The players have formed a union and are again threatening to refuse to play this year unless they get what they want:
https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/5/...t-for-the-game
Pretty obvious that they have decided the only way forward for them is to live off the NHL's charity, and they are willing to destroy the NWHL to get there.
And related, both the Sabres and Devils have severed ties with the NWHL teams they were associated with.