The veteran netminder heads to D.C. to battle for a roster spot after serving as Minnesota’s primary insurance policy between the pipes throughout last season.
Former Minnesota Wild goaltender Cal Petersen has found his next opportunity.
Petersen has agreed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the Washington Capitals, giving the veteran netminder an opportunity to compete for a contract during training camp.
The 31-year-old spent the 2025-26 season in the Wild organization after signing a one-year, $775,000 contract with Minnesota in July 2025. Petersen became an unrestricted free agent following the season.
Although Petersen did not appear in an NHL game for Minnesota, he spent time on the Wild's roster and was recalled from Iowa multiple times throughout the season, including late in the year.
Most of his season was spent with the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League.
Petersen appeared in 33 games for Iowa, recording a 2.73 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage. It was his seventh season seeing action in the AHL, where he has appeared in 248 career games.
His departure became increasingly likely after Minnesota reshaped its goaltending situation this offseason.
The Wild are expected to move forward with Jesper Wallstedt in a larger role while Calvin Pickard was added to the organization, leaving no room for Petersen to return.
Now, Petersen will attempt to earn another opportunity with Washington through training camp.
Originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 129th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft, Petersen has appeared in 106 career NHL games. He owns a career 2.96 goals-against average and .903 save percentage at the NHL level.
Petersen's best NHL season came with the Los Angeles Kings in 2020-21, when he appeared in 35 games and posted a .911 save percentage.
His career has taken him through the Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Wild organizations, while also representing the United States internationally.
A PTO does not guarantee Petersen a contract with Washington, but it gives the veteran another chance to prove he can provide organizational goaltending depth.
For the Wild, it officially marks the next chapter for a goaltender who spent last season providing insurance behind Minnesota's NHL tandem.
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