Flyers Waive Cal Petersen After 7-Goal Disaster

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday afternoon that the Philadelphia Flyers have placed goaltender Cal Petersen on waivers.

It is likely that the Flyers will call up goaltender Felix Sandstrom from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Petersen, 29, was the Flyers’ starting goaltender in Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he got lit up for seven goals in the 7-6 defeat. Petersen finished the game with 25 saves on 32 shots against, culminating in a .781 save percentage.

Cal Petersen (PHI) on waivers

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 28, 2024

The former Los Angeles Kings goaltender’s last game action came 15 days prior on Feb. 10 – a 19-save performance in a 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. Petersen has a 2-2-0 record this season, but has a 3.90 GAA and a .864 save percentage overall. He has allowed 18 goals on 132 shots this season.

Sandstrom had an opportunity to beat out Sam Ersson to serve as the Flyers’ backup goaltender in preseason but failed to do so. The 27-year-old spent some time with the Flyers as the third goaltender but never appeared in any games. He was subsequently assigned to Lehigh Valley a short time later after passing through waivers.

Sandstrom is 11-6-2 with the Phantoms this season but has a 3.23 GAA and a .882 save percentage. Neither Sandstrom nor Petersen has played particularly well this season, though the Flyers may just be going for a different look at this point.

For Sandstrom, this represents another opportunity to prove himself as a capable backup goaltender at the expense of Petersen. The Swede has played parts of three seasons with the Flyers but has only managed a record of 3-16-4.

The Flyers have not yet officially announced any of these transactions and did not practice on Wednesday morning. If Petersen clears waivers, Sandstrom may be present for Thursday’s practice.

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