Around the W: Vegas signs Eden, Hamilton builds from the back
Five PWHL signings in two days, from Lacey Eden's two years in Vegas to Nelli Laitinen's three in Hamilton, and what each term says.
The best signing of the last two days isn't the biggest name. It's Hamilton giving Nelli Laitinen three years, the longest term in this batch, for a defender who has already played six Worlds. Expansion teams that start on the blue line tend to last. Vegas got the star this week, and Hamilton got the spine.
The Ferda number: 728. That's how many NCAA points these five signings bring with them, by our count from the league's own releases. College production isn't a PWHL guarantee, but it's a better bet than a highlight reel.
Vegas signs Lacey Eden for two years
The fifth overall pick is locked up through 2027-28. Eden finished at Wisconsin with 245 points in 178 games, led the nation with 77 points as a grad student and is the only player to win four national titles. She's also played five straight Worlds for the U.S., with two golds.
The W read: Vegas now has both of its first-rounders, Eden and third overall pick Tessa Janecke, on two-year deals. That's a franchise that knows its window opens Dec. 6 against Detroit at T-Mobile Arena, not in 2030.
Hamilton gives Laitinen three years
The sixth overall pick is the first player from Hamilton's draft class to sign, and she's signed through 2028-29. Laitinen had 94 points in 145 games at Minnesota and wore the C for her last two seasons. She's a two-time Olympian with a 2022 bronze and six Worlds behind her.
The W read: GM Meghan Duggan called her "an exceptional defender who brings intelligence, competitiveness and poise." Fine, but the term says more than the quote, because three years is a team telling you who it's building around.
Hamilton adds Jade Iginla on one year
The 18th overall pick scored 56 goals in 123 games at Brown, with 33 points as a senior and a Third Team All-ECAC nod. She won U18 gold with Canada in 2022. Hamilton now has 16 players under contract.
The W read: one year is a prove-it deal, and that's fine, because a power forward with 56 college goals on a team still finding its scorers will get her chances. If she takes them, the second contract gets fatter.
Toronto keeps Kiara Zanon for two years
Zanon had 3 points in 30 games as a rookie, but she scored the winner in her first PWHL game on Nov. 21, 2025, in Minnesota. Before that came 191 NCAA points at Penn State and Ohio State and a 2024 national title.
The W read: two years for a three-point rookie is a bet on the résumé, not last season. Toronto's betting she's closer to the Ohio State version than the 30-game one, and I'd take that bet.
Montréal brings back Skylar Irving on one year
The 2025 third-rounder had 3 goals and 9 points in 27 games as a rookie, then played two playoff games on the Victoire's first Walter Cup run. She had 99 points in 152 games at Northeastern.
The W read: champions keep their depth cheap and short. One year for a rookie who already fit the room is how Montréal stays a contender while everybody else is still printing jerseys.
Contract card
- Lacey Eden, Las Vegas: two years, through 2027-28
- Nelli Laitinen, Hamilton: three years, through 2028-29
- Jade Iginla, Hamilton: one year
- Kiara Zanon, Toronto: two years, through 2027-28
- Skylar Irving, Montréal: one year, 2026-27
- Salaries: not published by the league
The W read: the expansion teams are doing it right. Vegas locked up its stars early, Hamilton built from the back, and the champs kept their room together. The real test comes in December, when the new teams find out how many of these college numbers travel.
