The outlook of the Connecticut Sun’s 2015 season changed with a double dose of bad news during the offseason: first that 2014 No. 1 overall pick Chiney Ogwumike would be out indefinitely following knee surgery, and then that 14-year vet Katie Douglas was retiring.

But the flip side of those losses is opportunity, and the path is clear for several young players to take a step forward this season. An offseason of change should give way to a season of transition for the franchise, which hosted the 2015 WNBA Draft and will host July’s All-Star festivities.

Here’s what to watch for in Connecticut in 2015:

Who will step up?

There’s no doubt that the absences of Ogwumike, the 2014 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and Douglas, a five-time All-Star and the league’s No. 8 all-time leading scorer, will weigh heavily on the Sun in 2015. A combined 28.7 points per game needs to be replaced with the loss of the team’s go-to forward and sharpshooter on the wing.

MORE: Katie Douglas’ Career in Photos

What’s left is a group that will take a “by committee” approach, with contributions from players up and down the roster. The lack of All-Star experience leaves room for up-and-coming talents like Alex Bentley, Kelsey Bone and Alyssa Thomas to build on solid 2014 seasons.

New girl in town

Another decorated post player is arriving in Connecticut this season in Duke’s Elizabeth Williams, whose resume speaks for itself: three-time AP All-American, three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year and No. 3 on the all-time ACC blocks list.

Williams has big shoes to fill, considering the Sun acquired her with the draft pick (No. 4 overall) they received in the blockbuster trade of star Tina Charles last spring. But the 22-year-old has the talent to bring an immediate defensive presence and help a team that finished last in the league in field goal percentage (41.5%) a year ago.

Second rookie

Williams also isn’t the only former Blue Devil set to make her pro debut in Connecticut. Chelsea Gray was a Duke star, too, before knee injuries ended both her junior and senior seasons early. She fell to the 11th overall pick in last year’s draft, when the Sun selected her with eyes on 2015.

Now Gray has the chance to fill two critical roles at the same time as both a sharpshooter to help replace Douglas and a much-needed floor general. The Sun ranked last in the WNBA in assist-to-turnover ratio last season, so adding the Blue Devils’ all-time leader in assists per game (5.0) could provide a huge boost.

Storm brewing

Owners of the No. 3 and 4 picks in the draft, Connecticut entered the offseason with the type of flexibility organizations covet. While they kept one pick, they used the third selection to trade for a pair of veterans from Seattle who will be looked upon as veteran leaders in 2015.

Forward Camille Little enjoyed a career year with a similar rebuilding Storm team last season, averaging a career-high 12.9 points to tie for the team lead. Tennessee product Shekinna Skricklen averaged 7.2 points in 17.5 minutes in a part-time role, and the career 34.8% three-point shooter is another option to pick up slack on the wing.

On the mend

Sometimes injuries make teams stronger — especially when they return to full strength. The Sun are preparing for the season without Ogwumike and guard Allison Hightower, an All-Star herself in 2013. The prospect of either or both returning will hang over the early weeks of the season.

Ogwumike’s six-to-nine months timetable makes a post-All-Star break return possible, while Hightower was declared out indefinitely with a knee injury in mid-May. They could return to a situation that is better than the one they left, whether 2015 is the year it all comes together or simply a building block to 2016.