Lou Orlando
For a third straight year, the New York Sirens are spectators as the Walter Cup Playoffs unfold. But before we put the 2025-26 season in the rearview mirror, it’s worth taking the time to do some team evaluations ahead of a pivotal offseason.
The PWHL will officially expand to 12 teams this summer, with Detroit, Las Vegas, Hamilton, and San Jose joining the League’s ranks. And even with a revamped expansion process that aims to give players more agency, widespread player movement and roster turnover are all but inevitable.
Proper roster evaluation is of the utmost importance, especially for a Sirens organization that expressed optimism about its progress in 2025-26, despite the final result.
With that in mind, we’re handing out report cards for each of New York’s position groups — forwards, defenders, and goaltenders — as well as the decision-makers behind the bench in general manager Pascal Daoust and head coach Greg Fargo. Each group will get an overall grade before shifting to individual assessments.
Grades follow a standard letter scale. An A is exceptional, while an A-plus signifies an MVP-caliber season. A B is above average, a C is average, and a D is below average. An F is reserved for the type of dreadful campaign fans won’t forget for years.
Let’s start with the forwards.
Positional Grade — Forwards: B-
Not to spoil the verdict on the other two positions (more on them later in the week), but New York’s forwards will receive the highest grade, and it’s not hard to see why. In terms of on-ice impact, the Sirens’ three most valuable assets all reside in the forward group.
Sarah Fillier has already established herself as one of the game’s premier players, scoring at a pace matched only by future Hockey Hall of Famer Marie-Philip Poulin. Rookie first-rounders Kristyna Kaltounkova (No. 1 overall) and Casey O’Brien (No. 3 overall) may not have eclipsed Fillier’s historic rookie output from 2024-25, but both immediately showcased high-level offensive prowess. In a League where scoring comes at a premium, New York has three exciting talents that likely haven’t even reached their peak yet.
It starts to thin out after that trio, however, as the Sirens learned the hard way this season. New York’s lack of scoring depth proved costly, particularly after injuries sidelined two key goal-scorers in Kaltounkova and Taylor Girard. The Sirens finished second-to-last in the PWHL with 2.1 goals per game as their offense slowed to a crawl in the second half.
Heading into the offseason, it’s clear the Sirens need more scoring punch throughout the lineup if they want to contend next season. New York has some capable middle-six players who fit its fast, physical identity, but that value is wasted if the finishing doesn’t improve.
Individual report cards: Grading every New York Sirens forward
Sarah Fillier: A
It takes a special type of talent to overcome a 14-game goal drought and still finish as one of the League’s top scorers. Safe to say, Fillier fits the bill.
Following a Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024-25 where Fillier notched 13 goals and tied Hilary Knight for the PWHL lead in scoring with 29 points, expectations were sky high for the 25-year-old Ontario native entering her second pro season. The goals didn’t come as easily this time around — at least, not in the first half. Fillier managed just one goal through her first 17 games of 2025-26 and sported a 1.7 shooting percentage heading into a March 8 game at Prudential Center against the Ottawa Charge.
Fillier snapped the drought that day with an emphatic two-goal, three-point performance, and never looked back. She finished with nine goals — good for second on the Sirens behind only Kaltounkova — and ended the season tied for fifth in the League with 23 points. That’s not to say she was truly scuffling at any point in the season. Fillier was New York’s best playmaker from start to finish and remained the most important piece of its offensive attack, even when puck luck wasn’t on her side.
As the playoff picture grew more bleak, Fillier willed New York back into the fight. The Sirens were on the verge of a fifth straight regulation loss on April 1, trailing the Minnesota Frost 3-1 late in the third period. Then Fillier entered the frame, scoring twice in 14 seconds to force overtime, where she completed the natural hat trick, notching the game-winner with 15 seconds left.
