Hilary Knight, Daryl Watts & the PWHL Expansion Shakeup | Protected Players & Salary Breakdown
The expansion era is here — and we have a LOT to unpack. Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner break down everything that went down in Phase 1 of the PWHL's player distribution process, react to the league-wide protected player lists, and discuss what those choices signal about each franchise's direction heading into a pivotal offseason.
We dig into why Seattle's decision not to protect Hillary Knight raised eyebrows (and what Meghan Turner's carefully worded press availability may have revealed between the lines), whether Toronto is already at a structural disadvantage with Hamilton setting up shop next door, and how Boston's third coaching change in as many seasons might actually be the right call.
Then we get into the conversation the league can't avoid forever: salary transparency. With 2025–26 salaries disclosed but new signing numbers staying quiet, what does that mean for players negotiating in the dark — and for a league locked into a CBA through 2031 while women's sports revenues are exploding?
PLUS: A solo update from Erica on Phase 2 signings as of June 8 — including Daryl Watts to PWHL Detroit, Brianne Jenner to PWHL Hamilton, and what the expansion rosters are starting to look like.
At Even Strength is Black Rosie Media's PWHL podcast, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop regularly throughout the season. Subscribe so you never miss a drop.
0:00 – Protected Players, Salary Disclosure & Expansion News
3:20 – Phase 2 Update (June 8): San Jose, Las Vegas, Hamilton & Detroit Signings
4:31 – Phase 1 Protected Player Lists: All 8 Teams Revealed
6:37 – Hilary Knight Not Protected: Surprise or Writing on the Wall?
9:18 – Seattle's Youth Movement: Coaching Change & Hannah Murphy in Goal
12:09 – Toronto in Trouble? Daryl Watts Walks, Hamilton Looms Large
15:26 – Boston's New Head Coach
18:05 – Protecting a Goalie & Two Defenders — Why Boston's List Was Still Right
27:58 – New York Sirens: Was Not Protecting Kaylee Osborne a Mistake?
37:45 – Ottawa Charge: The Case For (and Against) Their Protected List
49:44 – Salary Transparency: Why the Numbers Stopped at 2025–26
55:27 – PWHL's CBA, Single Ownership & What Players Stand to Lose If Salaries Don't Scale
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Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
