The Toronto Sceptres faced significant changes during the 2025 PWHL Expansion Draft, losing a key veteran presence and a substantial portion of their 2024 draft class. With the addition of two new teams, Vancouver and Seattle, the expansion draft aimed to evenly distribute talent across the league, impacting each of the original six teams.
Toronto's losses began even before the expansion draft, during the exclusive signing window, where they lost Sarah Nurse, a veteran player and builder. The Sceptres then lost three more players in the expansion draft. Seattle selected Julia Gosling, Toronto's first-round pick from the 2024 draft. Vancouver followed by picking Izzy Daniel, the team's third-round pick from the same draft. The theme of youth leaving Toronto continued when Seattle chose Megan Carter, their second-round pick from 2024.
The Sceptres protected Renata Fast, Blayre Turnbull, Daryl Watts, and Emma Maltais. While losing Nurse was a blow, the team managed to retain its top defender, captain, and starting goalie.
While Toronto lost three forwards and a defender, including two of their top-six forwards, they retain key players. Up front, the Sceptres still have Daryl Watts, Blayre Turnbull, Emma Maltais, and Emma Woods under contract. They also hold the rights to Noemi Neubauerová and Anneke Rankila. On defense, Renata Fast, Savannah Harmon, and Allie Munroe remain, and the team holds Anna Kjellbin's rights. Kristen Campbell and Raygan Kirk are still the goalies.
With only three defenders under contract for the next season, the Sceptres will need to bolster their defense in the upcoming draft. Options include players like Rory Guilday, Haley Winn, or Nicole Gosling. The Sceptres also need to replace the offense lost with Nurse, Gosling, and Daniel's departure, as they accounted for 31 points last season.
The Sceptres have the third overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft, which takes place on June 24 in Ottawa. The team could target a defender like Nicole Gosling, who models her game after Renata Fast.
The Sceptres need to re-sign Natalie Spooner and could also target Hannah Miller and Jesse Compher in free agency. Miller, another of the Sceptres' top scorers, has been a consistent offensive presence, while Compher is a solid piece for the future.