Three days later, she delivered even more late-game heroics, netting the third-period equalizer against the Seattle Torrent in front of a United States record crowd at Madison Square Garden to tee up Maja Nylen Persson’s shootout winner. New York ultimately came up short of a postseason berth, but it wouldn’t have sniffed one without her.
Kristyna Kaltounkova: A-
A right-knee injury interrupted a terrific rookie campaign for Kaltounkova, whose first pro season certainly qualifies as “exceptional.” The 2025 No. 1 overall pick lived up to the billing, leading all rookies with 11 goals despite only playing 21 games.
It didn’t take long for the Colgate University alum to prove that her rocket shot was just as dangerous in the PWHL as it was in the NCAA. Kaltounkova was one of three players to eclipse a 0.5 goal-per-game pace in 2025-26; her 0.52 goals-per-game trailed Frost forwards Kelly Pannek and Kendall Coyne Schofield (0.53) for the League lead. The 24-year-old quickly became a mainstay on New York’s power play and played capably at both wing and center. She failed to record a point in her final five games, gritting through a knee injury suffered at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, but that doesn’t take away from the show she put on when healthy.
Kaltounkova has all the physical tools to thrive in the PWHL, boasting above-average skating, smooth hands, and an eager willingness to embrace the League’s physicality.
Of course, it’s that last part that could come back to bite her. Despite missing nine games at the end of the season, Kaltounkova ranked second in the PWHL with 45 penalty minutes. Her aggressiveness hurt the Sirens at times, including Dec. 3, when an illegal check from behind late in the third period earned her a game misconduct and directly sparked a 2-1 comeback victory for the Seattle Torrent.
Kaltounkova lamented having a target on her back from officials, and it’s hard to argue otherwise. At times, the Czech native was a victim of her own reputation — and that isn’t easily shaken.
Casey O’Brien: A-
Fresh off winning the 2025 Patty Kazmaier Award and a third national championship at the University of Wisconsin, O’Brien appeared in all 30 games of her first PWHL season and led all rookies with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists). Defenders Haley Winn and Nicole Gosling could block her path to the 2026 Rookie of the Year Award, but there’s no denying that O’Brien made a strong first impression in 2025-26.
O’Brien was New York’s second-leading scorer, one point shy of Fillier, whom she developed a comfortable rapport with as the two shared a line for every game after the Olympic break.
The 24-year-old kicked things into high gear on Dec. 28, scoring her first career goal — and then two more for the hat trick — in a 4-3 win over the Torrent in Dallas. She played one point shy of a point-per-game pace in the final 21 games of the season, blossoming into a true top-line center and a quality play-driver.
She’ll have to tighten up some of her defensive details to reach her long-term ceiling as an elite two-way center, but New York doesn’t have much to complain about in regard to O’Brien’s rookie campaign.
Taylor Girard: B+
Girard was a pleasant, somewhat unexpected surprise in 2025-26. After scoring just five goals across 46 games in her first two PWHL seasons, the 27-year-old exploded for seven goals in 17 games, boasting an 18.9 shooting percentage that ranked third-best among players with at least one shot per game.
When the goals came for Girard, they seemingly came in bunches. The Michigan native tallied five of her seven goals in two games against the Ottawa Charge, including a memorable season opener on Nov. 22, where she posted a third-period hat trick in a 4-0 win. It’s the type of production New York desperately needed from its secondary scorers, and she proved to be a valuable netfront presence on the power play.
Unfortunately, New York comes away from the season wishing it saw more of her. Girard served a three-game suspension in January, but the bigger blow came March 15 when she suffered a non-contact right knee injury that sidelined her for the remainder of the season. The Sirens struggled to replace her size and production in the lineup, and her absence contributed heavily to their offensive decline in the second half.
Girard will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and her latest setback raises some valid concerns about her health after two serious knee injuries in three seasons. Still, there’s little doubt the Sirens were a better team with her in the lineup.
