role could develop significantly as the season progresses.
The Add List Take: Gosling is one of the more interesting young defenders to target this season. Her rookie production gives us a solid foundation to work with, and a larger role in Hamilton could lead to another increase in scoring. If she becomes a regular power-play contributor, she could outperform her draft position.
Las Vegas — Tessa Janecke (F)
Tessa Janecke arrives in Las Vegas as the franchise’s first-ever draft pick after being selected third overall in 2026. She finished her collegiate career at Penn State as the program’s all-time leading scorer, recording 201 points over four seasons. She also represented the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, helping the team win gold.
Janecke has already demonstrated that she can produce against high-level competition. Now she’ll have the opportunity to translate that offensive ability to the professional game. With Las Vegas building its inaugural roster, there could be room for her to take on an important role right away.
The Add List Take: Janecke is one of the rookies I’m most interested in watching. Her offensive résumé is impressive, and she has the opportunity to become a key player for a brand-new franchise. If she adapts quickly to the PWHL and earns top-six minutes, she could be a fantasy contributor much sooner than expected.
Minnesota Frost — Grace Zumwinkle (F)
Grace Zumwinkle is an established offensive player who could be worth watching as Minnesota prepares for another season. She has the scoring ability to make an impact, and her familiarity with the Frost’s system gives her a foundation to build on.
Minnesota has several proven offensive contributors, including Taylor Heise and Kelly Pannek. That creates competition for scoring opportunities, but it also gives Zumwinkle the chance to play alongside talented linemates and benefit from the attention opposing teams give Minnesota’s top players.
The Add List Take: Zumwinkle has the talent to be a productive fantasy forward, and we’re looking for her to take advantage of the opportunities Minnesota gives her. If she can become a more consistent scorer and earn a prominent role, she could be a useful fantasy target.
Montréal Victoire — Emma Maltais (F)
Emma Maltais is an intriguing fantasy candidate heading into her first season with Montréal. After playing for Toronto, she joins a Victoire team that will be looking for offensive contributions throughout its lineup. With Marie-Philip Poulin recovering from knee surgery, there could be opportunities for Maltais to take on a bigger role. Her versatility and experience make her an interesting player to watch as Montréal builds its lineup for the upcoming season.
The Add List Take: Maltais could be an interesting value pick in fantasy drafts. A change of scenery and the possibility of increased responsibility give her an opportunity to improve her production. If she earns a spot in Montréal’s top six or on the power play, she could become a useful fantasy contributor.
New York Sirens — Casey O’Brien (F)
Casey O’Brien is one of the young players I’m keeping a close eye on in New York. Her offensive instincts and ability to create scoring chances make her an interesting option as the Sirens continue developing their roster.
The challenge for O’Brien will be turning her potential into consistent production. With another season of professional experience ahead, she’ll have an opportunity to become more comfortable at the PWHL level and potentially earn a bigger role.
The Add List Take: O’Brien is the type of player who could become a fantasy surprise if she takes a significant step forward. Young forwards often need time to adjust to the professional game, but her upside makes her worth monitoring as training camp approaches.
Ottawa Charge — Gabbie Hughes (F)
Gabbie Hughes has the potential to be an important part of Ottawa’s offense. She’s an established PWHL forward with the ability to contribute in different situations, and the Charge will need consistent production throughout their lineup.
Ottawa has several players capable of producing offensively, but Hughes could become a particularly interesting fantasy option if she earns a more prominent role. A strong training camp and good chemistry with her linemates could help her take another step.
The Add List Take: Hughes is a player who could quietly become a valuable fantasy contributor. She may not attract the same attention as some of the league’s biggest names, but a bigger offensive role could make her an appealing option in deeper fantasy leagues.
San Jose — Sloane Matthews (F)
Sloane Matthews is an intriguing addition to San Jose’s inaugural roster. She signed a three-year contract after playing at Ohio State, where she developed into a productive collegiate forward. Joining an expansion team gives her a fresh opportunity to establish herself in the PWHL.
San Jose will be building its offensive identity from the ground up. That creates uncertainty, but it also gives players like Matthews a chance to earn meaningful roles. Her performance during training camp will be important in determining how quickly she can become a regular contributor.
The Add List Take: Matthews is a name worth remembering as we approach the season. She has an opportunity to establish herself with a new franchise, and a strong camp could put her in a position to contribute immediately. She’s a deeper fantasy target for now, but one with room to climb.
Seattle Torrent — Abbey Murphy (F)
Abbey Murphy could be one of the most exciting rookies in the PWHL this season. Seattle selected her second overall in the 2026 draft after an outstanding collegiate career at Minnesota. She recorded 40 goals and 66 points in just 31 games during her final NCAA season and also contributed seven points in seven games for the United States at the 2026 Olympics.
Murphy has the offensive skill and scoring touch to make an immediate impact. Seattle will be looking for players who can drive its offense, and Murphy has the potential to become an important part of that group.
The Add List Take: Murphy is one of the rookies with the highest fantasy upside entering the season. Her scoring ability is already well established, and if she earns a top-six role with Seattle, she could become a fantasy option right away. She’s a player I’d be watching very closely during training camp.
Toronto Sceptres — Kirsten Simms (F)
Kirsten Simms is another rookie with the potential to make an immediate impact. Toronto selected her eighth overall in the 2026 draft after a productive collegiate career at Wisconsin. She brings offensive skill and experience against high-level competition to a Toronto team looking to strengthen its attack.
The biggest question for Simms will be how quickly she adapts to the professional game and where she fits into Toronto’s lineup. If she earns a regular role among the team’s top forwards, she could become an interesting fantasy option.
The Add List Take: Simms is a player worth keeping on the radar. She has the offensive background to make an impact, and Toronto could give her an opportunity to develop into a productive PWHL forward. Her fantasy value will depend heavily on her role, but the potential is there.
Vancouver Goldeneyes — Caroline “KK” Harvey (D)
Caroline Harvey is arguably the most intriguing rookie defender entering the PWHL this season. Vancouver selected her first overall in the 2026 draft, making her the first defender ever chosen with the top pick. Her résumé is exceptional: she won the Patty Kazmaier Award, captured three NCAA championships with Wisconsin and helped the United States win Olympic gold in 2026.
Harvey’s offensive production at Wisconsin was outstanding, and she has already shown that she can contribute against elite international competition. Vancouver has an opportunity to build its defense around a young player with significant offensive upside.
The Add List Take: Harvey is one of the most exciting fantasy prospects in the league. Her ability to generate offense from the blue line gives her a chance to become a valuable fantasy defender, especially if she earns power-play opportunities. She’s a rookie who could make an immediate impact, and I’m particularly interested to see how Vancouver deploys her during training camp.
The Add List: 12 Breakout Candidates to Watch
The 2026-27 PWHL season presents fantasy managers with a unique opportunity. Four expansion teams, a talented rookie class and several players moving into new roles have created plenty of uncertainty, and plenty of potential value.
The 12 players featured here aren’t guaranteed to break out. But each has a reason to be on our radar, whether it’s an expanded role, a change of scenery, an impressive rookie résumé or the opportunity to become a bigger part of their team’s offense.
Training camp will be the next important checkpoint. With camps opening November 18, we’ll get our first real look at how teams plan to use their players. Line combinations, power-play opportunities and goaltending decisions will all help us identify which breakout candidates are worth targeting in fantasy drafts.
For now, these are 12 players from 12 teams who could make a meaningful jump in fantasy value this season. Keep them on your draft-day watchlist, some of them could be the surprises that help decide your league.
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