The PWHL’s new expansion rules have sparked backlash among fans of the original six markets, as they can only protect three players while new franchises have more favorable options. In a hypothetical scenario, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes would likely protect captain Nick Suzuki, Ivan Demidov, and Lane Hutson, potentially losing stars Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky. The outcry over the limited protection for players like Marie-Philip Poulin and others for the Montreal Victoire highlights the challenges of expansion drafts compared to the NHL’s system.