Maddi Wheeler: B+
Kaltounkova and O’Brien were the obvious headliners of the Sirens’ rookie class, but Daoust landed a gem in the middle of the fourth round with Wisconsin forward Maddi Wheeler. The No. 27 overall pick quickly carved out a top-six role, embracing the League’s physicality and showcasing a polished 200-foot game.
Wheeler finished ninth in rookie scoring with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and ranked sixth overall in hits per game (1.76). Her hard-nosed play style made her an effective sparkplug for Fargo, who utilized her throughout the lineup, and a natural fit for New York’s new identity.
Her ceiling may not be quite as high as some of her fellow rookies, but Wheeler’s first pro season cemented her as one of the steals of the 2025 PWHL Draft. Retaining the 23-year-old through this summer’s expansion process would be nothing short of a major victory for the Sirens.
Anne Cherkowski: B-
Fargo lauded rookie forward Anne Cherkowski — selected by the Sirens with the first pick of the second round (No. 9 overall) as a first-round talent entering the season. But while the 23-year-old flashed moments of offensive ability, her potential went largely unrealized in 2025-26.
Cherkowski recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) despite getting consistent run in New York’s top six. Her 2.7 shooting percentage ranked last among PWHL rookies with at least one goal this season. Granted, the underlying metrics spin a more encouraging tale, and it’s not uncommon for first-year players to experience poor puck luck as they adjust to playing pro-level goalies.
The Clarkson University product appeared poised for a late-season surge while skating alongside Fillier and O’Brien as New York’s top line caught fire during an inspired playoff push. Cherkowski memorably set up Fillier for the game-tying goal at MSG in the third period, sliding a perfect pass across the crease. A sustained offensive stretch never materialized, though, making her a particularly intriguing case heading into expansion.
Cherkowski found ways to be a noticeable presence on offense, even if the points didn’t always reflect it, so there’s no need for alarm. In fact, she’s a prime breakout candidate heading into 2026-27. Don’t be surprised if expansion teams take interest in her this summer.
Kristin O’Neill: B-
The Sirens acquired Kristin O’Neill last offseason as the centerpiece of a trade that sent fan-favorite forward Abby Roque to the Montreal Victoire. O’Neill’s 2025-26 campaign paled in comparison to Roque, who finished with 22 points (eight goals, 14 points), largely playing alongside Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. O’Neill only managed five points (four goals, one assist) in 30 games, and was bounced off the top power-play unit for most of the second half. Then again, she wasn’t brought in to replace Roque’s offensive production.
Fargo used O’Neill as his matchup center, regularly pitting the tenacious 5-foot-4 forward against the opponent’s top line. She ate minutes on the penalty kill, even netting a jailbreak goal against the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Nov. 29, and won faceoffs at a 54.8 percent clip, good for ninth-best in the PWHL. Her skill set earned her a spot on Canada’s Olympic roster at this winter’s Games, where she played some of her best hockey of the season.
It’s easy to see how O’Neill could be a valuable piece on a championship-level hockey team, though the Sirens would be best served to surround her with more offensive talent if they bring her back in 2026-27. The 28-year-old isn’t much of an offensive play driver, a limitation that grew more noticeable as injuries took a toll on New York. A deeper offensive group would likely draw greater returns from O’Neill, as evidenced by her stellar Olympic stint in February.
Paetyn Levis: B-
Paetyn Levis might be the most underrated forward on the Sirens roster. A go-to option for Fargo on the penalty kill and top defensive assignments, Levis also enjoyed her best offensive season in her three-year PWHL career, setting career highs with five goals and 10 points. There’s likely more in the tank to that end for the former Frozen Four MVP, but finishing fifth in team scoring is hardly anything to sneeze at.
Levis doesn’t fall under the billing of a high-end offensive force, but her well-rounded game makes her an ideal middle-six option and a player the Sirens value highly.
