‘I told her I love her’: Fleet GM Marmer emotional on decision to not protect Muller
If you ever think people in hockey are completely heartless and insensitive, think again.
On Wednesday, the eight established PWHL franchises were tasked with selecting three players to protect for the early phase of the 2026 Expansion Player Distribution Process. Big names such as Marie-Philip Poulin, Renata Fast and Sarah Fillier will be safe from being picked up by the league’s four newest teams in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose.
For the Boston Fleet, one of the league’s six founding teams, the team elected to protect Defender of the Year finalists Megan Keller and Haley Winn, along with Goaltender of the Year and Billie Jean King MVP Award finalist Aerin Frankel.
The notable name not on that list: Alina Muller.
Muller has been part of the team in New England since the inaugural season. In fact, she was the team’s first draft pick, taken third overall in the 2023 PWHL Draft. She has been a mainstay in the team’s top six ever since, carrying an offense that has unwillingly earned a reputation for struggling to put the puck in the net.
However, the prospect of the Swiss superstar leaving the team is wearing on people, including the general manager.
During a media availability on Thursday, Danielle Marmer emotionally explained that not protecting Muller was one of the hardest decisions she’s had to make as GM in Boston, noting that Muller did everything she could to earn one of the three protection slots.
“There’s nothing that she could have done differently for this decision to have been made differently,” Marmer said. “I told her how much she means to this organization and this city. I told her I love her, and that starting now, it’s the path to get her back here in Boston.”
Marmer mentioned that Muller handled the news like a pro, seemingly making the final decision even tougher.
“She was such a professional by the way that she handled it. That just speaks to who she is. She’s a phenomenal person and human being. We know she’s an incredible hockey player, but as a person, just wonderful. Understands the challenges from a roster-building perspective.”
Muller was one of the three players protected during last year’s expansion process, keeping her in the fold and away from the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent. However, the rise of rookie defender Haley Winn forced Marmer to make a decision to protect one of the team’s youngest players, and a star in the making. Marmer also noted that it was a no-brainer to protect Frankel, “the best goalie in the world,” as she put it, and that Keller’s leadership and high-end ability made her an obvious choice to be locked up once again.
“I told [Muller] right away,” Marmer said. “I didn’t want her to wait and wonder…it strictly came down to the strategy and the path that I felt was best to move forward in rebuilding this team.”
Now, there is an avenue where Muller stays in Boston. The four new teams are scheduled to submit 20-player negotiating lists on Thursday, with the franchises being allowed to start signing players on Friday. Muller, who has admittedly stated that she wants to continue to play in Boston, doesn’t have to sign any offers she receives. However, if any of the teams fail to sign five players during Phase 3, which ends on June 8, a selection process will be initiated, leaving Muller exposed to be picked up without any say.
When asked about her confidence level about Muller returning to the Fleet, Marmer states she’s trying to stay positive.
“I’m an optimist, so I’m gonna say they’re good.”
To say Muller is a huge part of hockey in the city of Boston is an understatement. After establishing herself as an exceptional player on the international stage, she enrolled at Northeastern University, where she became one of the best players in the NCAA. Then, she signed on to join the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation, shortly before the league was acquired by the PWHL. To see Muller play anywhere other than New England will be strange, to say the least.
Muller was a huge part of both of Boston’s runs to the Walter Cup Playoffs. In the league’s inaugural season, she scored the game-winner in double overtime in Game 4 against Minnesota to send the series the distance. This year, she potted a goal and four points in the semifinals against the Ottawa Charge, scoring the eventual winner in Game 1. However, the Fleet ended up bowing out in four games. It came after a solid regular season, in which the 28-year-old scored four goals and posted a career-high 21 points, finishing third on the team in scoring.
In 80 regular-season PWHL games, all with the Fleet, Muller has registered 16 goals and 40 assists for 56 points, with another seven points in 12 postseason contests.