NHL Notebook: Cal Petersen signs PTO with Capitals

Petersen, 31, was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2013 draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He eventually signed with the Los Angeles Kings’ organization following a three-year collegiate career with Notre Dame. The Waterloo, Iowa made his NHL debut in 2018-19, playing 11 games, as well as eight games in 2019-20.

He became a full-time netminder for the Kings during the pandemic-impacted 2020-21 season, posting a .911 save percentage and 2.89 goals against average in 35 games, mainly serving as the Kings’ starter. Petersen was unable to replicate that success in 2021-22, finishing with an .895 save percentage and 2.89 goals against average over 37 games.

The netminder played an additional 10 games for the Kings in 2022-23, but mainly played in the American Hockey League. Traded to the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2023 off-season Petersen played just five games with the Pennsylvania-based team, posting an .864 save percentage.

That marked the end of his NHL career, at least for now. Petersen has spent the past two seasons in the AHL, first with the Flyers’ affiliate in 2024-25, before playing 33 games with the Iowa Wild in 2025-26.

The Capitals have a thing for right-handed catching goalies, as Petersen is set to join fellow right-handed catching netminders Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, at least for a portion of the Capitals’ pre-season. Maybe they can unlock something in Petersen like they did with Thompson.

EBUGs must wear #00

Sticking with netminders, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported on Tuesday that emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) must wear the number 00. Carrying a third netminder is a must for all 32 teams. Additionally an EBUG has to have 80 or fewer professional games.

The number 00 has been worn before, with netminder Martin Biron wearing it for three games with the Sabres back in 1995-96. Moreover, netminder John Davidson wore the number all the way back in 1977-78 with the New York Rangers, posting an .899 save percentage over his 34 games.

Similarly, the number “0” has only been worn by one player, defenceman Neil Sheehy. He played 26 games with the numbers with the Hartford Whalers back in 1987-88, scoring a goal and five points.

Kevin Hayes signs with Ak Bars Kazan

Long-time NHL forward Kevin Hayes will play in Europe in 2026-27, as he’s signed with the Kontinental Hockey League’s Ak Bars Kazan.

Hayes was drafted 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, but he elected to attend Boston College for four seasons before singing with the Rangers. Over parts of five seasons with the Original Six team, he scored 87 goals and 216 points in 361 games. In 2017-18, he scored a career-high 25 goals, followed up with a career-high 55 points in 2018-19.

Before the 2019 trade deadline, Hayes was traded to the Winnipeg Jets, where he scored five goals and 12 points in 20 games, with another two goals and three points in six playoff games. Honestly, I have no recollection of those 26 games.

Hayes played four seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, posting 54 points in 2022-23, the only time he was an All-Star. The forward played 79 games with the Blues, but was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2024 off-season. Last season, he played just 28 games where he scored four goals and eight points.