Anna Bargman: C+
Anna Bargman was a developmental success for the Sirens. The fifth-round pick (No. 33 overall) recorded four goals and six points in 29 games, even logging time on New York’s second power-play unit. Boston Fleet rookie Abby Newhook (No. 34 overall) and former Russian pro Fanuza Kadirova (No. 45 overall) were the only other players selected in the final two rounds who bested Bargman’s output.
Bargman saw sheltered minutes in 2025-26 with an average time-on-ice (ATOI) of 6:22. She still realistically profiles as a fourth-line player, but that scoring touch could make her more valuable than your typical bottom-liner.
Clair DeGeorge: C+
When the Sirens signed Clair DeGeorge to a standard player agreement on March 18, the 26-year-old forward owned the lowest ATOI (2:23) of any qualified PWHL skater, used sparingly as the Toronto Sceptres’ 13th forward. New York, however, saw something Toronto did not.
Fargo shifted DeGeorge from wing to center and thrust her into an expanded third-line role. She seized the opportunity, logging an ATOI of 10:56 and nearly doubling her career point total with two assists in nine games. The 5-foot-11 forward added a physical presence to the bottom six and provided a noticeable boost to the forecheck.
Her offensive profile doesn’t move the needle, but DeGeorge impacts the game in enough ways to warrant another look next season.
Denisa KřÞová: C+
New York’s trade to acquire Frost forward Denisa KřÞová wasn’t enough to propel the team into the postseason. KřÞová’s down-year offensively largely continued in seven games with the Sirens, outside of a memorable goal against the Sceptres on April 15 that sparked a come-from-behind 3-2 regulation win.
That said, KřÞová showcased a capable 200-foot game and a willingness to go into the dirty areas of the ice. Even at her best, she’s not a player who will take over the game offensively, but the Czech native is still a more-than-adequate middle-sixer and a natural fit for New York’s system.
Elle Hartje: C
Elle Hartje set a career-high with seven points, all on assists, in her second PWHL season. She posted a nine-point swing in on-ice rating, leading the Sirens at plus-three. Hartje checked the boxes of a reliable bottom-six forward with strong skating and sound defensive habits, and didn’t look out of place when Fargo occasionally elevated her in the lineup. That’s an underrated ability, though New York shouldn’t be inclined to give her top-six time regularly.
Emmy Fecteau: C
Emmy Fecteau only recorded one point in 28 games, but she’s not in the lineup to create offense. The 5-foot-6 forward was a sparkplug on the fourth line thanks to her big hits and unabashed physicality. She’ll need to be more disciplined; Fecteau served a one-game suspension for delivering a check to the head late in the first period of the MSG game, and racked up 27 penalty minutes this season. But that’s par for the course with her style of play, and the Sirens benefit from the energy she gives the bench.
Savannah Norcross: C
After spending the 2024-25 season in Sweden, Savannah Norcross returned to the PWHL in 2025-26 and enjoyed a feel-good season with the Sirens. Norcross tallied her first career goal in a 2-0 win over Vancouver on Dec. 31, and finished the season with two points (one goal, one assist) in 23 games. She’ll likely never eclipse sheltered fourth-line minutes after logging an ATOI of 4:29 this season, but returning for a full season in the PWHL is an accomplishment in its own right.
Kayla Vespa: C-
Kayla Vespa appeared in all 30 games, leading all of New York’s fourth liners with a 7:54 ATOI. But the Sirens will need more from her if she’s to be their primary fourth-line center next season. Vespa won just 39.9 percent of her faceoffs and struggled to make an impact physically at 5-foot-2. A four-team expansion opens up additional runway for players like Vespa in the PWHL, so she’ll likely have an opportunity to bounce back in 2026-27. As it stands, though, New York may be better served with a player like DeGeorge in that role next season.
NOTE: Rookie forward Kira Juodikis appeared in four games with New York and logged an ATOI of 4:22. We determined this sample size was not large enough to receive a full-season PWHL grade.
