This week, as the PWHL expansion draft concluded, Silens general manager Pascal Doust took a moment to reflect on the outcomes.
While many teams felt the sting of losses on defense from Vancouver and Seattle, New York’s challenges were more pronounced on the offensive side.
The Sirens lost two leading forwards, Alex Carpenter and Jesse Eldridge, along with top goalie Colin Schroeder to Seattle. Vancouver also snatched rookie forward Gabby Rosenthal.
Doust anticipated these losses, especially for Carpenter and Schroeder, since the Sirens had left them unprotected.
After spending two seasons with a struggling PWHL team, change was due. This expansion draft marks what should be another active offseason for the Sirens.
Doust is optimistic about the upcoming free agency starting on Monday.
“Who wouldn’t want to play alongside Sarah Phillier and leverage her time on the ice for offensive plays?” Doust commented at a post-draft press conference. “From free agency to trades, everything is up for grabs.”
Next week, Doust and coach Greg Fargo will reassess the Sirens, who ended last season with a record of 8-4-5-13 and failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Doust feels confident about the depth in their defense, particularly with players like Mika Zandi Hart and Ella Shelton.
“We have a solid backend. We’re proud of it, but that doesn’t mean it won’t shift,” Doust mentioned. “A lot still needs to change.”
Looking back at the previous seasons, he acknowledges he wasn’t satisfied with the results.
Last year was expected to be different with the hiring of Fargo and the addition of players like Filia. The return of key scorers like Carpenter and Jade Downey Landry also brought hope.
However, a promising start quickly faltered as the Sirens experienced significant highs and lows throughout the season, even going over a month without a win in regulation.
Doust noted some of this was just bad luck. Yet, issues on both offense and defense contributed to the letdown.
“This isn’t what we planned, or what we expected, not what we discussed with players or our staff. We didn’t think we’d finish where we did,” Doust said.
Deciding to expose Carpenter and others during the draft wasn’t easy for Doust.
“We had to revisit the process and ask ourselves, ‘What are the best choices?’” he reflected. “We understood the weight of the decision.”
Carpenter, still one of the league’s top forwards, is nearing the twilight of her career, and Doust felt it was necessary to prioritize protecting defensive strengths.
“Sometimes you have to make tough calls, and that was one of them,” he said. “It wasn’t about anything personal.”
The Sirens seem to be centered around Filier, who, while not formally signed for the next season yet, has made a significant impact.
Filier is currently a top performer, leading the league in assists and points. She was also named a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
In Doust’s eyes, she represents both the present and future of the team.
Doust mentioned he hasn’t had much time to negotiate a longer contract with Filier after securing a one-year deal from the draft.
“I have time,” he said, “but our goals remain clear. There are individuals with incredible skills we’ve wanted to target for a while.”
He noted Filier is part of a “leadership group” tasked with finding solutions for the team’s issues.
“We’ll find solutions,” he said. “We’re still building. The staff is optimistic. The players are positive. Everyone felt the disappointment, but we’re still focused on improving, building great relationships, and fostering a strong culture.”
