Sirens' rookie sensation Fillier among 6 players to watch when new PWHL season begins

Last fall was a blur for Boston Fleet general manager Danielle Marmer.

Within three months, Marmer had to run her team's draft, hire a full staff, organize a training camp and perhaps hardest of all, make the final cuts for her team's opening-day roster.

No one knew exactly what to expect from new six-team Professional Women's Hockey League, including what kind of players would thrive in the best-on-best league.

"I think last year we were guessing," said Marmer, whose team lost in five games in the Walter Cup final. "All six GMs had to use educated guesses to make those decisions. This year, we have some actual tells."

With a season under their belt, players, coaches and general managers alike go into a new year in the PWHL with a better idea of what to expect. They know games are going to be close, and they're likely going to be quite physical.

A lengthy offseason gave GMs like Marmer a chance to really think about what kind of attributes and abilities translate best to the PWHL.

Sometimes, it could mean passing on a skilled player to add someone who excels at forechecking or can help the team win a puck battle in the corner.

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"Does that become more important than having a whole bunch of skilled players?" Marmer said. "It's a really interesting puzzle that we're putting together."

The Fleet kick off season two of the PWHL on Saturday on the road against the Toronto Sceptres at 2 p.m. ET at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The game will be streamed on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, and CBC Sports App, which will be home to 17 Saturday games this season.

The Minnesota Frost go into the second season looking to defend the Walter Cup title won back in May. They know what's it like to win, and how it felt.

For teams that made it to the playoffs but didn't go all the way, it's a sting players carried with them over the summer.

"We didn't make it to the final but it's part of the process," Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin said. "That's how you step back and you respond from it."

The New York Sirens finished last, but come into this season with a generational talent on the roster in forward Sarah Fillier.